Product test: textile jackets

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Product test: textile jackets
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Product test: textile jackets

Product test: textile jackets
Jackets for winter

Icy outside, cozy and warm inside. The winter half-year places the highest demands on functional clothing. In the test: ten year-round jackets that are particularly suitable for cold days. Because you dew, as the northern lights say: Let’s go, winter can come.

Jorg Lohse

December 04, 2008

Do you still know that? “The perceived temperature is well below the measured one …” A few years ago, this announcement was one of the classics in weather forecasting by Kachelmann and Co., the weather frogs on radio and television alluded to the so-called microclimate of the skin, which can go badly out of joint in certain weather constellations. The key word here is “Wind chill” or in good German: “Chill in the wind”. The wind speed changes the feel-good climate on our skin, influences the evaporation rate and thus removes heat from the body. And already people perceive the actually measured temperatures as significantly cooler. This particularly affects motorcyclists who brace themselves in the wind when the outside temperature is low. If the thermometer in the garage shows a moderate five degrees, the perceived temperature is already below zero at city speed. At 100 km / h on the country road, it can even feel like minus five degrees. Reason enough to only drive with reasonable equipment in the winter months.

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Product test: textile jackets

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Jackets for winter

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In this test, MOTORRAD examined ten year-round textile jackets in the price category between 250 and 400 euros, which, according to the manufacturer, can also be used on cold days. The majority of the participants convinced in the driving tests on the autobahn and country road. But it is also important in winter to pay attention to the right underwear. You can find out more about this in the box on the next page. Good winter jackets must of course be waterproof. In the wetness test, the results were also largely positive. And if there were leaks, it often affected the outer pockets. Don’t be fooled by rubberized zippers. They are no guarantee that the contents of the bag will stay dry. All in all, the test field is mostly good. However, that does not mean that manufacturers can sit back and relax. The protector equipment still needs to be expanded: only two models have an integrated back protector as standard, protectors with too small a protective surface are found again and again, and there is sometimes a lack of proper fixation. Because here, too, a good feeling counts.

This is how MOTORRAD tests


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Thoroughly dissect the jackets after the test round.

Driving and carrying comfort (25 points):
the practical grade in the test. On the KTM 690 Supermoto and Suzuki Bandit 1200, the textile jackets had to show their potential on the autobahn and on winding country roads.

Security (25 points):
Which protectors are used, do they fit exactly? Also gives points: a connection zipper and a crotch strap.

Fit (20 points):
In different sizes, a close look was taken to see whether the length measurements and proportions were correct.

Moisture protection (10 points):
In order to evaluate the behavior in the rain, a flat jet of water hits the jacket for ten minutes.

Isolation (10 points):
How well does the jacket insulate on the test lap, where do you pull in, where do you cool off??

Processing and equipment (10 points):
If the jacket is properly processed, which fabrics are used, it has enough pockets, ventilation openings, width adjusters, reflective material?

Heated clothing for the winter – burning elements

The last measure for tough winter tours is the use of electric heating aids. The best-known means: heated grips. If you are looking for one to retrofit, you should make sure that the handles have at least two heating levels. Price for a reasonable pair: around 60 euros, depending on the manufacturer. If you want to save yourself the screwing, you can consider heated gloves, which are either available with a cable connection to the on-board power or which are operated by a built-in battery. This alternative is not cheap: Recommended gloves from Baehr (cable) or Held (battery) cost over 250 euros. Heated insoles help against cold feet. Here, the power supply comes from a battery, which makes annoying wiring with the bike superfluous. Heating time: three to five hours, costs around 150 euros. Heating suits, which are available in different designs (on-board power, battery operation, from around 350 euros), only make sense for long and frequent tours through the winter. The most innovative solution is offered by Thermoflash, whose 1100 Euro suit is operated via a heat exchanger connected to the cooling circuit.

Protectors on the test bench – in the ouch zone

Mandatory for MOTORRAD clothing tests: checking the protectors. Based on the European standard EN 1621-1 (for joint protectors) and 1621-2 (for back protectors), the protective elements used in the test jackets were tested on a drop test stand (Sas-Tec, Markgroningen, www.sas-tec.de) Impact absorption investigated. According to the standard, a five-kilo falling body hits the protector in free fall, and a measuring head below registers the residual force values. In other words, the joint protector has to cope with a load of around 18 tons and may allow a maximum of 35 kilonewtons (kN) of residual force to pass through. For back protectors, the limit is between nine and 18 kN, depending on the protection class.

