Best leather jacket?

[bolidemichael]

This might help, Bennett's are trying to compile their own standards of protection.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-vie...

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Thank you.


So I considered a Goldtop but, for me it's just too retro for my bike.

If I rode a Triumph, yes.

So I've ordered a Merlin Gable leather jacket. AAA and I struggled to find any info on the model, if it isn't right I'll send back.


https://www.merlinbikegear.com/product/gable-water...

[PT1984]

Merlin kit is great. Far better than the RST and Rev’it jackets I have. They always include a full set of proper armour too. Their gloves are also great. I have the Drifter jacket and Shenstone gloves. Akk lol ways great offers around too.

[Merch131]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Thank you.


So I considered a Goldtop but, for me it's just too retro for my bike.

If I rode a Triumph, yes.

So I've ordered a Merlin Gable leather jacket. AAA and I struggled to find any info on the model, if it isn't right I'll send back.


https://www.merlinbikegear.com/product/gable-water...

This one.. https://youtu.be/y_P7X81_VAo?si=P-z0JlJPjDW7Bj0t

I considered a Merlin, preferred the Gold Top, which also comes with Knox armour, which I'm impressed with, its surprisingly soft and comfortable to wear.

[Salted_Peanut]

black-k1 said:

BKS Made to measure. Certified to higher standard EN 13595.

https://www.bksleather.co.uk/information/certifica...

^ and Hideout made-to-measure

IME, nothing else is in the same league. It’s not even close.

[black-k1]

Salted_Peanut said:

black-k1 said:

BKS Made to measure. Certified to higher standard EN 13595.

https://www.bksleather.co.uk/information/certifica...

^ and Hideout made-to-measure

IME, nothing else is in the same league. It’s not even close.

I agree 100%. If you want the best protection then BKS and Hideout are the only real options.

[bolidemichael]

black-k1 said:

Salted_Peanut said:

black-k1 said:

BKS Made to measure. Certified to higher standard EN 13595.

https://www.bksleather.co.uk/information/certifica...

^ and Hideout made-to-measure

IME, nothing else is in the same league. It’s not even close.

I agree 100%. If you want the best protection then BKS and Hideout are the only real options.

If you look at the pricing of Motolegends' latest Spidi leather/mesh jacket, which is half that of Hideout's AAA rated mesh, it's clear that there's no circumventing quality.

[Bob_Defly]

I asked something similar a while back, very happy with my Merlin purchase.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Bob_Defly said:

I asked something similar a while back, very happy with my Merlin purchase.

And it's AAA, there's no circumventing quality.

[black-k1]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Bob_Defly said:

I asked something similar a while back, very happy with my Merlin purchase.

And it's AAA, there's no circumventing quality.

And the "level above" AAA is EN 13595

Note that many police forces won't accept AAA garments as appropriate protection but require EN 13595

[Tonberry]

What you want is a jacket that meets EN 13595 (like my RST Blade 2).

Trouble is they're rare as the standard is difficult to achieve for manufacturers that like to cut corners while charging the earth.

That leaves you with AAA (like my Furygan Ghost) which is adequate for most, still fairly uncommon though.

The amount of AA leather jackets on the market is huge. Some of them are AA because they use mesh or similar in some areas.

Full leather jackets that only meet AA are likely garbage.

Edited by Tonberry on Thursday 4th July 17:35

[bolidemichael]

black-k1 said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Bob_Defly said:

I asked something similar a while back, very happy with my Merlin purchase.

And it's AAA, there's no circumventing quality.

And the "level above" AAA is EN 13595

Note that many police forces won't accept AAA garments as appropriate protection but require EN 13595

It looks as though the more lifestyle-ready application is EN 17092, explained here under 'Shake Up'.

[Salted_Peanut]

black-k1 said:

And the "level above" AAA is EN 13595

Note that many police forces won't accept AAA garments as appropriate protection but require EN 13595 Level 2

Indeed. This explains the significance for motorway or higher speed riding: AAA gives 80% less protection than EN13595.

I can see why many police forces won’t accept AAA, as it only provides 1.4 seconds of abrasion resistance in the areas of highest abrasion risk (knees, elbows, buttocks, etc.). In contrast, 7 seconds is the bare minimum to pass EN13595 Level 2.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Salted_Peanut said:

Indeed. This explains the significance for motorway or higher speed riding: AAA gives 80% less protection than EN13595.

I can see why many police forces won’t accept AAA, as it only provides 1.4 seconds of abrasion resistance in the areas of highest abrasion risk (knees, elbows, buttocks, etc.). In contrast, 7 seconds is the bare minimum to pass EN13595 Level 2.

On a motorway I'd be far more worried about being run over by a number of cars and a truck or dicing oneself on the central reservation.

Don't overthink it too much..

[black-k1]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Salted_Peanut said:

Indeed. This explains the significance for motorway or higher speed riding: AAA gives 80% less protection than EN13595.

I can see why many police forces won’t accept AAA, as it only provides 1.4 seconds of abrasion resistance in the areas of highest abrasion risk (knees, elbows, buttocks, etc.). In contrast, 7 seconds is the bare minimum to pass EN13595 Level 2.

On a motorway I'd be far more worried about being run over by a number of cars and a truck or dicing oneself on the central reservation.

Don't overthink it too much..

In any accident there are a huge number of variables and nothing can protect you from all of the risks. The best anyone can do is to minimise as many of the risks as possible.

Overthinking is not really a concern, over simplifying is!

[airsafari87]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

On a motorway I'd be far more worried about being run over by a number of cars and a truck or dicing oneself on the central reservation.

Don't overthink it too much..

Why do you want the ‘best’ leather jacket then?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

airsafari87 said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

On a motorway I'd be far more worried about being run over by a number of cars and a truck or dicing oneself on the central reservation.

Don't overthink it too much..

Why do you want the ‘best’ leather jacket then?

From my original post I guess I mean all round, not head down high speed etc. A professional bike standard jacket where professionals may pursue or ride at 100+ that's not me. I'm very sedate on a bike.





So, its here! Will it 'give ' over time - slightly tight on shoulders and back of arms. I own one leather jacket but I'd bought it fairly well used when I first passed my bike test and it's very relaxed now (same size Richa bought for £50).

[Hugo Stiglitz]

OK it's going back.

Why?

I'm very funny about my primary contact points - hands and feet what I wear. I'd sacrifice some safety for feel at these points.


To a degree I'm funny about the rest. I need to feel comfortable. True about anyone?

It's way too stiff. In every aspect.

Whereas (yes) my 2nd hand Richa leather feels thicker and more lived in (yes, maybe live with the new jacket till it breaks in but on first impressions I don't think it ever would).

So. I'm sticking with the £50 (that I paid 2 yrs ago) Richa and upgrading its armour.

[black-k1]

Your definition of "best leather jacket" definitely differs significantly from mine!

[Hugo Stiglitz]

black-k1 said:

Your definition of "best leather jacket" definitely differs significantly from mine!

Maybe in part it comes down to funds/budget to a degree too.