AirFlow or AirShell jackets

[bmwbikeruk]

Hi guys,

For summer riding in extreme temperatures (30 deg C and above) , I'm now considering AirFlow or AirShell jacket instead of PR3 or Trialguard. I wonder if any of you have worn them before. Your comments would be appreciated from your experience in hot weather performance.

I've noticed that AirFlow 4 seems to be less generous than its precedent AirFlow 3 with smaller areas of AirTex. However, what improvements does AF4 have over AF3 otherwise?

AirShell appears to be best of all with very generous AirTex areas but it also comes with useful waterproof insert just in case you are caught in a deluge or chilly temperatures. At first I was a bit sceptical of its bright yellow colour but it does look great in a BMW showroom with grey AirTex!

I look forward to hearing from you, good or bad! or

Mike

 

[Bone]

Bought a Spada mesh jacket recently,flows plenty of air

Used it twice,then the rains came.

 

[strod]

I use a Richa "Airstrike" jacket for commuting in the summer months, has pretty generous air flow through the mesh like fabric, much more comfortable than regular textile/leather in the hot months...

 

[F104]

I have AF4 (black), before that a mesh'd IXS. AF4 feels more solid/safe, also has a large, wide, ventilated back protector (eg doesn't fold up much). Enough flow for me but I'm 6'4", and have highest seat with std GS screen. When cold (10-15) in mornings/altitude i wear the BMW windbreaker under it (got it at a good price with the AF4), works great. When it rains a rain jacket over it. Sun reflection technolgy or whatever they call it seems to work too.

 

[cherokee]

Rev-it air

Just came back from SW France,hit 41 degrees and my Rev-it Airmesh jacket was the dogs danglies,without doubt the best £100 iv spent............

 

[Bem]

Had an AF3 for two years - v happy with it in the right situation. Anything over about 20c seems fine, and even ok in the rain too (well maybe with the help of an oversuit!)
Perfect foil for the Comfortshell
Not seen an Airshell

 

[Dave Ett]

I have a Joe Rocket mesh jacket which was brilliant down in Morocco. Wouldn't want to wear a mesh jacket without a full set of armour on mind...

 

[brianmaslen]

Just bought a Halverssons Grafitti jacket from GLF at Flitwick in Bedfordshire, Graham took an unbelievable amount of time fitting me for the jacket and must say so far it has proved excellent. Loads of vents and comes with an Outlast liner to disperse heat, a waterproof liner to...well stop water penetration I guess. Liners can be fitted individually or combined. Vents all the way down the arms, on the back and also on the front in addition to mesh down front and back. Adjusters on teh arms and waist and loads of pockets and its etup to take a water drinking system such as Camelback with pocket on back fro the container and tube runs down inside of jacket to front. Cost £239 plus £39 for the L2 back protector. Check the website.

 

[CrashOverride]

I've got a Dainese Zentax mesh jacket which is a great cut, well armoured and fantastic in the 30 plus degree heat you get in most of europe, i even wear it here most of the time

 

[Tim Cullis]

Rev'It Air Jacket

I really suffered last month in Morocco with my black/grey Rallye Pro suit, even though it has loads of air zips. What idiot decided on black shoulders...

I started looking for an alternative. I wasn't impressed with the BMW AirFlow suits--small vents, dark material.

I very much liked the BMW Air Shell but at £305 list price it's a bit expensive. Yes, it has a goretex liner but I already have one in the Rallye Pro suit which I could transfer over. If it was available without the liner it might be around £200.

In the end I bought a Rev'It Air Jacket from BykeBitz at £115. Goes well with the Rallye Pro trousers.

 

[Dave Ett]

That's smart.

 

[John Armstrong]

Looks like the latest AirFlow jacket has the coldback technology in it to answer the critiscm of black jackets in sunny climates according to:

http://www.bmwpartshop.co.uk/product/Jacket_Airflow_4___Black_or_Silver_72607715545

Seems quite cheap for a BM jacket

 

[tracyprier]

I got the Buffalo airmesh for last summer here in Auckland and was very impressed. What I DIDN'T like about my previous mesh jacket was that it was so light that the armour slopped around all over the place making it basically useless.

I like the buffalo airmesh because it has proper adjustable velcro dohickeys on the bicep and forearm keeping everything nice and snug... and it flows plenty of air

http://secure.buffalo.bifax.co.uk/view_category.php?category_id=10570

cheers
Tracy

 

[zoltan]

I asume you mean this jacket ?
http://www.rainbowmotorcycles.com/Store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=87

I had mine for about a year . Up to 37C and than rain ( must remember to close the zips next time when it rains )no problem. I paid 35% less at Vines when the new colour where released. But is strictly summer jacket as there is no lining.

 

[Glyno]

For me its the HG Air stream reasonably well armoured and instead of a T shirt underneath I wear cycling shirts which are brill, the air just goes straight through to the skin. As someone else recently pointed out the army issue shirts work just as well for a lot less money but the colour options are limited of course. Anyway thats what I use down here from May till October.

 

[greg12]

vented jackets

richa airvent is the one for me .mesh panels allow plenty of air flow,a zipout thermal lineing and a zipout waterproof lineing and it works had lots of rain in switzerland the other week to test it.good jacket 3 in 1 and you can use any combination of liners.

 

[thauma]

In the end I bought a Rev'It Air Jacket from BykeBitz at £115. ..........

+1

 

[John Armstrong]

In the end I bought a Rev'It Air Jacket from BykeBitz at £115. Goes well with the Rallye Pro trousers.

Any thoughts on the jacket Tim after some use?