While the road portions of a journey pose challenges to adventure jackets similar to other forms, requiring protection from wind, rain, potential hazards, comfort, breathability, and more, venturing off the asphalt introduces a whole new riding environment for clothing. Adventure motorcycle jackets are one of the technical garments in the market, tailored for riders who need robust protection and all-day comfort while traversing vast terrains and unconventional riding surfaces.
Adventure motorcycle jackets often share several common characteristics; they typically feature a textile construction, ample ventilation, some form of waterproofing, and numerous convenient pockets. Based on the experiences of adventure riders, investing in a high-quality adventure motorcycle jacket is worthwhile as, aside from the helmet, it’s one of the most critical pieces of equipment during adventures or travels.
As a leading motorcycle clothing manufacturer, BOWINS Garment offers OEM/ODM service with bulk order. In this article, let’s delve into the characteristics of adventure motorcycle jacket, fabric selection, and requirements for craftsmanship, discussing how to choose the right adventure motorcycle jacket.
1. What makes the Adventure Motorcycle jacket special?
All decent ADV motorcycle jackets will encompass all the fundamentals in terms of protection, with armor and abrasion resistance suitable for both off-road and on-road riding. However, they also feature plenty of pockets, ample adjustability, and a structure that can easily adapt to cold and hot climates.
1.1 Protection
Adventure riders need more protection than most, particularly for impact protection against road drops and dead-stop protection from slamming into roadside rocks off their massive motorcycles. Then there’s abrasion protection from highway slides or road scouring. This is why cheap motocross armor isn’t suitable for adventure riding – they won’t hold up when you’re sliding at over 80 km/h.
The best adventure jackets will include armor for the elbows, shoulders, back, and chest, all meeting at least CE Level 1 impact protection (Level 2 is even better), ensuring protection no matter how you fall.
They also incorporate abrasion-resistant and tear-resistant fabrics that become tougher and more durable over time. You’ll often see Cordura, which is a composite material that includes Kevlar. You’ll also find a new type of super fabric on some high-end adventure motorcycle jackets — ceramic dot fabric. This innovative coating process combines fine ceramic particles with textiles, creating a bond that provides textile protection against abrasion and pilling.
1.2 Waterproofing
Next up is the “waterproofing” of the jacket. Or, it could be said, sufficient waterproofing.
We ride in all weather conditions, braving the elements and embracing the highs and lows that come with it, making adventure travel a unique experience. In an ideal world, every adventure motorcycle jacket would be protected by Gore-Tex, and every day would be sunny. Unfortunately, Gore-Tex doesn’t fit every rider’s budget, so choosing the fabric that best suits you is crucial.
However, when it comes to waterproofing comparisons, this is why BOWINS offers more product customization options, making it easier for most riders to meet their needs.
1.3 Ventilation
In addition to having a reliable waterproof system, we believe ventilation is also a major concern. In fact, this is the primary reason that distinguishes a regular “touring” jacket from what we consider an “adventure” jacket.
We spend a lot of time off-road, standing, moving around, and navigating various terrains. If your jacket doesn’t have adequate ventilation, the day becomes much more challenging. Inadequate breathability and moisture dispersion can significantly impact the riding experience.
1.4 Flexible Fit
The last thing you want when conquering dirt roads and highways, especially in foreign lands, is a jacket that drags, feels uncomfortable, or weighs you down. Therefore, the design of adventure motorcycle jackets must be ergonomic, and they must be designed, manufactured, and produced by professional and experienced manufacturers.
As a professional OEM/ODM manufacturer of motorcycle clothing, BOWINS provides comprehensive services and functionality customization to meet customers’ unique needs and specifications. With years of industry experience, BOWINS possesses the expertise and knowledge to customize adventure motorcycle jackets according to the specific requirements of customers. Whether it’s modifying existing designs or creating entirely new ones, we work closely with customers to turn their visions into reality.
2. How to Choose Fabric for ADV Motorcycle Jackets?
Choosing the fabric for ADV motorcycle jackets is a crucial step in ensuring comfort, protection, and durability. Below is an introduction to the main fabric, abrasion resistance, and lining ventilation fabric:
2.1 Main Fabric
2.1.1 Nylon: Nylon is a common choice for its high abrasion resistance and tear resistance, capable of withstanding wind and friction during motorcycle rides.
2.1.2 Polyester: Polyester fabrics typically offer good abrasion resistance and durability, often more cost-effective than nylon.
2.1.3 High-Density Nylon: This fabric is stronger and tightly woven, providing better wind resistance and more durable protection.
2.2 Reinforcement fabric
2.2.1 Abrasion-Resistant Textiles: The reinforcement fabric is often made from specialized textiles that offer superior abrasion resistance, such as Cordura or Kevlar. These materials are known for their high tensile strength and durability.
