A JACKET GIFT THAT IS FULL OF HOLES?

So, who the heck would want a motorcycle jacket that’s got a bunch of holes in it?

How about if the jacket were brand-new, off the rack, and all the holes were pre-established?

Well, judging from the ever-increasing variety of mesh jackets being manufactured, motorcyclists are buying them up in bigger numbers for summer riding.

MESH JACKETS = HOT WEATHER RIDER COMFORT

MOTORCYCLE MESH JACKETS allow air to circulate through the tiny holes, which makes them more comfortable for wearing in hot weather. At least more comfortable than a non-mesh jacket.

And by the way, the “holes” are really a result of thick fibers, sporting an “open weave” design, which enables free movement of air inside the jacket.

Some of the brands that make mesh jackets for motorcycle riders include AGV, Alpinestars, CyclePort, Fieldsheer, First Gear, Icon, Joe Rocket, Olympia, Tecknic, Tour Master and Vanson.

On the other hand, why not just wear a T-shirt?  That will give even more air circulation than a mesh jacket.

Ummmmm.  To state the obvious, your T-shirt ain’t gonna protect you if you do any body surfing along the asphalt with your bike bouncing along behind you.

ARMOR AND MESH JACKETS

Given such scenarios, most mesh jackets come equipped with protective pads, or “armor,” as added protection when things get unfriendly. The added padding and patches are usually located at the shoulders, elbows, and other high-impact places.

WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE?

Any downside to these jackets?

Yes.

If you are wearing a mesh jacket, and you end up skidding along the asphalt while wearing very little under the jacket, some textile materials may melt into your skin as a result of the hot asphalt and increased temperatures generated by the skidding friction – which means very bad news for the rider.  (This can occur with other textile jackets, too, not just mesh jackets).

More expensive jackets can offer better protection along those lines with more heat resistant materials.  For example, a mesh jacket made out of Kevlar, as opposed to nylon (or any other material that cannot withstand the high heat of skidding along the asphalt), offers better protection.

BOTTOM-LINE FOR MOTORCYCLE MESH JACKETS

So, what’s the bottom line with motorcycle mesh jackets?  Greater comfort in warmer weather, while maintaining much of the protective features of a regular motorbike jacket.  And better safety protection adds the potential of many more years of motorcycle enjoyment.

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