Dainese Women's Shotgun Jacket Review

One of our top picks for warm weather sport riding for the female motorcycle community, the Dainese Women's Shotgun Jacket delivers the same attention to quality, performance, protection and style that we see across the board in the Dainese line. A great deal of emphasis is put on comfort and ensuring the proper fit to accommodate and flatter a woman's curves and shape. Dainese designed this jacket to be a go-to option in the hottest months of the year, and the Shotgun delivers on all fronts.

Check out our Dainese Women's Shotgun Jacket Review:

The main chassis of the Women's Shotgun is Dainese's Mugello fabric, a proprietary material with a high degree of abrasion resistance but a good amount of elasticity for true form-fitment. There are two types of mesh used in the Shotgun jacket that allow a tremendous amount of airflow. The larger panels at the side of the torso a wide-gauge nylon mesh for intake and exhaust, while the tightly-woven boomerang mesh that runs along the inner arm flows air and provides solid resistance to abrasion. With these materials, you're guaranteed all-day comfort in hot weather. Within the jacket, the liner is treated with silver ions that provide long-term protection from bacteria, microbes, and overall funk.

For protection, the shoulders and elbows are armed with Dainese's proprietary CE rated protectors, while there is a pocket in the back that will accommodate any Dainese Size G1 Back Protector. Dainese uses microflection in this jacket for style and visibility. Microflection is a subtle, tightly woven reflective material that actually integrates with the jacket's material; it is found at the top of the back and the backs of the elbows. Small details like the anodized collar snap and anodized main zipper pull, leather rolled cuffs and collar is what differentiates Dainese from other brands. Lastly, there is adjustability and the neck, wrist and waist to ensure proper fitment in the riding position.

In our opinion, this is a premier sport riding hot weather option. To see similar jackets, visit our Women's Motorcycle Gear page and Dainese Women's Gear section at RevZilla.com.

-RetroZilla

Previously:
REV'IT! Womens Ventura Jacket & Pants Review
Firstgear TPG Monarch Jacket & Alpinestars Stella Sigma Jacket Review
Schuberth C3W Helmet Review

Alpinestars Net Air Boots Review

Alpinestars boots have a reputation for being some of the best motorcycle boots that money can buy. Alpinestars simply know how to design boots to be comfortable, protective, and have great quality. The Alpinestars Net Air Boot is a perfect example of this. Alpinestars designed this boot to be comfortable for the long distance tourer and everyday commuter. They also made the Net Air boot to flow a ton of air and vent during the hotter days of the summer. This is a perfect boot for the tourer that plans to ride through the southwest this summer or the commuter that doesn't want their feet to get clammy in ninety degree heat.

Check out our Alpinestars Net Air Boots Review:

The Net Air Boots are Alpinestars' warm weather full length motorcycle riding boot. The main construction of this boot is a full grain leather with highly abrasion-resistant mesh inserts in the areas less vulnerable to damage during a crash. Alpinestars put this highly ventilated mesh material on the top of the foot and mesh wrapping along both sides of the foot all the way to the calf and back of the heal. This means that there's a ton of area where air can enter and exit the boot. The inner liner is a micro-fiber bubble mesh material that will be comfortable, soft, and designed to help wick away sweat. Ventilation and comfort is really what Alpinestars was going for with this boot.

Protection and quality in the Net Air is also very good for a boot in this price range. A reinforced toe box stops anything from being able to crush your foot in a crash scenario. A stiff foot bed will prevent the boot from bending or twisting in any unnatural ways but is still supple enough to walk around in. The shin protection is done with a stiff shin plate covered with the full grain leather of the boot to protect from the footpeg-to-shin injury all too common in sport touring scenarios. The toes have an anti-scuff shift plate to prevent the top of the toe box from getting scratched up.  The cuff of the boot is a neoprene material to help wick away sweat. The closure system uses a YKK zip and velcro pull for secure lockdown.

If you're planning on riding through a monsoon or in the middle of December, this might not be the right boot for you. If you're looking for a boot that can deal with a brutal summer and be worn off the bike for a walk around town, this boot would be a great choice. Sizes go from 38-48 Euro which translates roughly to 6-13.

Looking for other hot weather moto gear? Check out our Summer Motorcycle Gear section at RevZilla.com.

