Triumphrat

Hatchetman240 · 01-26-2009, 12:02 AM

Hello all,

Last year I crash tested my wonderful Joe Rocket Alter Ego (1.0) jacket. It held up okay and despite being too big for me actually protected me fairly well. Now it is time to replace the jacket and I have to say I loved the convertible nature of the old JR but was unimpressed with one or two things. Namely the fact that the weatherproof layer was the inner most one, which means you had wet gear outside of it getting soaked and cold up against that thin cold waterproof layer inside.

The benefit of course was having one jacket for all seasons (when you included good rain gear of course to prevent the above from happening). Now I am on the market again and am leaning to the tour master version of the jacket. Obviously it is priced better and the weatherproof layer is on the outside resolving my major issue.

http://www.newenough.com/protective_...le_jacket.html

Is there an even better alternative? A full length jacket that strips down to a short armored mesh? Any suggestions?

jhawk · 01-28-2009, 03:18 PM

I haven't found just a single jacket for all year.

The Tour Master Transition is good for about 3/4 of the year.

For really hot weather the Triumph Raptor Mesh does a good job. Need to buy an inexpensive waterproof shell to go over it for rainy rides.

May the schwartz be with you!

jet987 · 02-14-2009, 10:35 PM

My Joe Rocket Ballistic 7.0 3/4 length jacket is great for 30deg F with the liner, and up to 75deg without the liner and all vents open. Above 75deg I wear a mesh jacket.

GizmoRider · 03-07-2009, 11:44 PM

I wear a Scorpion Exo Shock jacket, and like it a lot. Have been out in 35F weather and found that it worked well with both liners and a heavy-weight long sleeved tee-shirt underneath, or a turtleneck. The sleeves may be a bit tight with both liners in, if you have big biceps, but I found it fit me well. Compared to the Tourmaster I tried on at the same time, the Scorpion just fit me better. The quality is good, vents are effective, armor is good and abrasion areas are leather. It has a nice collar lining and it has a built-in back-pocket for a hydration system, with routing for the drink tube.
I haven't been out in warmer than 76F yet, but it's probably good up to high 80F temps, when I'm probably going to want a mesh jacket.

Catenaccio · 03-08-2009, 01:32 AM

My wife bought me a First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket. It's been terrific in cold weather. No complaints whatsoever. If the (expletives deleted) weather ever warms up, I hope it will be a good spring/fall jacket. I have my doubts about its worth during the summer months in Nevada. I use a JR Phoenix when the temps exceed 100 F. The Kilimanjaro has sleeve, chest, and back vents. It might turn out to be very versatile, even in the summer. It's supposed to be waterproof so I can leave my Frogg Toggs at home - I hope. We shall see.