Mesh Jackets- Do they work?

[BradValk48237]

Hey All....

 I am one of those guys that sweats when I peel an orange! I have almost always ridden in t-shirt and jeans in the summer time... which might seem cooler, but then you have to do the sun screen and sunburn thing, and then there is the non protection factor... Had a little accident a couple of years back and luckily had my leather on, so I avoided some rash and bruises.

So my questions are...

Are mesh jackets really cooler in the summer than just a T-shirt?

Do they offer decent protection?  

What mesh jackets are you guys using?

Does color make a difference?

Thanks in advance for any help/answers.

B

[MP]

I have a Honda, which I believe is a Joe Rocket, mesh.  It has some armor.  To me, it is much cooler, as it provides shade, yet lets lots of air thru.

I also have a better armoured Motoport mesh, which is much better protection, but does not provide as much air flow.

MP

[mario]

i have a tourmaster mesh with good armor. mines black and i wish i would have gotten a lighter color.  good airflow. and the mesh is fairly thick.  i've read, too, if you put a coolvest under the mesh it works very well too.

[Jack]

I love my Joe Rocket mesh jacket.  Definitely cooler than pavement.

[designer]

+1 on better than pavement.

[YoungPUP]

Mine is made by fieldsheer (sp?)  has hard armor on the elbows and shoulders, and a spine pad up the middle of the back.  Very comfortable, plus has zip open vents for more air.  Definitely the way to go for summer cruising.

[Mongo]

Yes they work, it will keep you cooler till you stop.

[RainMaker]

I have the Honda jacket and wear it even in the 100+ degree days here in Texas.  As long as you're moving, it's fine.  One thing I do is soak it in the sink or with a hose at gas/lunch stops and wear it wet.  It works like an evaporative cooler for a while and will dry out before the next stop.   Wouldn't ride without some type of protection against road rash - it's just not worth it to take such chances.

RainMaker

[olddog1946]

I have both a Joe Rocket and a fieldsheer jacket...I use the Joe Rocket for colder riding and the fieldsheer for hotter (70+)..the fieldsheer is a light grey/black, would have gotten a florescent color if they had them...also have a cooling vest which I haven't worn yet..will take in on my AZ trip for sure...
I like both jackets, good air flow, and of course they provide some good protection that I hope I'll never need..

[B]

Fieldsheer here... Its spent many days out west in the desert... I don't ride without it in hot weather. Also machine washes nicely after weeks of desert dirt and sweat. You WILL sweat at 110 no matter what you wear.

[rrmdeuce]

I have a J.R. Phoenix mesh jacket and the air flow is about good as you can get.  I'm not that happy with the quality of the J.R. jacket, every zipper on the jacket is broken except the front one and that pull tab has broken once.  The J.R. mesh is a "Poly Mesh" and I've been looking at the Tourmaster Air Intake and thats "Armor Mesh" sounds like better protection to me.  As far as color is concerned it seem stupid to make and sell a jacket for hot weather in black.   
 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I've got a Firstgear. At high speeds on the superslab it's cooler than just a T shirt. At 55-65 it's slightly cooler but does protect you from the windburn you can get in a T shirt.

Below 55 mph, a T shirt is cooler and mine goes in the saddlebag on hot days. If I didn't have a large clear fairing/windshield it might be acceptable at lower speeds, hard to say without trying it.

[BOZ]

These jackets are NOT CHEAP, but I believe they offer the best protection. And... they allow good airflow. In extreme heat, I wear a cooling vest under the jacket and stay pretty cool at speed - and very well protected.
http://www.motoport.com/_product_35442/Air_Mesh_Kevlar_Jacket

[BF]

I have one of the older Honda ones......the one with the big red Honda Wing on the back.  It flows tons of air.  I have an aftermarket liner that I'll wear with it when the temps dip a little.  Works great at lower temps with the liner.  I've even teamed it up with the liner and a hoodie-type sweat shirt and rode at temps in the lower 40's....works great.  Have a Wilsons Leather for colder temps though. 

The jacket by itself works great when the RH is lower (even in higer temps), however, I know if I ever went down, it'd provide more protection than a t-shirt, but here in Florida where it's close to 100% humidity most of summer it stays home. 

When the temp and RH is high, on a hi speed trip such as superslab traveling, it's great.....around town....not so much. 

