Summer jacket: safety and comfort even when the thermometer's going crazy
Wearing a jacket on a hot summer's day can seem like a constraint. Yet if there's one situation where a jacket is essential for safety reasons, it's when riding a motorcycle or bicycle.
Wearing a jacket when it's 30°C isn't exactly appealing. At VEST PARIS, we're no strangers to the subject, as our customers have challenged us to find solutions that combine breathability and safety. Challenge accepted.
In this article, FLUX takes a closer look at an issue that's on the mind of every rider concerned about safety and comfort, by answering the question: can, and should, you dare to wear a jacket on your bike or motorcycle in summer?
The mistake not to make
In summer, it's tempting to swap protective clothing for a lightweight T-shirt. And yet, whether you're on a bike or a motorcycle, the asphalt remains unforgiving in the event of a fall.
So how do you reconcile the call of the summer breeze with the vital need for protection? The answer lies in an enlightened choice of equipment, where technical materials, intelligent design and an understanding of the specifics of each practice play a crucial role.
Motorcycles and bicycles, two worlds with the same safety imperative
While the need for protection is a constant for every two-wheeler rider, it's crucial to distinguish between the risks and requirements specific to motorcycles and bicycles.
Motorcycles: speed and vulnerability
On a motorcycle, speed and weight mean considerably higher impact forces in the event of an accident. Abrasion due to contact with asphalt is also a major risk. A summer motorcycle jacket worthy of the name must therefore offer proven abrasion resistance (CE standards), approved elbow and shoulder protection, and often a back protector.
The key for summer lies in the choice of technical materials that, while offering this security, maximize ventilation. We're talking here about textiles such as lightweight yet resistant Cordura, breathable mesh that promotes air circulation, and perforated leather inserts strategically placed to combine resistance and breathability.
Membranes such as Gore-Tex or Majocchi's RESCUE, which we use at VEST PARIS, can also be integrated to offer protection against light rain without sacrificing ventilation.
The trick is often "layering": a ventilated jacket combined with a breathable technical under-layer that wicks away perspiration keeps you cool and protected at the same time.
Bicycles: agility and mobility
On the bike, speeds are generally lower, but falls can still result in scratches, bruises and even fractures. The priority for a summer cycling jacket is lightness, freedom of movement and excellent breathability.
Technical materials such as polyester and polyamide with anti-moisture treatments are preferred.
Discreet reinforcements in key areas (shoulders, elbows) can offer additional protection without compromising performance.
Mesh integration for maximum ventilation is essential, as are reflective elements for visibility, especially in urban environments.
The idea is not necessarily to wear "armor", but rather a protective second skin that makes you forget you're wearing it, while providing a barrier in the event of a fall. VEST PARIS has understood this well, offering jackets with an elegant urban design incorporating discreet protection and breathable technical fabrics, perfect for cycling around town.
Summer's miracle materials
Textile science has made considerable leaps forward, offering today astonishing solutions for reconciling protection and summer comfort. Since our creation in 2012, we have tested numerous materials and technologies that combine safety and breathability:
Breathable technical textiles
Fibers such as polyester and polyamide, thanks to specific weave structures (micro-perforations, 3D mesh), enable optimal air circulation. These fabrics also have the ability to wick perspiration away to the outside, where it can evaporate, leaving the skin dry and reducing the sensation of heat and discomfort.
Intelligent membranes: no sauna effect
Membranes such as Gore-Tex, RESCUE, Loro Piana's Storm System and others such as Paclite, Infinium and Windstopper are true technological feats.
They are designed to be waterproof, windproof and highly breathable, allowing water vapor (perspiration) to escape. For summer, the lighter, more breathable versions are preferable.
Thermoregulation, long-lasting freshness
For the past 10 years, VEST PARIS has been working with American supplier Outlast, a partner of NASA. Outlast has developed a revolutionary thermoregulation technology that keeps jackets at room temperature at all times.
Loro Piana and Majocchi, with whom VEST also works, have developed their own thermoregulating technologies based on graphene, a natural material derived from graphite.
Other fabrics incorporate heat-regulating treatments, such as ceramic particles or technologies like Coolblack, which reflect the sun's rays and reduce heat absorption by the fabric. This can make a significant difference on the hottest days.
Motorcycle fall protection
For motorcycles, aramid fiber or Cordura reinforcements in high-impact areas (elbows, shoulders, back) offer exceptional impact resistance without necessarily making the whole jacket heavy and stuffy. The V1, V2 and V4 jackets from VEST PARIS are equipped with SAS TEC protectors, a revolutionary technology in terms of lightness and discretion.
For bicycles, these reinforcements are highly recommended, even if they are not traditionally the first reflex of cyclists, who don't see the danger until the day ...
The ideal summer jacket: a subtle balance between safety and breathability
At VEST PARIS (vestparis.com), we firmly believe that you don't have to sacrifice style and comfort for summer safety on your bike or motorcycle.
Our approach focuses on designing jackets that discreetly integrate high-performance technical materials and intelligent protection solutions, with an elegant, timeless urban design.
For the urban biker, the V4 jacket or the V68-02 jacket are ideal for summer riding. Details like extra ventilation zips and mesh linings make them more pleasant to the skin in hot weather.
For the urban cyclist, our jackets are designed to offer maximum freedom of movement and exceptional breathability. Lightweight technical fabrics with anti-moisture treatments, discreet shoulder and elbow reinforcements, and reflective elements for night-time visibility are key features.