There’s nothing quite like a good-looking leather motorcycle jacket that suits both the rider and their bike. I’m an everyday motorcyclist who owns a 2012 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, and I live in Florida, where it’s often hot and humid but can get downright chilly in the winter (no, really).
The Joe Rocket Dakota jacket is made of 1.0-1.2mm cowhide with stylish stripes on the shoulders and a relaxed cut. I’m 5-foot-11, 275 lb on a good day, and very wide across the chest (and just about everywhere else). The 3XL Dakota fits me perfectly. I’d go so far as to say the jacket looks so good that it even makes me look good, but I should probably get a second opinion on that.
The Dakota is comfortable to wear both on and off the bike, and it has inside storage pockets and three exterior pockets, so there are more places to stash stuff than I’ve got stuff to stash. The reflective trim on the shoulders isn’t noticeable during the day, but it really pops at night.
I have big hands, and the large brass YKK zipper up front works every time. The smaller zippers elsewhere are a little trickier to use, but that’s more the fault of my Shrek-like fingers than their functionality.
The jacket has pockets for optional shoulder, elbow, and back armor. A full set of CE Level 1 from Joe Rocket costs $54.99. There’s a removable, full-sleeved quilted liner that’s really handy, and even with the armor and liner in the jacket, I don’t feel like the Michelin Man.
Leather jackets like the Dakota with no vents or perforations don’t allow for any airflow, so that’s a drawback. Still, even though I’m a big guy and the Dakota is like a leather exoskeleton, I was surprised at how well it manages heat. Part of it may be attributable to my particular bike. Thanks to its fists-in-the-air apehangers, with the cuffs unzipped I get a nice blast of air right up the sleeve when cruising down the road. Your results may vary.
On the other side of the thermometer, with the quilted liner in, the Dakota does well when it gets cold. I woke up Christmas Eve morning and saw ice in my fountain outside. There was a rare frosty breeze, and as any dedicated biker would do, I geared up and went out for a ride. My hands got a little numb (Hey, Mr. EIC, how ’bout a pair of full-fingered gloves?), and my knees were chilly, so I kept ’em close to the engine. But my core was warm, even at 80 mph. The mandarin-style collar, storm flap under the main zipper, zippered cuffs, and adjustable waist kept the wind out. And local law enforcement was kind enough to ignore me when I sped by (Merry Christmas to me!).
I love this jacket, and I think you will too. Available in S-3XL for $324.99.
There are shoulder, elbow, and back pockets for optional armor, and the Variable Flow ventilation system keeps riders cool in warm weather. The removable Sherpa vest liner adds comfort, and the four-point custom adjustment system allows for the ideal fit.
The Wicked jacket also features heavy-duty metal YKK zippers throughout, four outside pockets, four internal pockets, and two belt loops for jacket-to-pant attachment.
The Joe Rocket Ladies Wicked Jacket is available for $349.99 in Black, sizes XS-2XL.
Zerofit baselayers (shown here in the black style) won’t give you six-pack abs, but they’re warm and comfortable. (Photo by Kevin Wing)
Motorcyclists who enjoy spending all day in the saddle understand the value and flexibility of layering. Each layer of clothing traps insulating air molecules, so several thinner layers such as the Zerofit HeatRub baselayers typically keep you warmer than one bulky layer. And as temperatures change throughout the day, layers can be added or removed as needed.
The Zerofit unique lineup of thermal baselayers called HeatRub come in two versions: Ultimate and Move. Inside the HeatRub Ultimate baselayers are extra-long fibers that gently rub against the skin to create frictional heat, which gets trapped in the tiny spaces around those fibers. The fibers are very soft, similar to cashmere or alpaca.
HeatRub Ultimate baselayers, which are available in a long-sleeved top and leggings, are made of a four-way stretch fabric blend of acrylic (69%), nylon (21%), wool (7%), polyester (2%), and polyurethane (2%). According to Zerofit, HeatRub Ulimate baselayers have a CLO rating – a measure of a garment’s thermal insulation – of 0.74. A thick sweater has a CLO of 0.35, so the Ultimate baselayers are said to be twice as warm as a sweater and five times warmer than a standard baselayer.
