Reviews Knox’s AAA-rated Honister Mk2 blends serious protection with summer-ready airflow, offering a clever layering concept

I'm so glad that I bought this jacket. The pockets are really good but I'd prefer zipped or velcro closed inner ones. However, the inner ones are deep. The large fits me well (5'10" and 74 kg) and feels secure.
The back protector is easy to remove - i wear a Helite air vest.
The cuff me adjuster is OK, but a velcro fastener would have been better.
It would be great if they made this in a light colour, however, the black looks very smart.
The minor issues above have not affected how I feel about the jacket, which is very positive!
I bought this jacket when visiting the U.K. from my home in the south of France. My UK bike gear is just too hot for the region I live in. This jacket is better than I expected, you can feel the air moving through the jacket, helping to keep me cool. I rode home when the temperature was 38 degrees, I was comfortable all the way. The only niggle I have is the plastic straps on the cuffs which when closed tightly, don't hold the folded over material in place, resulting in the cuff moving up the arm and the plastic being left on my wrist. I will probably alter this and sew velcro strips on.
Jacket not as cool as expected and quite heavy . After only one use zip on outside pocket broke and will have to be returned under Warranty a bit disappointed considering the high initial cost
Simply brilliant. Triple A protection, then you can add the optional chest armour as well. Quality of material is exceptional.
When chiller I simply have a hoodie over the top to give the best of both worlds.
Would recommend without question.
Very well made jacket with decent ventilaton. I upgraded from Urbane Pro II and fit wise its one size less and found material to be thicker due to AAA rating.
Bought this for the recent heatwave we've been having and it has been a godsend. I really struggle in the heat with all the gear on, but I would rather not ride than not be protected if it's hot. This has mostly done away with that problem for me.
I just wish they did some different colours - seems baffling that you'd design gear that is obviously for keeping you cool but then make it entirely black! If a lighter colour was an option (even just a lighter grey in the sleeves and shoulders perhaps?), it would be an easy 5*. Right now it's a guilty 4 from me because this seems like such an easy thing to have thought about.
I was sceptical about getting this jacket but after a watching a few reviews on YouTube I took the plunge and parted with my £379.
I am 6'2", 48 Chest, 34 Waist and 15 Stone. The XXL jacket fitted well over a sweatshirt but not too snugly and the waist was good if I had the waist adjusters on maximum take in. The only thing that I feel could be improved is to use velcro rather than the tab adjuster on the sleeves.
A major factor for me was the fact that the jacket is rated AAA, where nearly all of the mesh jackets are not. It comes with elbow / shoulder and back protector as standard.
As the title states, the Honister Mk2 is substantial and pretty heavy. On par with my RST S1 leather jacket.
Does this jacket keep you cool in the warm weather ? I have ridden in in temperatures raging from 17 - 26 degrees C with just a 'technical' T-shirt under it and I was fine. A little chilly at the lower temp when doing the national limit, and cool enough not to sweat when stationary at the upper temperature.
Is it worth the outlay? After a couple of weeks of wearing it, I'd would say Yes currently.
Triple A rated jacket with level 2 armour, better than any mesh jacket for summer. I use a thin windproof underneath if it gets cooler and my Zerofit (very warm) base layer if it gets cold. I also carry a thin waterproof is it rains. Even £1500 suits are a compromise for changing conditions.
After much research I bought the Honister. I wanted more than an armoured shirt and this is a very heavy and substantial armoured jacket, which I wanted. It flows lots of air, keeping cool but feels like it would offer significant protection. Fit and comfort are very good- so far has lived up to the hype.
I wouldn’t call this a shirt, it has the weight & feel of a jacket, albeit with great airflow.
The armour sits well & overall kinda feels like a wetsuit! I hope I don;t get to test its capability, but having an AAA rated top is reassuring.
The only issue i have is the zips on the side pockets, I’ve worn this 3 times & they both come apart, with one zip having a kink so it’s more difficult to fix. Very poor quality, thin zips on the pockets, thankfully there is a rear pocket that so far seems more robust.
Really good bt if kit, recommended by Ross at the Birmingham branch. Highly recommend.
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest (inches) | 35-37 | 38-40 | 41-43 | 44-46 | 46-48 | 48-50 | 50-52 | 52-54 |
| Waist (inches) | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
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