Anyone using mesh jackets or pants in this heat? Recommendations...

Zoodles95

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I have a textile jacket that performs really well in the rain and keeps me warm in the spring and fall. However, I am finding that even with all of the liners out it only has so much venting.

Time for a compromise? I refuse to just wear a t-shirt. I am wondering if a decent mesh jacket might be a nice compromise for the really hot days.

Looked at the Joe Rocket Phoenix today and not bad. I also am curious about the Olympia Renegade because they use Cordura in the impact areas which is a material with decent abrasion resistance.

I plan to wear my Icon armour underneath so I think I can find a good compromise between decent protection and comfort.


Are any of you wearing mesh jackets and/or pants?
 
I agree that Motoport is some good stuff. I have a pair of their kevlar gloves which are surprisingly good for hot weather. I would buy some of their jackets and pants, but why couldn't they design some better looking gear?

I also have an Olympia armoured mesh jacket which is really great. I also have their X Moto jacket which has excellent ventilation and a built in hydration pack.

For pants, I have a pair of the Olympia Airglide 3, which let in a lot of air and have full length zippers which make getting them on and off easier with boots.
 
I use an Icon mesh jacket and its fairly breathable. Sometimes I don't feel that much wind when it's warm but sometimes I feel pretty chilly in the mornings.

However the problem is when you start wearing things underneath the mesh it is kind of counter productive. For instance, I wear a dainese BP under my mesh jacket so there's no airflow to my back, plus i wear a backpack. I could see with a vest and elbow pads, it will definitely help keep you warm.

That being said, I've hardly ever been HOT in my gear. I've been warm, and I've been sweating when I get OFF the bike and into my house, but never hot enough ON the bike to feel like I'm in trouble or anything.
 
Been wearing the Rev'it Airwave jacket and pants combo since last summer - very comfy on hot days. Have also worn the Tarmac Air and find it more comfortable, it feels like a slightly softer material.

I feel like it's a good compromise, lots of protection in the high impact areas, shoulder/elbow pads and back protector but still lots of air movement.
 
Teknic Supervent Pro with the back racing hump removed. Awesome jacket, great airflow. But you freeze at anything less than 15d C.

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I have a Rev'it Tornate Hi-Viz and super happy with it. With the liner it get's pretty warm and it is waterproof. Without the liner, it's fully breathable. On top of that, I put all chances on my side to be seen, day and night (it's super reflective).

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-tornado-hv-jacket

I also added a back protector from Rev'it that is CE-level 2 and is quite breathable: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-seesoft-back-protector-insert

Got all the above from Rider's Choice at the same price as Revzilla has it.
 
I have JR Mesh and ride it from 8 degrees ( with a liner ) to 35 after which off it comes.
They have good removable armor and soft blades as well - under armor may be overkill.

An yes it takes hits well tho none on the road for me. Off road falls and all but one it's been perfect.
They are cooler than a Tshirt but not than a technical shirt ( polester ) which I wear underneath.

I have one ballistic jacket with liner for under 8 degrees but the mesh is so light and you don't even feel it on as not stiff at all that I don't ever mind wearing it unless it's just nuts hot.

This is good tech. I don't see it as a compromise at all.
 
I wear an Alpinestars Verona Air. It comes with shoulder, elbow-forearm padding but nothing for the back and no liner. It's inexpensive and I've added a foam back protector. Outer arms and shoulders are solid textile. Works well and has been crash tested by yours truly.
 
I got a Mesh Jackets from Streetz, excellent air flow and really comfortable to wear. I opted for the Black one, but grey seems to make more sense in the heavy sun.

This jacket has leather shoulders, elbows and back inserts to give me the added protection of leather, but free flowing of mesh. Also has a thermal water proof liner for the colder days.

They also had matching/joining textile pants with mesh, they looked comfy and lights with the liner insert out.
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. I would buy some of their jackets and pants, but why couldn't they design some better looking gear?

.
I have to agree.....some of their product is pure "fuglienes".
I've been wearing REV'IT Tornado outfit for the last three seasons and absolutely love it!
 
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One recommendation I have is if you are looking for a mesh jacket for the really hot wether. Get a light colored one. I have a black mesh jacket from ICON and a white mesh jacket from Alpinestars - TGP plus air mesh jacket. It makes a huge difference in stop and go type riding - e.g in city traffic. Both jackets have all the CE approved armour. Alpinestars also has chest pads. I purchased a separate back protector which you can insert inside the back pocket.
 
A while back I read a few things saying that full but vented textile can actually run cooler than mesh -- This comes from the fact in really hot weather you are essentially riding in a convection oven (blowing really hot air past/through you), whereas with a full but vented textile you create a 'micro-climate' within your jacket that actually keeps you a little cooler. Keep in mind this is only while moving -- if you are stopped, then mesh would definitely be cooler.
 
One recommendation I have is if you are looking for a mesh jacket for the really hot wether. Get a light colored one. I have a black mesh jacket from ICON and a white mesh jacket from Alpinestars - TGP plus air mesh jacket. It makes a huge difference in stop and go type riding - e.g in city traffic. Both jackets have all the CE approved armour. Alpinestars also has chest pads. I purchased a separate back protector which you can insert inside the back pocket.

No kidding! I picked up a white mesh jacket myself and it boggles my mind to see black mesh jackets. If it's so hot that you need it, then wearing dark colours sure isn't going to help.
 
I also have an Olympia armoured mesh jacket which is really great. I also have their X Moto jacket which has excellent ventilation and a built in hydration pack.

For pants, I have a pair of the Olympia Airglide 3, which let in a lot of air and have full length zippers which make getting them on and off easier with boots.

I have similar Olympia gear and purchased it based on positive feedback from friends and posts on various boards. Unfortunately mesh can only do so much at 30c and higher, aside from the humidex. At highways speed you're ok, but stop and go can be a killer. One thing to remember is to keep yourself well hydrated as high temps and highway speeds will very quickly deplete your body of fluids. If you're peeing urine that looks like yellow highlighter you're seriously dehydrated and likely feeling lousy.
 
Yup - I have the Olympia mesh air glide and it is perfect at up to 18-22 degrees celcius. Over that I sweat like a pig. :( At 28-30 C it's really hot. Have resorted to squiding. Any helpful ideas are welcome.
 
Toronto rider on this comprehensive survey of mesh in actual accidents....

Jun-jr-jacket.jpg


Rider lowsided on a decreasing radius turn in Toronto, ON, Canada, at 70kph/44mph, hitting his right shoulder and elbow. Joe Rocket mesh jacket was scuffed and shredded at the shoulder but did not melt. The rider did not receive road rash or friction burns on his upper body. The jacket remains in service today. Photo by Jun C.

http://dontai.com/wp/2010/06/03/does-motorcycle-mesh-gear-melt-in-a-crash/
 
I wear this on crazy hot days.
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hm, how good are mesh for resistance to sliding compared to jeans?

My initial plan is to stick with my incoming Velocity kevlar jeans combined with my Icon knee guards for my pants.

Jacket will be a mesh of some kind but combined with the Icon vest and elbow guards:


That plus the existing armour in the mesh jacket should suffice. A big step up from squiding it in a t-shirt!
 
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