Fast Freddie

Previously:
Sidi Clever Air Boots Review
Dainese Sechura Boots Review
REV'IT! Air Blend Boots Review
Dainese Nighthawk Gore-Tex Boots Review

Sidi Clever Air Boots Review

Brand new for Spring 2011, the Sidi Clever Air Boots fill a need in the Sidi Boot lineup for a full height touring boot that will be protective and comfortable in hot weather long-distance riding scenarios. Essentially a high version of the Sidi Slash Riding Shoe, the Clever Air Boots combine premium Italian design and construction from a stylish standpoint with motorcycle riding functionality, protection and comfort. Sure to be popular for the heat of summer in 2011 amongst the long-distance sport touring community, the Sidi Clever Airs are one of our top picks within this segment.

Check out our Sidi Clever Air Boots Review:



Starting out, the Sidi Clever Air Boots are a full Lorica synthetic leather upper construction for exceptional abrasion resistance and durability. Within this Lorica chassis, strategically-placed woven vented nylon panels can be found which offer a high degree of airflow but also maintain a solid level of abrasion resistance. Hard protective elements can be found in multiple zones of the boot: there are internal protective ankle pads at the medial and lateral malleolous, a protective toe box, a fully encased heel cup, and a hard shin protector. There is a composite inner sole with removable arch support for comfort in addition to a DuPont polymer shifter panel for durability and longevity.

Another big feature of the Sidi Clever Air Boots is the brand new Sidi rubber sole that is being introduced in this boot. This sole improves upon previous Sidi rubber soles, with a new grip pattern and variable density construction that offers maximum comfort and non-slip properties. While this boot probably wouldn't get it done walking around at work for eight hours, it will be pretty comfortable walking around town when you get off the bike. Accordion leather panels at the instep allow a solid degree of mobility while the Cambrelle bubble liner wicks moisture away from the foot for all day dry and cool comfort. There is also double stitching in all high use areas for durability and the zipper and velcro closure system is very secure.

We think the Sidi Clever Air Boots as a reasonably-priced summer touring boot that is going to be extremely popular in 2011 and moving forward. To see more, visit our Vented Motorcycle Boots and Summer Motorcycle Gear pages.

-RetroZilla

Previously:
Sidi Laguna Gore-Tex Boots Review
Touring and Commuting Motorcycle Boot Guide
Dainese Sechura Boots Review
TCX X-Five Plus Gore-Tex Boots Review

Warm Weather Sport Textile Motorcycle Gear Guide 2011

In today's edition of our 2011 Warm Weather Motorcycle Gear Guides, we're focusing on the sport segment of riders. We're breaking down what we see as the best of what's available for summer sport riding. All of the gear featured in our Warm Weather Sport Textile Gear Guide will flow a ton of air, be protective, but ultimately the most important factor in these selections is the aggressive style that will match up well with your bike and riding style. We've got a couple picks for the street and stunt rider, some Euro selections for the Ducati and Speed Triple, and one combo that is universally-styled to go with any sport or naked bike.
This is the best of what we see for 2011 summer sport riding.

Check out our Warm Weather Sport Textile Motorcycle Gear Guide:

Our first pick in sport textiles is the brand new 2011 REV'IT! Tarmac Air Jacket paired up with the mainstay REV'IT! Rotor Pants. REV'IT! essentially took their extremely popular REV'IT! Air Jacket, utilized the style of the brand new Tarmac Leather Jacket, and made a wicked hot weather sport riding jacket. Extremely ergonomic in its cut, with CE rated armor in the shoulders and elbows and 600D fabric in impact areas, the Tarmac Air has huge PWRShell mesh panels that are abrasion-resistant and will flow a ton of air. The pants feature the same mesh construction with 500D & 1200D PWRShell textile to protect from abrasion. This combo will work great on a naked bike, a sportbike or even for an aggressive sport touring rider.

Next up in our sport textile picks is the Icon Hooligan 2 Mesh Jacket. Released in Fall 2010, the Hooligan 2 is now available in new graphics and a brand new Icon Hooligan 2 Mil-Spec Mesh Jacket. Absolutely inspired by the aggressive street and stunt riding crowd, the Hooligan 2 is a durable fighter mesh chassis for abrasion resistance and airflow and hot weather performance, but also features a removable full-sleeved quilted thermal liner for the cooler months. With CE rated armor in the shoulders and elbows and an upgradeable dual density back pad in addition to ballistic nylon in abrasion areas, you'll be protected and comfortable. Pair this up with the Icon Hooligan 2 Mesh Overpants for a full summer sport outfit.

