Worn & Reviewed: The Neowise Jacket from Andromeda Moto

I like jackets, and I like motorcycling. I used to be additionally raised vegetarian. So when forward-thinking Spanish gear model Andromeda Moto contacted me about reviewing the Neowise Jacket—a futuristic café racer type driving jacket comprised of progressive non-leather textiles, I jumped on the likelihood (we’re all the time wanting so as to add a fantastic product to our expansive listing of textile bike jacket opinions).

The Neowise Jacket seems to be loads like leather-based from a distance, and performs higher than a strong quantity of leather-based driving jackets I’ve come throughout. It’s additionally more cost effective. I’d advocate a few minor changes for the following model, together with a vent or two and a approach to modify the match—however make no mistake; this is a wonderful cafe type jacket that may hit the mark for a lot of riders, particularly these with café racers or sport cruisers.

No massive, loud branding right here—only a easy white emblem on the again of the neck for slightly increase in visibility. Classy, Andromeda.

About Andromeda Moto

Andromeda Moto relies in Spain, they usually’re deeply dedicated to 2 issues: sustainability and kickass bike gear.

All Andromeda merchandise are completely vegan—no leather-based or different animal merchandise are used anyplace of their designs. Their shipments are additionally DHL GoGreen licensed, in an effort to neutralize emissions and scale back their carbon footprint.

As for the gear itself, Andromeda focuses on minimalist designs with streamlined profiles and supplies comprised of snug, high-strength textiles. The Neowise Jacket is proof that they’re succeeding at this mission.

Neowise Jacket Design

We chat design and elegance as a part of our bike jacket opinions, however this space might be subjective (so maintain that in thoughts).

For a café racer jacket with no leather-based in it, the Neowise Jacket seems to be very slick. The minimize is actually retro, whereas the detailing has a extra futuristic edge to it.

It’s a little bit of a inventive danger, however I feel it pays off. What may simply have been a complicated, pick-a-lane-already design as an alternative finally ends up paying homage to its roots in basic leather-based driving jackets whereas additionally saying its intention to maneuver boldly ahead into new territory. That additionally appears to be consistent with Andromeda Moto’s values, making this an acceptable flagship product for them.

This most likely isn’t a jacket on your uncle who rides a Fat Boy and thinks Sons of Anarchy is the best TV present ever made, however there’s an entire completely different form of badassery at work right here—this jacket makes me really feel like an animé villain, and I like it.

It would possibly look simply barely too “Tron” for my Vulcan 900, however you understand what? I’m into it.

The one piece of recommendation I’d give Andromeda right here is so as to add a vent or two. The cloth, whereas lighter and extra breathable than leather-based, continues to be black in any case—so it will probably get fairly sizzling whereas driving in hotter situations. Andromeda Moto’s web site says the jacket is appropriate for carrying in temperatures from 41–86 °F (5°–30 °C), however driving by way of a June day in Vancouver, BC (which is round 20 °C in direct daylight) already had me sweating slightly afterwards. A vent below every arm could be a simple approach so as to add extra consolation with out compromising the jacket’s look.

Andromeda actually doubled-down on the supplies for this jacket—actually. You get UHMWPE and a full Kevlar lining, which is fairly candy.

Neowise Jacket Materials & Build Quality

Here’s the place the Neowise Jacket actually shines. Andromeda Moto clearly knew that pitching a non-leather jacket to retro-obsessed café racer riders was going to be one thing of a problem, in order that they introduced their A-game and invested in among the most ferocious materials out there.

Most of the jacket’s outer layer is comprised of UHMWPE, an artificial polymer that’s usually utilized in marine, aerospace, and medical purposes. Basically, you’ll find these things in all the pieces from winch ropes in shipyards to area fits and backbone implants. That’s as a result of it has higher abrasion resistance than carbon metal (as much as 15 instances as a lot in sure varieties) and a comparable friction coefficient to teflon. Translation? It slides simply and is tremendous f*cking onerous to tear.

I’m not going to go searching for hassle on this factor, however I do really feel like it will have my again (and my entrance) if I did.

Andromeda isn’t the primary bike gear firm to make use of UHMWPE of their designs. But you’ve most likely seen it extra sometimes called Dyneema, which has been utilized in sporting tools of many varieties for the reason that Sixties. It’s been utilized in all the pieces from climbing tools to fencing and parachuting gear, because of its energy and sturdiness in all kinds of environmental situations.

UHMWPE has a low moisture-absorption price as nicely, which makes the Neowise Jacket successfully water resistant—I’ve worn it by way of lengthy rides in pouring rain whereas maintaining the garments beneath bone-dry.

There are some considerations about utilizing UHMWPE for bike gear—some research cite its low melting level relative to materials like Kevlar, giving rise to worries that the warmth produced whereas sliding throughout a paved floor might be sufficient to soften a jacket comprised of the stuff. But Andromeda has stayed one step forward right here by together with a full Kevlar inside lining contained in the Neowise Jacket. Smart transfer.

It’s onerous to see behind the perforated cloth contained in the jacket, however there’s a full layer of kevlar in there.

