Segura Leone jacket

Tested by: Dave Manning | £345 www.bikerheadz.co.uk

While being a waxed cotton style jacket, the Leone turns out to be a whole lot more! The first thing to note is the removable inner, that’s of a quilted lumberjack type shirt, that fits into the body of the main jacket via buttons and hoops, and is more than just a liner as it is wearable on its own (preferably with trousers, etc.).

The textile outer has a breathable and waterproof membrane that is surprisingly efficient – after a downpour on the M180 that can only be described as a monsoon (genuinely the heaviest rain I have ever ridden in), I remained as dry as a bone inside the Leone, even though the outer was completely ‘wetted out’, which not only speaks volumes for the efficiency of the waterproof membrane, but also for the design of the zip flap and collar! Astoundingly, the unshrouded zips on the arms let in no moisture, nor did the zipped pocket on the chest.

There are no less than six external pockets – plus a ‘map pocket’ at the rear, which I’ve yet to find practical for anything at all – and two internal pockets, while the zip cuffs are ideal for tucking under winter gloves or over summer gloves – the perfect compromise! Additional fitment tweaks include the waist belt, and a pair of side zips above the hips, too.

There are CE-approved shoulder and elbow protectors fitted into the outer jacket (they remain in place when the ‘lumberjack’ liner is removed) although, while there’s a pocket for a back protector, there isn’t one fitted – this seems to be the general situation with a motorcycle jacket nowadays, that while shoulders and elbows have their protectors, there isn’t one for the back.

This may be because a jacket needs to have elbow and shoulder armour fitted to get the approval for sale as a motorcycle jacket, or it may be (as many manufacturers state) because owners like to pick their own back protector. I’d rather have one and then decide if I like it or not.

But that’s not a jibe at this particular jacket, but of bike jackets in general.

Of particular note is that the Leone has a three-year warranty, a rather impressive statement about the jacket’s durability, especially at a price point somewhat lower than that of other warrantied jackets and so far, having used it at the tail-end of one summer and through the following winter, there have been no issues whatsoever. Impressive!