Summer Jackets for Tall Women Riders

Longtime reader Fiona needs help finding an outfit for an incredible adventure! Lucky Girl. Check out her story and gear story:

Height and Weight: 5'11", 155 lbs

Chest, Waist, Hip Measurements: 36, 30, 39 (over clothing), 32" inseam (need about 33-34" when I get on the bike)

Message:

Hi Joann,

I've read your blog since probably the beginning of my riding career way back in 2007. Thanks for being such a great resource for all these years.

I am getting ready to buy some new mesh gear for a sweet 6-week adventure on my KLR, around the Southwest and on to the East Coast. My problem has always been finding women's gear that is long enough for me, as I'm tall with broad shoulders and a 32" inseam. For years I've dealt with my Fieldsheer gear being a couple of inches too short in the sleeves and pant legs, because if I went up in size to get enough length, the whole kit would be falling off my body.

I want my new gear to fit well, and I'm looking for a light-colored jacket and pant set (but will take any color if something actually fits!). I love the look of the Rev'it Airwave jacket and pants that you've reviewed, but will they be long enough for me? Are there other mesh or textile jackets and pants that us tall girls should consider?

I live in a very remote area of the US, where few retailers even ship, so there's no chance of trying anything on before I order. Although it seems there are manufacturers that make "tall" sizes, I don't see any way to order these online -- do I have to contact the manufacturer directly, or can I place a special order with the retailer?

I'm hoping to minimize the amount of back-and-forth and $ wasted on return shipping as I try to get the best fit. I appreciate any recommendations you can offer; thank you!

Fiona

Airwave

I think the Revit Airwave jacket in size 38 (above) is a great option for you, I would mostly be concerned with sleeve length, not so much body length. The nice thing about this jacket is the longer torso and arm length.

As far as pants, Airwaves do run a bit long but aren't offered in long sizes. The standard inseam might be too short for you.

Sand

If you're open to a multiseason pant, I would actually recommend the Revit Sand Pants in 38 Tall (available in silver). These pants are the newest version of the old Ventura which I found to breathe very very well in hot weather.  There are two liners, one waterproof and one thermal; each is removable to really adapt to changing temperatures. The fit on these is tailored, slimmish through the legs but definitely not skinny. There's a vent on each thigh for a little airflow as well.

The armor in these are substantial, CE and EN Rated Tryonic Seesoft. If you have a curvy hip, then order a size 40 Tall instead. If you have fairly straight hips, you will be fine in 38. If you like a tailored, tapered fit, then I would go with these or the Airwaves.

You most definitely do not have to contact the manufacturers to order the tall size in these! They're available at Revzilla. :)

Another option is the Olympia Airglide for a generous, curvy fit through the butt/hips/thighs. These run 3-4 inches long, and are too long for most of us shorties. You will have plenty of inseam on these for sure. They also fit true to women's size (US 6, 8, etc). I would recommend a size 6 since they're curvy and forgiving through the thighs. If you think you need extra room in the thighs/butt/hips then order these instead of the Rev'it above. The legs are also a bit roomier, so if you prefer a more relaxed fit you will love these.

Airglide

Sport Touring, Gore-Tex Motorcycle Pants

What do you wear when you ride a Street Triple, SV650, Shiver, Monster or other sport tourer and want to spend 3-4 days riding the twisties roads possible in a variety of weather conditions? 

You know it's going to rain, or be chilly, or be warm. You're up against a few different temperature differences and don't want to pack extra rain gear. These are one of the few riding pants on the market for those of us who choose to tour on a sporty bike. I'm not laying down like on a Daytona 675. But my pegs are a little higher and I'm riding a little aggressively. I need to stay dry, and I don't want to wear a dual sport, adventure style pant with wide legs and a fitment that's designed for fully upright riding position.

Women riders don't have many options when it comes to Gore-Tex, it's expensive and the market is rather small. But Dainese continues to give us many pants to choose from. Because these have a removable thermal liner, they relax the fit through the legs and hips to accommodate the extra liner, unlike the New Drake Airs which have a slimmer fit. The inseams tend to be average, but don't run long like Rev'it. When you need a shorter pant, I like Dainese because the leg fit is slim enough to wear the pants won't fall down.

If you've never experienced the power of Gore-Tex, it's an amazing fabric with the most breathability for a waterproof membrane. I appreciate the flexibility that this material gives me when I know I'll be up against wet weather, hot weather and the cold weather.

Keep in mind all Dainese pants have a slimmer fit through the calves because of the knee guards, and offer the only fully tapered textile riding pants available for men and women.

MSRP $399.95, Euro 40-52 (~US 2-14) Revzilla.com

Wear This, Not That: Pants

In this 2nd installment of Wear This Not That, let's talk a little bit about what kind of women's motorcycle pants you should wear....

What's wrong with such an innocent pair of snow pants? They're warm, waterproof... and so cozy!

And that's about all they will offer you in the event of a crash; they may keep you warm and dry while you're cursing yourself for not buying real riding pants. I'm sorry to break this to you, but that's exactly what you need to prepare for. So why isn't a toasty pair of snow / ski pants good enough to ride in?

