Got the jackets in today tomorrow is my first ride in one. First impression… disappointed a bit by the “made in china” tag. Seems even the smaller businesses are going over seas for things. However looking over the Textile it is so much better quality then the Motoboss I got from Cyclegear last year. The armor in it is pretty stout and it is partial Cordura. I will see tomorrow about the air flow. The elbow armor is a bit bulky and very noticeable when your arms are down by your side. Gives you the look like you have something dangerous waiting to spring out. Maybe like the you have the elbows of the centaur type character from Mortal Combat 2. The arms are ergonomically “bent” for riding comfort and the fit was excellent. So glad I called and talked to the guy. Both jackets fit very nicely. The textile will be all I need, even I suspect for the surprise down pours I ride through from time to time. Which is good since I can use the room that my Frogg Toggs are taking up in my bag. The leather Jacket is very heavy and thick. Should I have an unscheduled get off I have every bit of confidence that this bad boy will hold up in a reasonable slide. Another thing I like about both jackets is that the cuffs are snug around my wrists. Something my other leather jacket did not do. Makes me feel better knowing that it will have a better chance of staying put in a slide rather then creep up to my bicep.
So far that’s first impressions. Tomorrow morning I will have better judgement as I ride to work. I will ride with the textile first as it’s mid 90’s here. Oh yea… the textile also seems like it is better suited for abrasion then the Motoboss.
There is armor in the shoulders, fore arm and back on both jackets. The textile feels a bit bulky with the back armor but I feel that’s more likely due to the skimpy one Motoboss had in theirs. My other leather jacket had no armor to speek of so that’s an upgrade in of it self.