Roadskin Easyrider II Hoodie | Casual riding without compromising on safety

Roadskin’s Easyrider II may be called an armoured hoodie, but it’s truthfully more like a summer motorbike jacket. Where some riding hoodies are little more than fashion garments with a cursory nod to safety, the Easyrider II is a substantial bit of kit with a AA CE rating.

It’s probably better to think of it as a summer jacket than a hoodie in the strictest sense, and in that context it is excellent. But if you are looking for sweatshirt with very light armour, strictly for town riding then this might be overkill.

Is the Roadskin hoodie comfortable?

From the first second I put the Easyrider on, I could tell there was more going on than in previous hoodies I’ve tested. It feels hefty (and actually quite heavy) but in a reassuring way – like it would actually make a difference in a spill.

That said, I didn’t really feel like I was wearing a hoodie. The inner liner fits more tightly than the outer shell (more on this later) which holds the armour in place but also makes it feel nothing like a normal cotton hoodie.

Although the mesh of the liner sits between your skin and the CE Level 2 elbow protectors, I can still feel the foam, which gets a bit slimy in hot weather if I’m wearing a T-shirt so I usually opt for a summer base layer underneath in peak summer.

I also found that the mesh layer acts a bit like a string vest and holds the heat in when you’re off the bike or sitting in traffic in warmer weather – but it’s only as much of a problem as it would be in a leather jacket.

How practical is the Roadskin hoodie?

Well, it’s a riding hoodie, not a Swiss army knife, but the Easyrider II is practical in the sense that I can chuck it on like a normal jacket and jump on the bike if I’m nipping to town and – with its AA rating – even further afield.

It has two external and one internal pocket, which are all zipped, so you’ve got a little carrying capacity.

The biggest surprise is that it has a waterproof membrane that’ll withstand quick showers. I have been caught in a heavier downpour though and got wet, but Roadskin themselves say that “there may be some seepage through the zip in a heavy or persistent downpour”. Any waterproofing at all on a garment like this is a bonus.

If you don’t like the feeling of riding with a hood (I know plenty who don’t but it doesn’t bother me) you can simply unzip and remove it.

Does the Roadskin hoodie look good?

I like the overall look of the Easyrider II but there are a couple of things I would change if I could. It has a sort of pseudo-military, tactical look that wouldn’t look out of place on an undercover police officer but it’s only subtle.

I really like the stitching on the shoulder panels and the low-key black design. If it were up to me, I’d lose the ‘FOR THE ROAD, FOR LIFE’ cuff embroidery and the second Roadskin patch on the arm but that’s just a personal taste thing.

What about the quality of the Roadskin hoodie?

In my experience, Roadskin kit is really well put-together and this hoodie is no exception. All of the stitching is perfect and seems really strong (backed up by the CE rating) as are the zips.

I’ve already mentioned the limits of the waterproofing, which is only designed to get you through a quick shower – and does that job.

When you handle a lot of bike kit – as I’m lucky enough to do in my job – you start to notice that some products have a sort of aura about them. It’s hard to explain exactly what it is, but it’s similar to the way that something can feel expensive without knowing the price.

Whatever that quality is, the Easyrider II has it in spades. I have no doubt that it would last countless springs and summers without showing wear and tear. Impressive, considering the £139.99 RRP.

How does the protection stack up?

Riding hoodies are often A rated, and so a AA rating is above average. What I find particularly reassuring with the Easyrider II is the way the lining holds the armour in place, though.

I’ve worn hoodies before where the elbow armour in particular flaps around all over the place in the breeze and leaves me wondering if it would be where I needed it to be in a spill. But because of the way the armour in the Roadskin is stitched to the lining that fits closely to your skin, it stays put even at the national speed limit.

You also get a pukka CE Level 2 back protector included, which is beyond my expectation at this price point and type of garment.

Is the Roadskin hoodie good value for money?

If I told you I paid £139.99 for a hoodie, you’d probably think I was mad. But if I said I’d paid that for a summer textile bike jacket with a AA safety rating and Level 2 elbow, shoulder and back armour, you might rush off to buy one for yourself.

The Alpinestars Stella Neo hoodie is only certified to an A rating and has no back protector included but carries an RRP of £279.99. And the similarly A rated Alpinestars Domino is £219.99 at full price.

The Oxford Super Hoodie 2.0 is slightly cheaper at £129.99 but when you consider that it’s only £10 less but is only A rated with no back protector, it really demonstrates the value of the Roadskin.

So what’s the overall verdict?

I have been really impressed with the Roadskin Easyrider II, which is far more than a simple armoured hoodie. I’ve worn it for everything from zipping through town to longer Sunday rides on a super naked.

I feel completely confident to ride in it at national speed limits with the CE Level 2 armour and AA rating and would feel confident that it would do a job in a crash.

Best of all, at £139.99, it is one of the cheapest garments of its type on the market right now despite its protective qualities. I would definitely spend my own money on one.

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