Looking for a good mid price range jacket for summer riding.I love my River Road Leather jacket, but the liner doesn't zip out, so it will be way too hot for NM soon. Any good leather jackets that the liner zips out but is still cool enough for summer weather. I'm pretty sold on he leather deal, but was wondering about the canvas and mesh and what kind of protection they offer as opposed to leather.

 

I use a Vanson Leathers VentMax 3. If you want to wear some protection during the heat of summer, this jacket is the coolest i've worn.

 

I also wear a Vanson VentMax 3 when it turns really hot (black version). A great jacket with a decent level of protection. Pricier than some but made in USA and very good quality

 

Depends on the type of mesh material...

There are some kevlar mesh materials that perform far better then just about every leather out there based on tear and abrasion resistance data. Of course impact trauma is a completely different issue.

Hope that helps!

 

Tourmaster makes a nice mesh jacket with armor for about $135 or so.

 

I have a Tour Master Draft jacket. Good mesh jacket with adjustable sleeves (a must) and good armour. I have the waterproof liner and the insulated liner which can be worn seperate or together. Very versatile, good quality, overall very happy and have not had the misfortune of "testing" the protection. Very reasonable price, under $100.00.

 

i have 2 mesh jackets. living in FL, the temps are extreme. below 70 deg i use an alpinestars fine mesh jacket with liner. above 70 i have a tour master very open mesh jacket ( it also has a liner). the alpine is too hot for temps above 80. of course, our heat is a high humidity heat, quite different from your dry heat.

 

Two years ago I purchased a HD switchback jacket. Has a rain liner, outshell, and a mesh liner. I wear it all year and just add or remove parts. Even works in the winter now that I purchased a heated liner. Here is a link.

 

I did my course 2 years ago and only had my leather jacket to wear on a 250 honda in a parking lot with little speed. 2 days in 100+ temperature and I soon went to Royal dist. and bought a nitro racing mesh jacket with removable armour and wind-rainproof insert. Wow, at least 10-20 degrees cooler when riding. Best $125 i spent for HOT days. It's also good on cool days with the liner as its wind proof, just put a sweater on.

Chop.

 

I have a Fox Creek perforated leather jacket and works great even in real hot weather. I just wear a tee shirt under it and you can really feel the breeze coming through it.