Dainese Avro 4 two-piece suit £1059.95 ‘Aspirational – but expensive’
Tested by Dan Sutherland for six months
There’s something special about Dainese riding kit. That iconic badging, the quality of the leather; it’s an aspirational brand that’s continued to evolve over more than 50 years.
This Avro two-piece is no exception (and for just shy of £1060 I would bloody well hope so) – offering sophisticated yet understated looks, AA CE ratings, a small aerodynamic hump on the jacket, air vents on the chest, and more.
Neither a back or chest protector come as standard though, meaning I had to equip the suit with a CE Level 2 Dainese Pro-Armour Short 2 to keep my spine safe – adding an extra £169.95 to the bill. Yours may well fit already, but the thicker designs I tend to use simply didn’t fit with the cut of the garments.
I’ve been wearing this suit during sportier road rides, as well as on track. I like the feel and security of leathers on the road, but wearing a one-piece suit pre-cut for a tucking position can be uncomfortable for long periods off of the bike.
With its zip-around waist, the Dainese design does away with this problem, allowing me to walk around normally without discomfort. On particularly hot days, I can also unzip the top from the bottom, however I’ve become less inclined to do so as it’s quite a stubborn zip to get round by yourself. Tucking the bulky legs into my boots can also sometimes be an issue – causing discomfort on foot unless perfectly positioned.
Elsewhere though, the small hump does mean you can wear the suit with a rucksack in place – adding a little extra practicality over a fully track-focused design. The styling also fits with motorcycles of pretty much any colour, with the shoulder and wrist zips easily accessed and adjusted on the go.
Sadly this is where the practicalities end, as although this suit will be worn largely by road riders, there are no pockets at all. This means some form of luggage solution, or bag, must be worn with pretty much every use – a glaring omission on a product this expensive.
What’s more, although the comfort and ventilation feels good out on track, the central zip attaching the trousers to the jacket can slightly compromise your freedom of movement on the bike – something that’s particularly felt on changes of direction.
Quality Value www.dainese.com