Cordura Riding Jackets

CORDURA RIDING JACKETS

CW PRODUCT EVALUATION

Seven alternatives to leather

MUCH LIKE MOTORCYCLING, RIDing gear has become increasingly niche-specific. If you ride a zoomy repli-racer, ya gotta have neon-sprinkled leathers that fit like a second skin. For bouncing around the boonies, nothing less than nuclear-striped off-road gear festooned with brand names will do. Cruiser riders cop an attitude with bomber jackets straight out of a B-17’s cockpit

As an all-around alternative, we offer the seven riding jackets tested here. They are manufactured from cordura nylon, a strong, lightweight synthetic that stands up remarkably well to abrasion.

In the event of a crash, all of the three-quarterlength jackets have some form of protective padding at the shoulders and elbows; Motoport’s Difi Ultra II also boasts chest and back armor. Other high-tech features, like waterproofing, taped seams and breathable zip-in liners, provide additional warmth, and resistance to wind and rain. Tailored for comfort and mobility, all come with lots of secure storage for smaller items, such as books, compact discs or a lock.

Having evaluated their features, fit, protection, quality and value, we’ve rated these jackets according to the following legend:

Poor

Average

Good

Excellent

Best

AERSOTICH DARIEN

Aerostich RiderWearHouse (8 South 18th Ave. West, Duluth, MN 55806; 800/222-1994) Price: $487

Conservatively styled, the machine-washable Darien is manufactured from seam-taped, 500-denier cordura/Gore-Tex, which makes it breathable and waterand windproof. Initially stiff as cardboard, it comes with a fully sleeved, zip-in fleece liner, which folds into a fanny pack when not in use. Impact-resistant, hard-shell foam pads are located at the shoulders and elbows (regular foam pads are available as a no-charge option), and a full-length back pad costs $60 extra. Nine easily accessible pockets offer immense storage capacity, and zippered underarm vents and a 3M Scotchlite-coated, dual-pull back vent provide first-rate ventilation without billowing. Made in the United States, the Darien is sold with a two-year warranty in black, blue, gray and red in sizes S-XXL.

Rating Second most expensive in comparison, but extremely versatile and well made. The most useful jacket we’ve tested.

FIELDSHEER PATRIOT

Fieldsheer (27122 Paseo Espada, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675; 714/488-3930) Price: $370

Also backed by a two-year warranty against defects in materials and construction, the seam-sealed and waterproofed, 500-denier cordura Patriot is a spitting image of the more expensive Dainese Europa, right down to its expanding cargo pockets, adjustable front-clasp nylon waist belt and three-position skirt snaps, though its non-Gore-Tex design lacks the Europa’s breathability. Similar, too, are the foam-backed plastic cups that cover the shoulders and elbows. (As with the Dainese protection, some riders may find these cups uncomfortable and prone to twisting.) There are no vents, so the Patriot can be quite warm on hot days. Conversely, you’ll be toasty on colder ones, thanks to a snug-fitting, corduroy-lined collar, velcro-tabbed sleeve ends and a zip-out fleece liner. Made in Korea, the hand-wash-only Patriot comes in sizes S-XXL in three tri-color combinations.

Rating Affordably priced with adequate storage, but loses points for lack of vents.

FIRSTGEAR HYPERTEX EXPEDITION

Intersport Fashions West (333 S. Anita Dr., Suite 1025, Orange, CA 92668; 714/978-7718) Price: $395

The Expedition offers all-season comfort, versatility and protection in an attractive, two-tone design. The seam-sealed and waterproofed 500-denier cordura shell is adjustable at the cuffs, neck, skirt and waist. Mesh-covered slots in the arms and back provide ventilation in warm weather. For colder temperatures, a fully sleeved Thermolite liner zips in easily. There’s plenty of storage, too, including a built-in fanny pack. (The folded, velcroed and zipped hand-warmer pockets are a bother to use, though, especially when wearing gloves.) Removable foam pads are positioned at the shoulders and elbows, and 3M Scotchlite reflective panels are sewn to the arms and back. An optional 16-ounce drinking system ($9) is available, and recommended. Made in Korea, the hand-wash-only Expedition is available in men’s and women’s sizes XS-XXXL in red/black and gray/black.