[TearlessTom]

I have the Tour Master like above,  armor in elbow, shoulder, and spine. It has 2 liners one for wind, one for warmth so I can wear it year round.

Yes it does keep you cooler than no vest. With no vest at speed your sweat evaporates TOO fast to cool your skin so you get dehydrated very quickly.

With the mesh it slows the air down so your body's sweat does what it is meant to do which is cool you down.

Mine is black with reflective stripes which I like as I drive at night a lot.

[sheets]

Joe Rocket here... past eleven years. Don't know what the new ones look like, but the old style works good. Still gets hot when you stop or are in slow traffic. Perspiration works like a swamp cooler. At gas stops, hose yourself down with water. Feels like AC at speed... for about ten minutes. Yrmv, sheets

[SANDMAN5]

I have a Tourmaster Intake, though I seldom wear it.
Stays real cool when you're moving....probably cooler
than just a t-shirt. You're gonna get warm when you
stop no matter what. YMMV.

[Jess from VA]

On mesh jackets.

1. For hot weather you must get a full-mesh jacket, not a part-mesh or one with zipdown windows.  Even mesh gets hot in stop and go.  

2. Do not get black or really any dark color.  Mine is silver and white, and yes I look like the ice cream man, but what is the point of black or dark color mesh in 90 degrees with the sun beating down?

3.  If you already have cool and cold riding gear and rain gear, no need to pay more for a convertible mesh with one or two liners (insulation and waterproof).  

4.  You can wear a tank or t shirt wet or dry underneath, and even carry a wet/iced spare in a small plastic bag to put on later........... or one of those cool vests..... but for best results the vest must go under a mesh jacket, or it's dry immediately. The wrists have velcro, but I leave mine all the way open for air.

Mine is similar to this: (and 50 bux new on closeout) (I took the armor out of mine for more air, but can put it back for a trip)



Mesh pants are almost all black, and even after I cut the liner out of mine, they are too hot to wear unless I am straight superslab.  Broken in, relaxed/loose fit jeans up on the hwy pegs fill with air like balloons and are about as cool as mesh.. but protect from engine heat at stops... engine heat goes right thru mesh to bare legs at 10-0mph.

Always price these when shopping, great site with closeouts all the time.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/

 

[Oss]

I have one of those zip up vests the highway depts use   douse it in water for a few minutes at
a gas stop and either use it alone or under the mesh jacket  which is silver

It is a lifesaver in 100 degree days when you are not riding in the shade

Also terrific is the soaked beanie that you can put between the top of your head and the helmet
like this one   http://www.mscooling.com/product/6522 but a doo rag is also good if one is not handy

Maybe I should have gotten the full face Shoei helmet in white and not black    way back then

[Jess from VA]

Oss, there's always been a debate on whether a black/dark helmet will actually transfer heat thru the inch of hi-tech foam head protection inside a good DOT helmet.  When riding I don't think there's much difference (you do have vents and can pop the visor a bit), but when I stop and remove my black helmet, I try to not leave it laying out in the sun at lunch. 

   

[sugerbear]

I have a J.R. Phoenix mesh jacket and the air flow is about good as you can get.  I'm not that happy with the quality of the J.R. jacket, every zipper on the jacket is broken except the front one and that pull tab has broken once.  The J.R. mesh is a "Poly Mesh" and I've been looking at the Tourmaster Air Intake and thats "Armor Mesh" sounds like better protection to me.  As far as color is concerned it seem stupid to make and sell a jacket for hot weather in black.   
 

sadly when we get into the larger sizes(3x-5x) some makers only make black(don't know why)
material should cost the same. ???

[Dougger]

We have the silver First Gear with Armour. Wear all the time. It has a zip out nylon liner that is a windbreakeer and also rain resistant. Works well.
www.newenough.com

Always has good deals

[X Ring]

I wear the Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0.  During early spring and late fall I wear the Joe Rocket Alter Ego so I can zip the exterior on and off depending on the temp.



Marty

[Trynt]

I have a Tourmaster Intake, though I seldom wear it.
Stays real cool when you're moving....probably cooler
than just a t-shirt. You're gonna get warm when you
stop no matter what. YMMV.

I'm on my second Tourmaster Intake.  IMHO an excellent jacket for touring in variable weather, hot, cold or wet. It has a mesh outer, zip out liner for wind/rain and another for warmth. It has a variety of pockets and is warmer than leather when it gets cold and protects you from the sun when is hot. I'm wearing the jacket in my photo.

