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What should I look for in a mesh jacket? Any Pros & Cons?

Lots of good mesh jackets so like helmets, you should try before buy.

Keep in mind that a mesh jacket lets the outside air blow directly onto your body. Works great while moving or until temps reach hair dryer levels and you have hot air blowing on you. IMHO stripping down is worse with the direct sun and maybe windburn. My choice in very hot temps is a good Goretex solid jacket to maintain your body's ecosystem away from the outside heat. YMMV
 
If you want something more casual, check out Skull Riderz Road Armor Air Rider armored mesh shirt. It resembles a flannel shirt which may seem to contradict typical hot weather fashion. The material is soft and flexible.

When things are really hot, a mesh jacket can be paired with a cooling vest. Again, layering in hot weather seems like a contradiction, but I've read it works well.
 
I have had a Tourmaster jacket for years and I like it well. I got it cheap, as the store had misplaced the liner for it. I picked up a Cycle Gear brand liner for cool days. A couple of years back, I picked up for the wife a Bilt mesh jacket with a quilted liner. She says it's comfortable in cooler temps, and not too heavy.
 
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When I was looking to buy a mesh jacket, I was somewhat dismayed at the prices of the bigger name brands. Then I came across a Motonation brand jacket for under $100. Very nice quality, has inside pockets, removable rain liner and basically every feature the more expensive jackets had. I'm very happy with the quality and it has held up very well for 4 years now.
 
I know I'm a little late to party but I would like to suggest you look at Skull Riderz. I am tall 6'4" and 260lbs. Finding riding gear in tall sizes (that really are sized for tall) has been a challenge. Someone suggested I look at Skull Riderz, I had never heard of them before. I ordered their mesh armored shirt and since I received it, 2 of my riding friends have ordered from them as well. I will be honest, I was a little skeptical when I ordered but the price was very good and I was pleasantly surprised when I received the jacket. It took 2 weeks-ish to arrive. The fit is excellent and it is actually cooler riding in NC in the summer than just wearing a t-shirt. The armor can be removed and you also have the option of upgrading the armor. The only odd thing is that the zipper pull in the front is on the left side. Not a problem just a note, I guess European design? I am not affiliated with them in any way so it makes no difference to me, but I wanted to share my experience as it may give you another option.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
I know I'm a little late to party but I would like to suggest you look at Skull Riderz. I am tall 6'4" and 260lbs. Finding riding gear in tall sizes (that really are sized for tall) has been a challenge. Someone suggested I look at Skull Riderz, I had never heard of them before. I ordered their mesh armored shirt and since I received it, 2 of my riding friends have ordered from them as well. I will be honest, I was a little skeptical when I ordered but the price was very good and I was pleasantly surprised when I received the jacket. It took 2 weeks-ish to arrive. The fit is excellent and it is actually cooler riding in NC in the summer than just wearing a t-shirt. The armor can be removed and you also have the option of upgrading the armor. The only odd thing is that the zipper pull in the front is on the left side. Not a problem just a note, I guess European design? I am not affiliated with them in any way so it makes no difference to me, but I wanted to share my experience as it may give you another option.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

This is good too hear. Skull Riderz is all over my F@cebook feed, and usually with that much heavy advertising they are either a rebrand of a cheap overseas product, or just cheap themselves period. (I have stopped ordering ANY shirts from FB or TikTok due to this. Every single one has been very poor quality, and shipping for the returns is as much as the product usually.)

What works for me is a mesh jacket with a long sleeve swim "rash guard" style shirt that fits snug. The shirt absorbs my sweat and the wind cools me down. The mesh jacket provides shade and protection.
If it gets really hot, I add a wet cooling towel around my neck, or a wet cooling vest vest under the jacket.
 
I know I'm a little late to party but I would like to suggest you look at Skull Riderz. I am tall 6'4" and 260lbs. Finding riding gear in tall sizes (that really are sized for tall) has been a challenge. Someone suggested I look at Skull Riderz, I had never heard of them before. I ordered their mesh armored shirt and since I received it, 2 of my riding friends have ordered from them as well. I will be honest, I was a little skeptical when I ordered but the price was very good and I was pleasantly surprised when I received the jacket. It took 2 weeks-ish to arrive. The fit is excellent and it is actually cooler riding in NC in the summer than just wearing a t-shirt. The armor can be removed and you also have the option of upgrading the armor. The only odd thing is that the zipper pull in the front is on the left side. Not a problem just a note, I guess European design? I am not affiliated with them in any way so it makes no difference to me, but I wanted to share my experience as it may give you another option.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

HI Yawnsky24,

I have not heard of Skull Riderz either. Do you know if they have women's mesh jackets?

