The lovely Mrs_Bob has been using a FIRST GEAR "Monarch" riding jacket in Hi-Viz Yellow. She's had it for a while. Its not the most ventilated jacket on the market, but it is waterproof, has 2 front and 2 rear vents and is good for temps below 80 degrees. Maybe 75 if it is really humid.
Link to her jacket => https://firstgear-usa.com/womens-gear/womens-jackets/tpg-monarch-jacket-dayglo-xl.html
I always wanted a Hi-Viz jacket, still don't have one. But when we got the new motorcycle the dealer was closing out one of their FIRST GEAR styles and made me a hell of a deal. So while I would have preferred the Hi-Viz version, I'm happy with what I bought and I am finding that I like it better than I like my wife's jacket. I have the mid-level offering from FIRST GEAR called the Kilimanjaro 37.5. Mine does have some high contrast black, light grey and florescent green markings with reflective points, so its not a low-vis jacket.
While the armor on her jacket is a slightly higher grade, and I believe the elbow/shoulder fabric on her jacket may also be a bit more wear resistant if I were to go skidding down the asphalt, I think mine still offers a good deal of protection and a bit more comfort. Mine has a couple more vent points, including two way zipper vents on the arms. The venting on my jacket should make it more summer friendly on hot humid days but still is not going to rival any brand of armored mesh jackets for ventilation.
Link to my jacket => https://firstgear-usa.com/mens-gear/jackets/firstgear-37-5r-kilimanjaror-textile-jacket.html
FWIW, the quality of FIRST GEAR is not even close to the quality of hard core riding gear like the ultra-premium brand KLIM. I'd rank it a notch below DIANESE. They don't offer the product choices but they are in a similar level of quality with ALPINESTAR, SPIDI and REV'IT. I think much nicer/more protective than JOE ROCKET and several others. So I'd put it squarely in the "middle" of the quality/design range. They don't use "name brands" like GORE-TEX or CORDURA but rather substitute slightly lower grade materials but they do use a bit better protective armor than most other brands, even some that are priced higher.
If you want nice stuff, with good armor, you may want to consider FIRST GEAR. Honestly I'd rather have some of the KLIM stuff or, at half that price, the DIANESE stuff, but on sale at less than 1/2 the price of what I would have paid for a DIANESE jacket, I was able to get a nearly as good jacket with similar protection. Just throwing this out there, clearly not saying it is the best, and their selection of jackets is not as wide as most of the other brands, but if one suits your needs its worthy of consideration.
Link to her jacket => https://firstgear-usa.com/womens-gear/womens-jackets/tpg-monarch-jacket-dayglo-xl.html
TPG Monarch Jacket
FirstGear’s, top of the line, TPG Monarch ladies jacket is specifically designed for women riders and passengers and has all the same features as FirstGear’s top of the line men’s jacket. The TPG Monarch is a waterproof and breathable outer shell with some very high tech features. TPG stands for Technical Performance Gear and it is the perfect outerwear to add to the rider’s base layers creating an optimum microclimate. The Monarch’s outermost fabric is tough, yet supple, polyester laminated with a 37.5® waterproof and breathable barrier. This 37.5® laminate significantly improves the comfort and performance of this technical outerwear by using micro particles to accelerate the capture and release of moisture vapor which helps keep you cooler when it is warm, warmer when it is cool, and above all, dry.
The TPG Monarch also has all the protection and details you’ve come to expect from FirstGear. Crash protection comes from D3O® brand armor at the shoulders and elbows. This armor is CE certified to the highest level of impact protection, EN 1621-1 Level 2, absorbing up to twice the impact energy of other CE certified protectors. D3O® brand EVO T5 back armor is far more supple, breathable and comfortable to wear while still being CE certified for rear impact protection. A high level of abrasion protection comes from an internal Aramid panel that starts at top of shoulder and comes down all the way to the forearm.
When the weather turns wet you have 100% waterproof zippers and a hidden rain hood that fits under your helmet. Storage is never a problem with the eight pockets and two, additional, oversized pockets.
