Does a all season jacket exist?

[topdal46]

I'd like to find a textile jacket that I could wear year round. Something that would be mesh in the summer for the air flow, and then warm and waterproof in the winter. I have a Tourmaster Intake now, and a Olympia AirGlide 2, Both nice products, but for wet weather, they both fill up with water, so then you're not wet, but heavy and wet. They say they have waterproof linings, that's good. But I'd like a waterproof outer layer, that would also be mesh in the summer Months.

 

Does this jacket exist??

[Fugu]

The wife's got a Tourmaster that is mesh but has solid panels that zip over the mesh for winter, making it look like a regular jacket. I can't recall what their name for it is, and I don't see it on their website (hopefully they didn't discontinue it - I was going to get one when I wear out my intake and transition jackets.

 

It does leak some water around the zippers in really extreme downpours if you don't have good protection from the bike, which eventually would soak the inner mesh since the waterproof liner goes inside it, but if you are on a bike with a fairing like an RT it should work fine - she stays dry on mine.

[Tony_K]

Hmmm mesh and all season.

You already know the answer don't you?

Rain suit will convert whatever you have to all weather.

Electrics will cover you in cold weather.

[empeg9000]

I'd like to find a textile jacket that I could wear year round. Something that would be mesh in the summer for the air flow, and then warm and waterproof in the winter. I have a Tourmaster Intake now, and a Olympia AirGlide 2, Both nice products, but for wet weather, they both fill up with water, so then you're not wet, but heavy and wet. They say they have waterproof linings, that's good. But I'd like a waterproof outer layer, that would also be mesh in the summer Months.

 

Does this jacket exist??

Well since you are already an Olympia Owner what about the AST? I own one and its the only thing I own. However having just switched to an RT I might get to hot in the summer but we'll see. Its water proof, has the liner, good armor. I like it a lot, especially for the money.

[MrHondamatic]

I've found my Joe Rocket Phoenix with the rain liner to be a pretty good jacket for the entire season. With a few good (t-shirt, heavy flannel shirt, thermal top, and a sweat shirt) layers under it I've been warmer than ever in cool/cold weather. The liner does a great job of blocking the wind, and my extra layers under it provide insulation. I ride without a fairing down to 32F. I'm sure there may be better solutions, but this has worked out great for me.

[motoguy128]

MY wife and I both have mesh jackets. The rain liner keeps the wind out and our heated vests keep us warm down to around 40F with a good base layer. We use fleece lined cycling tights under our jeans, and rain pants over that. Add the heated seats and a pair of waterproo, fleece lined gloves and you're good to go.

 

The heated gear is what makes it 4 seasons. Otherwise it's only good to around 60F.

 

I think any jacket oriented for better cold weathe rperformance, will roast you in hot weather without a cool vest. Mesh is the only way to go over 80F... expecially with the humidty.

[baggerchris]

I too have the Phoenix and with the rain liner and a fleece garment underneath, I am pretty much good to go. I have even worn the rain liner on top of the jacket. One time when it was sleeting, I wore my rain suit on top of the Phoenix; then the rain liner; then the fleece and was very snug.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Here's what I have been using on my current trip, Fla to Boulder, Co to San Francisco, to Tucumcari, NM to Kansas City to Chicago to Connecticut, to Philadelphia to Oak Ridge, TN with maybe Huntsville, AL in between Philly and Oak Ridge, I'm in CT right now.

 

Outer layer depends on if it's raining or not or wicked cold. No real cold so far, but have seen low 40's to high 30's some evenings.

 

BMW Klima Komfort rain suit. Off or on as needed.

BMW Airflow II Jacet and pants.

When cooler, I block the air through the mesh with a golfing wind shirt.

Cooler yet, Underarmour Cold weather T-shirt (long sleeves)

Cooler yet, light weight windproof fleece (North Face) over the Underarmour.

Cooler yet, add Underarmour Cold sweat pants.

Cooler yet, the rain suit goes back on.

 

I was toasty going past the grand canyon at 37 degrees and 80 mph on my Blackbird.

 

Some high tech glove liners, bought in a ski shop under my Held Steve gloves kept my hands more or less OK.

 

Could have used a wind scarf or the like, my chin got cold under the Shoei RF1000. Bought a long sleeve t-shirt, sacrificed the sleeves and used the arms as a makeshift Balaclava.

 

Next time I do this kinda trip at this time of the year, I'm taking my Belstaff Discovery suit and Gerbings liner. I'll suffer a bit in the heat but I'd much rather sweat than shiver. I could have used the 1 piece Stitch as well and, in retrospect, it probably would have been a better choice.

[RoadJunkie]

I too have pondered the active question. I've go a closet full of jackets each with a promise of being the perfect jacket. I've decided the quest for an "all season jacket" is like searching for the Holy Grail. Once or twice I actually thought I had found such a beast, but alas Mother Nature throws a curve that humbles me into another search. Or maybe I search because I WANT more than I need.

 

I find the key to "all season" is layers. Whether it's rain gear over jacket or liner under jacket...or well vented jacket with liner and heated vest, or windproof jacket with lotsa zipped vents...who knows. BUT...the search, the eternal quest, is what it's all about.

[memaus03]

I just read an article on the BMW Comfortshell C_Change jacket which, based on the contents of the article, would indicate to me that this is what you might be looking for. It claims to be 'the' jacket for all seasons although when I looked up the price on a US site, they were not flogging it as that. It is claimed to be all those things. You might want to check it out.

