Women's Plus Jackets

[Kat-IN]

Thus far I've been wearing my friend's Icon Men's Merc jacket size XL (http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?tab=sizing&category=1237&id=5765&view=front&rank=100) (links to sizing) while riding, but it doesn't really fit correctly because the chest is too tight & the bottom of it rides up from my hips to my waist causing the shoulder protection to hinder my helmeted head movement. I can't find anyplace locally that carries the larger women's sizes in jackets of any brand & I'm rather apprehensive about paying such a large sum out for something that may not fit right if ordered without trying on first. Does anyone have suggestions of stores in the midwest (I'm more than willing to drive out of state) that carry the largest women's sizes (or could work with me somehow)? I've found a jacket that fits, but everytime I mention the brand (Harley-Davidson, but it fits!) I get looks of horror. My own logic says safety (& here fit is the limiting condition) beats brand so I don't understand the horror. Isn't gear gear?

[L♥VE]

Thus far I've been wearing my friend's http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?tab=sizing&category=1237&id=5765&view=front&rank=100"]Icon Men's Merc jacket size XL (http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?tab=sizing&category=1237&id=5765&view=front&rank=100) (links to sizing) while riding, but it doesn't really fit correctly because the chest is too tight & the bottom of it rides up from my hips to my waist causing the shoulder protection to hinder my helmeted head movement. I can't find anyplace locally that carries the larger women's sizes in jackets of any brand & I'm rather apprehensive about paying such a large sum out for something that may not fit right if ordered without trying on first. Does anyone have suggestions of stores in the midwest (I'm more than willing to drive out of state) that carry the largest women's sizes (or could work with me somehow)? I've found a jacket that fits, but everytime I mention the brand (Harley-Davidson, but it fits!) I get looks of horror. My own logic says safety (& here fit is the limiting condition) beats brand so I don't understand the horror. Isn't gear gear?

Screw what others think. If it fits you properly and you are protected whats the point? I think your safety is more important than some brand!!!! Is your chest the issue?I had to take the shoulder pads out of my jacket.

[pinky71]

Thus far I've been wearing my friend's Icon Men's Merc jacket size XL (http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?tab=sizing&category=1237&id=5765&view=front&rank=100) (links to sizing) while riding, but it doesn't really fit correctly because the chest is too tight & the bottom of it rides up from my hips to my waist causing the shoulder protection to hinder my helmeted head movement. I can't find anyplace locally that carries the larger women's sizes in jackets of any brand & I'm rather apprehensive about paying such a large sum out for something that may not fit right if ordered without trying on first. Does anyone have suggestions of stores in the midwest (I'm more than willing to drive out of state) that carry the largest women's sizes (or could work with me somehow)? I've found a jacket that fits, but everytime I mention the brand (Harley-Davidson, but it fits!) I get looks of horror. My own logic says safety (& here fit is the limiting condition) beats brand so I don't understand the horror. Isn't gear gear?

Maybe you could have one made. I had a hard time finding one to fit. So for my track leathers I am having vanson make them. They are pricey but they will fit right and they are great quality... They make jackets and 2 piece suits. Go to vanson.com and you can check it out...

[Kat-IN]

Maybe you could have one made. I had a hard time finding one to fit. So for my track leathers I am having vanson make them. They are pricey but they will fit right and they are great quality... They make jackets and 2 piece suits. Go to vanson.com and you can check it out...

Decent idea, but honestly I'm not looking at leathers simply due to the heat issue. (Before someone gets on me, I don't have any interest at fainting at a stop light during the heat & humidity that will come. I'm quite comfortable with the protection textiles & even some of the meshes provide.) Do they make non-leather goods?

[rcrgirl84]

Have you checked out the sizing information on www.rideicon.com? They have all of the measurements on there for the products.

I'm the same way, I have a hard time finding things that fit correctly and none of the local dealerships carry women's gear in stock . . . including my SO's shop. I also don't want to just order the size that I think is going to fit and then be stuck with a re-stocking charge when it needs to be sent back.

