Olympia Dakar Jacket, reviews from owners out there.

[jettcity1]

I ordered one from my local shop (I like to support local businesses)
It sure looks like a nice jacket, anyone here have any reviews on one?
When it warms up here in the PNW (yes it gets warm once in awhile) we are not used to it.
A mesh jacket is a must for me and an adaptable one is a requirement here where the temps change a lot in the summer months.
Cool mornings commute, hot afternoon gridlock traffic.
One jacket that does it all is a good idea.
I'll see how this one works.

 

[Hungry Tiger]

Will be watching for your eval. In So. Calif. I've gotten by quite nicely w/ an inexpensive "Fly" mesh jacket for the past two winters. Pop in the waterproof (windproof) liner and some quilted LS layers, and been good for constant 45 deg.F. for 4 hrs at a time. Hi 30's for an hour at a time. Northface rain jacket on the outside for real rain. In real winter conditions, I'm thinking a heated LS liner.

 

[Bushyar15]

Had one. Excellent Jacket.

Pros - Best vented/mesh jacket I've owned. Great during the summer. Almost like wearing a T-shirt (obviously when moving). Got caught in a pouring thunderstorm, with the liner in I was dry. Also excellent price-point.

Cons - Not really a Con.. more of a fact of the jacket. You have to put the liner inside of the jacket which means if it rains you need to take the jacket off to put the liner in. But its also kind of a pro, you have a more fitted rain jacket to wear off the bike.

Fit was a tad on the smaller side. Not like a full size or even half a size. Maybe its my build. But with a slight belly, the XL with the liner was "fitted". I wouldn't go up a size…

So why'd I get rid of it or replace it? I'm a former roadracer who believes in safety first. ADV gear/clothing does't offer the protection level I'm used to. So I opted for the Klim Adventure Rally Air which offer the mesh I want and the protection I'm looking for. I will say that the Klim does not do as good a job of "venting" as the Olympia does..

 

[fredz43]

Fit was a tad on the smaller side. Not like a full size or even half a size. Maybe its my build. But with a slight belly, the XL with the liner was "fitted". I wouldn't go up a size…

Fit was a problem for me, too. I normally wear a size Large jacket, so ordered that. It fit well in the torso, but the sleeves were too short. Sent it back and ordered a size XL. The XL sleeve length was fine, but the torso fit was way too loose. I called the owners and the lady said that I was the same height and weight as her husband, who is the guy in the pictures of their catalog and the Large fit him fine. The XL didn't work for me, so I sent it back also. I went back to my favorite jacket, a Darien Light, which vents very well in warm weather, works great with my heated liner in cold weather and since it is Goretex, I don't have to stop to put in a liner when it rains.

Having said that, I wanted to try a mesh jacket for short trips during warm weather and if the Dakar had fit me properly, I would have kept it.
I had the same fit problem with a size Large waist length mesh Olympia jacket that my dealer had in stock. I guess I just don't fit Olympia jackets like I do every other brand I have tried.

 

[Buelligan]

I have the Dakar jacket. I got it free for being a poser in the Olympia photo shoot in taos, NM. Yep, that's my blue S10 in the catalogue, and online also.

That being said, I wear Large, and the Large fits me perfect. I like the zip out liners, they work great. I also got the matching pants and wore them when I rode both UTBDR and COBDR last year.
They worked great, good protection, well vented when needed, and warm when needed. I just wish the pants came with the same kind of liners the jacket did. It would be a perfect combo in my mind...

::021::

 

[jettcity1]

First impression is this jacket is great.
I got to wear it on the first nice day out here and It is the first jacket I've worn that seems to have enough airflow. (finally)
Well made an XL is just right for me.
Everyone sure looks at it, it is very white indeed.
Even the back panel gets air and it feels great.
2 thumbs up.