Highway Examined: Saint Engineered Traditional denim bike jacket

Saint got here out of nowhere once they burst onto the scene with the world’s first single-layer CE-approved bike denim. The Melbourne-based model has been creating its ever-expanding vary of merchandise ever since, so in the present day we’re one among their latest objects—the Saint Engineered Traditional denim bike jacket.

The Engineered Traditional jacket is constructed from, you guessed it, Saint’s ‘Engineered’ denim. That places it at a cheaper price level than the corporate’s ‘Unbreakable’ merchandise, whereas nonetheless incomes it a CE class AA score. (For those who’re not a gear nerd, like me, AA is the second-highest score for CE-approved bike attire, based mostly on the garment’s materials, stitching, and armor.)

Clothes with a AAA score (the best) aren’t at all times sensible or cost-effective for the typical rider. I don’t personal a pair of racing leathers—however even when I did, it’s not as if I’d slip into them simply to pop all the way down to the shop for ice cream. I typically goal for AA-rated clothes once I’m on the street, and I at all times journey with elbow, shoulder, and again armor put in in my driving jackets.

The Saint Engineered Traditional denim jacket ships with CE Degree 2 shoulder and elbow protectors. Riders do should fork out additional for the non-obligatory D30 Viper again protector—and whereas there are factors deducted for this, I’m grateful that Saint contains armor choices for his or her jackets. I merely wouldn’t put on them in any other case.

The very first thing I observed once I slipped the Engineered Traditional jacket on was the supreme consolation. Even with the armor put in, it sits completely on my shoulders with the reassuring weight of an armored jacket. The indigo denim is gentle, and the additional size within the again and arms retains the physique coated on all the pieces from a chopper to a crotch rocket.

Flexibility is a vital characteristic in a motorcycle jacket (each for consolation and magnificence), and the Engineered Traditional delivers this in spades. I haven’t discovered a single situation the place I’ve felt my motion restricted by the jacket due to the unimaginable quantity of stretch within the cloth. The armor is skinny and versatile, so you may hardly inform it’s there.

Between the material’s stretch qualities and the waist and wrist adjustability, there’s greater than sufficient room to layer a sweater beneath when the mercury drops. That stated, right here in Western Australia we’ve simply struggled via the most well liked summer season on report, with temperatures recurrently exceeding 110º F. As somebody who runs scorching on even the mildest day, I discovered the Engineered Traditional jacket a contact heat, particularly when standing within the solar.

Nonetheless, this subject gained’t have an effect on everybody—and you’ll nonetheless really feel some wind flowing via the garment as you journey. Some well-placed air flow zips might be a good way for Saint to enhance the jacket for three-season driving sooner or later.

Fashion-wise, the Saint Engineered Traditional jacket scores excessive. The contrasting double stitching is superbly laid, and there are 4 exterior pockets; two chest pockets that fasten with press studs, and two hand hotter pockets. The embroidered Saint brand and enamel wing pin on the chest pockets are two stunning particulars that stood out to me right away.

The primary jacket’s zippered closure is backed up by a wind protector flap with press studs. All of the press studs are rubber coated, making them much less prone to scratch your pleasure and pleasure. The jacket is absolutely lined with a breathable mesh which holds the armor in place and contributes to its consolation.

I personal a number of Saint merchandise and have struggled with their dimension chart earlier than. This time round, I measured myself and chosen the jacket that ought to have match. However once I put it on I used to be swimming in denim.

I needed to go down two full sizes to search out the appropriate jacket, ultimately ending up with my common jacket dimension, which match me like a glove. Whether or not this is a matter with the precise garment’s measurements or the scale chart, I’d advise deciding on your standard jacket dimension.

The Saint Engineered Traditional jacket satisfies or exceeds all of my standards for a great driving jacket. The material is gentle and versatile, it’s protecting, and it seems rattling good.

At $280 in the USA and AU$399 in Australia, it sits in the midst of Saint’s jacket lineup when it comes to value. And whereas I admittedly didn’t should pay for this jacket myself, I’d nonetheless name that respectable worth for cash (though it’d be even higher if it got here with a again protector pre-installed).

For those who stay in a spot that has sunny, nice winters like Western Australia, you’ll be capable to use this jacket year-round, like I will probably be doing. And should you pair the Engineered Traditional jacket with Saint’s matching Engineered jeans, you’ll have a Canadian Tuxedo that 90s motorcyclists might solely dream of.

Photos by Ben Pilatti