[seamonkeyaj]

Decent idea, but honestly I'm not looking at leathers simply due to the heat issue. (Before someone gets on me, I don't have any interest at fainting at a stop light during the heat & humidity that will come. I'm quite comfortable with the protection textiles & even some of the meshes provide.) Do they make non-leather goods?

I've had the same issue with the leather v. textile, so I know what you mean. If you have the $$, though, you might want to at least look into perforated leather, if you haven't already. I'm all about making sure you do the research to make an informed decision. After that - it's your decision! :)

Also - I don't know what shops you have downstate there, but up here there's a local shop called Lake Cycle - they don't carry much, but they let me order stuff for a small (or no) deposit, and I try it on - if it doesn't fit, they refund me and let me order something else. They're really good about it - dunno if a shop down there might do the same for you, but it's certainly worth asking!

And barring that - WEAR WHAT FITS! Who cares what brand it is??? At least Harley stuff is good quality (usually)! :whistling:

[PlayfulGod]

perforated leather breathes just as well as textile. Only protection a meshie gives you is the padding/armor, well until the nylon burns away and melts to your skin. Just a FYI :drinks:

[DJ Nathan V]

I had to take the shoulder pads out of my jacket.

It is HIGHLY recommended people DO NOT DO THIS.

The armor is there for a reason. If the jacket you like doesn't fit with the armor, keep looking. Don't sacrifice safety, ever, if you can possibly avoid it.

[pinky71]

Decent idea, but honestly I'm not looking at leathers simply due to the heat issue. (Before someone gets on me, I don't have any interest at fainting at a stop light during the heat & humidity that will come. I'm quite comfortable with the protection textiles & even some of the meshes provide.) Do they make non-leather goods?

I dont know if they just do leather or not. I know waht ur saying about the leather. I have the merc jacket too and wear it when its hot. But in the winter I wear my leather jacket and chaps.... I hope you find one you like it took me forever, because they all fit so different.

[DJ Nathan V]

Decent idea, but honestly I'm not looking at leathers simply due to the heat issue. (Before someone gets on me, I don't have any interest at fainting at a stop light during the heat & humidity that will come. I'm quite comfortable with the protection textiles & even some of the meshes provide.) Do they make non-leather goods?

Either;

1) You don't properly hydrate before riding
2) You're a previous heat casualty
3) It gets way way way way f00king hotter in IN than I ever thought.


I rode all summer in a BLACK leather 'downtown' style street jacket. Sides are perf'd and only small shoulder vents. Temps here at 90-95 while sitting on an air cooled twin in stop and go traffic (mostly stop, not much go) on a concrete highway and I was fine.


Edit: My perf'd racing 1pc leather suit has no other real venting other than perf'd front section and I get cold riding in it when it's cool in the evening. Good perforated leather is far superior to anything textile if you value your skin and are worried about heat.

[pinky71]

perforated leather breathes just as well as textile. Only protection a meshie gives you is the padding/armor, well until the nylon burns away and melts to your skin. Just a FYI :drinks:

Yup I wiped out in my textile jacket and it ripped and I still got road rash on my arm. The armor moved to the side to. It hurt.....

[seamonkeyaj]

3) It gets way way way way f00king hotter in IN than I ever thought.





Nate, dear... :air_kiss: We've been through this discussion.... While I'm not at all arguing that perforated leather is very much preferable to textile, you now have yet another Indiana person, who I've never really spoken to before, from a different part of my state, telling you the exact same thing I have been. And you know me well enough by now to know that I know not to get dehydrated, I'd hope.

So, while I'm not quite sure what the big difference is in the weather, I'm now inclined to say, even more so, that there must be one. At least SOMETHING in the climate that is making our gear effect us a little bit differently here. :beach:

[DJ Nathan V]

Nate, dear... :air_kiss: We've been through this discussion.... While I'm not at all arguing that perforated leather is very much preferable to textile, you now have yet another Indiana person, who I've never really spoken to before, from a different part of my state, telling you the exact same thing I have been. And you know me well enough by now to know that I know not to get dehydrated, I'd hope.

