Riding Jackets in the Summer

[kepople]

2 part question:

1)I know the answer is "absolutley everytime", but how many of you RT riders ride with a mesh jacket in the Summer?
it gets really hot here as I am sure all are aware, but this is for protection so I am trying to find one with a lot of cooling.

2) What mesh jackets are the coolest and most comfortable for a chunky Texan?

I saw the FLY Cool Pro which is Really reasonable on Revzilla but cant try it on. Price is great though

thanks

[bullant12]

This is a judgement call.

You wear what makes you comfy. However, if you are ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) user, you will wear a mesh jacket for protection. Again, this is a judgement call and you will learn during the process. However, this is my judgement: when going on short rYdes (run errands around town) and not on the interstate, I go shorts, short sleave t-shirt and tennis shoes. If I go on a day rYde, I'll switch the shorts and shoes to jeans and riding boots AND take a mesh jacket if I have to take the interstate for some reason.

Many companies offer good mesh gear, with big sizes to choose from. Revzilla will let you swap out gear at no additional costs within 30 days. Good luck!

Cycle Gear is a reputable chain store for bikers. It has a good selection of jackets.

[spyder3]

I wear the tornado mesh jacket from Revitt, purchased from Revzilla. I think like most mesh, as long as your moving its fine, sitting in traffic will be hot.

I wouldnt say the Revitt is for you, its a european cut. But whats nice about revzilla is you can order it, try it on and send it back if it doesnt fit. You pay shipping....one way.

[Spyder Smyles]

As accidents can happen at anytime I am a firm believer in wearing a helmet, jacket, gloves, long pants, and boots whenever I am on a bike. I use a mesh Joe Rocket or Tour master jacket with a light lose shirt under it. If it is extremely hot I wet down the shirt under the jacket and it acts like a cooling system. I have also been known to wet a wash cloth and stick it on my head under my helmet to help cool me off.

[Jeriatric]

Personally wear 'Gear One' Mesh Tex offered by site sponsor BajaRon. The important thing to remember regardless of what you decide to wear when riding in HEAT - 'stay hydrated'.


It can get hot here too.

FORECAST HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR SATURDAY:

LOWER DESERTS...............105 TO 113.
HIGH DESERTS.................95 TO 103.

[asp125]

Mesh jackets will actually keep you cooler than bare exposed skin. Sun and wind on bare skin will dry you up and tan you like a baseball glove. Sitting still in hot humid weather it'll be hot, but a little airflow and it will cool you down quite fast. Soaking down a t-shirt is a great trick, you'll actually feel cold for the first while, as are those gel scarves or vests.

Joe Rocket, Icon, Speed & Strength, River Road are brands of jackets that are cut for the North American build. Revzilla has great return policies and it helps to read the customer reviews.

[DrewNJ]

This is a judgement call.

You wear what makes you comfy. However, if you are ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) user, you will wear a mesh jacket for protection. Again, this is a judgement call and you will learn during the process. However, this is my judgement: when going on short rYdes (run errands around town) and not on the interstate, I go shorts, short sleave t-shirt and tennis shoes. If I go on a day rYde, I'll switch the shorts and shoes to jeans and riding boots AND take a mesh jacket if I have to take the interstate for some reason.

Many companies offer good mesh gear, with big sizes to choose from. Revzilla will let you swap out gear at no additional costs within 30 days. Good luck!

Cycle Gear is a reputable chain store for bikers. It has a good selection of jackets.

I agree 100%. It's totally a judgement call and I end up doing the same. I am guilty at times of dressing "light" when it comes to gear in the summer. Helmet 100% but I do wear shorts, t's, and sneaks in the summer. (guess I'm a squid...) Jackets on the highway are almost a must though due to wind flap that beats you up.
Gear COLOR makes a pretty big difference too.....

[SpyderAnn01]

I wear a Fieldsheer Mesh jacket

[bullant12]

Gear COLOR makes a pretty big difference too.....

White is a good reflector color... If you have long sleve t-shirts that are made for hot weather, that works to avoid getting sunburned.
I also bought a couple of cooling towels when it gets REALLY hot out there... haven't tried them yet, but I've heard from other riders they work...

