Weise are a British brand selling a variety of motorbike clothes and accessories, including a huge range of protective motorbike jackets – if you’re in the market for one, what should you be looking out for?
Are you a professional rider? Do you work for the emergency services or couriering parcels? Are you a safety conscious rider? Would you like to wear a high quality protective motorbike jacket on the road – optimised for safety and practicality?
If you’ve answered yes to any or all of the above, Weise is potentially your brand…
The jackets come in a broad range to suit many budgets, many riding needs, many climates and many style-tastes. Both for men and women. The men’s selection ranges from the highly technical CE approved Weise Avance to the mid-range Weise Atlanta (new for 2015) across to the fitted leather Weise Hydra. The women’s styles have been designed to suit the female shape and range from the durable, protective Venus (disappointingly there’s no mars in the mens) through to the town rider suited Ascot. Then there are a few unisex, overcoat waterproof options; the fluorescent yellow Pulsar and the darker coloured Stratus.
What protective, practical and comfortable features do the jackets offer?
The Weise range of jackets have been thoughtfully designed for different rider purposes which have incorporated a variety of design and protective features to ensure you feel confident on the road, such as CE approved armour and waterproof, windproof and breathable linings. Let’s take a closer look…
- Waterproof, windproof and breathable drop linings: All of the Weise jackets, including the leathers, excluding the waterproofs, have one of these inner liners. There are three varieties of these liners that Weise incorporate into their jackets; REISSA®, ISOTEX® and the Weise own brand lining. All work to do the same job, however the ISOTEX® is slightly higher quality than the Weise, justifying the slightly higher price of jackets such as the Weise Avance, Dynastar and Onyx. The REISSA® lining is just as effective as the other two, however, it can be removed if you require. All three work to keep water out in wet weather, ensure you’re protected from the harsh effects of windchill and keeps the material from clinging to your skin as you become warm from riding. It doesn’t have any insulating features and is suitable for riding all year round.
- Thermal linings (excluding the Outlast® Baltimore): The thermal liner of a Weise jacket is always removable, with the exception of the Avance. This allows the customer to choose to wear it as they need it, as Weise understand that weather is highly changeable and even within the span of one ride, you may have removed and reinserted it twice over. Generally the linings weigh in at a warm, but not too heavy, 120 grams. The liners that have been created as quilted, such as with the Baltimore, have been done so for comfort.
- The Outlast® thermal liner: The Outlast® technology was originally developed for NASA as it works harder than a regular thermal lining. It utilises PCM (phase change materials) that absorb, store and release heat as required. When describing this, Outlast® compare it to ice in a drink; as ice melts it absorbs heat from the drink whilst cooling it, so the drink stays cooler for longer. The materials work to regulate the skin’s microclimate – simply put – as skin becomes hot, heat is absorbed, then as it cools, the heat is released. This is only available with the Outlast Baltimore.
- CE approved armour: CE approved armour comes as standard for all of Weise’s jackets – both for men and ladies. This excludes the two rain jackets, as they are designed to be worn over standard textile or leather jackets. They are fitted in at the shoulders, elbows and back – found to be the most vulnerable areas of the body during a crash. The armour works to protect you from both abrasion and impact. The armour can be removed if required and although this isn’t recommended for general riding, they should be taken out for washing the jacket.
- Reflective strips/piping:
Weise use a range of protective aspects within their textile jackets. The 3M™ Scotchlite™ technology is incorporated into the Weise Avance style. Models such as the Onyx integrate reflective strips that aren’t visibly reflective during the day but become bright at night when they’re needed. The Hornet II (you’ll see what they did there if you take a look) is extremely bright, all day through, with fluroescent yellow panelling as part of the design. Then there is the Gemma, among a few others, with silver piping lined around the shoulders and back, for subtly integrated reflection at night. - The 8 inch inner zipper: There is an 8 inch YKK® zipper at the lower back of most Weise jackets, this can be attached to most Weise trousers which works to both protect the lower back and keep it warm.
- Ventilation: Most of the jackets are fitted with ventilation points which work to cool you down in warmer weather. The front ventilation areas are enclosed with zips and can be opened and closed as necessary. For those jackets with a rear ventilation, this works to release the warmer air. The thinking behind this is that cool air will enter the jacket through the vents, circulate around and draw the warm air away from the skin, releasing it through the rear.
- WRS (Weise Release System): The WRS is exclusive to the Dynastar EVO design and is fitted to the base of the jacket. The WRS works to release water build up between the layers of the jacket when it becomes sodden from rainy riding.
The leathers
Weise sell two leather jacket styles – The Hydra and Thruxton, last season’s Psycho II is still currently available, but at a discounted price as they’re discontinuing it for this season. 
The jackets share many similarities to their textile counterparts such as removable waterproof and thermal linings, in addition to CE armour. However, as they are leather, they are generally regarded as harder wearing, tougher and therefore more protective on the road.
The Hydra is a more fitted, ergonomic style created with a 1.2 – 1.4mm monaco performance leather – perfect for sports or touring. The Thruxton offers a more casual, loose style in a 1.2mm distressed vintage brown leather, more suited to the commuter or town rider.
The waterproofs – worth the investment?
A lot less technical are the waterproof overjackets. These are designed to be slightly bigger to fit over textile trousers and jackets. They offer no protective features but have been added to the range for riders who want extra waterproof protection out on a ride – most jackets have a waterproof liner fitted within the jacket so the outer layer becomes wet and heavy fairly quickly in strong downpours. They’re both fitted with an elasticated belt, which of course nips you in at the waist, but is primarily fitted to reduce billowing.
What else is so great about Weise?
They’re a British brand therefore the jackets are designed in Britain with the British rider in mind. The entirety of the Weise clothing collection is protected by a two-year, no-quibble warranty. All of the Weise jackets, excluding the Pulsar and Stratus waterproof jackets, come with CE approved armour as standard.
The entire textile jacket range is available here and the leathers here if you fancy a flick through!
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