Zerofit HeatRub Ultimate baselayer in grey
Zerofit HeatRub Ultimate baselayer in olive green
Those of us who live in America’s Sun Belt are blessed with climates that allow us to ride motorcycles year-round, but it can get quite chilly riding in the late fall, winter, and early spring months, which can lead to fatigue, loss of concentration, and in extreme circumstances, hypothermia. Recently I rode about 75 miles to a photoshoot location, and for the better part of an hour, the bike’s ambient temperature gauge hovered around 50 F. At 70 mph, wind chill was 38 F. With the HeatRub Ultimate mock-neck long-sleeved top and leggings under my riding gear, my torso and limbs stayed warm and comfortable. The important thing is to wear a wind-blocking layer over the baselayers so that airflow doesn’t draw body heat out of the garments.
Zerofit HeatRub Ultimate baselayer in red
Zerofit HeatRub Ultimate baselayer in navy blue
The HeatRub Move is a lighter baselayer for milder days or activities such as dual-sport riding on trails. It’s noticeably thinner than the Ultimate, and its interior has the feel of ultra-soft fleece. Available only in a long-sleeved top, the Move is made of a proprietary “LABO” four-way stretch fabric that’s 45% polypropylene, which has good heat-retention and moisture-wicking properties, 50% polyester, and 5% polyurethane. Dual-layer construction helps manage body heat, and form-fitting compression supports circulation. By virtue of its lighter weight, the HeatRub Move is ideal for cool temps any time of year, such as riding at high elevations in the summer.
Zerofit’s HeatRub baselayers are comfortable and effective. They can be laundered in a washing machine, and they dry quickly in a tumble cycle or when hung up.
The Zerofit HeatRub Ultimate mock-neck long-sleeved top comes in sizes XS-3XL in Red, Black, Grey, Navy Blue, Cream, or Olive Green for $99, and the leggings are available in sizes XS-2XL in Black for $99. The HeatRub Move mock-neck long-sleeved top is available in sizes XS-2XL in Black, Titanium, or White for $76. Both versions can be purchased on the Zerofit website.
The Fly Racing Surveyor Gloves are windproof, waterproof, and breathable. Made with genuine goatskin leather and utilizing Hydraguard weatherproof technology, these gloves will keep your hands dry and comfortable while you ride.
They also feature an adjustable cuff to keep them secure on your hands, as well as Aramid stitching, CE Level 2 knuckle protection, precurved fingers, high-visibility reflective panels, and a webbing pull strap.
Touch-screen compatibility enables device usage without needing to remove the gloves.
Fly Racing Surveyor Gloves in Black/Green
Available in Black, Black/Brown, and Black/Green in sizes XS-4XL for $139.95.
Take in the views and vistas of your ride without having to squint in the sunlight with the Highway 21 Winslo Sunglasses. Crafted specifically for motorcycle riders, the Winslo sunglasses feature rugged polycarbonate lenses to deflect road hazards, as well as oleophobic, hydrophobic, and flash mirror coatings to keep the lenses clear.
The Covert Ultra Jeans from Scorpion combine comfort, style, and protection in one pair of pants. With Cordura/DuPont Kevlar single-layered weave, the heavyweight 12.5 oz denim has seven times the abrasion resistance of typical denim for a blend of comfort and protection.
The Covert Ultra Jeans feature a water-resistant coating to keep your legs dry, and the breathable single-layer construction drastically reduces bulk for added comfort.
Hip armor pockets and adjustable armor pockets for the knees allow riders to insert extra protection if desired.
The Covert Ultra Jeans are available in a traditional 5-pocket design with tapered fit and integrated 3M reflective swatch at the lower hem for $199.95.
TCX Infinity 3 boots. On the left is the mid in Black/Green. On the right is the tall in Black.
Offering both a tall and mid model, the Infinity 3 adventure touring boot from TCX is made from a mix of microfiber, split leather, and engineered fabric. The mid model features a T-DRY waterproof membrane for protection against atmospheric agents, while the tall model has a GORE-TEX Performance waterproof membrane.
The Groundtrax rubber outsole optimizes performance in all conditions, and the OrthoLite insole provides long-lasting cushioning and breathability. A dial fastening system adjusts the tension of the external lace, and an adjustable front band completes the perfect fit. Both models have a breathable and waterproof lining, ergonomic shin plates, and reinforcements for the toe, gear area, heel, and ankle.
