First, I want to say I had my first ride this season on my way to work and bit it like 3 times on pavement. All I had was a barely sore shoulder and some minor scuffing on my elbow from my shirt (the shirt sleeve gripped the inside of the jacket sleeve and my elbow slid against it). The jacket has ZERO signs of damage! Tough As Chains!
The good:
1. It is warm, I rode with a light zip-up under it in 35F weather and I barely noticed it. With a heavier base layer, you totally can go sub-freezing if that is your thing.
2. It has pit-zips for when it does start to warm up. I didn't even bother when it got up to 50F, so yeah this thing is versatile.
3. The high viz yellow nearly glows in the dark. Almost feel like I grab too much attention ahah.
4. Really well done stitching.
5. The armor isn't great, but it isn't terrible. It is a bit bulky, but I wouldn't bat an eye for the price if it didn't come with it. You get more than what you pay for.
So, why did I knock off a star? Let's be real, anything could always use some kind of improvement!
1. The zipper is really finicky. Not only is it reverse when you start it (you insert the right side into the left), it has a lot of play and can be difficult to start. I guess it is just built this way to take more of a beating and still work?
2. It really needs cuff zippers like on motorcycle jackets, it can be difficult to put on wrist guards as the cuffs are bit restrictive.