Additional comfort and climate control comes from the two adjustable waist straps, four arm straps and wrist closures
- 5 year materials & workmanship warranty
- 2 year crash replacement warranty
- Reflective piping from shoulders down to drop tail
- 5 interior pockets
- 5 exterior pockets
- Inner cuff wrist gaiter
- D3O® brand elbow & shoulder guards CE certified to EN 1621-1 Level 2
- D3O® brand back protector CE certified to EN 1621-1 Level 1
- YKK® brand waterproof zippers in strategic areas
- YKK® brand 2-way front zipper comfort and breathability
- 8 inch rear zipper for attaching to pants
I always wanted a Hi-Viz jacket, still don't have one. But when we got the new motorcycle the dealer was closing out one of their FIRST GEAR styles and made me a hell of a deal. So while I would have preferred the Hi-Viz version, I'm happy with what I bought and I am finding that I like it better than I like my wife's jacket. I have the mid-level offering from FIRST GEAR called the Kilimanjaro 37.5. Mine does have some high contrast black, light grey and florescent green markings with reflective points, so its not a low-vis jacket.
While the armor on her jacket is a slightly higher grade, and I believe the elbow/shoulder fabric on her jacket may also be a bit more wear resistant if I were to go skidding down the asphalt, I think mine still offers a good deal of protection and a bit more comfort. Mine has a couple more vent points, including two way zipper vents on the arms. The venting on my jacket should make it more summer friendly on hot humid days but still is not going to rival any brand of armored mesh jackets for ventilation.
Link to my jacket => https://firstgear-usa.com/mens-gear/jackets/firstgear-37-5r-kilimanjaror-textile-jacket.html
37.5 Kilimanjaro Jacket
The FirstGear 37.5® Kilimanjaro jacket is our newest, high end, waterproof breathable shell. Performance shell jackets are the perfect outerwear option to add to the rider’s base layers creating an optimum microclimate. Our 420 denier nylon outer fabric was chosen for its balance of lightweight, suppleness and outstanding abrasion resistance. Added to that we have extra abrasion resistant, 620 denier, nylon at the elbows, upper arms and shoulders. Durable stretch fabric at shoulders makes for bind-free riding.
The 37.5® Kilimanjaro jacket is named after the 37.5® waterproof and breathable barrier. This 37.5® laminate significantly improves the comfort and performance of this technical outerwear by using micro particles to accelerate the capture and release of moisture vapor which helps keep you cooler when it is warm, warmer when it is cool, and above all, dry.
Water is kept out by the chassis fabric, rolled neoprene collar with hidden, under helmet, hood, storm flaps, waterproof zippers, six arm/wrist adjustments and our drop tail cut.
Featuring D3O® brand, CE certified, armor padding at the shoulders and elbows as well as chest panels to provide additional impact protection. D3O® brand EVO T5 back armor is far more supple, breathable and comfortable to wear while still being CE certified for rear impact protection. D3O® is light and flexible with extraordinary energy absorption properties. FirstGear was a first adopter of D3O® and we are proud to expand our use of this extraordinary technology in the Kilimanjaro.
- 5 year materials & workmanship warranty
- 3 interior pockets including oversized cellphone specific pocket
- 5 exterior pockets including under-flap, quick access, pocket
- Adjustable slider, snap collar closure
- D3O® brand elbow & shoulder guards CE certified to EN 1621-1 Level 1
- D3O® brand back protector CE certified to EN 1621-1 Level 1
- Armor pocket bags; micro-adjustability allows fine tuning of armor placement
- YKK® brand waterproof zippers in strategic areas
- YKK® brand 2-way front and cuff zippers add comfort and breathability
- Reflective patches front & back, body & arms
- Adjustable waist strap - facilitates fit with various layering
- Top shoulder vents with hold-open straps
- Huge, vertical back panel vents
- Articulated sleeves - optimal fit in the riding position
- Elasticized, draw-string hem – seals out the elements as required
- Grommet in left hand warmer pocket for heated garment cords
FWIW, the quality of FIRST GEAR is not even close to the quality of hard core riding gear like the ultra-premium brand KLIM. I'd rank it a notch below DIANESE. They don't offer the product choices but they are in a similar level of quality with ALPINESTAR, SPIDI and REV'IT. I think much nicer/more protective than JOE ROCKET and several others. So I'd put it squarely in the "middle" of the quality/design range. They don't use "name brands" like GORE-TEX or CORDURA but rather substitute slightly lower grade materials but they do use a bit better protective armor than most other brands, even some that are priced higher.
If you want nice stuff, with good armor, you may want to consider FIRST GEAR. Honestly I'd rather have some of the KLIM stuff or, at half that price, the DIANESE stuff, but on sale at less than 1/2 the price of what I would have paid for a DIANESE jacket, I was able to get a nearly as good jacket with similar protection. Just throwing this out there, clearly not saying it is the best, and their selection of jackets is not as wide as most of the other brands, but if one suits your needs its worthy of consideration.