Malcolm Smith Lite-Ning Pro Jacket

MALCOLM SMITH LITE-NING PRO JACKET

CW EVALUATION

Because a dry ride is a good ride

TRAIL RIDERS KNOW THIS IF THEY know any thing: A bad day riding is better than a good day working—no matter what you do for a living. But they also know that if you're properly prepared. there's no such thing as a bad day riding. Even when the sun disappears and all the animals start parading down to Noah's place in twos, the ride can be salvaged by good preparation. And at times like that, "good preparation" might mean simply wearing a Malcolm Smith Lite-Ning Pro Enduro Jacket.

The Lite-Ning Pro is the latest evolution in a long line of Malcolm Smith enduro jackets, a high-tech answer to the old British waxed-cotton apparel. It exists in the MS line alongside the ISDE Pro, which was introduced in 1985. Like the ISDE, the Lite-Ning is made of a tough Ambush fabric and Gore-Tex. Both are guaranteed waterproof, and their material lets perspiration escape.

But unlike the bulky ISDE, the Lite-Ning is made for warm climates and/or hard riding, when you make most of your own heat. It's lighter in weight, fits a little tighter, has a shorter tail and has no lower pockets. A heavy-duty plastic zipper closes the front, and a velcro-fastened overflap further ensures that wind and water won’t find their ways inside. The cuffs and stand-up collar close with velcro, and a belt keeps drafts from creeping up the rider’s back.

Controlling the temperature inside the jacket can be accomplished while underway—opening the front and the cuffs lets air enter, and a flap-covered, full-width shoulder vent lets air escape. On days that start out cold, then turn hot, you can completely unzip the front, spread it open a few inches, then re-buckle the waist belt to keep the tail from flapping.

Another well-thought-out feature c-is incorporated into the two large breast pockets. They use velcro closures, and the front panel of each pocket extends up past the point where the pocket flap folds over, a design that effectively keeps water from entering the pockets.

On top of being dry. The Lite-Ning Pro is an extremely comfortable jacket. Its curved sleeves are long, and its shoulder areas are roomy enough to allow the use of some of the more compact varieties of shoulder pads underneath.

Even though that kind of treatment has been known to stretch and prematurely wear out jackets, one of Cycle Worlds editors hasn't been able to destroy a Lite-Ning Pro Jacket in more than three years of hard use. Its color hasn't faded with repeated washings, the seams and zipper are in perfect condition, there are no tears in the fabric and it has remained as waterproof as ever.

Quality is always costly, but considering this jacket's long life, flexibility and high level of performance, the $ 1 39.95 MS Lite-Ning Pro is actually a bargain. Think of it as goodriding insurance. With you as the beneficiary. ®