by Kim C. for webBikeWorld.com
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jacket and other gear that will be featured in upcoming
reviews was purchased with funds from the webBikeWorld
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As I pulled this jacket out of the box, I have to admit, my
expectations were not high. I had just reviewed the trendy
Cortech LNX
Leopard print leather jacket and I did not think that the Lotus jacket could measure
up.
Boy was I surprised! This jacket looks just as good - even my daughter
agreed, and she said she liked the looks of this one even more than the
very stylish Cortech jacket.
The Joe Rocket Lotus textile jacket was designed to fit
a women’s body. The jacket narrows at the waist to be figure-flattering and
it's shown here in a Ladies XS in the Hawaii Blue/White/Black color choice.
Princess seams at the sides hug the body and the front scalloped hem narrows the
silhouette even more. I really like the way the rear hem comes to a point,
drawing an onlookers eye downward to what is hopefully a very attractive
asset. Other feminine touches can be found in the banded
collar, zippered hip adjusters and Joe Rocket flower logos on both the outside
and inside of the jacket.
In my opinion the Lotus jacket runs fairly true to size. I typically wear a ladies size 4
or Small. Based on the
Joe Rocket sizing chart found on the Joe Rocket web
site,
I chose the Ladies XS which is a good fit for me. My only minor
complaint is that the sleeves are just a touch on the short side. Of course,
when I take out the vest-style liner the jacket is a somewhat roomier.
The outer layer of the jacket is made from a durable fabric
that is 60% nylon (RT 400) and 40% polyester. Hawaii Blue is a vibrant color, add
the white and black as neutrals and you have a very dramatic jacket.
There is also a reflective strip for added visibility when riding at night. The inner fabric is
combination of 100% polyester mesh and a surprising blue camouflage
print that compliments the other colors used in the jacket.
Both the jacket itself and the removable vest are hand wash
only. In the unlikely event that the jacket gets dirty (yeah
right!), a outer
layer appears like it would clean-up well with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Since this
jacket is the only barrier between my skin and the asphalt if I am in an
accident, I am concerned with the durability and protection the fabric
provides. Inspection of the jacket revealed a well constructed product
with solid seams and straight hems. In my opinion, the fabric feels
both durable and strong. Joe Rocket has a reputation for putting out a
good product and this jacket does not appear to be the exception.
I am still trying to get used to the confining feel of
motorcycle jackets that is necessary for protection in case of a fall.
I usually prefer more loose-fitting clothing. As we flew over the back
country roads of Maryland, the jacket did not feel stiff. In fact, as
I moved, the jacket moved with me and I forgot about the tight feeling when I
first put on the jacket. The jacket did not ride up my back and with
the zipper attachment for pants - this would be nearly impossible.
Other features include plastic zippered closures
at the wrists with Velcro for a tighter fit and to prevent the sleeves from
riding up, two 5 inch zippered pockets that lay flat,
another 5 inch interior pocket to safeguard your valuables and twin zipper
hip adjusters at the waist to better customize the
fit to my body.
The interior pocket is just the right size and
depth to keep your IPOD or cellular phone close at hand. Joe Rocket even thought to add an 8 inch zipper at the
interior rear of the jacket so that you can temporarily affix your pants to
the jacket for a sleeker look.
In addition to the nylon/polyester construction
the jacket has CE-rated removable armor at the shoulders and elbows. It was
not easy to
remove and reinsert the armor in the fairly small 3 inch Velcro openings
provided. Joe Rocket also added a removable spine pad which can be replaced
with an optional CE-approved spine protector. Unlike the somewhat small shoulder and
elbow armor pockets, the Velcro sealed pocket for the spine pad is quite generous at
almost 10 inches.
As noted above, the jacket has a removable
insulated vest liner that easily zips in and out. Both the quilted inner and
outer fabric on the liner are made from 60% nylon and 40% polyester.
| Joe
Rocket Lotus Jacket -
wBW
Lightbox - Click photo to view. |
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Interior and Back Pad |
Rear View |
Front View |
Sleeve Zipper and Cuff |
The jacket is well vented utilizing the trademarked Variable
Ventilation System. At the shoulder there is a 3.5 inch zippered
opening and 5.5 inch opening under the arms,
and finally there are two large 7 inch vents running down the back and
spaced 6.5 inches apart.
The mesh liner is permanently attached and continues down the sleeves
for added comfort. On a beautiful, sunny early fall day, the
ventilation system more than adequately moved air through the jacket
to make for a very comfortable and enjoyable ride. The only time I was even
slightly uncomfortable was when we stopped moving to take pictures of the
jacket for this review.
Attention to detail in the construction of this jacket can
be found in several places. At the top of the jacket on the banded collar is
a flap with a Joe Rocket signature metal snaps. Joe Rocket even included a
replacement metal snap set in case the snap on the banded collar is lost or
damaged.
The Joe Rocket logo is located on
both the left and right shoulder panels. The plastic front zipper
has a Joe Rocket insignia zipper pull for an added touch of style. And
finally, there's a seam in the back that runs down the
middle of the jacket; inside the seam is a wide strip of
reflective material, which gives the jacket good
visibility at night when illuminated by headlights
(photo above).
You can find this jacket retailing for approximately $150
which is in my opinion a reasonable price for this quality and style of
jacket. Besides Hawaii Blue/White/Black the Joe Rocket Lotus
jacket is also available in Black/Black, Black/Leopard print/White and
Pink/White/Black.
By the way, this
jacket looks great with Spidi Vaya motorcycle pants! Expect to see a
review of these pants coming soon...
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.