Buying a good mesh jacket will be an absolute blast for those who live in the hotter areas of the world. A good mesh motorcycle jacket can make a HUGE difference!
This post is quite thorough with a lot of information, but here is the short version of my recommendation on a mesh jacket:
Buying a mesh jacket is totally worth it for those who feel hot during summer days. Make sure you buy a high-grade mesh jacket since there are also mesh jackets on the market that don’t offer a whole lot of protection.
My recommendation for a good mesh jacket for a reasonable price is the REVIT GT Air 2 Mesh jacket (click here to see it on Revzilla). I’ve been wearing this jacket for over a year now and it’s made all the difference I was hoping for.
Why I choose the REV’IT GT-Air 2 mesh jacket
There are several reasons for me to choose for the REV’IT GT-Air 2 mesh jacket. It got my first interest because it just simply looks good. I like my version which includes white. I usually prefer black motorcycle gear, but this combination of white/black/red just does it for me.
I’m a big fan of REV’IT gear since it is absolute quality but still affordable. It also fits me very well. I think that the Dainese gear looks super handsome, but it won’t fit my body shape. REV’IT does, so that’s why I like it so much.
Another pro is the fact that white gets noticed better. I’ll never (never say never) wear one of those high-vis bright yellow jackets, but I do care about my safety. The white just get noticed better by motorists so it’s a nice extra feature.
Safety during a crash is also a big reason to go for this jacket. This jacket is made of high-quality materials and it includes armor on the shoulders and elbows. It’s the newest REV’IT armor which is extremely flexible. You literally don’t feel any armor, until you need it!
My last reason might be one of the most important reasons for many! This jacket is the perfect price/quality combination for me. REV’IT offers a high-quality jacket made from premium materials, for a reasonable price. It’s not the cheapest jacket available, but absolutely one of the cheapest with this level of quality.
Mesh jacket safety
A genuine question to ask, is how safe mesh motorcycle jackets are. They are thin, you can see through them and the wind can blow through them. That sounds like a jacket that won’t protect you at all, right?
Well, that’s not completely true. Studies show that mesh jackets do protect you very well in case of a crash. The biggest differences with leather jackets are the fact that mesh jackets are ready for the trash after one fall, whereas leather jackets can be fixed on some occasions. Some riders also suffer minor road rash. It’s not real road rash, but it’s caused by the skin that rubs over the jacket. Most mesh jackets are a little bit looser than leather jackets, giving some room for rubbing on a crash.
I have to admit that a full leather suit is probably safer than some motorcycle jeans with a mesh jacket. I mean, we’ve never seen Valentino Rossi riding his bike with jeans and a jacket.
But mesh jackets are still relatively safe and they offer a huge amount of comfort. This makes it worth it for me.
What features does a good mesh jacket have?
Every mesh jacket is different. What if you don’t want to buy the mesh jackets I suggested in this article? What should you look for when buying another mesh jacket? Make sure to look for these features:
- Jackets with armor are always preferred. Good, certified, armor can make the difference between
a bruce or a broken bone. - Strong materials on impact zones is a must. You don’t want mesh material on the shoulders, sides of the core and elbows.
- Make sure the jacket is double stitched. This will improve durability on a slide.
- Choose the right size. A mesh jacket shouldn’t be super
tight, but definitely not too loose as this might clap in the wind.
What to wear with your mesh jacket
Personally, I wear my mesh jacket with a pair of motorcycle jeans and racing boots.
I’ve looked into motorcycle shoes but I haven’t found any that seem safe enough. I really don’t mind wearing my Alpinestars boots, so I keep using them. I just thug my jeans in them and I’m good to go.
I’m really in love with my motorcycle jeans. I wear these great Cordura jeans from REV’IT. They aren’t super expensive, but they are very safe. They don’t just have kevlar pads, but they are strengthened all the way through. They also have knee protectors, making them the perfect match for me. You can check my motorcycle jeans out on Revzilla (click).