Fieldsheer Mach1/2 - Mesh Jacket

[Eddy802]

Has anyone got any experience with these or similar mesh jackets? A Joe Rocket version seemed very popular at a bike gathering in Spain last year. Alpinestars, Belstaff and Frank Thomas have all got somehting along these lines.

Fieldsheer's offering is an armoured bike jacket that is almost 100% mesh, with a removable liner for when you don't want the wind ripping through it, and a poachers pocket with a waterproof shell jacket inside for if you're caught out with some rain.

I was considering them last year but what little decent weather we had was behind us, and as luck would have it a local store has some on offer. Of course, back then I didn't have the resource of UKGSer minds to pick.

Other manufacturers worth considering before I snap up a bargain?

 

[Cooky]

I've got the Joe Rocket mesh jacket for summer use town commuting and the waterproof liner.

I wouldn't recommend the jacket. It's very comfortable etc but I just can't believe the pads would stay in place in the event of an off. I seriously question how much protection it would offer in a spill above say 35mph.

It may not matter to you but also the Joe Rocket jacket comes with big bright JOE ROCKET labels which look horrible. I got the grey jacket thinking it would be grey. It's sparkly silver. Much piiss taking from mates and work colleagues.

The deatchable liner (sold seperately) is useful and I use the liner as an extra layer in winter sometimes under my winter jacket although I've never used it in a real downpoor.

I will be buying a new one and yesterday was looking on the web at Vanson's new mesh jacket. Looks a bit more sturdy for abraision resistance as the mesh is not polyester mesh and also there are some leather patches in. From memory it wasn't too expensive either. Not sure it has any/much impact resistance .

The motorcycle news website has a list of the most of the summer jackets on offer with a positive review by one user of the jacket you refer to. It looks like that has straps to hold the pads in place in a way that the Joe Rocket doesnt.

Good Luck.

Andrew C

 

[laughingBob]

I had the 'Spidi' version. The jacket had full CE armour on the shoulders, eldows, back and two small panels in the front. It came with a waterproof waistcoat! I'm not sure whether it was supposed to be worn inside or outside the jacket or what use it would have been in the wet. It was comfortable and in very hot weather (25c+) made riding a real pleasure. I bought it because the other jacket I had at that time had no venting and was like wearing a plastic bag when it was hot. I don't think I'd wear it much in the UK though

I've got the HG Tuareg Gortex Rally suit. It has venting in the arms and back and when it was extremely hot, in Croatia, last year I rode with the front zip partly open and it was OK. The advantage over other suits is that because the outer shell is breathable you get decent airflow through the material. The disadvantage is that it's only waterproof with the thermal liner in which would obviously be a bit warm. I either just wet and let in dry while I was riding along, which didn't take long at 40c+ or put on a lightweight rain jacket and trousers.

 

[Paul Narramore]

I bought from the US a FirstGear Meshtex jacket last year after being recommended by some yanks that this was a better jacket that the Joe Rocket mesh. It comes with a waterproof liner, and when the days get really hot in the summer, the kacket feels like you're wearing just a t-shirt. I think is was about $140 and I had them post it to a friend in the services in belgium to avoid the tax. Excellent jacket for those few weeks when it's too damned hot wearing a traditional fabric jacket. I also got hi-viz yellow as I have a thing about our obsession with everything black.

 

[Cooky]

The black one's faster apparently.

 

[Eddy802]

I'm happy enough that the straps along the arms should assist keeping the CE armour in place and so have bought one today.

£49 From TK Cope in Colchester, there's only a couple left. I wondered if I should hold off for a bargain at the London show, but doubt I'd do better than 50% eh?

I'll submit my thoughts on the jacket when I've put some miles in.

Thanks guys.

 

[Eddy802]

Field testing begins

Thought I giv ethe promised feedback.

My Belstaff Explorer got sent in for some re-stitching on the velcro, and my only other option at present is the Fieldsheer (yes I only have 2 biking jackets!).

About a week ago there was a nice warm evening, and so I ventured out for an hour or so. Draggin Jeans, EDZ long sleeze top and my Fieldsheer mesh jacket with it's thermal (I odn't think) liner.

No problems. The liner stopped the wind ripping through the mesh and me, and I was a comfortable temperature.

I've been out in it again in the last two days, this time for much longer, and occasionally, much faster. Again it's been comfortable from both a fit and warmth point of view.

I hope never to have to test it's durability in the road slide department, but am comfortable that the armour is up to standard and will hold it's position if I do.

PS. Belstaff/Phoenix service was excellent. I have had my jacket for just over a year and worn it for all of my 10,000 miles. They met and exceeded my expectation on the customer service front, and the work (including replacing a clip that I'd broken) was turned around in days. Nice one.

 

[Davel]

Just bought a Richa with Air Vent Function.

Quite impressed cos it's also waterproof and has a warm wasitcoat thingy.

Everyone tells me that it's only on the hottest days when a mesh jacket is suitable, as they're too cold most of the time.

 

[Kritou]

I have a Belstaff Air Xtreme mesh jacket. Bought an XXL cycling jacket from Lidl for about a tenner. When worn over the Belstaff it totally blocked out the wind and due to the air gap between the two layers was almost as warm as my B*W Voyage jacket even in the depth of this last winter

 

[HeavyG]

I have had a field sheer 1 for 9 months now, worn it all winter comuting everyday (using the waterproof through the winter over the top) I have nad no problems with it. I have been warm enough.

I the summer its a god send never too hot or cold. I did find the throat tab a little short, but then i have got a 19" neck.

Hope that helps

 

[scud]

Triumph summer jacket

I use the Triumph mesh jacket, I has the CE armour etc, it is brilliant... and the gloves (Raptor) are ace as well.

Very reasonably priced, I think £100. If it gets chilly or over cast then I'll put a Pertex smock UNDER the jacket.








Oh, it's black as well........it's SOOOOOOOOOOO fast!!!

 

[Eddy802]

Mine is a Fielsheer Mach 1 and if I had to mention any down point it would be the neck tab - Not length, but comfort.

Otherwise superb, and definately not uncomfortably cold on the days and rides that I've worn it so far.

I haven't had reason to use the waterproof over it yet, but wonder if I might consider replacing it with something breathable.

 

[swebb]

Belstaff Air Extreme

I have the Belstaff Air Extreme....

Finally used it Bank Holiday Monday.... Bloody awesome.... just wore long sleeve T-shirt under it.... and it was fantastic... nice breeze running through the mesh... fit was great, comfort was outstanding... the tabs to hold the CE armour in place seem as good as any i've seen......

Big thumbs up all round for me.....

ooh, not quite... the styling is a bit bland.... and if thats the only negative point i can find.... well i'm happy with that

(Only paid £45, in sale at Infinity... result!!)