[donaldcc]

  After reading all these posts, I just ordered Fieldsheer Congo Air Mesh Jacket from Motorcycle Superstore for $100 off in closeout.  Don't like name emblazoned across the chest but figure I can't lose at that price.




  I also got an  Iceberg Vest from Fieldsheer.  Who has tried a similar evaporative vest out and what did you think??

[Jess from VA]

I have an iceberg too, and it's OK.  Heavy when wet, and after awhile it heats up from the inside (body heat).  It still cools under a mesh, but it is a swamp cooler muggy cooling.  I put mine soaked then wrung out in a big ziplock in the frig, then throw it in the bike, and put it on later (its too damn cold right out of the frig).  But it loses most water in 2-3 hours of constant riding, and needs recharged.  Also, try to wring the bottom good, to avoid soggy gonads.  I wish you would have asked, I'd have sold you mine for half price, because.........

I discovered this Miracool magic crystal stuff a couple years back and it is good stuff.  The crystals hold water all day (though it heats up with body heat too after awhile). For a bike, some short guys like me leave the bottom rows of crystals out of the water charge, again to avoid looking like you wet your pants when getting off.

Vest (only choice besides safety orange is beige, but it's under the mesh jacket. (Not the big honkin one, the small one in bright orange)
http://www.tuffrhino.com/MiraCool_Poncho_Vest_p/hs1054.htm

And they have a bunch of bandanas and neckerchiefs with crystals, and I really like them, and use them way more than the vest.  Lotta wild prints, but you can find solid colors.  My favorite is a doo rag with crystals on the forehead.  It's a little snug with the water row just below the 1/2 helmet, and above my glasses, but cool water on the forehead AND neck is great in hot weather.... like Palm Springs/Desert in summer (ugh).  Again, I charge them up and put several in a ziplock in the frig, stow in bags, and put on later. (vest is in a separate big ziplock) And this stuff is cheap. Submerse in water and wait an hour (more for the vest), it takes a while to fully absorb.

http://www.tuffrhino.com/Hats_Doo_Rags_Beanies_s/66.htm

I don't know if this would fit well in a full face/flip face, but great with a half (and probably a 3/4). (It is not charged in the picture, when charged there is a bulge of water/crystals across the forehead)
http://www.tuffrhino.com/Tuff_Nougies_Doo_Rag_With_Elastic_Tie_Band_p/hp1135.htm

INFO

http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/geology-terms/question581.htm

For dog lovers.

http://www.firstratepets.com/miracool-dog-bandanas

[highcountry]

I picked up a Honda badged, Joe Rocket on closeout for $59 and it works great.  As other said, they start warming up when you stop.  Here's the same jacket in black for $95 

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/honda_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html

[Willow]

Are mesh jackets really cooler in the summer than just a T-shirt?

Do they offer decent protection?  

What mesh jackets are you guys using?

Does color make a difference?

Not under all circumstances, but under some.

Yes.

Joe Rocket.

Probably so, but I wear black because I prefer black.

One more thing.  Some are tempted to pull the spine pad because it tends to cause one to sweat down the back.  When I hit the ground almost three years ago, the spine pad was the only one I used.

If you ever need it and you don't have it you'll never need it again.

[MP]

These jackets are NOT CHEAP, but I believe they offer the best protection. And... they allow good airflow. In extreme heat, I wear a cooling vest under the jacket and stay pretty cool at speed - and very well protected.
http://www.motoport.com/_product_35442/Air_Mesh_Kevlar_Jacket

I have one, and believe it is the best out there.  But, it is surely hotter than my other mesh one.  Does not flow air as well, but would be the best in a get off.

MP

[medic263]

I wear a Firstgear mesh jacket and love it.  I wore a Joe Rocket mesh prior to that.  I bought mine after I went ditch surfing for the protection, plus I get sunburned really easy.  The jacket makes a huge difference for me and won't ride without it anymore.  I don't sweat as much or get burnt.  As for the color, first one was grey...  but my current one is PINK
Which every brand/style you go with, make sure it has the removable liner in it.  They are wonderful.
Marcia

[Tim H]

These deals are out there.  I saw a similar jacket to this for $25 after shipping on ebay.  I picked this one up on Craigslist for $25.  I'm happy to have it since I traded my light leather for something to wear and layer for the winter.  I just glad I happened alone this before other people started looking for summer gear.

