Hot weather jacket advice

[JACoH]

I read a review from Cycle World magazine for Slatin Motogear riding apparel, and ordered one. They have a mesh jacket, originally was going for red, but ordered the green, in Medium size, fits perfectly, has elbow, shoulder and back protection. Article said they fit a bit large, but I didn't think so in the Medium size. It has a liner for the cooler mornings or evenings, which works really well. First time I wore the jacket, I was roasting, found the liner when I got home, now I know to remove it.
I really like it.

[bad Chad]

Don't think we have talked about the difference humidity and due points make.

F 92 in dry air is hot, but it's not near as stifling as F 88 with 90% humidity and a due point of 70!   That's the issue we have here in the mid west for good chunks of the summer.

Nothing I now of will cool you once the humidity gets extreme.

[tpeever]

I need a new jacket for hot summer riding and would like advice on what is available. Something that is good for 90-100 degree heat, but with some reasonable protection in the event of a spill. I want air flow, and I guess mesh is preferable.  I don't really want to pay upwards of $400, but will, I guess, if that is the best. Is there anything in the range of $200-300 that is good?  Thanks

Mesh jackets from Olympia Motorsports have worked well for me

https://olympiamotosports.com/en-US

[redhawk47]

I like this cooling vest. You put the water inside it so it doesn't feel wet, just cool:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/macna-dry-cooling-vest
However it does need a mesh jacket for good cooling. Sort-of works with textile with open vents.

I prefer a textile jacket with good vents. I get sufficient cooling with the vents and cuffs open - dry air in Colorado. We regularly get short, intense showers in the afternoon - I hate the thought of stopping to put on rain gear only to take it off fifteen minutes later.
When it gets above 95F I close all of the vents and drink water. I did Death Valley in June (113F at Badwater) and was not uncomfortable as long as I was moving. BTW, light colored jacket, Hi-Vis in this case.

[aschem]

I use a Vanson Vent Max, but the new ones are pricey. They also come in an Italian stripe design
http://www.vansonleathers.com/prod-Vent_Max_4_Series_w__Italian_Stripes-632.aspx

[harry h]

I recently got a Fox Creek leather vented jacket that works great in the heat.  Has vents in the back, arms and front with elbow, shoulder and back armor. I also have the Joe Rocket mesh that seems to be hotter than the leather till it hits 90.

[Shorty]

"First Gear" brand  mesh in flourescent yellow. Works good. I carry a nylon (Pittsburgh Steelers!) sweatshirt to use as a liner for cool evenings. Easier than zipping the original liner in and out when commuting. Cheap and effective. Hard to not see that yellow.

[Lee Davis]

I just picked up one of these. For $79.00 I can live with a red jacket.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/mesh_tex_jacket_2013_red_or_blue_colors.html

   I just received this jacket after deciding the price was just too good to pass up. It is a great jacket! I also can live with the red color

[TimmyTheHog]

   I just received this jacket after deciding the price was just too good to pass up. It is a great jacket! I also can live with the red color

Oh my god...this is such a cheap jacket!...all the one up in Canada are like 150~200 for a freaking VEST!...let along a decent jacket...

Also the red goes with my guz!...

How does it fit? is the chart actually correct and fits you?

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have a manly blue one  that I bought for Dorcia a couple of years ago for $39.95. (Guzzi content)  Fits me well, and is cooler on a *really* hot day than my Olympia.

[Lee Davis]

Fits perfectly. I got an XL, and was a bit apprehensive while waiting for it. I wear XL in a tee shirt, but I am still a FOB (fat old bastard). But the fit is superb. I am about to run an errand on my bike. It is 92 right now, so I shall check it out.

[Lee Davis]

I just took a 60 mile ride and checked out the new $79 jacket http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/mesh_tex_jacket_2013_red_or_blue_colors.html
     It is great, and just what I wanted. I took out the liner and was very pleased with the airflow. Temperature varied from 94 to 102 degrees, depending on how far I was from the river. (I am in New Mexico, in 10% humidity). I sweated very little, and if I did, it had a nice cooling effect because of the airflow. I never felt hot or uncomfortable, or like I wanted to remove the jacket. The padding seems good and sturdy. All in all I am quite delighted that I was able to get this one... it will be perfect for long trips when I encounter that hot weather. 

[Bill929]

Mesh jacket w/ ballistics over wet vest.
Re-wet vest a gas stops.

Yup...  I read an article last year (can't place it right now) that conducted physiological testing and found that above 92-93 degrees, wind won't cool you off without some additional cooling mechanism (wet vest or ice packs).  I detest riding above 90, but when I'm forced to I use a mesh ballistic jacket over a wet vest. 

