Are you looking for a protective adventure jacket this summer?
Please note: Throughout this post ‘adventure jacket’ is used to denote textile jackets suitable for adventure riding or touring
Going on an adventure this summer? Do you need an ‘adventure jacket’ (touring textile jacket) to protect you? Once you’ve planned it Oxford Textile Jackets may have the protective gear you’re after. The range focuses on affordability, comfort and protection. Whichever is your priority, why not have a gander at the Oxford range, to see if there’s anything up your street?
So which features should you be looking out for in the range?
- Protection: If you’re involved in an off you need the most vulnerable parts of your upper body protected; your elbows, shoulders and back. These are protected with armour, which is fitted in all of the Oxford Jackets. Is it all CE approved? The adventure jackets, such as the Oxford Mondial Jacket, Oxford Copenhagen Jacket, Oxford Montreal Jacket and the Oxford Subway Jacket have CE approved EN1621-1 armour to the shoulders and elbows. The elbow armour is fitted in outer, ballistic material pockets to comply with future CE rules and to keep the heat generated from the road further from your skin. This protective feature is unique to Oxford Jackets. All of the adventure jackets have a non CE approved back pad, which can be upgraded. A few include a provision for a chest pad too.
- Vents or thermals: The jacket should keep your body at a temperature that’s comfortable for your environment. If you’re too hot or too cold your mind becomes distracted which can lead to accidents. The Oxford Mondial Jacket is a four-season jacket with a 300 gram thermal, removable, wearable, ‘puffa’ jacket and air vents. The Oxford Downtown Jacket is a four-season jacket with a lighter, cooler 100 gram thermal liner and air vents, to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. The Oxford Melbourne Air Jacket is a summer jacket. With vents at the chest and rear of the jacket.
- Pant and jacket connections: The jackets have zip attachments that can connect jackets to textile trousers. The Oxford Melbourne Jacket has a short eight inch zip, whereas the Oxford Mondial Jacket has both short and long zips. Both will prevent material from riding up and exposing skin in an accident, keep your back warm and keep water out.
- Jacket adjustment points: The jackets have adjustable straps at various points, such as at the upper arms, waist, hips, cuff and collar as with the Oxford Subway Jacket. This will reduce billowing and can be tightened or loosened to make the jacket comfortable.
- Reflective strips and fluorescent panels: Most jackets have reflective strips which will improve how visible you are to other traffic. These are on the Oxford Subway Jacket at the front and rear. There are also fluorescent panels on the shoulders and lower arms of the Oxford Subway Jacket.
- Waterproof lining: In wet weather a waterproof jacket will keep you dry, this may be removable or fitted. The Oxford Mondial Jacket has a separate Hipora® lining which can be worn underneath or over the top of the jacket. Hipora® is a highly regarded waterproof lining brand with a 3 layer microporous structure that keeps water out and absorbs moisture. The Oxford Subway Jacket has an unbranded waterproof liner.
- Construction seams and a reinforced structure: The jackets use either a three-ply nylon, bonded, coated thread or a top quality Coats thread. The Oxford Mondial Jacket uses the former. The Oxford Melbourne Jacket uses the latter. Both are strong to reduce the likelihood of disintegrating in an accident. There are hidden structures within all adventure jackets for further support if this does happen.
Many of the Oxford jackets are available in a variety of colours, to suit different budgets and rider needs. All of the adventure jackets are online but the range is still being added to the website with textile trousers, leather jackets, leather trousers, wax jackets, rainwear, gloves and Kevlar® Jeans still to come! Please keep checking back as they slowly unveil themselves onto our Two Wheel Centre site!