[Tundra]

FirstGear & Tourmaster, both in black. Florida is hot and hotter, they do seam to work well "while moving". I still prefer my VRCC jean jacket for the chilly days and my heavy leather jacket for the colder days.
 Summer heat and humidity I can't take any jacket, no matter what their claim is.

[Clark]

These jackets are NOT CHEAP, but I believe they offer the best protection. And... they allow good airflow. In extreme heat, I wear a cooling vest under the jacket and stay pretty cool at speed - and very well protected.
http://www.motoport.com/_product_35442/Air_Mesh_Kevlar_Jacket

+1 on the motorport.. I had several mesh jackets that cooled well but i read toooo many reports about nylon melting into peoples skin on a getoff.. I would suggest you wear a cotton long sleeve shirt under a nylon mesh jacket

[Master Blaster]

Personal experience, some years ago F6Gal and Psycho were taking a bunch out to see the Redwoods, and we were coming down from Big Bear when one of the guys bounced a 2K Blue/Silver Interstate off the rocks on a downhill curve.   Was wearing a Joe Rocket mesh, he slid quite a way down the pavement, with essentailly no injury.  Small scuff on the back of the jacket.  The bike was totaled.  The  next morning the first thing John and I did was go to the local Honda shop in Bakersfield and bought the same jacket.  We found that it was cooler in the desert wearing the jacket than just a shirt which was an added bonus to the protection it provided.  Was the same trip Psycho flew his Valk off the side of the mountain.  We never did get to see the Redwoods.  Since then I have bought a few more, and really like the Fieldsheer.  That was a bad trip, but thankfully all lived to ride another day.  Psychos crash was spectacular as he flew through the air with the greatest of ease, bike vertical with the front wheel pointing straight down.  Still dont know how he survived.

[Gryphon Rider]

I've used a red Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 jacket for many years now, and find that at highway speeds it probably is cooler than a t-shirt alone because it keeps the sun off my arms.  When its really hot I've soaked my shirt at a gas station and worn my jacket over it, which kept me cool for the 45 minutes it took my shirt to dry.
Crash reports by others:
http://will.mylanders.com/mc/notes/read.pl?file=278
http://www.esportbike.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123513
http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/joe-rocket-phoenix-5-mesh-motorcycle-jacket (brief mention of crash)

[highcountry]

I have a Honda, which I believe is a Joe Rocket, mesh.  It has some armor.  To me, it is much cooler, as it provides shade, yet lets lots of air thru.

I have one of those and it works great.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

That needs to be made into a "T" shirt.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I don't keep well at high temperatures. The heat doesn't make me sick unless it's really bad but it sure makes me melt.

I've got a tourmaster mesh jacket with armor. At 60mph and above on a hot sunny day it's cooler than a T shirt. Sitting at a stop light or stuck in slow traffic it's not as hot as a vinyl rain-suit but still hotter than my frogtoggs and way hotter than a T shirt. It never left my closet last year.

Maybe I'll take the armor out and try it again when it heats up this year.

[B]

Having rode mine down Rte66 on the right arm and side in Sept... YA, THEY WORK.  
I've got an old Fieldsheer high flow II; love it. It gets more use than my leather. I like my leather  but it starts Getting too hot above the 60s.  And I've been thru the desert several times with my mesh without over-heating.  
Get a light or bright color to NOT draw in the heat. IMHO

[dragon_slayer_129]

I've got a power trip mesh jacket that I bought over a year ago when I first bought my VTX.  I got the silver with  black trim and in the summer it's just about as cool as riding in a t-shirt and you do have the protection of the armor in the elbows and shoulders as well as a spine pad in the back.  Yes there is a waterproof liner that you can put in the jacket for wet weather riding as well. 

Front:


Back:


For cooler weather I also have a power trip textile jacket (also with VTX trim) that is waterproof/windproof that works good for me.  The jacket also has the same armor in it as the mesh jacket and does have the zipper in the back to be able to zip the jacket to the pants (if you decide to get them as well).

Front:


Back:


Granted they are all covered in VTX logo's (actually patches you could remove).......but they also have Honda logo's on them as well   They were on clearance a while back when I got mine.....the mesh jacket was something like 68 bucks and the textile was about the same price.

Dragon Slayer 129