The Best Jacket for Safety & Heat

[CmHall9]

I live in Charleston S.C. and the summer heat and humidity can get so bad at times that you wonder if your cars air conditioner is even on.

I will always lean towards safety first. So my question is; What is the best jacket for hot humid summers?

[Johnj]

Mesh, it has pockets to carry armor and pads, and is perforated for comfort.

[CmHall9]

Mesh, it has pockets to carry armor and pads, and is perforated for comfort.

Is there any name brand that's you would suggest or are they all about the same?

[Johnj]

No they're all about the same. There is a difference between hard armor and pads.

[HYPERR]

I have the Firstgear one and love it but like Johnj said they are all pretty much the same. Make sure you get one with the CE armor and a removable liner. The removable liner literally takes up almost no space and will come in handy in case it rains or on a long ride if it cools down in the evening.

[Thumper]

I have several mesh jackets, and realy don't think they're al the same. The absolute best of the ones I own (for air flow) is my Olympia Airglide jacket. I'll pick that over my First Gear jackets every time, simply because it feels lighter and more air moves through it. I like the First Gear jackets; just not as much as my Olympia on a hot day.

[jstark47]

Coolest thing in my arsenal is a Teknic Supervent. I bought it in silver, which is pretty close to white on this jacket. I wanted to reflect sunlight on hot days.

Specs say it has armor, but it doesn't feel super-sturdy. Better than nothing, I guess. I wear it in the hottest weather.

[Grey Thumper]

Motoport/Cycleport has mesh jackets made from kevlar thread. I'm really curious about these. Lots of user-reviews around the interwebs, like this one (http://www.mmbabcock.com/motoport.htm) although I haven't read a review in any of the mainstream publications (online or not). Expensive stuff, and the styling isn't all that flattering either. The material looks very tough though.

I've got a Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket myself, which is full mesh. I'm tempted to replace it with a mesh jacket that has tougher material where you're most likely to need it (outer sleeve, back, etc.).

[Lion_Lady]

In addition to how heavy the jacket feels, consider what COLOR it is. Darker colors will absorb heat and transfer it to you. Lighter colors reflect heat... can literally save your life if you ever get stuck in traffic. Sure, a light color will get cruddy faster, but most textile gear can be washed. Yup, in your washing machine. Remove the armor pre-treat the worst splats, and use gentle agitation. (Hang to dry, don't use the dryer.)

I've got the Olympia Stealth one piece suit in silver. LOVE IT!!! Baltimore summers can be just as nasty sticky as SC can be. I just washed the suit last month. Had to run it through the cycle twice to get the oil film off my left ankle area. It had 18 months of crud on it.

P

[storysunfolding]

My hat is tipped to someone trying to stay safe in the summer heat. While mesh doesn't protect as well as other materials, it sure beats heat stroke.

I'm of the camp that not all jackets are made equal. I'm a skinnier guy compared to most of America. For that reason I can't wear olympia, most tourmaster, and a few other brands. Fit is equally important in protective gear as the materials and pads that you choose. Furthermore, I find that many riders abandon leg protection in the summer. If you plan on going mesh, try out these guys. The ADV rider crew loves them, the price is right and it's a full mesh suit. http://www.teizms.com/mojave-p-3.html

No matter what you do you'll have to find that perfect summer plan. I tend to wear kevlar jeans with icon field armor shorts and leg protectors along with a perforated leather jacket. It may be a bit warmer, but I decided last year after seeing a few crashes (ER side) that mesh was no longer for me. Add a camel pack with an under armor shirt and I'm happy, hydrated and plenty cool.

I have a friend sold on those motoport air mesh kevlar jackets. His jacket weighs just as much as my leather jacket. It is expensive but looks like it could stop a freight train.