Summer is coming. In our little corner of the world, sticking to the coast is the best way to avoid the heat, but sometimes (like if you want to ride anywhere else) it’s unavoidable. When it’s 3:00 pm and you feel like a Boston Market rotisserie chicken, slowly roasting in your own juices with heat from all directions — sun, pavement, engine, exhaust — it’s easy to daydream about how much cooler you’d be in a T-shirt. But we all know that’s a bad idea, and the next best thing is a lightweight mesh jacket like the Cleo Elite from Joe Rocket (there’s a men’s version as well called the Phoenix Ion).

The Cleo Elite flows massive amounts of air thanks to its mostly mesh construction, with Dynax nylon fabric reinforcements at the elbows, shoulders, sides and upper back. Uniquely, the CE level 1 elbow and shoulder armor is accessed externally via zippers; the foam back pad can be swapped out more conventionally from its inner pocket. Fit is sporty — what Joe Rocket calls “attack stance” — with a low, neoprene-lined mandarin collar and adjustment straps at the waist/hips and forearms. A removable two-stage liner includes a waterproof full-sleeve layer and an insulated vest, and there are a few pockets: external handwarmers plus one hook-and-loop internal pocket intended for sunglasses or a phone.

I’m tall and slender and find Joe Rocket apparel, including the Cleo Elite, fits me well; the torso and sleeves are actually long enough, unlike some other brands I’ve tried. Airflow is outstanding and, especially in the Silver or Mint/Silver colors, actually feels better than wearing a T-shirt, because not only is nearly your entire torso ventilated, your skin is not getting baked directly by the sun. Despite the waterproof liner, it wouldn’t be my first choice for touring, but for lower-speed rides around town in the heat of summer, the Cleo Elite is a nice option. It is available in Black, Silver (shown) and Pink in women’s sizes Small to 2 Diva, and in Mint/Silver in Small to 1 Diva, starting at $199.99.

For more information, see your dealer or visit joerocket.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

When it comes to motorcycle boots, we typically want opposing features. Just as we want motorcycle tires that provide sticky grip as well as high mileage, with boots we want them to be light and supple so they’re comfortable and provide good feel on the pegs, but we also want them to be tough enough to protect our feet, ankles and shins. Striking such a balance with touring boots is one thing, but it’s quite another with heavy-duty adventure boots.

Alpinestars’ CE-certified Corozal Adventure Drystar Boots are a good compromise between comfort and protection. The upper is a hybrid of waxed full-grain leather and polyurethane-coated leather, with microfiber flex panels at the ankles and textured suede on the inner leg for added grip. The midsole is made of lightweight polyurethane foam, the polypropylene insole is reinforced with a steel shank and the lugged sole is made of a durable yet flexible rubber compound. Protective features include tough TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) on the shin plate, calf plate, toe shift pad and ankles. A biomechanical lateral “flexi-blade” system allows movement while supporting and protecting the outer ankle, and both the internal toe box and heel counter protection are layered under the upper for durability.

The Corozals have a wide entry aperture that makes it easy to slide them on and off, which is most welcome after a long, exhausting day on the bike as well as the next morning when muscles are sore and joints are stiff. Similar to motocross boots, the Corozals have two buckles — one across the top of the foot and another at mid-shin — that use a micro-ratchet memory system and quick-release/locking for fast, secure closure, and a large Velcro panel at the top further dials in fit. Inside the boot is a removable anatomic footbed made of Lycra-covered EVA foam, and the forefoot is ergonomically shaped to allow good fit and feel at the controls. Integrated soft foam surrounds the ankle and collar, a breathable Drystar membrane keeps feet dry and a breathable textile interior lining enhances comfort.

I’ve worn Corozals on adventure rides and press launches over the past couple of years, and they were immediately comfortable and required no break-in. The soles are durable enough to provide a solid platform when standing on footpegs of varying widths, yet they flex enough to provide give and decent feel when braking, shifting and maneuvering. They’ve been wind- and watertight through rain and freezing temperatures, and the buckles are easy to use (and can be replaced if they get damaged). All in all, they’re very good boots at a reasonable price.

Alpinestars Corozal Adventure Drystar Boots are available in men’s whole sizes 7-13 for $289.95. 

For more information, see your dealer or visit alpinestars.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle touring, especially of the adventure-ish sort that involves highly variable temperatures, precipitation and riding conditions, is best done with reliably protective apparel, and Aether’s Divide Jacket and Pants fit the bill. Aether (pronounced “ee-ther”) is a small, high-end apparel company based in Los Angeles that makes men’s and women’s gear for motorcycling, snow sports and other activities.

For several cold, windy and occasionally wet weeks, I wore Aether’s top-of-the-line Divide suit on a daily basis. The outer shell is made of premium Gore-Tex Pro fabric, a three-layer sandwich of abrasion-resistant nylon on the outside, a breathable, waterproof Gore-Tex membrane in the middle and a highly breathable Gore Micro Grid Backer lining on the inside. All seams are sealed, all zippers are waterproof and there are double layers of nylon fabric in impact areas as well as leather panels on the inner legs to reduce wear during stand-up riding. Lining the jacket and pants is stretchy athletic mesh that promotes internal airflow, and there’s adjustable D3O CE Level 1 armor on the shoulders, elbows, chest, knees and hips and a CE Level 2 back protector.

The Divide suit does an excellent job of keeping out rain and wind, but it offers limited ventilation; the only vents are located under the armpits and down both sides of the back, with none on the pants. I was able to open the underarm vents while sitting on a bike, but I struggled to close them again without assistance. On cold days, you’ll need to add your own insulated mid layers. 

Style, fit, feel and attention to detail are commensurate with the Divide’s premium price tag. The more I wore it the more I appreciated the Divide’s high-quality design and construction, from snaps to stitching to zippers. There are many clever details, such as the thumb holes under the jacket’s outer snaps that make them easy to close with one hand; soft lamb leather around the collar with an adjustable neck gaiter to keep out water and wind; wind cuffs at the wrists and bottom of the jacket; extra-wide belt loops on the pants; and zippered gussets up the back of the calf that allow them to fit over large ADV/MX boots. There are various adjustment straps to dial in fit and plenty of pockets, too — four external pockets on the jacket and six on the pants, all of them with waterproof zippers, plus a small internal pocket on the jacket.

The Divide Jacket is available in Storm, Dark Discovery Green (shown) and Blue Streak in men’s sizes XS-XXL for $995. The Divide Pants are available in Storm or Jet Black (shown) in men’s sizes XS-XXL for $695.

For more information, call (323) 992-3988 or visit aetherapparel.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com