Looking for a new jacket

[d3vi@nt]

My Olympia Airglide is over 10 years old and due to be replaced. I'm having a hard time finding anything that meets my criteria. Seems the two major vendors both carry the same inventory now. Anyone know of any alternatives to the standard brands that might fit the bill?

I'm looking specifically for a mesh 3-4 season jacket. I do not want black or mostly black (Come on manufacturers --if you're making mesh for warm weather, don't make it all jet black!!).

I need at least a waterproof/windproof removable liner (under, over, or both).
I need belt loops and/or a manufacturer that sells a belt/zipper option (like Dianese or RST sell).
Would really prefer some well located hi-viz accents.
Would really prefer it already come with elbow, should, and back armor. I'd prefer not to have to hunt down components that fit properly, but will if necessary.

I can't seem to find anything that ticks all those boxes. Any thoughts (other than don't be so picky)?

I feel it's important to be able to attach the jacket to the pants. Unfortunately, most vendors use their proprietary zippers. And of course, I have a few pairs of riding jeans of different manufacture, hence the belt loop requirement.

[Howie]

https://www.revzilla.com/summer-motorcycle-jackets

Some are lighter colors although black shoulders are hard to get around.  If you buy RevIt this will help with the zipper issue  https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-safeway-30-belt

The best you usually get for a back protector with a jacket is foam.

[d3vi@nt]

https://www.revzilla.com/summer-motorcycle-jackets

Some are lighter colors although black shoulders are hard to get around.  If you buy RevIt this will help with the zipper issue  https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-safeway-30-belt

The best you usually get for a back protector with a jacket is foam.

Thanks. I've been through Revzilla/CycleGear multiple times and haven't come up with the winning combo. Good to know that Revit also has the belt piece like Dianese and RST.

I may just go with the latest Olympia (Airglide 6) as it's pretty much what I have currently. Can't tell yet if it has belt loops and zips. Still don't like the fact that it's mostly black. Ah well.

[S21FOLGORE]

Have you checked / considered Motoport ?





https://www.motoport.com/

[d3vi@nt]

Have you checked / considered Motoport ?

https://www.motoport.com/

No, never heard of them --thanks for that. Looks like nice stuff. I like that they have customization options to pick and choose.

...but with a liner added and no customizations, they're pushing $800 before tax/shipping. That's pushing my upper limit, but I'm definitely giving it some serious thought.

Thanks again.

[Frank C]

Not quite a mesh...but the front zipper has a 2" wide mesh panel behind it...along with all the usual venting zips.

https://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jackets_jerseys_and_vests/textile_jackets/revit/ridge_gtx_jacket.html

[d3vi@nt]

Thanks for the recommendation. I sweat so much and summer temps start out pretty high here, so I'm feeling like I have to stick with mesh to stay reasonably comfortable.

The challenge is that once I hit elevation, temps can drop significantly and thunderstorms are always a possibility, so I need some kind of waterproof over/under liner I can throw on quickly.

My last ride started at 5k feet and 95F. Up around 10k feet it dropped to a comfy 68-74F. Then I got caught in a storm where it got dark, started pouring and dropped from 74F to 52F in about 15 minutes. Fairly typical but most times I miss the rainstorms or can at least ride through them quickly enough and dry out more or less.

[stopintime]

https://www.louis.eu/artikel/proof-dry-light-membrane-rain-jacket-women-and-men/208881?list=86095fae992fce2a45fee8d2fe618a13

Maybe this?

[d3vi@nt]

I'm thinking that I may go that route. It is a PITA when it's raining to stop, take off the jacket and fiddle with a zip in liner. I do like the zip in liner when I know I'll need it and put it in ahead of time.

I decided to go with the Scorpion Vortex Air with hi-viz: https://www.scorpionusa.com/product/vortex-air-mesh-jacket/

It's definitely lower budget than most options, but it's what I found that checked the most boxes.