The Alpinestars T-Stunt Air Flo Jacket and Alpinestars AST-1 Pants feature a universal style, that will match up well with anything from a Gixxer to a Monster to a VFR and perform extremely well in the hot weather. A 600D polyester construction with abrasion resistant mesh panels throughout, both jacket and pants will keep you cool in the hottest of hot weather. There are compartments in the chest and back for upgraded CE rated protection. One thing to note, though, is that the pants only come stock with foam padding on the knees. We recommend an upgrade to CE rated knee protection. The jacket's seasonality can also be extended thanks to the removable waterproof breathable liner.

Next up is the truly Euro-styled Dainese Shotgun Jacket and Dainese Drake Air Pants, both of which have been standouts in the RevZilla lineup for quite some time now. Available in a multitude of colors, there is a style of Shotgun to match just about any bike. Beyond the protective and airflow elements via 3D mesh, boomerang mesh, Mugello fabric and CE rated armor, what stands out in the Shotgun is the extreme attention paid to ergonomics and comfort. The Drake Airs are some of the bestselling textile pants we've ever carried and will continue to be thanks to their comfort, airflow, protection, and of course, that great Italian style.

Watch our detailed review of the Dainese Shotgun Jacket:

Last up in our mix for 2011 sport textile summer gear is the Icon Overlord Textile Jacket and Icon Overlord Textile Overpants. Loose fitting, comfortable, and designed exclusively for the aggressive street and stunt rider, the Overlord combo puts a big emphasis on that classic Icon style. Available in multiple colors, both jacket and pants are designed with the Icon attack fit for the most aggressive riding scenarios. CE rated armor is found in the shoulders, elbows, and knees and the backpad can be upgraded to the Stryker CE back protector. Extend the seasonality of this jacket thanks to the removable thermal vest liner.

That does it for our best of Sport Textile for Summer 2011. Don't miss all of our Summer Gear Guides as they are released! Also, you can browse our full selection of Summer Motorcycle Gear at RevZilla.com.

-RetroZilla

Previously:
Warm Weather Adventure Motorcycle Gear Guide
Sport Short Cuff Motorcycle Glove Guide
Short Sport Motorcycle Boot Riding Shoe Guide
Touring and ADV Motorcycle Glove Guide

Alpinestars Verona Air Jacket Review

The Alpinestars Verona WP Jacket came out last year as part of their sleek City Collection and has been an immensely popular addition to the AStars roundup. Based on this, Alpinestars decided to put out a second version, the Alpinestars Verona Air Jacket, loaded with perf and designed as a warm to hot weather riding option for the city rider and commuter. You won't look like a storm trooper when you hop off the bike, but you'll be fully protected, ventilated, and comfortable when ripping the bike around town.

Check out our Alpinestars Verona Air Jacket Review:

Alpinestars seems to be quite dedicated in recent years to offering riders protective gear that is simple, subtle, and stylish. The Verona Air continues the push in this direction for the City Collection and honestly, if you didn't know any better, you'd have no clue that this is a fully protective motorcycle jacket. Removable CE rated Bioarmor protects in the shoulders and elbows, with a slim profile that eliminates the bulk of some other types of armor. The chest and back both have pockets to accommodate more protective armor pieces. The Alpinestars Bionic Chest Pads and the CE rated Alpinestars RC Back Protector are both available as optional upgrades for the Alpinestars Verona Air Jacket.

What really impresses about this jacket and gives it a unique vibe is the shell construction. A durable double PU coated 450D polyester shell combines with abrasion resistant mesh panel for style, airflow, and protection. The 450D can be found in all impact areas while the mesh is at the bottom three quarters of the torso on front and back, with large panels at the inner arms as well. You're getting the best of both worlds with the Verona Air: superior ventilation properties for hot weather riding with all the necessary protective features and comfort, including a slightly pre-curved ergonomic arm construction. Lastly, the micro velcro prevents any snags and the collar and cuffs are both comfort-lined.

Available in a blacked out version and a black-desert version, the Alpinestars Verona Air Jacket gives city riders, commuters, and scooter riders a subtle choice for warm and hot weather riding. Sporty but not overwhelming in style, the Verona Air has a bright future. To see similar choices, visit our Summer Motorcycle Gear and Textile Motorcycle Jackets sections at RevZilla.com.

-RetroZilla

Related:
Alpinestars S-MX 2 Air Carbon Glove Review
Alpinestars GP-R Leather Jacket Review
Alpinestars Spring 2011 Gear Overview
Alpinestars SP-1 Race Suit Review