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Advice please: Do textile jackets 'break-in'?


Guest jonsb01
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Hi there, I'm new to biking and will be starting my DAS 4 day course at the end of next week. I'm so excited about it! Anyway, now that I've taken my CBT and passed my theory stuff I decided it was time to hit the shops and try on some motorbike kit. (I have to purchase my stuff before next friday)


I went to the Hein Gericke shop and tried on the textile jacket that I thought suited my needs and also my wallet. It's the Travel Sheltex Jacket for £159 and matching trousers for £129. The Jacket seems to fit very well around the body, but I was a little worried about the length of the arms as when my arms are out stretched - the end of the sleeve comes to just above the nobbly bit on my wrist. This was while wearing the jacket with the liner...I've never thought of myself having particularily long arms so this came as a bit of a suprise. When I mentioned it to the guy at HG he said once the jacket wears in and loosens up it will fit a little longer on the arms. Now to my question.. is this true?? or was he playing to my naievity that textiles need breaking in too... I've heard of this for leathers but not textiles...


I'm really curious to hear your opinions so please let me know!


Thanks,

Jon

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hello and welcome to TMBF :lol:

stick a post in the newbies section and say hello :lol:


Textiles may well give a bit with wear but I wouldn't have thought the sleeves would get longer!

you want the sleeves to comfortably come over your gloves and not to ride up with movement!

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Thanks for both of your replies and I've now introduced myself in the newbie forum.


The sleeves felt comfortable.. just a tiny bit short, though when I put on some gloves and had them tucked under the jacket cuffs I didn't really notice the sleeves feeling short anymore. I tried on the larger size jacket and it was perfect on the sleeve length...! but the rest of it felt quite baggy and the armour felt like it would move around if I didn't have the liner in. .....Well I'm confused!


I guess when I go back on saturday I should try it on again (with gloves), but this time swing my arms around to see how much it rides up, if atall?!


BTW - if I want to ask questions about helmets/gloves/boots i'm interested in, is it best to start a new thread?


Thanks,

Jon

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yes feel free to start threads and ask away, that's what we're here for! :lol:

I would go try jackets on again and go for the bigger one!

sit on a bike while wearing it if you can! If not stick your arms out in front of you and squat :lol:


did you know that for rain you are meant to put sleeves over gloves not the other way round?

otherwise water runs down sleeve and into glove!

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Ahh.. good point about the gloves shouldn't be outside of the sleeves - I had just instinctively shoved the ends of the gloves under the jacket but hadn't really thought why!


I shall put myself in a biking position when I get back there n' imaginarily brrom brrom myself all around the store! They'll be no denying that I will get a 10 for effort in the testing of that jacket! hehe


Thanks,

Jon

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Did you try the next size up? I had a similar problem with the Frank Thomas jacket I was looking at, however when I tried the next size up the sleeves were much better and the actual jacket body was not that much bigger.


I woldnt think the sleeves will get much longer as the jacket loosens up. I would shop around to find a jacket that fits all over.

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Hi there and yes I did try the size up, but it felt a bit too baggy around the body/arms even though the actual sleeve length was perfect. How much movement do you guys have in your jackets? Is there room for say.. a jumper under the lining - or is it just snug all over when you're just wearing a t-shirt under the lining? Sorry for these seemingly silly questions, but I'm just trying to work out what is 'normal'!


I was initially drawn to the HG range as I've read a lot of reviews where people said how they tend to be the most waterproof/good overall quality. What with the jacket coming with 2yr waterproof guarantee this does give me confidence somewhat that I won't be left in a puddle.... do other makes offer this type of guarantee?


If anyone can suggest other makes with similar features like the waterproof guarantee, storm collar and something safe.. I'd be really interested to hear it!


Thanks again.. I can see that having you all so close to hand for advice is going to be perfect!


Jon

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you will find that sometimes in winter that even with the lining you will need extra clothing ( jumper etc ) under neath


try a few shops if you can and get a good variety of jackets etc to see what fits best


My akito jacket hasn't changed its fit since i have had it and im suprised Korben not posted yet but about the need for a good ce approved back protector ( either an insert type or seperate one~~) ... and if the jacket is too tight to start with then it will be uncomofortable .


Regarding the gloves i was told to wear the cuffs on the outside of the jacket as a general rule ( except as stated in the rain ) as the wrist cuff covers the jacket end and stops wind chill up the arm and in the event of a meeting with terra firma it can stop the jacket from riding up as the jacket end is not the first part of friction .


the waterproof side of things can be a varied nature but sometimes they don't cover zips or if vented ...

but with all textiles you can re waterproof them with nikkwax tech wash

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as for movement you do want as little as possible but where it is still comfortable so you want the protectors to stay in their positions that they are meant to be if you ever need them

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Thanks for that info - I will give various makes a try! I was being a little HG focused as I hadn't really heard any great reviews about anything else!


One thing I am needing to know though - some jackets say they have a waterproof 'membrane' - does this mean it is an internal thing you can zip out. If so, isn't it better to have a jacket that is waterproof on the fabric rather than once it seaps through and hits the membrane?


Thanks and I appreciate your replies!

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thanks for all of the help over the events of this thread. I've ended up buying an RST pro series jacket and matching trousers and they fit far better than the HG. I've also picked up a Shoei Raid 2 helmet with pin lock, Sidi Waterproof Boots and RST Pro Series gloves. Very happy with my purchase - I just hope that I've picked the right size of helmet.. as no matter how much someone says 'how tight does it feel?' I never feel confident that I've bought the right stuff! Time will tell and I'm sure once it wears in and I have more confidence in my knowledge of biking that I will be able to judge better. One thing I know though, is that Nolan, AGV and HJC do not fit me. The 2nd best was Arai Condor but the SHARP rating sucked and I kinda like my brain to not be scrambled!


At least buying all of this stuff makes the DAS course starting on friday seem much more real!


Jon

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