Mesh jackets??

[Nooner]

+3 on Motoport.

I have the Waist length Jacket, and the Ultra II pants - A+++ on fit, customization, etc. The ordering process was great, it took a while for the jacket to arrive, but it was well worth the wait. I added the key pocket to the sleeve, and if I were to order again I'd probably have them add 1" or so to the flex panels on the arms to accommodate layering for winter use, though I generally prefer a 3/4 length jacket for winter weather (not that it gets that cold in Austin often). A sweatshirt under the quilted liner and waterproof liner is inadequate to cut the cold on sub-freezing days and adding anything other than a skin tight base layer makes the sleeves uncomfortably tight. (I am 5'7" 165lbs with a 42" Chest)

If I were going to order an 'around the world' adventure jacket I wouldn't hesitate to order a decked out Ultra II Jacket (in fact it is my intention some day) in the Kevlar Mesh with the heated waterproof liner system and a camelback pocket. I think it'd be the ultimate all-condition jacket in combination with the Ultra II Kevlar Mesh pants.

 

[MotoJunky]

I have the Bilt Explorer air jacket and absolutely love it. I know I know, it doesn't compare to the higher end jacket, and I don't believe that it was intended to. But..... For the price and the features, it's a great "bang for the buck" jacket. The 5 year warranty is nice as well.

 

[creggur]

I have the Bilt Explorer air jacket and absolutely love it. I know I know, it doesn't compare to the higher end jacket, and I don't believe that it was intended to. But..... For the price and the features, it's a great "bang for the buck" jacket. The 5 year warranty is nice as well.

600D shell, 1200D abrasion points, CE rated armor... I guess I don't see the problem as long as it's stitched together well enough to survive a slide. If it's comfortable on, and you're comfortable with it...ride on!

 

[arjayes]

I'm seriously digging my new Klim Induction jacket. Great fit, protection and looks.

 

[creggur]

I'm seriously digging my new Klim Induction jacket. Great fit, protection and looks.

Good to hear - I've got one on the way...

I'm 6' 180 - average build and I'm going with the large as I measure right on the line between Medium and Large. How is the sizing?

 

[trikepilot]

Ride report on the Klim Induction....

It is built to the exacting quality standards that you would expect from Klim. Fit is good and compares to the fit from my Badlands. I am size L in both.

I did not get to test the waterproof liner but I think that Klim really missed the boat with the design of the liner or more specifically its storage. It will not fit into any pocket on the jacket. There is plenty of "empty" space below the spine pad and the lower hem that could have held a nice place to store the liner. I did however play around with folding the liner as neatly as possible and was able to stash it into the pocket that holds the spine pad - between the pad and the outer shell. It worked well and I am going to go with it for now.

Jacket vents very well. I actually got cold to day at 5000MSL along the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville. At the lower elevations in more technical terrain it still kept me cool.

It was a ridiculous impulse buy. I had just gone by to try it on and see sizing since online reports have it fitting weirdly. I was not going to buy it, but the folks at the shop told me that they had tried to order some more in HiViz and Klim has sold out of the HiViz and won;t get any more into the US till next year. Like with the Badlands - Klim grossly underestimated the demand for HiViz. So, I turned around and bought it no the spot.

 

[arjayes]

Good to hear - I've got one on the way...

I'm 6' 180 - average build and I'm going with the large as I measure right on the line between Medium and Large. How is the sizing?

I'm 6' and around 210 right now. That put me in a large on their sizing chart, but I have long arms and often size up just to get the sleeve length right. I even emailed Klim and they recommended an XL. I took a chance and went with L (always optimistic I'll get my fat ass back in the gym and get back down to 190 where I belong!), and glad I did.

The fit is snug for me, especially in the arms, but I like that feel and it keeps the armor where it's supposed to be. I wish the sleeves were maybe 1/2" longer but they're fine. At my current weight I won't be able to do any heavy layering underneath it, but I'm in San Diego so it's a 3 season jack as is.

I like that the jacket has a little bit of length to it in the body. Longer than waist cut but shorter than 3/4. Went with the hi viz for the added visibility but love that the whole jacket isn't plastered with hi viz.

The only thing I'm not crazy about is the velcro adjustment around the wrist. A zipper there in addition to the velcro would have been nice.

All in all a great jacket.

 

[trikepilot]

Agreed on the wrists velcro tab snugger. My beef is that it is too stiff and will not "lay down" under my glove. Maybe it will soften up over time.

I tried on both a L and an XL. They both fit with one being a bit snug and the other being a touch baggy. I would have gone with the XL to be able to layer and extend the season of the jacket but I have a Badlands for those temps and conditions. So I went with the L and it was great yesterday on that 100 mile ride.

Like the Badlands... I think Klim has done a great job with mixing HiViz swatches into the other colors for a jacket that is bright but tasteful.