The Infinity 3 boot mid model comes in Black or Black/Green for $329.99. The tall model is only available in Black for $419.99.
The author wearing the Tech-Air 3 outside his jacket.
The Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 is the newest addition to the Alpinestars lineup of airbag systems. The vest is positioned for use by urban commuters and touring riders.
Unlike the Tech-Air 5, the Tech-Air 3 was designed to be worn either outside or inside a motorcycle jacket. Compared to the Tech-Air 5’s $749.95 price tag, the Tech-Air 3 retails at $599.95, making it the most affordable, self-contained airbag system from Alpinestars to date.
Like its more expensive counterpart, the Tech-Air 3 incorporates three gyroscopes and three accelerometers for detecting a crash. The sensors communicate with the vest’s ECU every millisecond. That’s 1,000 calculations every second and 3.6 million calculations over the course of a one-hour ride. According to Alpinestars, when a crash is detected, the vest inflates in 50 milliseconds, or 1/20th of a second. The street-only algorithm of the Tech-Air 3 was formulated to even detect a crash while stopped, for example, being struck from behind while at a stoplight.
The canister of the Tech-Air 3 needs replacing after each deployment, while the air bladder is capable of being reused up to three times. Replacing a canister is $99 at participating Alpinestars dealers, while both canister and air bladder replacement cost is $199. The same replacement costs on the Tech-Air 5 are $179 and $299, respectively. Some of the extra costs of the 5 can be attributed to its extra amount of protection. Where both the 3 and 5 cover a rider’s back, chest, and collarbones, the 5 also protects a rider’s ribs, shoulders, and upper arms.
Image shows bladder of Tech-Air 3.
Both the 3 and 5 are compatible with the Alpinestars Tech-Air app, which allows you to quickly check battery life, among other functions. Along these lines, the 3 boasts 40 hours of battery life compared to the 5’s 30 hours. Charging the 3 is a simple matter of connecting a USB-C cable to an easily accessible port inside the vest’s left breast. In terms of additional safety, the 5 comes with an included CE level 1 back protector whereas the 3 provides only a pocket for one.
Alpinestars Tech-Air 3: Outside vs. Inside
A key feature of the Tech-Air 3 is the versatility of wearing the vest outside a riding jacket as well as inside. The vest’s exterior shell is water resistant, and the ECU and electronics are housed within a waterproof pocket. All functional elements of the vest are removable so the vest can be washed. If worn on the inside of a riding jacket, Alpinestars recommends 1.6 inches of space around the rider’s torso so the air bladders can properly inflate.
The author wearing the Tech-Air 3 under his jacket.
For the guys, the Tech-Air 3 comes in black and yellow color schemes, whereas the Stella model for the ladies is currently only available in black. All the vests feature a reflective stripe above the shoulder, but the high-vis yellow is the obvious choice for conspicuity. The vest does not provide any inner pockets, but there is an exterior zippered pocket on the lower right side.
The Tech-Air 3 provides a rider with the benefits of airbag protection without the additional cost of replacing a tight-fitting jacket that doesn’t provide the requisite amount of inner space. However, there are some drawbacks to exterior use. For one, it’s an aesthetic eyesore. Additionally, the vest covers all those nifty pockets your riding jacket provides. More importantly, if a crash were to occur, your riding jacket would most likely protect the vest from road rash damage if worn underneath, whereas if worn outside, both the riding jacket and vest would incur damage.
Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 in Black
Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 in Black (back view)
Also, you should expect to get warm wearing the Tech-Air 3. Even with the vest worn underneath a full-mesh jacket on a mid-70s day, there was a noticeable increase in heat. In the realm of safety vs comfort, there’s always a tradeoff, and the water-resistant construction of the Tech-Air 3 equates to less airflow.
Besides its insulating drawbacks, the Tech-Air 3 vest is comfortable to wear outside or inside a riding jacket. The canister is ergonomically designed to follow the contour of a rider’s body, but because it’s the heaviest element of the vest, it won’t go unnoticed residing on the backside of a rider’s left rear hip.
The very user-friendly vest automatically activates via magnetic zip closures, then haptically notifies the wearer of the system’s readiness. Disengaging the system is almost as important as engaging it because the wrong series of motions or even a friendly slap on the back while off a motorcycle can trick the ECU into deciphering the event as a crash and engaging the system. So it is highly recommended to unzip the vest whenever you’re not riding to forgo any false deployments and save yourself from a $99 mishap.
Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 in Black/Yellow Fluo
Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 in Black/Yellow Fluo (back view)
Is the Tech-Air 3 worth the price? According to Alpinestars, the system reduces impact force on a rider’s body by up to 95%. If wearing the vest outside your everyday riding jacket is important, it’s the only game in town from Alpinestars. If the external option is unnecessary, for only $150 more the Tech-Air 5 provides additional airbag protection for a rider’s ribs, shoulders, and upper arms, and comes with an included traditional back protector. The 5’s algorithm is also switchable between street and racetrack. As mentioned, though, it’s twice as expensive to service the Tech-Air 5, which makes the Tech-Air 3 a much more affordable alternative.
Keep the elements at bay with the highly breathable Light Weight Windproof Waterproof Innershell from Aerostich. The pullover design slides on over your base layer and adds warmth and comfort. The diagonal zipper allows access to a shirt pocket without removal and closes around your neck with a fleece-lined collar.
The Aerostich Innershell is made of three-layer breathable, waterproof, fully seam-sealed ripstop nylon fabric that’s strong yet very lightweight. It’s great as an everyday off-bike layer with a single outer zippered pocket low on the right side that’s perfect for storing keys, a phone, a wallet, or other quick access items. The pocket also doubles as an integrated self-store pouch, allowing the shell to pack down into a compact bundle that is 9 x 6 x 2.5 inches.
Aerostich Innershell in Black.
The Aerostich Innershell is available in Black or Yellow in sizes M–XXL for $127 on the Aerostich website.
Alpinestars Faster 3 motorcycle shoes (photo by the author)
They are called shoes in the Alpinestars sales and marketing literature, but the Faster 3 shoes are truly a hybrid crossover between shoes and boots. The Faster series of footwear has been in the Alpinestars line for some time, and this third iteration is a substantial upgrade from earlier offerings.
Gear selection is an exercise in personal preference and compromise. The Faster 3 shoes are an object lesson in this concept. I have both high-top and fully armored riding sneakers and several types of high-rise boots in my gear closet. The sneakers are extremely comfortable both on and off the bike but are very light on protection. The boots are supremely protective, but are rigid, awkward, and semi-uncomfortable for extended walking. The Alpinestars Faster 3 shoes can be boot-horned directly between these two extremes.
The Faster 3 shoes are an armored, over the ankle, lace-up model with a substantial cutout in the Achilles area for enhanced mobility. I am sure you can already see the advantages.
Let’s start with the safety features. The Faster 3 shoes now carry the important CE certification in each of their variations: the Rideknit, Drystar, and the standard version (as tested). There is a subtle, low-profile TPR toe slider and an extremely protective and supportive TPR heel cup out back. Dual density ankle protectors are inserted between the microfiber upper and padded lining on both sides of the shoe.
On the comfort end of the spectrum, the aforementioned cutout in the rear of the boot gives a level of front to back mobility that full-rise boots can’t match. The sole is semi-rigid with an integrated support shank, providing a solid riding platform while also affording comfortable walk-ability. The boots feel supportive and comfortable both on and off the bike. I identified no pressure points or comfort quibbles on day-long rides. Ventilation is more than adequate.
The lace-up design is another advantage of this shoe. I really like the ability to fine-tune the fit with laces; however, loose laces on a motorcycle boot can cause problems if the laces are allowed to whip around. Alpinestars has provided a solution by including an easy-to-actuate Velcro strap to secure the boot laces for riding. The design works well and is easily adjusted with gloved hands.
The Faster 3 shoes really shine on the bike. That semi-rigid sole gives good riding feedback while spreading the pressure from the foot pegs over the full arch. The ankle mobility makes shifting and braking seamless and nimble. The low-profile toe box facilitates movement between upshifting and downshifting.
I am calling the Alpinestars Faster 3 shoes a winner for urban riding and light touring. While not as protective as full boots, the compromises are well-balanced and carefully engineered. The $169.95 retail price point places Faster 3s in the ballpark with other premium riding shoes.
The Alpinestars Faster 3 shoe is available for $169.95 in six color options and sizes 6-14.