[Lee Davis]

Bill... North Carolina at 90 degrees is far different than New Mexico at 100, as I am sure you know. The humidity is what gets you. When driving my old un-airconditioned truck in town at 100, while stopped at a stoplight, I don't sweat. But, in humid weather while sitting in the shade, I will sweat constantly in 90 degree weather. I can certainly see the need for additional cooling in that situation. One august, at the Antique Airplane flyin in Iowa, it was 107 for 4 days running. All we could do was sit in the shade of a hanger and bear it (nobody flew). But, I did a climb in southern NM one summer where it was also 107-8, and we just drank lots of water while approaching (with full packs) and climbing. It is all relative. The hottest riding weather I have ever experienced was in Kamloops, BC (British Columbia!), where it was 105. We stripped to tee shirts and all was fine.

[Cross-tie Walker]

here's what I use on long hot summer rides:

https://store.soundrider.com/collections/ride-cool/products/techniche-deluxe-evaporative-cooling-vest

[dcardo021]

I have a Tour Master mesh went down 5 years ago on the Freeway at about 70 mph. Body armor and mesh held together so well no road rash or even bruising...can soak the mesh jackets with water and it works like an evaporative cooler for about 30-40 minutes....

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[Chuck in Indiana]

One august, at the Antique Airplane flyin in Iowa, it was 107 for 4 days running.

I was there. It didn't cool off much at night in the tent, either.

[Kev m]

I was there. It didn't cool off much at night in the tent, either.

I can't do that... I sweat like a wet mop.

I can deal with hot, even humid during the day if I have too, but give me AC at night!!!

[Chuck in Indiana]

It was pretty miserable.. 

[Darren Williams]

I have a First Gear Mesh that I wore for a year, but prefer my Scorpion Eddy because it has no collar and a sportier cut.

They both work well because they slow the evaporation of your sweat over just wearing something that lets the sweat evaporate too quick, like nothing. A little humidity makes it work better and of course you need to be moving in the wind.

My Scorpion seems to do better at cooling than my First Gear. I can actually get chilled in light humidity at under 80 degrees.

[Ken Po]

I use the techniche products with my Rev'it Air jacket.  The necktie (link below) really works for me in 85-90 weather here in Kansas.  I use their vest when it is really hot.  But the vest is a little bulky with all of the packets installed. So I only use the front of the vest's packets.

Plus one on hydrating too.

http://www.techniche-intl.com/products/techniche-phase-change-cooling-deluxe-neck-bands-6620

[Guzzi Gal]

We try to ride when it's under 110.  http://wildguzzi.com/forum/Smileys/default/cool.gif
My husband wears this Joe Rocket.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004KPNHUG/ref=twister_B00KG3FX1W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I wear this Scorpion, which has C2 shoulder, and elbow protection, and I added the C2 back protection. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MEWKAMK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We both use the Frog Toggs (a couple of these sewn together makes for an inexpensive vest). https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAK7PZO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Sheepdog]

Living in Florida where it is hot and humid is a bit different than the great South West. When I used to live and ride in Arizona I followed advice from longtime desert riders. Solid Jacket with vents when it was really hot (above 95f and up) and a mesh during cooler months (70 -90f) then back to the solid for the four weeks of winter. Lots of hydration- more than you think you need - will help. The last time I rode thru the desert was a couple of years ago in August. I wore my 3/4 length touring jacket with the vents open to create a micro climate. Lots and lots of water. It was actually comfortable and enjoyable. Kept the sun off of me and kept me relatively cool at speed. I see you are in New Mexico. Beautiful place to live and ride.

+1 here in Louisiana. My best all-around jacket is my Aerostich DarienLight in Khaki. It is my "go-to" no matter the time of year. The zippers, vents, and Velcro offer many options for cooling and the light color reduces radiant heat. It has a Gore-Tex liner built in to the shell and several zip-in liners available for when it gets cold. The armor is pretty good, too with lots of options, though the Velcro that holds it in place sometimes requires re-fastening (with an iron).

All that said, I use my Scorpion mesh jacket for short trips. I find that I dehydrate quicker with mesh, making it unsuitable for touring.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have a manly blue one  that I bought for Dorcia a couple of years ago for $39.95. (Guzzi content)  Fits me well, and is cooler on a *really* hot day than my Olympia.

As they say in the NFL.. "Upon further review"  My Olympia perf jacket is actually cooler on a really hot day. It flows air in the chest area better. I rode with them back to back on a 90/90 day. With it's waterproof liner that can be worn on the outside, it really *is* waterproof, as proven by a frog strangler in Wisconsin a week or so ago. That's a really nice feature. The First gear slows down the rain intrusion, but that's about it. 

[Mr Pootle]

This thread is making me jealous. It rarely gets warm enough here to even make it worthwhile removing the liner. And the YKK air conditioning unit fitted to my jacket is only useable on the occasional days when it's not raining.

[ITSec]

This thread is making me jealous. It rarely gets warm enough here to even make it worthwhile removing the liner. And the YKK air conditioning unit fitted to my jacket is only useable on the occasional days when it's not raining.

Hey, even The Who recorded one album then left for sunnier climes!

[lorazepam]

This is what I use in the summer. I like it very much.  http://britishmotorcyclegear.com/jackets/zodiac-jacket.html