Warm weather riding jacket

[Scarman]

Anyone have any experience with the Cortech GX Air jacket? I've been trying to find a good warm to hot weather riding jacket and I came across the GX Air. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's used this jacket.

I finally got to scratch and sniff the jacket today and I have to say it's the nicest jacket I have seen in a long time. Very good CE rated armor for the elbows, shoulders, and a good back protector. The jacket has a plenty of mesh and it has also leather where it really counts. There is a removable wind proof liner and a removable thermal liner. Pull both liners out and the jacket and it you get a lot of venting for warm weather riding.

The only possible issue I can see is if you use it as an all year riding jacket. I think the fit might change too much from having both liners installed to having no liners. So... I would size it to wear with the light wind liner / no liner. That would get you a great cool to hot weather riding jacket. Going from both liners to no liners might get you a poor fitting jack at both extremes. I stress might... Maybe as the jacket breaks in, the fit with both liners installed could improve. I'm interested in a summer riding jacket so the thermal liner is not that important to me.

If you're looking for a good warm weather jacket, take a look at the Cortech GX Air. If you have been using it, I would like to hear your opinion.

[redzdvl]

I have the Joe Rocket Pheonix 4.0 - mesh as well ... has a removeable dry liner & doesnt do too bad in 50 degree morning weather (with liner in) zip out the liner & you definately feel the air flow... although it is early in the season & hottest I been out with it has been about 72... at the stoplights my black jeans were heating up to blazing but there was no upper body discomfort standing still...it has adjustable straps at the hips & arms so you can sinch it down after removing the liner (or let it out to throw an extra layer on underneath for the 30degree morning that it let a bit more cold in than i wanted at the time...) I like the jacket - yellow & black model, also has shoulder/forearm & elbow/back armor integrated into jacket... cant say much for any others as this is the first one I've owned ... (used to squid it & only time I wore a jacket was in CA winters or on rainy days )

also I am a "hot body"- I will/can start to sweat in 60 degree weather with little to no activity. still jacket is comfortable in 72degree weather, even at stops...

hope that helped - if just for a + reccomend for JR 4.0's (& they come in a lot of different colors.... blue, black, yellow, silver, pink... to name a few...)

[Scarman]

I've read some good stuff about the Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket being a good hot weather jacket, but I don't care for the full mesh jacket. I've read some recent articles about full mesh jackets being better than nothing but you can still get a serious road rash from the mesh so I was looking for a mesh jacket with some leather panels to slide on should such a situation present itself.

The Joe Rocket Reactor jacket does have some leather panels but it appeared to be very minimal. Also, I must have short arms because the Joe Rocket jackets are much too long in the arms for me. Nice well made jackets though. The hardware and construction (zippers, snaps, stitching...) are very good quality stuff.

[UFO]

Take a look at an Alter Ego by Joe Rocket, it is a complete year round jacket including rain gear. The outer section zips off to reveal a mesh jacket. It comes with 2 inner liners for the coldest weather. I plan on getting one before next winter rolls on to us.

[BigD]

I have the Super Ego jacket, the leather version of the Alter Ego. I wear it year round. On hot days it is a cool mesh jacket with full protection. If you are on a long ride and have a major climate change or at night, just zip on the panels to keep warm. Two jackets in one.

[Law Dawg]

Originally Posted by Scarman

I've read some good stuff about the Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket being a good hot weather jacket, but I don't care for the full mesh jacket.

I started with the JR mesh and also felt it was not as protective as it should be (though still MUCH better than a long sleeve shirt). Last year I bought the Alpinestars mesh top and pants. Closer weave and more substantial textile however, the pants need an upgrade in armor. Look around, there are other choices in mesh gear than First Gear and Joe Rocket.

[DaveG]

Been using the JR Phoenix mesh for a month or so, pretty nice so far. I carry the zip in liner in my tail bag for those times where you start early and it gets warm or stay out late and it cools off. Need another type of riding pants though, as the ones I use now (TourMaster) are a bit warm.

[Hoologan]

Check out the Cortech HRX jacket too. It's been great for me so far.