In the present test, three impacts occurred in different zones of the protector (center, transition area and edge); the mean value calculated from this must not exceed the limit value. Otherwise there is a risk of points being deducted. However, only limited conclusions can be drawn about the actual accident protection. To illustrate: Human bones break at a load of less than ten kN. Positive result in the test: All protectors adhere to the limit values. However, different methods can be used to reach the goal, as the graphic on the right shows. Certain protectors distribute the impact energy over a long period of time, similar to a crumple zone in a car, while others harden on impact and allow the force curve to rise steeply. This hard jolt can cause bones to break quickly. Another shortcoming that occurs again and again in the tests of textile suits is the inadequate fixation of the protectors. So there is a risk that the protectors can twist dangerously in the event of an accident. And then even the best value in the shock absorption test is of little use.

Put on properly – in multiple shifts


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Obligatory when driving in the rain: The glove cuffs belong under the jacket sleeves.

Low temperatures call for the right outfit even under well-designed motorcycle clothing. Jeans and knitted sweaters hardly bring anything. But on the contrary. Body sweat (and this is also the case when biking in winter) cotton fabrics become clammy and additionally cool the body through evaporation cold. Warm functional underwear, which is appreciated by skiers among others, is particularly suitable. Depending on the weather, you can combine several layers of good functional clothing. With this onion principle, the air trapped between the individual layers creates effective insulation. For the upper body, we also recommend a windstopper jacket, which is now available from many suppliers. This protects the chest area from cooling down. When it rains, the glove cuffs must be worn under the sleeves so that the draining water does not run into the glove like a funnel. At the same time, the cuff should be able to be sealed well against drafts by effectively adjusting the width.

Conclusion

A consistently good result that emerged in this test of upper middle-class textile jackets. And yet: The grade ?? very good ?? only reaches one provider. The bottom line is that the Ixs Sirakus II is a great, highly functional and well-equipped jacket. In comparison, the similarly structured Reusch Supertech clearly falls behind. Ultimately, it turns out to be overloaded in detail, the high weight noticeably spoils the driving comfort. Among the good jackets, Alpinestars scratches the “very good” mark, and when it comes to price / performance, they rightly deserve the tip. At the lower end of the scale: the Ixon Halloween, which was particularly noticeable in the protector test.

Alpinestars ?? Space Drystar


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Providers: Alpinestars, phone 0039 / 0423-5286, www.alpinestars.com
Price: 279.95 euros
Sizes: S to 4XL
Material: 600D polyester
Colors: black, black-beige, black-blue, black-red
Weight *: 2.6 kg

plus
Very good fit; good insulation effect, particularly pleasant due to the back section pulled down far; draft-free final collar; Gloves can be easily stowed under the sleeves; Snap fasteners and Velcro fastenings are easy to use, the front closes quickly and without fiddling; Precise and pressure-free fitted CE protectors on shoulders and elbows

minus
Throws a slight bulge on chest and stomach when driving; cannot be adjusted at the hem; Outside pockets turned out to be not waterproof in the wetness test

Conclusion
The Alpinestars Space Drystar can not only convince with a high price, but also the insulation is good thanks to the effective thermal lining and long back section. In addition, the equipment and workmanship as well as fit and comfort are right. All in all, the best buy in the test.

MOTORRAD verdict: Good
MOTORCYCLE buyer’s tip

Dainese – Dawson


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Providers: Dainese, phone 089/35827270, www.dainese.de
Price: 379 euros
Sizes: 44 to 60
Material: 500D Cordura
Colors: black, black-blue, black-yellow, black-gray, black-red
Weight *: 2.3 kilograms

plus
Supple tissue, high mobility; effectively warming thermal collar with windproof, draft-free finish and very good width adjustment; Glove cuffs can easily be stowed under the sleeves; very noticeable, large reflectors; waterproof outside pockets

minus
Jacket puffs up in the airstream and pushes up high, waist belt presses on rib arch; Thermal lining only moderately warming; CE protectors on shoulders and elbows cannot be fixed properly

Conclusion
A light thermal jacket that is particularly appealing because of the warmth of the collar. The Dainese Dawson is insulated a bit too thinly on the torso and sleeves. The CE protectors that protrude far and that cannot be positioned close enough on the shoulders and elbows are not very popular.