2.2.2 Impact-Resistant Padding: In addition to abrasion resistance, some reinforcement fabrics incorporate impact-resistant padding or armor made from materials like foam(EVA), silicone, or hard polymers. This padding absorbs and disperses energy from impacts, reducing the risk of injury to the rider.
2.3. Lining Ventilation Fabric
ADV motorcycle jackets often need to be worn in various weather conditions, making ventilation another consideration.
2.3.1 Mesh Lining: This lining offers good ventilation, allowing airflow during rides, contributing to comfort and cooling.
2.3.2 Fleece Lining: Fleece lining offers extra warmth, suitable for cold climate conditions, keeping riders warm in chilly environments.
2.3.3 Breathable Membrane: Some jackets use breathable membrane technology for linings, allowing sweat and heat to escape while preventing external moisture from penetrating, keeping dry and comfortable.
2.4 Material Procurement and Selection
BOWINS has established partnerships with reputable high-quality material suppliers, allowing us to source premium fabrics, armor, and other components for our adventure motorcycle jackets. Our clients can choose from a wide range of materials to meet their specific requirements and preferences.
3. Characteristics and Craftsmanship Requirements of ADV Motorcycle Jackets
If there’s one thing to remember about adventure riding, it’s that you never know what you’ll encounter. Adventure often means plans will quickly go awry; a sunny day of riding can turn into a cold, damp night ride due to a sudden tire blowout.
You need to be prepared for everything from tumbling over rocks on a dirt track to sliding out on the highway, facing torrential rain, coping with freezing nighttime temperatures, or enduring the full force of impacts.
This is a significant burden for a jacket, but that’s the demand of adventure riders. Therefore, the primary characteristic of adventure jackets is their versatility, which makes them an entry-level jacket for many motorcyclists.
3.1 Breathability
When considering adventure motorcycle jackets, the first thing to think about is breathability. Riding on the road is often relatively easy unless you’re crossing countries quickly, but off-road, it’s a much tougher job. Many times, you’re standing up, using your legs to maintain balance while riding. Driving off-road adventure motorcycles demands much more physical exertion, requiring a jacket with decent ventilation options that you can open up to let in as much cooling airflow as possible.
If you’re getting up early for an off-road trip, or you want to warm up, then a removable thermal liner is essential in an adventure motorcycle jacket. Of course, at times, rain may come down on you, so some form of waterproofing is also necessary. This can be built into the outer layer – a specially treated or membrane, but these may be damaged by road environments, so many opt for a removable waterproof and breathable liner that allows for maximum airflow when removed.
3.2 Versatile Design
All decent adventure jackets will encompass all the basics in terms of protection, with armor and abrasion resistance suitable for both off-road and on-road riding. However, they also feature plenty of pockets, ample adjustability, and a structure that can easily adapt to cold and hot climates.
Adventure jackets should be more roomy than regular street or sportbike jackets. However, they can still secure your armor in place.
Many features of adventure jackets include adjustable arms, cuffs, and waist, along with a belt, to customize the fit and accommodate layers you may add underneath. You’ll also find that good jackets have pleats or stretch fabric at the back of the shoulders, allowing you to move on the motorcycle or stand up without adjusting the jacket.
BOWINS offers a variety of customization options for adventure motorcycle jackets, including adjustable ventilation, removable padding, reinforced panels, and personalized branding. Customers can also choose from a range of accessories such as reflective elements, waterproof pockets, and integrated hydration systems to enhance the versatility of their jackets.
3.3 CE Armor
Low-speed tumbles are more common off-road than on the highway, so you need to know where the armor sits, hence, fit and adjustability are key, allowing you to snug up the jacket if you’ve removed the thermal and waterproof liners because you’ll be dropping more frequently. So not only is a good motorcycle garment fit, comfortable, and effective, but also crucial.
As with any garment, if you’re going to use it on the road, you need to check for CE ratings, both for the garment overall (B, A, AA, and AAA, with AAA being the best) and armor rating (CE Level 2 is better than Level 1). Some adventure jackets come with built-in airbag technology, with new systems now including an “adventure” setting that can withstand impacts and jolts during off-road riding without triggering the airbag deployment.
4. Conclusion
In this blog, we explore the features of adventure motorcycle jackets, fabric selection, craft design and more. When choosing an adventure touring jacket, breathability is a primary concern. Ventilation design, and CE armor also need attention, and ultimately, to select the right experienced manufacturer to meet the different needs of adventure motorcycle riders.
BOWINS Garment believes in establishing partnerships with customers, working closely with them throughout the entire design, development, and manufacturing process to ensure their needs and expectations are met. From initial concept to final delivery, our professional team provides personalized support and guidance at every step of the journey.
Overall, as a professional OEM/ODM manufacturer of motorcycle clothing, we are committed to delivering innovative, high-quality products that exceed customer expectations and enhance their riding experience. With our comprehensive services and capabilities, we are confident in meeting the diverse needs of our customers and contributing to their success in the market.
Thanks for your reading!