New textile jacket for winter

[Kaya75]

Hello all,

I thought about posting this in the touring section, but it's a kit question so.. Here goes.

I ride all winter, generally and commute everyday, last winter I just used a big'ol hi viz over my summer leather jacket.. But when making progress on long roads it flap and it my lid which was seriously annoying.. And the leather still got cold stiff and damp.

So payday is next week and I'm going to splash out on a decent winter textile looking for something that will be easy to commute with daily and cope with 200miles of north bound M6 mid winter... On a naked bandit.

Budget sub £200

Thanks for any insights

[ScaredyCat]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

+1 for the Wolf Titanium 3/4 jacket. I've had a non-Outlast one for a couple of years and it has been excellent in all seasons. (I wasn't convinced that the Outlast membrane version would match the hype.) The collar feels a bit tight sometimes so the Velcro can come loose, and elsewhere I'd prefer zips on the main pockets and press studs over the main zip rather than Velcro, but water doesn't get in and the pockets don't spill so there's really no problem. I find that all textile jackets tend to absorb some rain into the outer material so in really torrential rain I still put a cheap, waterproof shell on top to shed water immediately rather than having to dry. It is also warmer that way.

[NJD]

Also may want to consider;

1) Thermal layers.
2) Balaclava.
3) Thermal gloves or underglove.

I have the RST Blade textile jacket that I use on my daily commutes and has coped with whatever weather I've ridden in leaving me bone dry at the end of it as well as warm, ce armour to the shoulders and elbows with a level 2 back protector.. big old heft thing. Has a very well made removable inner thermal liner. One zip on the back as a vent.

Also have the RST Trachtech Evo textile jacket that has external shoulder protectors as well as internal ce shoulder protectors as well as an upgraded back protector race hump style at the top of the jacket combined with the back protector means that the entire back area is covered and protected. The back protector is only a level 1 foam so may be worth buying the better version from many available outlets that you can just replace for the standard one. Also includes the above inner thermal layer (they're all the same) and 4 zips for vents, two on the back and two on the front.

Alternatively RST do touring jackets although have never tried one on in person so cannot comment at all.

RST Blade / Trachtech can be had for about £120-140, just a range their both somewhere in the middle but cannot remember or bothered to look. Never covered 200 miles in one go so cannot comment on witch one I'd choose if any.

[..]

Wind blasts straight through textiles & aren't waterproof no matter how expensive they are' leathers with a single piece rain over suit or 2 piece rain top/bottoms are deff warmer & less likely to let water in.

[andys675]

try and get a discounted rukka from somewhere like fc moto

or a dainese goretex can be had for sub 200 come show time
____________________
Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[Casper]

Not long just got myself an RST paragon 4. Top bit of kit that is so warn i took the liner out. Comes with armour what is solid as it the back protector. It had a removable neck warmer that tucks under the lid. Lots of pockets and air vents for summer. £199. Best jacket i have ever bought.

[Val]

[Kaya75]

Awesome replies, thanks for the time, gives me a nice selection to go at I'm intrigued with the CE ratings there Val, never considered that...

Well I got pilots 4 on order for the wheels and need to look at these jacket options, cut down to a good selection here, same as all kit I reckon selection of quality reviews ( thanks all ) and then go try see what fits good and feels right

Happy daze, n thank again

[Eddie Hitler]

Alpinestars Andes.

[Val]

[..]

i always replace the standard CE level 1 which comes with most gear with These in the shoulders & These worn on outside of the jacket as the EX-K's are too bulky for the inside' search google for reviews on them...protect miles better than old gen CE level 1

[tactical_pancake]

[Doovy]

[Northern Monkey]