MOTORRAD verdict: Good

Difi ?? Spectrum AX


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

The thermal insert turns out to be an independent jacket.

Providers: Motoport, phone 04451/915200, www.motoport.de
Price: 289.95 euros
Sizes: XS to XXXL
Material: 500D / 1000D polyamide
Colors: black, black-gray
Weight *: 2.5 kg

plus
Close-fitting, supple tissue; pleases while driving thanks to a wrinkle-free seat; effective width adjusters on the upper arm, CE protectors can be easily fixed on the shoulders and elbows; can be adjusted quickly and safely at the hem; waterproof outside pockets

minus
Collar is a little low at the front; long glove cuffs cannot be stowed under sleeves; Waist belt difficult to adjust; slight feeling of coldness in the chest area

Conclusion
Functional year-round jacket at a good price. A special treat is the thermal lining that can be used as a separate jacket. However, the insulation effect is a bit too poor. Great, on the other hand: the easy connection to trousers with a long zipper and the extra seat bridge.

MOTORRAD verdict: Good

Hero – GTX-7


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Providers: Held, phone 08321/66460, www.held.de
Price: 249 euros
Sizes: XS to 4XL
Material: 500D Airguard
Colors: black-gray, black-red
Weight *: 2.9 kilograms

plus
Tightly fitting tissue without any tendency to flutter; effectively isolated overall; easy to use width adjusters on the sleeves, via which the CE protectors can be securely attached to the shoulders and elbows; waterproof outside pockets; The front can be closed quickly and easily

minus
Slightly drafty on the collar; tightly cut sleeves that cannot be pulled over the cuffs of thick winter gloves; Waist belt positioned a little high, presses on costal arch when sitting; Shoulder protectors with protective surfaces that are too small

Conclusion
Inexpensive all-round jacket with a solid equipment package. The suitability for winter is somewhat limited by the slightly drafty collar. The high waist belt is annoying when driving. The well-fitting protectors with first-class damping values ​​are sometimes used in sizes that are too small.

MOTORRAD verdict: Good

Ixon – Halloween


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Providers: Shark Germany, phone 04108/458000, www.ixon.com
Price: 249 euros
Sizes: S to 4XL
Material: 500D Kerdex / Riplan
Color: Black
Weight *: 2.3 kilograms

plus
Flutter free; pleasantly warming fleece collar; Pockets very accessible

minus
Strongly cools in the chest area; overall cut too long, jacket pushes up when driving, waist belt presses on rib arch; Upper body with large wrinkles; CE protectors do not fit exactly, splinter during the shock absorption test; Push buttons for the width adjustment on the upper arms spring open slightly; Sleeves suck in water in the wetness test, outer pockets are not tight; long glove cuffs cannot be stowed under the sleeves

Conclusion
Little trick, lots of treat at Ixon Halloween. Warm fleece collar, but a real cold hole on the bronchi, which is clearly too big for trips on cold days. The protective surfaces of the joint protectors, on the other hand, are much too small, and they splintered dangerously in the shock absorption test.

MOTORRAD verdict: sufficient

IXS ?? Sirakus II


Product test: textile jackets

Providers: Hostettler, phone 07631/18040, www.ixs.de
Price: 329.90 euros
Sizes: S to 5XL
Material: 500D Cordura
Color: Black
Weight *: 2.7 kilograms

plus
First-class fit, adapts wonderfully to all movements on the motorcycle; high degree of isolation; Thermal lining can be used as a separate jacket; effective thermal collar that can be removed quickly if necessary; CE protectors can be fixed on the shoulders and elbows by means of the width adjusters so that they do not slip and are pressure-free, high quality and very clean; waterproof outside pockets; The glove cuffs can be stowed well under the sleeves; available in many sizes

minus
Shoulder protectors with too small a protective surface

Conclusion
Well thought out and well done. The Ixs Sirakus II can completely convince in this test. The great fit is combined with a first-class wearing comfort, not only on cold days. Thanks to its modular structure, the jacket can also be used at higher outside temperatures.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good