 

For me personally (I have not tried this BM jacket) I would be inclined to say that what you seek does not exist in the simplest form. For me no mesh jacket can get cool enough for summer riding here in Aus, so was forced to buy an evaporative cooling vest as I simply will not ride without protection.

 

Good luck and if you do find something, let the rest of us know.

[velomoto]

Phil, I've got the Olympia mesh jacket & liner and like you I don't like a wet jacket so I've since purchased some BMW raingear to pull over the Olympia mesh gear. As for the question of "all season?", IMO it really depends upon what your seasons are like and how well you can endure being either hot or cold. Riding an RT I can't imagine being in non-mesh jacket such as the AST during the summer. Perhaps with Gerbings or similar heated gear one could stay warm in mesh+liner when the temperature drops below freezing - but I find myself looking for more layers and warmer gear.

[LuckyLeif]

I'd like to find a textile jacket that I could wear year round.

Ah yes, you too are on a quest for the ultimate riding suit. I've given up the quest and have resigned myself to 2 jackets (one mesh and the other cool/cold weather). The mesh jacket doesn't require all that much storage space for trips, so I pack it along if I expect hot temps. I like Rev'It gear: Cayenne and Airforce.

[topdal46]

lot's of good ideas here, thanks guys, I use my TourMaster Intake the most in the warm weather, it has 2 inner liners, one that takes care of the water and another liner for when it's colder. I do have a Gerbings electric liner. I just hate when I have to ride in rain all day, putting my First Gear rain jacket on over my Tourmaster Intake, I feel like the Michelin Man.

[tallman]

http://www.newenough.com/image/path/11301/small/silver.jpg?1189605481

]

I've done thousands of miles in the first version.

Stayed dry in heavy rain.

Plenty warm w/thermal liner. Couple that w/Gerbings and good to the teens.

Venting system works very well. Read the details in the link. I've ridden up to @100 w/air moving through.

Couple w/evaporative cooling vest in low/moderate humidity and it is fabulous.

http://www.newenough.com/protective_appa...cle_jacket.html

The concept works.

One of the best bang for the buck out there.

Comes in Women's and Tall sizes too.

[EffBee]

Assuming "all season" means from freezing up to 100 degrees, including rain, the answer is no. At least not realistically. There is a mix 'n match 4-layer Rukka jacket for $1350, but that's outrageous.

 

As for a jacket that's waterproof, yet breathes like mesh in the summer, it doesn't exist. Not separate from interior liners and/or an outer raincoat.

 

We categorize most jackets as 3-season jackets. They are either Fall/Winter/Spring jackets or they are Spring/Summer/Fall jackets. Of these, the latter is probably the more desirable because you can layer under it, or add Gerbings, to improve your cold-weather comfort. You can always make a jacket warmer, but it's hard to make one cooler when its ventilation and breathing limits have been maxxed.

 

Many manufacturers these days, make mesh jackets that have a waterproof warmth liner for winter use. Of these, most use Carbolex or some similar polyester-based shell. It's OK material, but not as good as Cordura, which is nylon-based and has greater abrasion resistance and a higher friction-melting point. Olympia makes such jackets in Cordura, which is one of the reasons why we carry them. It's good stuff. Also, the Olympia people are very devoted BMW sport-touring riders themselves, and truly love making clothing that meets our needs, since they're the same as their needs.

 

I understand that they get wet in the rain and become heavy. Trust me, even if you wear one of those jackets that has a waterproof polyurethane coating applied to the inside of the shell, they retain water down to the coating as well and will get just as heavy. If you absolutely can't stand the extra weight, then look into some outer rain gear. I really like the new Tour Master Sentinel stuff.

[mrsoup]

Marsee One Wear System- Discontinued now but still available through some retailers.

I have had mine for over a year now and have found it to be the best for all conditions of anything on the market.

Waterproof/windproof shell goes OVER the main jacket so getting wet is never an issue. Quilted vest for colder temps- I add the Gerbings for anything below 40 degrees.

Lots of mesh for the hot summer days and CE approved armour in all the usual places including the back protector. Nice silver color for the nonvented areas that reflects the heat better than the usual black.

 

I am VERY pleased with this jacket, it is a real shame that Marsee has decided to stop manufacturing clothing, only doing luggage now.

[Ben_Ricci]

Marsee One Wear System- Discontinued now but still available through some retailers.

I have had mine for over a year now and have found it to be the best for all conditions of anything on the market.

Waterproof/windproof shell goes OVER the main jacket so getting wet is never an issue. Quilted vest for colder temps- I add the Gerbings for anything below 40 degrees.

Lots of mesh for the hot summer days and CE approved armour in all the usual places including the back protector. Nice silver color for the nonvented areas that reflects the heat better than the usual black.

 

I am VERY pleased with this jacket, it is a real shame that Marsee has decided to stop manufacturing clothing, only doing luggage now.

 

I have one of these. It's one of my most favorite jackets and comes as close to being wear anytime riding gear as it gets. BMW's Boulder is a distant second, although it doesn't have the mesh venting of the Marsee (or others) it does ventilate and reflect heat well. My main criticism of the Boulder is a lack of sleeve ventilation, but air does blow through the upper areas of the jacket reasonable well--good up to 80 or so degrees. And because it's not mesh, it can be easily worn on pretty cool days with an extra layer or two. Although I haven't tried it yet, I expect it to be good with Gerbings, too.