I got my new jacket today!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

click for more, including the rain liner


So far, so good (I've only worn it on my commute to work, so far).

It doesn't look like it is going to zip to my pants (from the same mfg), though.

It sure is a lot cooler.  This is my first mesh jacket.  I feel like I am flying!

Too many pockets, I am afraid.  If I lived in a hot climate, I would probably remove 2 or 3 (or 4) to allow more air to get through to the chest.  As it is, the two chest pockets have two layers of liner, as do the handwarmer pockets.  There is an additional inside pocket on the left side.  It has an inside made of the mesh liner material, and an outside of the same stuff the other pockets are lined with.

With that inside pocket, one could almost get by with none of the others.
Maybe I could just roll up the pocket liners and tack them, effectively "short-sheeting" them.  That way they are there if I change my mind...

I recommend it.  I also bought the rain liner.  I haven't looked at it real closely yet, like how water tight the neck is.  The front zipper looks plenty water-tight!  
It is a thin layer of supposedly breathable material.  They also make one that has insulation in it.  The rain liners that I bought for my pants have that insulation in them, and I don't want anything to do with them.  The company WILL NOT work with me on any kind of credit for the pant liners, because I wore them for 4 hours before I realized how claustrophobic they were (they did not get wet).  Now when I need to ride in the rain, I just put on my regular rain pants on under the mesh...  
I am going to talk to the head guy, since I have sent him over $900... and see if they can't make a pair of pant liners out of the same stuff as my jacket liner - and come to some sort of exchange agreement....



And guess what - my right boot split a seam the other day!  :-/
They are still waterproof, thanks to the miracle of gore-tex, but I am going to have to take care of that, now...
I don't think a shoe repair could blind-stich without going through the lining.  I'm going to see.  But what the hell, I bought them probably 10 years ago.  They are pretty wasted.

[Ed Miller]

Cool!  Literally, of course.

When it's in the high 90s or higher I like to wear a cotton t shirt (R65 T shirt works great) and get it wet, as well as slosh down my armored mesh pants.  I did that Tuesday after a 10 mile run, and even behind the Windjammer it was better than the AC in my car.  On my Triumph I would probably get hypothermia!  

Your stuff is way more expensive than mine, but if you can get mesh pants as well, they are more cool than jeans.

Congratulations!

[nhmaf]

Looks sharp, Rob !   And, I've found that these Mesh jackets are easy to glue R65.org patches to, unlike my leather riding suit.

I am very happy with my Firstgear mesh-tex 2 jacket.  It doesn't have racing-class armor, but it is still pretty good for non-crazy riding.
The liner with it is claimed to be water-proof, but it is more like water-resistant.  I've been caught in some light rains with it and no problem,
but if it is a heavy-soaker rain, you're going to wet.  But, it works for the majority of riding I do.  I am now looking/shopping for some
mesh pants - probably will also go with Firstgear on these as they are claimed to be 100% zipper-compatible and armor upgradeable.
Wearing my black leather overpants is just to hot in the 90 temps we've been having.  I still generally wear the leather pants, but it isn't a
good look to show up at a customer's office with damp, sweaty dress pants !

I've also bought one of those cooling neck wrap things from silver eagle outfitters - that works pretty nicely, too !

[MrRiden]

I really like my mesh jacket here in the desert. Here is a tip form a hot weather rider. Find a sporting goods outlet that carries a product called Under Armor. Get one of their T-shirts and pair it with the mesh jacket on a hot day. You will like the difference!
rich

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I bought one pair of U.A. compression shorts before the Boxerworks rally in May.
I made sure I had at least 2 more pair for the Gathering of the Clans rally.  I also bought some long-legged ones for cooler weather.

If I am going to be in the saddle for over an hour, those and my mesh pants are all I wear.  MUCH more comfortable than the old cotton underwear and jeans! (finally!)

While I was in the U.A. section I picked up a t-shirt.  Now I want a couple more of those, as well.

If I can't find a neighborhood kid to mow my lawn, that is all I wear now, is the shorts and t-shirt.  Much better!

When I ride to work I just pack my jeans along and change after I get here.  I may just leave the leg shields on, this summer!  But if my legs could feel as cool as my chest did on the ride home last night...