Keep cool and ride free this summer with the best mesh motorbike jackets, as chosen by MCN

Mesh motorcycle jackets are a game-changer when the hot weather hits and offer a great way to stay cool without sacrificing safety.

We tend not to get that many heatwaves in the UK, but when we do they can be pretty extreme. That said, it doesn’t take much of a climb in the mercury for protective motorcycle clothing to become cumbersome, hot and sweaty.

Mesh motorcycle jackets tend to use solid material in key impact and abrasion areas – the outside of arms, shoulders, upper back – and mesh that is transparent to air in non-key areas, such as the insides of arms, the area below the arms and the front of the jacket. You might only need it for a couple of weeks of the year but once you’ve tried it, you’ll realise that the difference it can make over those rides is so profound, that a mesh motorcycle jacket is worth the investment for future summers.

Related: Best summer motorbike gloves

Of course, if masses of cooling air can get in, then so can water so you can’t expect mesh clothing to be waterproof. You may want to take some some waterproofs with you just in case – unless the garment in questions is a multi-layer one in which case, you may already have a waterproof layer to hand.

Here is a selection of mesh motorcycle jackets that will help you stay cool in summer.

Other options to consider

What to look for in a mesh motorbike jacket

Nothing lets you feel the breeze better than a good mesh motorbike jacket, so the first thing to look for is how well ventilated it is. The mesh is there to keep you cool, so check how much there is and where it’s placed on the garment. Mesh on the inner forearm should shoot the breeze through to your forearm and armpits, while mesh on the back should allow it to escape and keep a steady flow of air. Mesh on the chest should wrap the air around your torso, where it can also escape out the back.

An important thing to look for, as always, is safety. Mesh jackets are typically less safe than non-mesh versions, since the mesh material replaces a lot of the abrasion resistant material on the garment. However, look to find something with at least a CE A safety rating, with AA offering a higher rated level of safety.

Some mesh jackets also sport thermal and waterproof linings for some added versatility, so check for these if you’d use them. Being caught in a summer downpour isn’t uncommon, and internal linings can be less cumbersome than a rain-proof over-jacket.

About the author: After qualifying as a mechanical engineer, Jim Blackstock began working on magazines in the early 1990s. He remains passionate about product testing to ensure readers know what products offer good value and why. He relishes torrential rain to see if riding kit keeps water out and an hour or two to tinker on a project bike in his workshop.

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