[Bob Denman]

...Tourmaster modular mesh jacket here... Good for the twenties, up through the nineties!
It has an insulated liner and a nylon shell that can be added as condtions warrant...

[NancysToy]

I almost always wear mesh in the hot summer. As was said, it keeps the sun off and shades the skin, so it is actually cooler than without the mesh. The safety and visibility factors (for hi-vis jackets) are also undeniable. My old jacket was a FirstGear, which I loved, but when it got tired they didn't make that design any longer. I didn't like the newer FirstGear mesh, so I am now wearing a Tourmaster Sonora.

[Bob Denman]

I just looked; Mine is a TourMaster Flex, Series 3

[PrairieSpyder]

...Tourmaster modular mesh jacket here... Good for the twenties, up through the nineties!
It has an insulated liner and a nylon shell that can be added as condtions warrant...

! In the summer the mesh is good, but I carry all the pieces with me anyway. In the Spring or Fall, you never know how much coverage you'll want. You may start out needing something heavier and in the afternoon only need the mesh. I highly recommend the Tourmaster modular.

[MidLifeCrisis]

The Olympia switchback has been working out pretty nicely for bith our AZ summers and winters thats betwee 118 and 30 degrees. At leadt that's the temos I've ridden un anyway.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[stevedfive]

I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Hi-viz mesh jacket.
http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/ind...s/Phoenix_5.0_[mesh]

[Questions]

If its nice and toasty. I would go with maybe just a vest. That way you can enjoy the warm summer weather without the restrictions of a jacket. Even though a mesh jacket is cool and what not for keeping cooler. Look into getting a vest, there are some really good priced vests out there, I can point you in the right direction if its something you'll now consider

[Bob Denman]

! In the summer the mesh is good, but I carry all the pieces with me anyway. In the Spring or Fall, you never know how much coverage you'll want. You may start out needing something heavier and in the afternoon only need the mesh. I highly recommend the Tourmaster modular.

I'd say that, "Great minds think alike...", but mine clearly isn't!

[shrubs]

1. 90% of the time I wear a mesh jacket in the summer time. 100% of the time if there's any freeway riding. not sure if there's really a rhyme or reason behind it.

2. My personal preference is the Rush Mesh Jacket in (of course) day glo yellow. I'm a huge fan of high vis colors (yellow, green, orange) while riding. For the other 3 season, the wife and I both have Firstgear Kilimanjaro Jackets.

[TicketBait]

Thats right the same CO. that makes your bike has the most awesome mesh jacket. I have armor inserted(that they make ) for the shoulder and elbow. but the back protector only in my leather jacket. You can get it for the summer mesh, if you want.

This jacket comes with a removable lining, so you only need the one jacket if you start out in the morning and ride into the night.

There is a front inside zip where I keep my wallet. Both pockets have outside zips, they also make matching pants which I don't have yet. Yu even get a heavy duty hanger with it

[kepople]

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?

[Coptermike]

New rider, considered carefully and decided the protection was worth investing in the mesh. Here in Texas, my thought was that mesh could be a three season jacket with a liner or something under it. So far, have riden in temps up to 90+. I can confirm it gets hot when sitting in traffic but when moving it is not bad. Rode 60 miles or so two weeks ago with t shirt only...won't do that again because of wind and sun burn. Have not tried the wet t-shirt trick but sounds good.

Got my FirstGear from Revzilla. Great service and quick. I am chunky as well, but jacket fit except for a bit long in the sleeves. I am by no means an expert, but for a first investment I think it is a good one. Just bought a pair of mesh pants as well...when they arrive I will do some testing on those.

Good luck on your search

[Jeriatric]

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?

Yes, Deer Skin

[Coptermike]

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?

Yes to the gloves. Mine have quite a bit of mesh they are very comfortable.

[asp125]

If its nice and toasty. I would go with maybe just a vest. That way you can enjoy the warm summer weather without the restrictions of a jacket. Even though a mesh jacket is cool and what not for keeping cooler. Look into getting a vest, there are some really good priced vests out there, I can point you in the right direction if its something you'll now consider

Throw it over a t-shirt add some elbow pads and you're all set.

[asp125]

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?