I am also looking for mesh riding jackets, and I am also tall.

Deanna
 
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Deanna,

They list several different ladies models but I have no experience with the ladies selections.
As far as jackets, I can't comment as I only have the mesh shirt, but I use that as a jacket and it works well and is very comfortable for me.

Jan
 
Deanna,

They list several different ladies models but I have no experience with the ladies selections.
As far as jackets, I can't comment as I only have the mesh shirt, but I use that as a jacket and it works well and is very comfortable for me.

Jan

HI Jan,

Thanks for letting me know.

I'll check their website.

Deanna
 
I use the Revit Eclipse 2 mesh jacket and went with the optional CE2 spinal pad and I'm glad that I did.

I was in a rear end accident at a red-light last September that ejected me out into the intersection.

One of the witnesses said that I went up in the air and came down on my head and shoulders.

I was able to walk away, bruised up, but nothing broken, and no road rash.

It is comfortable on hot days, and my only complaint would be is that the collar can be a bit tight at times when snapped closed.

I just looked and they are on sale now for $161

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Interesting thing I discovered this year about mesh jackets. If they are too fitted, air will not circulate correctly. Also more of the hot jacket will be in contact with your body thus keeping you warmer.

Don't get anything too tight fitting.

I have a Joe Rocket Phoenix 13.0 (3XL) that I purchased in 2021. I normally wear XL or 2 XL depending on the manufacturer. I bought the 3XL because I wanted to be able to wear a warm fleece jacket under it when it's below freezing. During the summer with just a T-Shirt it keeps me comfortable even in really hot weather.

After losing some weight I decided to get something a little more form fitting. Two weeks ago, I purchased the BRP Men's Sythe Mesh Jacket CE/UKCA - https://can-am-shop.brp.com/on-road/ca/en/440975-men-s-sythe-mesh-jacket-ce-ukca.html - It's about half the weight of the Joe Rocket and has lighter armour.

However, the jacket hugs my body a lot more than the JR and keeps me much warmer.

Just thought I would offer my experience with Mesh Jackets.
 
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What to look for in a mesh jacket. Pro and Con of a mesh jacket. Thanks
Look for one with a soft collar that won't chafe your neck. Also be sure the armour won't block the flow of air in places where you want it. Two thumbs up if it has a warm and waterproof liner. Mine is waist length but I found I prefer 3/4 length in a jacket. I have also found that I am cooler if I wear my cooling vest underneath. If it is super hot (over 90°) then I prefer to wear my Kilimanjaro silver 3/4 jacket. The color reflects some of the heat, the material blocks the hot air, and my cooling vest helps me stay cooler. Keeping hydrated and keeping my head cool are also very important, so I drink lots and wear a light-colored helmet. Before the days of electronics, I would stop by a stream fill my helmet with water dump it over my head and be good for an hour or so then repeat.
 
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Bugs are a bit difficult to remove from the mesh.

I hand wash mine in the tub with cold/warm soapy water, it gets the bugs off plus people don't have to smell my BO going down the road in hot weather.

After I wash it, I air dry it on a hanger then hit it with some Febreze for fabrics.
 
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Riders should be aware that nylon and polyester have a low melting point and can give a rider a false sense of protection. I have seen pictures of cheap jacket material when it has melted into the skin during a slide. A real mess for the ER folks to remove. I wear a Vanson perforated jacket with competition grade leather. I also have a custom-made jacket by Motoport with a Kevlar mesh. Neither is cheap, neither is your skin. I have been wearing the same Motoport mesh pants for over 25 years.

.https://www.vansonleathers.com/air-.../175-material_color-black_competition_properf

https://www.motoport.com/product/police-air-mesh-jacket/
 
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I just noticed you are in Ohio. Take a ride to Iron Pony in Columbus and spend some time comparing. They will let you try stuff on and wear it around the store for a bit to help get the feel and comfort level of the item.

Been there, done that! An excellent suggestion IMO. That place is pretty awesome. I've picked up some quality gear for some really good prices. I'm just to lazy to drive the 1.5-2 hours one way to go more often. But when i do, I need to drive my car because i spend between $300-500 and leave with a cart full of stuff.... lol

I'm currently eye-ballin' some Amazon light weight mesh jackets since its super hot and I don't ride much faster than 40-50 mph. Many times, slower than that.
 
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