Rating: Less storage than Aerostich, but versatile and reasonably priced. An excellent value.

DAINESE EUROPA

Lockhart Phillips USA (151 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, CA 92673; 714/498-9090) Price: $600

The Italian-made Europa combines all-weather 500-denier cordura/Gore-Tex construction with progressive styling. Stand-out features include a snap-down storm flap, a removable thermal liner, a zippered fanny pocket, snap wrist closures and an adjustable waist belt. Like the similarly styled Fieldsheer Patriot, the trim-looking Europa is not equipped with intake or exhaust vents, so those who reside in warmer climes might want to consider buying something else. Also, the snap-down cargo pockets are, in some cases, oddly shaped and not particularly commodious. Aside from a tear in the storm flap’s PVC lining, durability was excellent. Shoulder and elbow protection, in the form of area-specific padding capped with high-density plastic cups, is standard. The machine-washable Europa is available in blue, gray and red in European sizes 48-56.

Rating Stylish with many features but expensive. Also, it lacks vents.

MOTOPORT DIFI ULTRA II

Motoport (6110 Yarrow Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92009; 800/777-6499) Price: $329

Unlike other jackets in the comparison, the 1000-denier cordura Difi Ultra II doesn’t have a rainor windproof outer coating. This improves breathability, but reduces water resistance. (For added warmth and protection against rain, Motoport sells a zip-in Gore-Tex/Thermolite liner for $99.) Other negatives? The jacket’s corduroy-lined collar and zippered sleeve ends snapdown, rather than velcro, limiting adjustability; and the zippered arm vents don’t stay open. Other features, like the stretch-action back and adjustable waist, are more effective. No complaints about the pockets, either; they provide plenty of storage space. Made in the USA, the Difi also earns points for its comprehensive Tri-Armor padding and reflective tape across the shoulders. Guaranteed for two years against manufacturing defects, the machine-washable Difi is available in sizes XXS-XXXL in blue, red and black.

Rating Bulky, but with lots of features and protection. Liner should be standard, though.

TEKNIC CYCLONE

Specialty Sports Ltd. (24912 Eaton Ln., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677; 714/363-0836) Price: approx. $465

The Cyclone was introduced to Canada last year, but, as we went to press, is still not available in the United States. Made in Korea, the coated 630-denier cordura shell is waterproof yet breathable. Highlights include electronically welded, double-stitched seams, a tri-level rainflap system, spandex stretch panels and velcro closures at the wrists. Kevlar Keprotec padding conforms to the shoulders and elbows, and a snap-in thermal liner encourages all-season use. Four snap-down cargo pockets and a built-in fanny pack provide lots of easily accessible storage. Also receiving high marks is the zippered, flowthough ventilation system, which consists of two chest vents, two underarm vents and a pair of back exit vents. Machine washable, the Cyclone comes with a one-year guarantee and is available in black, blue and red in chest sizes 38-56.

Rating Great-looking jacket, but not as warm as some. Padding is thinner in we’d prefer, but offers good coverage. Vent pull tabs are a nice touch.

WOLFMAN TIMRER

Wolfman (276 North Skyview Dr., Nederland, CO 80466; 303/258-7290) Price: $265

Here’s a prime example of the age-old truism, “You get what you pay for.” Manufactured in the United States from water-proofed 500-denier cordura, the classically styled Timber retails for $265, which is significantly less than any other jacket in the comparison. To meet that price point, it lacks many of the expensive features so prevalent in most of its competition, like a fully sleeved liner. It does, however, have a zip-in fleece vest, a double storm flap and four zippered storage pockets. Shoulder and elbow protection consists of thin, nylon-covered foam pads held in place with velcro tape. Both neck and cuffs are easily adjustable. Available in red, blue or black in sizes S-XXL, the machine-washable Timber comes with a lifetime warranty against faulty workmanship.

Rating More enduro jacket than all-around riding equipment. Marginal protection. Not well-suited for use in cold weather.