Latest kit
Air-bag vest, boots, helmet and lots more
www.nevis.uk.com
The Claim
“The Fury Air Bag System — proven high-performance and easy-to-use technology, inserted into a connectable vest developed by Furygan. The Apalaches jacket is a versatile textile jacket, optimised for intense use. The Narval is aimed at riders who like the sporty styling and offers the versatility of a textile jacket.”
The Reality
We tested the Apalaches some time ago but not the sportier Narval and neither with the Fury Air airbag vest in place.
First things first; the Fury Air Bag System uses In&motion technology, so is fairly familiar. The electronics, inflator and gas cartridge are housed in a Level-2 back protector so even if the battery goes flat, you’re still protected.
Installing the vest is easy – a zip down each side and a popper at the neck so it’s easy to still get the jacket on and off. It’s also easy to get in and out if you want to remove the thermal liner.
I went for my normal size of jacket and airbag vest and the Apalaches felt a little bulky but not cumbersome with the vest in. There’s no doubt the whole lot is heavy — 4.2kg or 5% of my weight — but it remains comfortable with plenty of movement. In chilly weather, it kept me warm and conversely, removing the liner and opening the vents let plenty of cooling air in. But it felt like it pushed the jacket back — the neck felt tight at the front and the sleeves came up a bit short.
The sportier Narval feels larger than the Apalaches, with longer sleeves. With the airbag in, the chest inevitably tightens a little but the sleeves and neck don’t contract like the touringstyled jacket does. It’s shorter so the back doesn’t get caught under the bum and if it’s warm, its liner also comes out easily and the vents are quite effective, especially if used with a short-cuff glove and the wrist fasteners are left loose. The only complaint is the neck aperture which, though edged with soft-touch material, irritated my neck.
Both jackets are described as waterproof and breathable and do a good job of each, as the vest breathes reasonably well. The company has also introduced a panel to convert the zip-in vest to a universal-fit standalone version, so you can get airbag protection with any jacket as well as Furygan’s. My new go-to gear.