The Expedition II comes with an insulated inner vest, and a waterproof rain jacket. For rainy weather, it also comes with a waterproof rain jacket in a handy nylon sack that can be used over or under the outer shell. Yes, lots of sweat was still inevitable, but the jacket also dried quicker than leather, so more bonus points there.įor colder days in the saddle, the Expedition II comes with an insulated inner vest, a must for those early spring or late fall rides. On particularly hot days, the combination of nylon construction and zippered venting outperformed most leather jackets I’ve used, which is admirable considering the amount of protection provided. The jacket also comes in a version with grey reflective strips instead of yellow, for those who are looking for a bit more of an understated look.Īlong with the aforementioned rear vent panel, the Expedition II also has zippered venting with two large panels on the chest and along the inside of the arms, all with mesh backing. Seeing as this back strip might be the most important reflective panel to have, it was strange that it would not be visible at all times. Our test sample came in black with bright yellow 3M Scotchlite® reflective strips down the sleeves, shoulders, chest, and a curious thick strip in the middle of the back that was only visible by unzipping and tucking in a vent panel. These pads are removable for washing and are a big part of what makes this jacket a viable alternative to leather, in terms of crash protection. “Level 2” is the higher level of CE standard that requires a lower level of force transmitted to the rider under certain impact tests. CE stands for “Conformité Européene” and is the European motorcycle safety standard required for road used in Europe. Integrated into this shell are CE approved level 2 “Powertector” armour pads at the elbows, shoulders, and back. It starts with an outer shell made of Cordura®, in both 5 denier count material. The Expedition II is certainly feature-packed. But will it replace leather at the top of my personal ATGATT list? Dean thinks the Olympia Expedition II Jacket suits a variety of bikes, whether riding them, or just sitting on them. The Olympia Expedition II jacket is one of the latest examples to give cowhide a run for its money. However, many advancements in materials and design have produced better and better textile alternatives. In the past, my personal street riding wardrobe for the upper body was always a leather jacket at minimum, because the thought of melting nylon sticking to my skin in a crash was a bit unpleasant. One of the most common questions I get asked when arriving somewhere in a leather jacket when it’s 30C is, “Isn’t that really uncomfortable?” My answer is always, “Far more comfortable than multiple skin grafts.” Whatever a person’s preference in materials, the bottom line is, dress for the slide, and not the ride. For others, the hide of a cow reinforced with padding or armour are a necessity over every inch of skin below the neck. For some, it means denim jeans and work boots instead of shorts and flip-flops. All the gear, all the time (ATGATT) can mean different things to different riders.
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