Aerostich Unobtainium Electric Darien Liner

Aerostich Unobtainium Electric Darien Liner

CW EVALUATION

Because you’ve got arms, too

So, THERE YOU SIT, BASKING IN THE sweltering summer heat, reading the September issue of Cycle World, when suddenly it occurs to you: “Gads, what am I going to wear to stay warm while riding this autumn?”

Okay, so you probably aren’t thinking that. But maybe you should be; after all, if you wait until it’s already cold outside, you could freeze to death before the UPS truck delivers salvation.

So here’s what you do: Put in a call to Aerostich in Duluth, Minnesota (where they know a thing or two about staying warm), and order up an Unobtainium Electric Darien Liner. You’ll get an electric vest with two unconventional components: sleeves! And not only that, wiring in the collar keeps your neck warm, too.

Patterned after the standard liner made for Aerostich’s Darien jacket, the electric version differs in a couple of significant ways. First, it’s made of lighter, 100-weight (versus the standard 200-weight) Polartec fleece, for reduced bulk and enhanced versatility. And second, it has seven pockets (versus the standard four), including one in the lower back that allows the entire liner to be wadded up and zippered inside; integral belt loops let you wear the resultant pouch like a fannypack or bungee it to your bike.

We ordered up a size-XL electric

liner for our Executive Editor, who promptly wore it on a week-long winter tour of the American Southwest. And froze his ass off! The only warmth he reported feeling was a faint glow between his shoulder blades.

A concerned call to Aerostich revealed the reason why. Electric vests need to fit snugly for maximum heat transfer, and because the Darien liner is loosely cut like the jacket, one’s usual size is too big. A size-L replacement solved our EE’s dilemma, and he’s been warm all over ever since. The sleeves are a tad short, but this is actually beneficial in that it alleviates potential bunching at the wrists.

Hooking up the electrics is a cinch. Simply connect the provided lead to your bike’s battery terminals, snap the fused coil cord (with lighted power switch) between the lead and the plug in the liner’s left inside pocket, and you’re up and running. Should things get a tad too toasty, try turning the vest inside-out (which puts an extra layer between your body and the wiring), or unzip the underarm vents.

Aside from our sizing concerns, the only other criticism we have is that we’d like to see an electrical hookup in the right-side pocket as well as the left. Our long-term Ducati ST2, for example, has its battery located far forward on the right side of the engine, and it’s awkward to have the cord crossing your lap. Fortunately, Aerostich offers all manner of cord options, including various extensions, a Y-connector (for hooking up his and her vests), a thermostat and a BMW-style plug that we discovered also works on the new Triumph Sprint ST.

Never mind the name, with the Aerostich Unobtainium Electric Darien Liner, warmth has never been so attainable. □

DETAILS Aerostich Riderwear 8 S. 18th Ave. W. Duluth, MN 55806 218/722-1927 Price........................$197 Ups A Like having liquid sunshine coursing through your veins A Fashionable enough for non-biking wear Downs Sized for fat guys Any color you’d like as long as it’s blue