‘Cool, casual and protective’
Tested by Emma Franklin for seven months
This denim jacket feels so comfy and cosy that it’s hard to believe it’s a pukka CE-rated bit of riding kit – but it is! Made from a denim outer reinforced with a full layer of proper DuPont Kevlar abrasion-resistant material, it’s certified to AA standard and also features ultra-thin CE Level-1 soft armour at the elbows and shoulders, and offers provision for a back protector via a pocket in the rear. It’s so lightweight and comfortable that it genuinely feels like a fashion item, which is why its CE AA rating is all the more impressive.
My absolutely favourite aspect of this jacket is the fleecy Sherpa lining on the inside, which covers the whole back and chest areas as well as the collar. It makes for a really warm but ultimately very coollooking retro garment, and is a great alternative to a leather jacket. There’s 2% Spandex in the outer denim giving a tiny bit of stretch, which is most likely to boost the garment’s external abrasion resistance rather than for any fit or comfort reasons. Overall, I find the cut to be very relaxed, perhaps even a little on the baggy side, so if you prefer a bit of a closer fit then perhaps choose a smaller size than you’d normally wear. But the upshot of this loose fit is that there’s plenty of room for extra layers and standalone back protector underneath. Fastened via a central zip closure and poppers, it’s super easy to put and take off, and there’s two stages of adjustability at the hem and also the cuffs courtesy of additional pop studs.
Whilst this jacket is warm enough for cooler days, there isn’t any waterproofing at all which means it’s only really suitable for short jaunts, making it a bit of a luxury ‘second jacket’ for those days when you want to dial up the retro cool. But fans of casual-looking protective bike kit won’t be disappointed with the Kevlar Sherpa Denim because it’s really well made and should last the test of time.
Quality Value www.rst-moto.com