Read many threads about jackets and wish to discuss the comparision between:

Fox Creek Cordura - billed as a warm weather jacket

HD Aeration Leather - billed as a warm weather jacket

with age my skin is getting thinner and feel that I now need something other than a T-Shirt during the summer months.

For you non-wearing T-Shirt riders, have you worn the mentioned two when the temperature is greater than 80's and if so what are your observations?

 

people forget one thing. leather is for protection. if it is too thin to save your hide in a tumble why bother. so, to that the only leather I wear is thick american made leather. if it is too warm a simple denim buttondown is fine. on long hot runs, it keeps the sun off too. as for the mentioned jackets they felt a lil skimpy as far as safety is concerned but what will hold up better? my wrangler buttondown or your aeration leather. Not a tough decision. I guess any protection is better than none. I guess I am just too young and toodumb to worry about that stuff yet.

 

I've never tried the jackets you mention, but I can tell you this. I use a Schott leather jacket with zip-out lining for cold and cool weather. I take out the lining for mild temps. For heat I use a Joe Rocket armored mesh jacket. I consider myself an old school kinda guy and believe in leather as best for protection, but I gotta tell ya, these mesh jackets are the best thing in riding apparel that I've seen in a long time. Unbeatable for hot temps with no sacrafice in protection. Plenty of info on the web about them.

 

Fox Creek also has a Vented Reflector Jacket that is designed for "warmer" weather. Not sure what the means, don't have one. Maybe it should also be on your list.

Visited the local dirt bike shop and they carry Joe RocketPhoenix IV, didn't care for the Elastic sleeve adjusters. In my mind the adjusters looks more suited for dirt vs. street. Its all a matter of ones likes and dis-likes...

 

I wear my regular jacket. I'm a biker, I'm supposed to be sweaty & smell bad.

 

I often wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix warm weather textile jacket in the summer. It's fully padded for protection but I think it's actually cooler to wear the Phoenix thana T-shirt onlyin 90 plus degrees.

You can also get a Thinsulate liner for itto wear in cooler weather. The Phoenix with azip out liner makes a good three season jacket.

 

Look at the mesh jackets. A lot of protection, and cooler than a t-shirt because it keeps the sun off your skin.
Look for one with armor, as the material is strong but thin, so there is no cushion like with leather.

 

I have a HD Aeration jacket that I use in the hot weather. I would much rather be wearing my Aeration jacket than just a denim jacket. Denim offers no where near the abrasion protection of leather.

The Aeration has leather mesh on some of the body and sleeves but it has full leather coverage on the elbows and shoulders, which is where you will need the most protection from road rash in a crash. It also has pockets built into the shoulders and elbows, so you can add additional pads if you wish. The HD FXRG pads will slip right in.

I have not tried the Fox Creek cordura so I can not comment on it. I canrecommend theHD Aeration jacket for hot weather riding based on my experience with it over the last two summers.

 

I have the HD Switchback for Warm Weather... It is a mesh jacket and then some. Works very nice.

Other than that I have worn my "normal" leather jacket in temps close to 85. I just leave the wait snapped together and open the zipper up some from the bottom... typically lets in enough air.

 

coldmcrider: I have a HD Aeration jacket that I use in the hot weather.

coldMcRider - what do you consider "hot weather"greater than 75? Just curious, our area of Maryland has many days over 85 with the friggin humidity at 100%. Would you recommend it for my area?

Thanks