Marsee Ultra Stretch Kevlar Jacket
MARSEE ULTRA STRETCH KEVLAR JACKET
CW EVALUATION
Comfort with protection
No DOUBT ABOUT IT, LEATHER IS IN fashion from Hollywood to Paris. It has always been a favorite of motorcyclists, the epitome of protection and style. But there are alternatives to leather, such as Kevlar, as used in the Marsee Ultra Stretch Kevlar jacket, which delivers top-rate protection in a comfortable, snug-fitting package.
This $495 garment is made from a multi-layer blend of abrasionand tear-resistant, 1000-denier cordura nylon and Kevlar. For elasticity, spandex is also woven in. In the elbows, forearms and shoulders, the jacket features closed-cell foam topped with 1050-denier ballistics nylon for even greater protection and strength.
Marsee (Box 2588, Temecula, CA 92590; 909/694-9742) doesn’t claim that the European-made fabric is tougher than leather, but the company does stress the material’s ease of care.
Unlike leather, it is very pliable, machine-washable and never needs oiling. The corduroy-lined collar, mesh inner liner and elasticized waistband provide excellent comfort around town and on longer rides. Worn with just a T-shirt underneath, we found the jacket comfortable in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees, thanks to zippered vents in the forearms and the middle back. For colder climates, however, we would recommend adding a fleece vest or sweatshirt.
In general, we found the jacket (available in a black-and-silver combo or solid black, in chest sizes 36 to 50) to be lighter and more comfortable than an equivalent leather garment-that is, once we snipped 2 inches off the bottom portion of the removable foam back protector to better accommodate our 5-foot, 6-inch tester. We couldn’t do anything about the zippered interior
breast and hand-warmer pockets, though, which while well located, are too small to be useful.
In the end, the Marsee jacket lives up to its designer’s intentions. This is a modern piece of riding apparel with nice features and solid craftsmanship. We still favor cowhide for racetrack endeavors, but the Ultra Stretch is a viable alternative for the street.