 

[creggur]

I'm 6' and around 210 right now. That put me in a large on their sizing chart, but I have long arms and often size up just to get the sleeve length right. I even emailed Klim and they recommended an XL. I took a chance and went with L (always optimistic I'll get my fat ass back in the gym and get back down to 190 where I belong!), and glad I did.

The fit is snug for me, especially in the arms, but I like that feel and it keeps the armor where it's supposed to be. I wish the sleeves were maybe 1/2" longer but they're fine. At my current weight I won't be able to do any heavy layering underneath it, but I'm in San Diego so it's a 3 season jack as is.

I like that the jacket has a little bit of length to it in the body. Longer than waist cut but shorter than 3/4. Went with the hi viz for the added visibility but love that the whole jacket isn't plastered with hi viz.

The only thing I'm not crazy about is the velcro adjustment around the wrist. A zipper there in addition to the velcro would have been nice.

All in all a great jacket.

Thanks much to you and trikepilot for the replies!

I'm hoping the large works, but one of the nice things about Revzilla is...if it doesn't, it's an easy fix..

Went with the hi-viz as well - looks so sweet in the factory picks..

 

[Southern7]

I have a Sliders all season mesh jacket from competition accessories compacc.com, it is below waist length and has an adjustable belt to keep it from riding up. It has Kevlar on the outside of the sleeves, with elbow, shoulder, and back pad. It also comes with two liners, a rain liner and a quilted liner, put both in for really cold days. I also have sliders jeans, khakis and cargo pants from here tha have Kevlar in the knees and seat and use the optional CE knee pads in them. Oh yeah, my jacket is hi viz orange, hi viz yellow is available, as well as standard colors.

 

[KamenRider]

Hey Kamenrider.... how'd that Induction pan out for you? Can you comment on sizing and fit as compared to your Badlands Pro? I have the Badlands and am pondering a mesh jacket upgrade to the Induction. It sounds like sizing is a bit hard if you use the charts at the online retailers alone. What has your fit experience been?

Hi Trikepilot,
I wear a medium Badlands and for me the fit is just right around the chest but a little long in the sleeves and this is similar with the Induction jacket. I'm 5'6" and chest around 39" for reference. The big difference I noticed right off the bat was the Induction virtually feels feather-light compared to the Badlands. This shouldn't be a big surprise but it's great knowing having this option for protection in hot weather if it ever arrives in Vancouver. I wear it for my morning commute with temperatures around 12C (54F) with the inner liner and find it fine for my 35 minute commute but not sure I can last for hours at this temperature with the liner. For the commute home, I remove the inner liner and with temperatures around 17-22C (63-72F) feels refreshing with great airflow. Bring on the heat wave

 

[creggur]

Got my Klim Induction jacket yesterday.
First off - the quality appears to be absolutely top-drawer - what you'd expect from Klim.
I love the hi-viz pop without overdoing it.
The size large fits well as does my large Latitude jacket.

They could've included a pocket to fit the waterproof liner - I'm going to go with the idea above to tuck it outside the back armor.

I see what you guys are saying about the cuff tabs on the sleeves - very stiff - hopefully that's just a break-in thing, but really no big deal.

More to follow as tomorrow's forecast (95 degrees with typical Florida humidity) will be my first romp...

 

[creggur]

Just got back from a ride - what a difference from the Latitude. This is my first mesh jacket, and I think I'm in love.

My only hope is that it stands up to the asphalt (at least once) if the worst happens, but wow - so much more comfortable in the Florida heat and humidity.

 

[oldbear]

Have an Olympia Airglide mesh jacket that I love.

::026:: I've got an Olympia Bushwacker that 's great. Wife has a ladies Airglide. Tough to beat.

 

[trikepilot]

Induction 30+ day report...

I have had the Induction for a month of riding and it just impresses me more and more. I came from an Olympia Airglide that was and is an awesome jacket. The Induction is just tailored so much better and to me just feel like a second skin. It breathes exceedingly well. I have gotten used to the extra bulge of having the neatly folded liner behind the spinal pad and I just don't notice it anymore. I used the liner twice recently and it does keep the water out. However, it turns the normally very breezy jacket into a sauna suit. There is little to not like about this jacket. Do yourself a favor and check one out if you get the chance.

 

[HoebSTer]

I too just purchased the induction and it was awesome in 95degree heat riding the wabdr.

 

[rem]

I've been cyber eyeballing' that Induction jacket for a while. I like it, but I likely only need it 3 days a year. And it's an expensive sucker. So … you know … you guys send money. ::008:: ::008:: R

 

[RMZ466]

Just bought a mesh jacket and love it!

 

[RocketJohn]

Rev'it Chronos

 

[Donk]

Here's another vote for the Olympia Airglide. Untested and hoping to stay that way.