The inside of every arm on the Neowise Jacket is comprised of Schoeller Keprotec—a textile initially developed to be used in bike racing. It’s not as robust as UHMWPE, however it’s nonetheless onerous to tear and weather-resistant. It’s additionally extra versatile, which makes bending your arms on the elbows a lot simpler than if UHMWPE had been used for the whole thing of every sleeve. And because you’re extra more likely to fall on the surface of your arms than the insides, this doesn’t really feel like a compromise on security, both.

See that inside arm? That’s Schoeller Keprotec, child.+

What I’m getting at right here is that Andromeda Moto put a ton of thought into A) selecting the supplies for the Neowise Jacket, and B) tips on how to incorporate these supplies into the design for optimum safety and luxury. They constructed this product with a ton of affection, and it exhibits.

Neowise Jacket Sizing & Fit

My largest complaints in regards to the Neowise Jacket need to do with the best way it suits. I want to supply slightly context right here: it’s onerous to search out jackets that match me completely. I’m 6’3”, 180 kilos, and lean with lengthy arms—if I ever had a private shopper, they’d spend all their time on the telephone with whoever did the costumes for Slender Man.

I had excessive hopes for the Neowise Jacket, because of its streamlined look—however the sizing chart on the corporate’s web site didn’t give any measurements for the size of the arms or torso, so I needed to order primarily based on circumference alone.

Size chart for the Neowise Jacket—nicely, width chart, anyway. Some references for sleeve and torso size would have actually helped right here.

When the jacket got here, I used to be mildly dissatisfied to find that the torso and sleeves each felt considerably quick—the sleeves, particularly, have been quick sufficient to depart an inch or two between the ends of each and the perimeters of my short-cuff gloves. Exchanging the jacket for a measurement up wouldn’t have helped both, since that will have made it too boxy within the physique.

Slightly longer sleeves would assist cowl up these lily-white wrists of mine.

I can remedy that situation by carrying gauntlet gloves, however it’s an issue Andromeda Moto may have prevented completely by including a strap that allows you to tighten the physique of the jacket. Then gumby-looking guys like me may merely order bigger sizes to accommodate our gangly our bodies and modify them ourselves.

Neowise Jacket Protection

No complaints right here. I’ve already spoken to the deserves of UHMWPE, Kevlar, and Schoeller Keprotec, so it ought to suffice to say that this jacket ought to do a fairly bangin’ job of maintaining itself (and your pores and skin) collectively should you by accident find yourself street-surfing.

I do need to discuss in regards to the SAS-TEC armor that comes with the jacket, although, as a result of it’s superior. Lots of good-quality textile jackets are content material to place CE-rated stage 1 pads within the elbows and shoulders, however Andromeda Moto goes the additional mile with stage 2 inserts akin to the D30 armor discovered in lots of costlier merchandise and provides a again protector as nicely.

See additionally

Baby obtained again (pad). You also can see the complete Kevlar lining beneath the perforations on this one.

Full disclosure: I’ve not fallen off my bike on this factor, however I really belief it greater than my Schott One Star Perfecto 613—which is comprised of steerhide and prices roughly $900 USD. I doubt the UHMWPE layer of the Neowise could be fairly as abrasion-resistant, however the Kevlar beneath and the armor all through give me extra peace of thoughts general.

Neowise Jacket Value for Money

That brings us to the price of the Neowise Jacket, and whether or not or not it’s justified. This jacket sells direct from the producer for 397 Euros, which is round $415 USD.

That makes the Neowise lower than half the worth of my Schott jacket, which gives unbelievable abrasion resistance however doesn’t have any armor in any respect. I have taken a spill in my Perfecto earlier than—and let me let you know, whereas the steerhide does a fantastic job of defending your pores and skin in a slide, I felt the dearth of armor keenly upon influence with the bottom.

Right now it’s a emblem most individuals received’t acknowledge—however that would all change in a number of years if Andromeda retains making merchandise like this.

No, Andromeda Moto doesn’t have the identical century-long historical past and world-famous branding that Schott does—however they do have a beautiful, feature-rich product that gives equal or higher safety at lower than half the associated fee. If they maintain cranking out merchandise like this, they could be simply as massive 100 years from now.

Final Thoughts on the Neowise Jacket

Andromeda Moto set formidable targets for themselves with the Neowise Jacket, they usually succeed on almost all fronts. For lower than the price of most first rate leather-based driving jackets, the Neowise Jacket gives strong safety in a great-looking package deal.

Yes, you might need a number of sizing points should you run on the stretchier facet, however a pair of gauntlet gloves must be sufficient to make up for the jacket’s barely quick sleeves—and a few high-waisted driving pants ought to guarantee there’s no embarrassing crack—er, I imply, hole—between the underside of the jacket and your beltline. If Andromeda provides a approach to modify the match on their subsequent model of the Neowise, I’ll advocate that vertically-gifted riders purchase it one measurement up.

So there you will have it—a cheap textile driving jacket that does an admirable job of matching the technical and aesthetic deserves of most leather-based café racer type clothes. Now, who needs to road race by way of Neo-Tokyo with me?

Specs

• Manufacturer: Andromeda Moto
• Price: €397.00
• Colors: Black
• Sizes: XS–XXL
• Review Date: June 2022

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