
If it feels like armour in your bike kit then the law demands it is actually proper, protective armour. Here's how to tell how effective your impact protection is...
As usual very good service from Sportsbikeshop.
No problem with the jacket, I have other Rst kit so knew which size I needed.
Being an airbag jacket means extra peace of mind.
Not my first RST textile jacket but wanted one with a built-in airbag. Comfortable and a lot less bulky than my previous jacket with an air bag gilet over the top. The In Motion box isn't noticeable although you do have to remember to go onto the app to switch it on!
After years of Hein-Gericke textiles and more recently Dane textiles, the promotional price of the Paragon Airbag jacket was too tempting for me not to give it a go. I usually take a large, but had to return my first jacket, as I couldn't get my arms down the sleeves, so moved up to an XL. The jacket itself is reassuringly weighty and feels solid, but there are a couple of niggles that prevents me giving the jacket 5 stars. The first is that damned inside pocket, that other reviewers have already mentioned, it's awkward to get to and very deep, requiring opening the 2 front jacket zips almost fully, so that you can get to the pocket contents. The other main niggle is the cuffs, the velcro isn't particularly reassuring, the cuff itself doesn't collapse well, so isn't a tight fit, and there's no storm inner cuff. Sometimes, in cases like this, I wonder if bike clothing manufacturers actually do analysis of other competitor's products. Thankfully, the jacket also pairs up with the RST Sabre leather pants, though the connecting zip is fiddly, hard to locate easily, and isn't a full 360 zip. Other than that, for the money I paid, I can hardly grumble, and as previously experienced, the Sportsbikeshop service is spot on.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the jacket - It's comfortable, warm and feels well made. The zips are sturdy and there are plenty of vents.
I just have two small gripes. First is the integration of the In&Box controller. This fits into the back protector, so in order to switch it on, without unzipping, you have to feel across the back of the jacket for the button. Luckily the controller makes a beep when it powers on and off. I just feel there could have been a better place to put the controller power button.
My other gripe is the inner pocket of the thermal lining. The pocket is located at the bottom of the lining, so anything in that pocket is level with the outer pocket of the jacket, making it very bulky. Mounting the bike or sitting down is impossible if I put my phone in the pocket.
Overall though, I'm impressed, especially as I got the jacket at the bargain price of £230.
At this price you really can't beat this jacket.
I've owned Rukka, Dainese and Alpinestars and if I'm honest wasn't sure what to expect for what this jacket cost but it feels really well made and it's been really warm and dry, the trousers take on a bit of water around the crotch but the jacket has been spot on. I upgraded the armour to level 2 and although the back protector is listed as level 1 it does feel very thick and would stand up well in an impact. The only annoying thing is the zip toggle which sometimes gets caught on an angle. Apart from that I'm very happy.
This jacket is a little rigid at first and needs breaking in, which you wouldn't expect, lots of air zips to get comfortable when riding and tightening straps, the neck piece isn't to my liking so that was removed, the rest of the neck fastening is choking, but I put this down to me being short bodied and the clip for the neck isn't up to much, could be better designed,
I really like the fit, features and finish of the jacket with the airbag.
I've been in a couple of really heavy rain storms with it and it gives up eventually and starts to leak.
S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK CHEST | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 |
EURO SIZE | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 60 | 62 | 64 |