Bought the Olympia Switchback mesh jacket last month. This is my first mesh motorcycle jacket. Wore it for the first time on a motorcycle ride in Florida last week.
Here are my first impressions on this jacket.
1. Air flow through the jacket is very good. Kept me comfortable, even in the Florida heat and humidity. I still sweat some and got hot when stopped, but once I was moving, the air flow cooled things back down.
2. The build quality is also very good. I liked the overall fit and finish of the jacket, made from 500 denier Cordura fabric. The velcro at the cuffs could be a little more substantial, but it is only a minor complaint.
3. The jacket has 2 outer zippered slash pockets. Inside there is one zippered pocket and a velcro pocket for a cell phone.
4. For jacket size adjustment there is a snap strap at the mid waist, a velcro adjustment on the bottom top of the hips, and a velcro tab at the neck. On the sleeves a velcro strap on mid sleeve and a velcro closure at the wrists keeps things from flapping in the breeze.
5. At the neck there is a padded soft liner and soft lining at the wrists. Made wearing the jacket more comfortable in those areas.
6. I would like to see more reflective material on the sleeves and the back of the jacket. It does have reflective piping on the front, sleeves, and back. I just prefer more reflective material on my jackets.
7. The zip out liner is perhaps one of the nicest features on this jacket. The windproof/waterproof liner can also serve as a separate lightweight jacket on it's own. Very nice.
8. Has a full complement of CE approved Motion Flex armor in the elbows, shoulders and back.
On a 5 star rating I would give the Olympia Switchback a 4-1/2 star rating.
Here are my first impressions on this jacket.
1. Air flow through the jacket is very good. Kept me comfortable, even in the Florida heat and humidity. I still sweat some and got hot when stopped, but once I was moving, the air flow cooled things back down.
2. The build quality is also very good. I liked the overall fit and finish of the jacket, made from 500 denier Cordura fabric. The velcro at the cuffs could be a little more substantial, but it is only a minor complaint.
3. The jacket has 2 outer zippered slash pockets. Inside there is one zippered pocket and a velcro pocket for a cell phone.
4. For jacket size adjustment there is a snap strap at the mid waist, a velcro adjustment on the bottom top of the hips, and a velcro tab at the neck. On the sleeves a velcro strap on mid sleeve and a velcro closure at the wrists keeps things from flapping in the breeze.
5. At the neck there is a padded soft liner and soft lining at the wrists. Made wearing the jacket more comfortable in those areas.
6. I would like to see more reflective material on the sleeves and the back of the jacket. It does have reflective piping on the front, sleeves, and back. I just prefer more reflective material on my jackets.
7. The zip out liner is perhaps one of the nicest features on this jacket. The windproof/waterproof liner can also serve as a separate lightweight jacket on it's own. Very nice.
8. Has a full complement of CE approved Motion Flex armor in the elbows, shoulders and back.
On a 5 star rating I would give the Olympia Switchback a 4-1/2 star rating.
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