Looking for Long Term Jacket Reviews

MattJ1983

MattJ1983

Well-known member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
I'm looking to replace my Held Tropic jacket. I've had it just under a year and it is somewhat falling apart. I love the fit and cut of the jacket, but the quality is lacking. It doesn't seem to be designed for anything more than irregular weekend trips.

Preferably looking for Joe Rocket reviews, I need to match my pants :p.

Thank you
 
MattJ1983 said:
I'm looking to replace my Held Tropic jacket. I've had it just under a year and it is somewhat falling apart. I love the fit and cut of the jacket, but the quality is lacking. It doesn't seem to be designed for anything more than irregular weekend trips.

Preferably looking for Joe Rocket reviews, I need to match my pants :p.

Thank you
Click to expand...

I've only had good experiences with Joe Rocket jackets. I've been through 3 so far, 1 textile one and 2 leather ones.

I used to wear the textile (I believe it was a Phoenix jacket) on hotter days and the leather (Blaster) on colder days. Both were excellent in terms of fit, finish and looks. Never had a zipper break on them, very versatile with the included liners and the venting. I sold the Phoenix and the Blaster is for sale now.

I wear a Joe Rocket Super Ego jacket now which is the most versatile jacket I've ever owned. It's a full leather jacket which can convert into a mesh jacket, but still with leather on areas at higher risk for abrasion on impact so in any form it offers a lot of protection. This jacket stops me from having to carry around two jackets when touring. There's internal zippers for a liner but I can't find any information on if there was ever a liner available for it. Otherwise no issues.

The only complaint I have about is with the zipper pants attachment, but as a sidenote I'm attaching Nexo pants to my Joe rocket Jacket. I find what ends up happening is instead of the pants being pulled up by the jacket, the pants pull the jacket down from behind. I think this is more of the pants fault since the waist buckle isnt very good at keeping it on.

JR Jackets are great, but my experience with their gloves are another story.
 
Olympia Airglide jacket. Good for three seasons, very versatile. Mine has seen two years of heavy use, still as good as new.
 
Joe Rocket Ballistic. 3rd year. Excellent ventilation, all zippers work great, weather proof liner but not that breathable, inexpensive !!
 
Last edited:
my two favorites are both basic black leather, had them for years. many years. the zippers all work, they get more comfortable every year. I will leave them to my kids in my will. Schott , made in NY, cost about $700 and a Bristol made in Montreal , cost about $550. both worth every nickel.
 
Jayell said:
Olympia Airglide jacket. Good for three seasons, very versatile. Mine has seen two years of heavy use, still as good as new.
Click to expand...

This might be my next jacket. I have been really happy with my Airglide pants so far.


I have to go and pick up some stuff at Two Wheel on Tuesday so I think I will try them on and see what the armor is like.
 
I've had the same Joe Rocket leather jacket (can't remember model off the top of my head) for ten years now. A lot of miles and trips and it has been excellent.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
 
3 seasons on my Tourmaster flex... Good in all seasons as its modular comfortable with lots of protection, loads of pockets and has venting. Its also fairly water resistant if you have the outer shell on it.
 
I have a very old JR Mesh Phoenix

61VC3BMVHQL._SS500_.jpg


- bought it for used $50 5-6 years ago- everything works perfectly, zips, snaps, been fallen on in the dirt, thrown in the washing machine ( without the armour ), ridden through every kind of weather and it's still my go to jacket. ( I ride all year - 3 months down under and the rest here and just about every day. )

I use a $60 inner liner for extra warmth.
Then an Icon shell for rain or additional warmth.
Because it can be layered I can ride from about 12 degrees to 30 comfortably.

After 30 it's still fine but I might stuff the jacket in the top case and go squid at times.

The new Phoenix does not have the soft armor blades the older jacket did and which really is good on falls in dirt.

Joe-Rocket-Phoenix-5-Mesh-Jacket-Black-Red-Orange.jpg
 
Last edited:
Another vote here for Joe Rocket. I've had the same Joe Rocket jacket for 5 years and the only thing that broke on it is the zipper pull tab which I was able to replace. Great jacket.
 
Icon Contra, wonderful jacket stands up well.
 
MacDoc said:
I have a very old JR Mesh Phoenix

61VC3BMVHQL._SS500_.jpg


- bought it for used $50 5-6 years ago- everything works perfectly, zips, snaps, been fallen on in the dirt, thrown in the washing machine ( without the armour ), ridden through every kind of weather and it's still my go to jacket. ( I ride all year - 3 months down under and the rest here and just about every day. )

I use a $60 inner liner for extra warmth.
Then an Icon shell for rain or additional warmth.
Because it can be layered I can ride from about 12 degrees to 30 comfortably.

After 30 it's still fine but I might stuff the jacket in the top case and go squid at times.

The new Phoenix does not have the soft armor blades the older jacket did and which really is good on falls in dirt.

Joe-Rocket-Phoenix-5-Mesh-Jacket-Black-Red-Orange.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm disappointed that the new ones don't have the "blades", it looks more aggressive.

How has the wrist velcro held up? I have a tecknic jacket i wore year round before the Held and the start of riding season 2 the velcro was worn out.
 
Yes the wrist velcro is tattered tho that's just lazy putting a couple of stitches

You might find an earlier Phoenix about tho it came out in 2001!!!
Big shoulders with blades cover up a too round belly :D

phoenix3gry2.jpg


http://www.kratzmc.com/2009/09/04/new-gear/
You can replace the armor easily and I've worn it with a Thor armored shirt instead of the internal soft armor.

Lucky buy ....guess I'll patch up that Velcro.
Gee - not a bad deal here

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-motorcycle-p...nts/589666166?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

set with liners for $100

$_20.JPG
 
That size is too big for me, I'm a Medium at most :p.
I have spent the last 45 minutes going through Kijiji and found about 6 that will fit me. Surprisingly a lot of grey/silver.
 
The earlier ones fit large....mine is 2x and a good fit...current ones need 3x for the same fit.

I have a small Jordan Mesh by Joe Rocket I bought for a staff who ended up not riding...

Very nice condition

Not an image of it actually but what it looks like - similar condition - you are welcome to try it

 
Thank you very much for the offer, but the yellow is a little too over the top for me. Not to mention, it totally clashes with my bike :p.
 
Thought that might be the case. - It's actually a bit better looking in real life but no question you'll be seen...

helmets-bell-snow-adult-revolver-solid-with-electric-shield-high-vis-yellow.jpg paired up with this - they'll need sunglasses :D

My buddy has one like that in Australia and damn he is obvious in traffic.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom