After eight years or so my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket which serves through most winter riding has reached the end of it’s life.  The main zipper has been replaced twice and is broken again, the seams are coming apart, and the fabric is thread bare and retains no water resistance.  Have adequate winter riding protection is critical to being able to comfortable endure cold weather on a scooter or motorcycle.  Finding a replacement jacket exposed so many choices that I found myself going down a variety of choice roads.

The Aerostich Falstaff jacket was a long time favorite, at least in terms of look.  It has the classic 60s appearance I always associated with Steve McQueen and the Isle of Man race and Triumph motorcycles.  This is where my brain took me in assessing a new winter riding jacket.

Aside from the fact that I’m not Steve McQueen, I don’t race at Isle of Man, and the Falstaff is a waxed cotton jacket providing far less abrasion protection than a textile jacket, it seemed a perfect fit.  Had there not been a delay in Aerostich providing their sizing solution to me I probably would have put the $527 jacket on my credit card.

Fast foward several days.

After a bit more sober thinking (thinking driven by facts not vanity) I purchased a First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket from Revzilla.com.  Why? There are a few considerations I factored into the decision:

Visibilty
I ride a lot in bad weather and at night.  A bright yellow HiViz jacket makes more sense than the dull green Falstaff.  I know some people think it doesn’t matter but it can’t hurt.

Abrasion and Impact Protection
The Kilimanjaro seems the clear winner in abrasion protection should I find myself sliding along the pavement.  The 640 and 400 denier nylon fabric will provide more protection than cotton. The First Gear has D3O T5 CE Armor in the shoulders and elbows and a thick foam pad on the back.  The Falstaff has similar protection except a back pad is an extra $100.

Weather Protection — rain and cold
Not sure which is better and the reviews I’ve read say they’re both great in rain and cold.  My own experience with the Kilimajaro bears out that judgement.

Fit
Buying a jacket online is frustrating when it comes to fit and I hate sending things back.  Last time it took three attempts to get to the right size with the Kilimanjaro because they size them assuming you wear a shirt under the jacket, or at least that’s what it seemed like.  Riding below zero means I have lots of layers.  A large would fit me with a T shirt, but I need an XXL to accommodate cold weather layering.  I know what size I wear in the First Gear line.  Or at least I hope they haven’t changed a lot in the past eight years.

So on Tuesday or Wednesday a package should arrive with a new jacket.  I’m hoping the HiViz is more yellow than green, the water resistance is good, and the thing fits.  If those come to pass I’ll be a happy camper and can forget about which jacket to choose for another eight years.

I am a creature of habit.