Modeka – Melville Pro


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Providers: Modeka, phone 02521/850322, www.modeka.de
Price: 299.90 euros
Sizes: S to 4XL
Material: 500D Avertex, cowhide leather
Color: Black
Weight *: 2.7 kilograms

plus
Lots of ventilation inlets for warm days; waterproof inner jacket completely removable; CE protectors can be securely attached to the elbows; treated to repel dirt

minus
Trunk bulges up strongly when driving, shoulders protrude; Wind catches in the patch breast pockets; slightly drafty on the collar; slight feeling of coldness in the chest area; long glove cuffs cannot be tucked under the sleeves; Shoulder protectors with too small a protective surface

Conclusion
Acceptably insulated all-weather jacket by Modeka, but the strong wrinkling of the jacket when driving and annoying pressure points in the crooks of the arm. On the equipment side, you score with a dirt-repellent surface, but there are small sloppinesses in the workmanship.

MOTORRAD verdict: satisfying

Reusch ?? Super tech


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Providers: Polo express delivery, phone 0180/5225785, www.polo-motorrad.de
Price: 399.95 to 429.95 euros
Sizes: S to XXL, plus extra women’s sizes
Material: 500D Cordura
Color: Black
Weight *: 3.6 kilograms

plus
Very well and effectively insulated; Thermal lining can be worn as a separate jacket; Extra thermal collar with helmet hood effectively protects against drafts; waterproof outside pockets; CE protectors on shoulders, elbows and back; Glove cuffs can be easily stowed under the sleeves; Safety vest included

minus
High weight and stiff fabric have a huge impact on driving comfort; Velcro straps laid out much too wide; Collar is difficult to close

Conclusion
Cozy, warm winter coat for the McGyver biker. But despite all the functionality of the Reusch Supertech jacket, functionality falls by the wayside. Lush dimensions and an extremely high weight reduce the comfort enormously, especially when driving. Exemplary: the complete protector package.

MOTORRAD verdict: Good

Rev ?? it ?? Cayenne Pro


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Works well: large ventilation openings for the summer.

Providers: Rev ?? it, phone 0031 / 412-696740, www.revit.eu
Price: 399.99 euros
Sizes: S to XYL (corresponds to XXXL)
Material: 500D / 1000D Cordura
Colors: gray-red, gray-black, green-gray, orange-gray, black
Weight *: 2.7 kilograms

plus
Is supple, good fit; well processed; effectively isolated; well-fitting, anatomically correct shaped protectors on shoulders and elbows; Glove cuffs can be easily stowed under the sleeves; very noticeable, easily visible reflectors

minus
Slightly drafty on the collar; the adjustment range of the width adjusters on the sleeves is too narrow; Waist belt positioned too high, lightly presses on rib arch when driving; Front closure a bit awkward to handle; Outside pockets not waterproof

Conclusion
Thanks to the modular structure, a versatile year-round jacket with a very attractive finish. Particularly positive: the comfortable and pressure-free protectors that comprehensively cover the joints. The only thing missing here is the back protector offered as an option as standard equipment.

MOTORRAD verdict: Good

Spidi – Voyager


Product test: textile jackets


Artist

Providers: Spidi Fashion Store, phone 02133/262312, www.spidi-fashion.de
Price: 349.90 euros
Sizes: M to XXXL
Material: 500D Cordura
Colors: black, black-red, black-white
Weight *: 2.3 kilograms

plus
Very supple fabric, jacket fits neatly, does not constrict at any point; Front fastener can be closed quickly and easily; Glove cuffs fit very well under the sleeve ends; CE protectors fully equipped on shoulders, elbows and back, to be fixed safely and precisely; waterproof outside pockets

minus
Joint protectors with protective surfaces that are too small; Thermal lining is thin overall, okay on cooler autumn days, too weak for winter

Conclusion
The Voyager pleases with a good fit and a wonderfully light feel. However, the cuddle feeling falls by the wayside on real winter trips. The complete protector equipment is positive. However, only the smaller of the two standard sizes is used on the joints.

MOTORRAD verdict: Good

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