As you can see, these pants (and anything not motorcycle specific) refuse to cooperate should you separate from your vehicle. And although we try our best to keep ourselves attached to our beloved motorcycles, it doesn't always end up that way. I'm not even talking about going 60-70mph. You can do plenty of damage to your body by just crossing the street and tripping off the sidewalk. I can't tell you how many times I've hurt my back just stepping off the curb weird, or trying to avoid falling on my dog so I end up with a bruised knee because I chose to hit the ground instead. Now add some speed into the mix and you have a really good chance of getting injured.

Two crucial points of impact are your hips and knees. If you accidentally trip while walking across your living room, I can guarantee that if you hit the ground these two points will make contact with the grand. Oh and probably the palm of your hands (so that's why you need gloves). But that's going to be the next installment. As far as this one, those two points need some protection so your bones don't take the full impact of that fall.

Additionally, these kinds of pants are for falling down on soft, powdery piles of snow. Not pavement. And pavement is not going to be nice when they start rubbing against the ground. None of your snow/ski wear is designed to stay together in the case of an accident, or hold up if there's any friction between you and the ground. The last thing you want is your flesh to make contact with pavement.

And we can't forget about fit! Something you won't be doing while skiing is sitting. Well, if you're doing things the right way of course. :-) Riding pants are designed for maximum comfort in the seated position. That means the back side should be higher rise and cover you well above your hips, towards your waist. There's no pulling from the hips to the knees, no bunching fabric behind the knees.

But motorcycle specific riding pants, such as these beautiful Rev'it Factor 3 Women's pants have even more creature comforts built in. See those small folds above the knees? Those are there to maintain comfort while you bend your knees over your feet pegs. The front is a slightly lower rise than the back. There's even a small stretch panel on the lower back so it won't pull when you sit. And every piece of fabric on these pants are cut out for riding positions. Lots of sitting!

If you're thinking about riding pants (and I hope you all are, no matter what you're riding), remember that motorcycling requires the same technical features as any other sport. And more importantly, the added safety and protection that you simply won't find in any other piece of technical gear.

In case you missed the first installment of Wear This Not That, Check It Out!

New Rev'it Women's Motorcycle Gear for 2015

 

For Spring 2015, Rev'it is bringing us a lot of new women's gear including a really stylish retro inspired jacket, sport touring textile pants and a follow up to my favorite riding pants that every woman should have in her gear closet. 

Marryl Evo Leather / Textile Pants

$379.99. If you've searched my blog for Rev'it Marryl pants, you know how fantastic their pants look and fit. If not, here are a few pics to get you up to speed:

I haven't seen the Marryl Evos in person, but I'm confident they will have an amazing fit like the Gear 2's I'm wearing above. Wearing mixed textile/leather pants are the best compromise for hot and cool weather. I wear them with every jacket I own regardless of brand/style or color. I think these will look similar to the Gear 2s since they're also a blend of leather and textile but with a sportier, tapered leg so you can wear them in your boots if you choose to. But they're not for a specific kind of bike. They're for anyone who wants an incredible leather pant with protection and function along with a really great fit.

You might be wondering, well are these going to offer enough protection since they have less leather? My answer is yes, because the leather is exactly where you need them for abrasion: down the leg, full back except behind the knees, hip, knees and the rest of the leg. The stretch panels are strategically placed for breathability and comfort.

Something else that may be difficult is the price point. I want to point out that they offer both hip and knee armor. But not just any armor. Tryonic at the Hip, and Seesoft at the Knees.  Really *great* body armor, not just the cheap stuff.

If you've been looking for really great street leathers that fit beautifully regardless of the type of bike you ride, look no further!

Factor 3 Textile Pants

$229.99. The Factor 3 pants are a lightweight touring textile pant, with a fully integrated waterproof membrane (not removable). They also come with a removable thermal liner making them a great 3 season pant for wet and cold weather. As with almost all Rev'it pants, these are going to be available in short and long sizes! And to give you an idea of what kind of fit these will probably have, these are 2 Rev'it textile pants that I've worn:

I'm hoping the Factors will fit more like a Sand pant, but I've yet to see them in person.

Bellecour Leather Jacket

$479.99. The Bellecour is a retro inspired casual leather jacket which will be available in black or brown. I'm loving the off centered zipper in front.

Allure Evo Leather Jacket

$469.99. The Allure Evo leather jacket is the matching top to the Marryl Evo pants above. The last version of this jacket definitely ran a bit slim with longer sleeves. I saw a sample last year and if I recall correctly, it has a nice regular fit. Not too loose not too slim. We should have a few in the Revzilla Boutique before Summer, so if you're in the area, give us a call or check inventory online.

Antibes Gloves

Image TBD

$99.99. For a simple short leather glove, the Antibes will be available in black or dark brown. The cuffs are somewhat in the middle, not quite the wrist but not halfway up. A very simple, casual leather glove. Since they don't offer palm sliders and full wrist coverage, I would categorize these as city gloves and not enough protection for highway/touring.

Revit's Spring 2015 line will be available to purchase from dealers around April 2015. So hurry on over to Revzilla.com, pick the size you're waiting for and enter your email address in the yellow box. You'll get an email as soon as they're available to order from us.