Mesh jackets - what do you love?

7kings

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Looking to replace my Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion mesh jacket with something else and I'm looking for opinions and experiences. I'm really trying to be a good boy and wear protection every time I ride (I always wear boots, helmet, and gloves, but have gotten into the habit of eschewing a jacket in the Florida summers). Because of this, I started wearing my Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion. Honestly, it's a good jacket overall, but there are a couple things that just make it not work for my application:

Firstly, it's black. I know that there are varying schools of thought in terms of whether or not black is a good color for summer (with solid science to back them up), but in my experience, lighter colors are just cooler, especially when sitting at a light or any other time the airflow isn't moving. I'm going to be aiming for a tan or light gray in my next jacket.

Secondly, nearly the entire forearm is surrounded in a non-breathing material, which just adds to the oven-like heat.

What do you guys like for hot, sticky weather mesh jackets?
 

RIDEMYST

So many roads......
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I live in South Florida where heat and humidity are the norm.
I have tried several mesh jackets over the years with some being very good and some not so good.
I guess my pick would be the Klim Induction jacket. I'm 6'-2" and the length works fine (many of the sport jackets are to short) and yes color does make a difference so I went with the Hi-Viz with grey. -JEP-
 

Commuter Boy

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Halifax NS
I got a Triumph Falcon mesh and leather jacket a few years ago. Leather in all the point where you might contact in a get off, mesh in the middle and the inside of the arms where you need the airflow. Really good quality gear, I upgraded the armor to a d30 vented back protector and SasTec armour in the elbows and shoulders.

You can still find them on closeout at a number of Triumph retailers.
 

7kings

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North Port, FL
I live in South Florida where heat and humidity are the norm.
I have tried several mesh jackets over the years with some being very good and some not so good.
I guess my pick would be the Klim Induction jacket. I'm 6'-2" and the length works fine (many of the sport jackets are to short) and yes color does make a difference so I went with the Hi-Viz with grey. -JEP-
I was looking at the Klim Induction and the Rev It Airwave 2. I guess I'm down to the two of these, but I'm trying to decide whether the Klim is worth the extra $150 over the Rev It. I'm in SW Florida, so you know the hell-adjacent weather we deal with.
 

ADKsuper10

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I’ve had a Klim Induction for 3 seasons now. I love it. Moves plenty of air and can work as a 3 season jacket with the waterproof liner and/or a thin fleece mid layer.

would buy it again.
 

mobyfubar

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I had a Tourmaster mesh jacket that I liked pretty well but I think it's discontinued, I think it was the original Sonora. It got a bit torn up recently, so I just got a Klim Induction last week. It's very comfortable so far (450ish miles on it). It feels better built than the Tourmaster did, but it doesn't have as many pockets, and has more non-mesh panels.

Like Jim, I went for hi-viz/grey. I swear I didn't just do that to copy him. :)
 

Eville Rich

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I'll second the Klim Induction. It's my go-to during the summer. If it's chilly in the morning, I just wear a long sleeve shirt underneath. Great jacket.
 

Cycledude

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Over the years I’ve worn out a few mesh jackets, my favorite was probably the Tourmaster Intake it did pretty much everything it was supposed to do well and at a reasonable price. I also own an Olympia Airglide 5 in the bright green color, it’s also a great jacket except for the collar which is a little to tall and rubs my helmet and is causing wear, because of the helmet wear issue I would not buy another Olympia Airglide.
 

7kings

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I tried the Rev'It! Airwave, but just didn't like the fit and feel as much as my Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion. I think I'm going to hang on to the JR for a while and just put the money towards a cool weather textile jacket instead. We only have another month of hell-adjacent weather, anyway, so I'm going to just suffer it out.
 

richarddacat

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I also have a Olympia Airglide in Blue. Sleeves are a bit short but I've been living with it for maybe +5yrs, probably bought it online. One snap on the waist adjustment vanished somehow otherwise it's held up good, even the color has not faded. Cooler and lighter than my Bates leather but I really don't notice a lot of air flow through it. I never used the liner and have no need for an all-year-long jacket.

I have three pieces of gear, the Olympia mesh for summer, my leather Bates for cool Spring and Fall and a Aerostitch suit for winter.

As mentioned there are some good reports on Klim's Induction jacket and I've been keeping my eye open for a deal on one to replace the Olympia. Sizing is always an issue with me and from what I've read the Klim runs a little large(?).

I've had an AlpineStar all mesh jacket in black which didn't fit well, sleeves were too tight, a bit short in waist length and I think it was hotter than Olympia that I replaced it with, being black probably contributed.
Also had a Hein Gericke ADV jacket at one time but didn't like the longer length and the sleeves were also too tight.
 

dannyv

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I'd pop for a Klim, based on reviews, but I feel I really need to try it on before committing. Can't find any in Indiana. Where is there a store that has a decent stock?

-Dan
 

richarddacat

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I'd pop for a Klim, based on reviews, but I feel I really need to try it on before committing. Can't find any in Indiana. Where is there a store that has a decent stock?

-Dan
According to Klim's website the only store that carries their product close to you is Ducati of Indianapolis. Unless you go north?

https://www.klim.com/dealer-locator

SOL I guess but RevZilla is easy on returns.
 
R

RonH

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I think I got the first vented jacket ever. It was called a "cool tech". Got it in the mid 80s. Is was leather jacket with cooling feature added, mesh ect. It was great for it's time. Later the same basic jacket was offered as "vent tech", but it had armor that was really crap, basically plastic moldings at the elbows and shoulders. Not worth wearing. I gave up vented gear and just ride in full textile suit now. Having hot air blowing through mesh to "cool" the body may seem more comfortable, but in the long term, that air is dehydrating you more than what good it seems to be doing.
 

EricV

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Watching the thread. Having just moved from the desert to the humid South, I'm expecting to pick up a mesh jacket at some point. Wearing Klim now, but not so sure I want to spend the coin for a part season jacket. And I have moral objections to buying pants w/o full length zippers. ;) Loved the Joe Rocket Alter Ego pants I had in the past, but not enough ventilation for humidity. Worked fine in the desert SW...
 

dannyv

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According to Klim's website the only store that carries their product close to you is Ducati of Indianapolis. Unless you go north?

https://www.klim.com/dealer-locator

SOL I guess but RevZilla is easy on returns.
I can run up to Ducati one day. I was in there last Fall, they didn't have much in the way of gear, but that could have been the season. Then too, I kept looking at a Multistrada -
 

madman4049

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I'm gonna recommend the Klim Induction as well, I've had mine in hi-viz yellow/gray for 2 summers now and I live in Louisiana where it's always hot and always so muggy you can cut the air with a knife. If it weren't for this jacket I wouldn't want to ride in this weather. Order a size up so you can wear thermals or fleece under it and then with the addition of rain gear you have damn near 4 season usage.
 

rmunch44

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Feb 14, 2015
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I can run up to Ducati one day. I was in there last Fall, they didn't have much in the way of gear, but that could have been the season. Then too, I kept looking at a Multistrada -
From my understanding Falcone BMW in Indy has just become a Klim dealer and was waiting on their first shipment about this time last month. You might want to give them a shout and ask what they got in. I do know that in order to be a Klim dealer you have to buy a healthy amount of product $$$$ to get in with them.
I have a Firstgear vented jacket I bought from Adam's Motorsports in Greenwood, IN and my friend has the Klim Induction.
 
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