So, while I'm not quite sure what the big difference is in the weather, I'm now inclined to say, even more so, that there must be one. At least SOMETHING in the climate that is making our gear effect us a little bit differently here. :beach:

Me wubs AJ... but even you said you were looking for perf'd leather. :nee:

[seamonkeyaj]

Me wubs AJ... but even you said you were looking for perf'd leather. :nee:

Yes, but that was based on my own realization that if I'd budget a little better, I can afford it. Not everyone can.

Kat- I agree with all these guys - if you can swing it, go for the perf leather. BUT if you can't - a properly fitted textile or mesh is still better than nothing, and better than passing out in the heat, IMO. I've been in this weather - I know what you're talking about - last year it got so hot once I had to take the jacket off entirely halfway home just to be able to make it. Do whatcha gotta do, girl, so that doesn't happen to you too! :thumbup:

[DJ Nathan V]

http://www.agry.purdue.edu/climate/summary.asp

:nee:

It's not that bad there.

[PlayfulGod]

It is HIGHLY recommended people DO NOT DO THIS.

The armor is there for a reason. If the jacket you like doesn't fit with the armor, keep looking. Don't sacrifice safety, ever, if you can possibly avoid it.

I live in the South, I dont think IN gets hotter or more humid than GA :lol: But if you shop around you can find a discontinued model leather jacket for the same price as a good textile. Also remember, meshies and textile are usually toast after a get off and need replaced. But with leather it holds up and goes on. But again this is one of those personal choices we all have to make for ourselves. Just hope none of you have to find out the hard way:drinks:

And Nate, L♥ve didnt really have a choice. I'm hoping her new gears fits alot better.

[L♥VE]

It is HIGHLY recommended people DO NOT DO THIS.

The armor is there for a reason. If the jacket you like doesn't fit with the armor, keep looking. Don't sacrifice safety, ever, if you can possibly avoid it.

The jacket fit perfectly fine except for that shoulder armor, and it was my choice to remove it. Of course noone here is my size. So I don't expect anyone to understand the problem i had with the armor in. And the shoulder armor is all I removed.

[Britishsteele]

mesh vs. textile vs perf. leather...wow, what a discussion. I live out in the desert of West Texas..where it is HOT and Dry. During the summer, I ride with my camel back. It doesn't take me much to get dehydrated!!! I just got a perf leather jacket, right now it is ok..but, come July and August, when the temp reaches 100+ outside...well, we'll have to see...I do have a mesh powertrip TT jacket that I love because it breathes so well, but now you have me thinking about just how much it really protects me.....hmmm......

[DJ Nathan V]

The jacket fit perfectly fine except for that shoulder armor, and it was my choice to remove it. Of course noone here is my size. So I don't expect anyone to understand the problem i had with the armor in. And the shoulder armor is all I removed.

Sorry, I didn't mean that to come across quite so direct, I know you know what I'm saying and I was more putting that out for others that it's something to try to avoid if you can. :)

[L♥VE]

Sorry, I didn't mean that to come across quite so direct, I know you know what I'm saying and I was more putting that out for others that it's something to try to avoid if you can. :)

My arms are 31 inches. Find me a large jacket with 31 inch arms LOL.
I don't condone doing it but for me I had to do it.

[Kat-IN]

I appreciate all the advice I've received. Thank you. (If anyone else has more info/advice, feel free to keep replying.)


I rode all summer in a BLACK leather 'downtown' style street jacket. Sides are perf'd and only small shoulder vents. Temps here at 90-95 while sitting on an air cooled twin in stop and go traffic (mostly stop, not much go) on a concrete highway and I was fine.
Not all of us are that tolerant of warm-hot temperatures, hydrated, healthy, or not.

[DJ Nathan V]

Not all of us are that tolerant of warm-hot temperatures, hydrated, healthy, or not.

Drink more water. :)