Triumph Trials Jacket

[Alexlebrit]

I've never been a big fan of the rainbow adventure gear available everywhere, but I'm also not a fan of black. In the past I've attempted to find sand coloured jackets, but never quite been happy. Today, I finally think I've struck gold in the Triumph Trials.

The normal retail price for this jacket is £185, for that you get:

• Waterproof, breathable, peach finish fabric
• Knox CE armour at the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket for a back protector
• Removable thermal lining
• Short 10" zip to attach it to your pants
• 6 external and four internal pockets

So, what are my first impressions? Well it's the first bike jacket I've owned where my wife's said I look quite sexy, so that's a good start. The quality of manufacture seems first class, everything is sewn in tightly, the zips are all YKK and there is a nice bag of extra fastenings should anything come apart. The fabric itself is softer that the usual "adventure" jacket and no doubt not as hard-wearing, I imagine with time it'll get dusty and it probably wont brush off. Then again, this is the type of jacket that probably looks better with age anyway.I can't say how waterproof it is on the bike, but ten minutes walking through London in the rain didn't reveal any leaks and the water pearled up nicely on the fabric instead of soaking in. And my mobile stayed dry in the pocket. All in all it feels like a quality item, and not a cheap jacket made expensive by the addition of a bike manufacture's branding. And spealing of branding, the Triumph badging is so discrete you'll be fine with it on your BMW GS.

Like I said, this is only a first look, as I wear it more I'll post the ups and downs, but as Triumph have got 20% off this weekend I thought I'd give some initial thoughts.

[Matt Cartney]

Nice jacket. Looks like very like a Belstaff Trailmaster and with the benefit of modern materials. I've got a Trailmaster I bought before they got trendy at the old price (£130). 9 years later the same jacket now costs the best part of £400, so this looks like a bargain.

And you are right, lots of non-bikers have said they like the look of my Belstaff, much nicer than the look of most bike jackets.

The Belstaff rarely gets bike time. Use a nylon Hein Gericke for actual riding! Would be nice to have a jacket which looks good off the bike and performs well on.


Matt

PS - Although, as a Beezer/RE rider I'm not sure a Triumph jacket would be really appropriate... :-P

[treefrog]

Check out the triumph website, they are down to £75. Bargain!