Saint got here out of nowhere once they burst onto the scene with the world’s first single-layer CE-approved bike denim. The Melbourne-based model has been growing its ever-expanding vary of merchandise ever since, so immediately we’re one in all their latest gadgets—the Saint Engineered Classic denim bike jacket.
The Engineered Classic jacket is constructed from, you guessed it, Saint’s ‘Engineered’ denim. That places it at a lower cost level than the corporate’s ‘Unbreakable’ merchandise, whereas nonetheless incomes it a CE class AA ranking. (If you’re not a gear nerd, like me, AA is the second-highest ranking for CE-approved bike attire, based mostly on the garment’s materials, stitching, and armor.)
Garments with a AAA ranking (the best) aren’t at all times sensible or cost-effective for the typical rider. I don’t personal a pair of racing leathers—however even when I did, it’s not as if I’d slip into them simply to pop all the way down to the shop for ice cream. I typically purpose for AA-rated clothes once I’m on the street, and I at all times journey with elbow, shoulder, and again armor put in in my driving jackets.
The Saint Engineered Classic denim jacket ships with CE Level 2 shoulder and elbow protectors. Riders do need to fork out further for the optionally available D30 Viper again protector—and whereas there are factors deducted for this, I’m grateful that Saint contains armor choices for his or her jackets. I merely wouldn’t put on them in any other case.
The very first thing I observed once I slipped the Engineered Classic jacket on was the supreme consolation. Even with the armor put in, it sits completely on my shoulders with the reassuring weight of an armored jacket. The indigo denim is comfortable, and the additional size within the again and arms retains the physique lined on all the things from a chopper to a crotch rocket.
Flexibility is a vital function in a motorbike jacket (each for consolation and magnificence), and the Engineered Classic delivers this in spades. I haven’t discovered a single situation the place I’ve felt my motion restricted by the jacket due to the unbelievable quantity of stretch within the cloth. The armor is skinny and versatile, so you’ll be able to hardly inform it’s there.
Between the material’s stretch qualities and the waist and wrist adjustability, there’s greater than sufficient room to layer a sweater beneath when the mercury drops. That mentioned, right here in Western Australia we’ve simply struggled by the most well liked summer season on report, with temperatures repeatedly exceeding 110º F. As somebody who runs scorching on even the mildest day, I discovered the Engineered Classic jacket a contact heat, particularly when standing within the solar.
However, this subject received’t have an effect on everybody—and you may nonetheless really feel some wind flowing by the garment as you journey. Some well-placed air flow zips could possibly be an effective way for Saint to enhance the jacket for three-season driving sooner or later.
Style-wise, the Saint Engineered Classic jacket scores excessive. The contrasting double stitching is fantastically laid, and there are 4 exterior pockets; two chest pockets that fasten with press studs, and two hand hotter pockets. The embroidered Saint brand and enamel wing pin on the chest pockets are two lovely particulars that stood out to me right away.
The foremost jacket’s zippered closure is backed up by a wind protector flap with press studs. All the press studs are rubber coated, making them much less more likely to scratch your pleasure and pleasure. The jacket is absolutely lined with a breathable mesh which holds the armor in place and contributes to its consolation.
I personal a number of Saint merchandise and have struggled with their dimension chart earlier than. This time round, I measured myself and chosen the jacket that ought to have match. But once I put it on I used to be swimming in denim.
I needed to go down two full sizes to search out the fitting jacket, finally ending up with my common jacket dimension, which match me like a glove. Whether this is a matter with the precise garment’s measurements or the dimensions chart, I’d advise deciding on your regular jacket dimension.
The Saint Engineered Classic jacket satisfies or exceeds all of my standards for driving jacket. The cloth is comfortable and versatile, it’s protecting, and it appears to be like rattling good.
At $280 within the USA and AU$399 in Australia, it sits in the midst of Saint’s jacket lineup by way of worth. And whereas I admittedly didn’t need to pay for this jacket myself, I’d nonetheless name that respectable worth for cash (though it’d be even higher if it got here with a again protector pre-installed).
If you reside in a spot that has sunny, nice winters like Western Australia, you’ll have the ability to use this jacket year-round, like I will likely be doing. And for those who pair the Engineered Classic jacket with Saint’s matching Engineered denims, you’ll have a Canadian Tuxedo that 90s motorcyclists might solely dream of.
Images by Ben Pilatti
Source: www.bikeexif.com