MotoGirl Jessie review: This riding shirt/textile jacket hybrid is a five-star shacket for ladies

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MotoGirl seems to be an incredibly popular brand name for women’s motorcycle kit, I had seen a huge number of female riders wearing it when out and about, so I was keen to try some for myself. They boast a wide range of sizing and adjustability, being designed by women who ride bikes, for women. Sounds like a recipe for a great ladies’ kit range to me.

The Jessie jacket is a sort of ‘shacket’ – a riding shirt, jacket cross over – so I thought it would be an ideal option for me to use coming into the riding season, but would it live up to the hype?

How comfortable is the Jessie jacket?

The fit is loose enough to be comfortable but still flattering and feminine and being made primarily of cotton with Kevlar lining, it’s solid but breathable. It feels well-made and protective, without being heavy and cumbersome.

The only comfort niggle I have is that the sleeves feel a little tight on me, so when I’m bending my arms to plait my hair before a ride, they pinch ever so slightly – but when riding the bike it’s not a problem. I had chosen a size bigger initially, but when I tried it on it felt a little too loose around the waist and hips. Maybe I just have bigger arms than the average, or perhaps a more stretch fabric in this area would solve this.

Is the Jessie a practical option?

I’ve been wearing the Jessie for the majority of my rides recently, including my 100 mile round commute, and its warm enough with a hoodie underneath for low double-digit temperatures, but cool enough over a t-shirt or base layer for 20° plus too.

There is a good range of sizes available from XXS up to 5XL so hopefully most people will be able to get a nice fit. The short connection zip allows you to anchor it to the back of a pair of compatible trousers or a MotoGirl belt connector (sold separately) to avoid a gap, but I have found it long enough to keep me covered, even when leaning over to the bars on my Suzuki SV650S.

There are three external pockets that are surprisingly spacious, offering plenty of room for your earplugs, mobile phone and other bits and bobs, with zips to keep it all safe when on the move. Inside are an additional two large pockets which I haven’t personally used, but would be great for your bank cards or other important things you might want to keep safe, close to your person.

Does it look good?

I personally love the look of this jacket. I really like the classic styling of it with the bold check pattern; the twist of an asymmetric main zip closure and quilted patches to the shoulders and elbows, all make for a rather stylish look. I have had a few people ask me where it’s from as they like the overall look and fit it offers over some others on the market.

I like the collar and usually ride with it in the folded down position, where it is held in place with poppers. I’m not a fan of tight collars so this works really well for me and looks great too, but when it’s chilly you can zip it right up to leave a sort of peter pan collar, keeping you warmer when the temperature drops.

What’s the quality like on the MotoGirl Jessie jacket?

The quality has proven to be good so far, over a thousand miles of riding and it shows no wear yet, no colour fade or fabric bobbling. There has been one slight loose thread, but after snipping this off, you would never know, and it hasn’t continued to unravel at all. It feels well made and hard wearing and the zips are nice and chunky, so they feel like they are up to the test of time.

Does it offer good protection?

It’s CE certified to AA standard with Level 1 D30 Ghost elbow and shoulder protection, which is more than you would think it could offer from the feel of it. It’s quite lightweight yet feels more heavy-duty and protective than it should for its overall weight. The armour is thin and discrete, and stays where you need it while riding, you wouldn’t really know it’s there. The back protector is extra, but at £25 for a Level 2 insert, it’s really quite reasonable.

What about value for money?

At £219, it’s not quite a bargain but it’s also really reasonable when you compare it to other riding shirts. This is a jacket, so in my books that makes it better value and a little more versatile too. There isn’t another quite like it on the market.

So what’s the verdict?

This jacket has been a pleasure to wear for the last couple of months, I love the way it looks and it makes me feel good wearing it. It’s practical enough to wear for the majority or regular riding and it won’t break the bank. What’s not to love about it?

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