When most of your day is spent smoking Gitanes, drinking expresso, wearing sunglasses, checking out women and writing the odd ticket wind and road rash are maybe not the first priority?

Andy

What a muppet. Not a chance would I do a job where appropriate PPE wasn't mandatory and provided. They'd better be giving him SPF 50 at least...

In Ireland/UK, as already mentioned, one right jacket/pants is unrealistic, though if only one outfit is viable then IMO a laminated shell fabric-type is better (or preferable) than a waterproof inner liner type.

But throw in the likelihood of a few summer tours - perhaps including something in France, Spain, etc - then the (removable) waterproof liner-type option seems worth considering too...

IMO, the separate rain over-jacket & over-pants option is just as much of a pita as the waterproof inner liner option - having to faff about at the roadside sucks. Having to pull in for shelter sucks. Still faff whether you're donning a waterproof layer under or over your main jacket.

I don't think a single holy grail jacket exists yet for someone who can't or won't spend over €600/£480/$680 on a jacket, even one using Gore-Tex Pro in its construction. And in all probability, someone who can or will pay big money for a Gore-Tex Pro outfit might also have an alternative fair-weather outfit?

But there do seem to be a few laminated shell fabric-type jackets out there with proprietary waterproof membranes for well under that €600 price-point. Whether these perform as well as Gore-Tex Pro in terms of waterproofing and breathability is probably not well known, but IMO, if one of them leaked I'd return it for refund as "not as described" and "not fit for purpose", and reconsider my options...

Macna Impact - €290/£230/$330
Macna Impact - FC-Moto English

Büse Bologna - €320/£250/$365
Buse textile jackets : Buse Bologna STX

Klim Latitude (Gore-Tex Performance Shell rather than Pro, but still laminate IIUC?) - €340/£270/$390
Klim Latitude - FC-Moto English

Spidi X-Tour (as already mentioned) - €405/£320/$460
Spidi X-Tour H2OUT - FC-Moto English

Macna Cobalt - €490/£390/$560
Macna Cobalt - FC-Moto English

I'm sure there are others. These are just some that have come up on my radar.

The Klim seems fantastic value compared to their Badlands Pro etc.

The Macna Cobalt I find quite interesting, as it has a separate stand-alone mesh inner jacket that carries the armour, as well as the laminated-membrane outer shell fabric. This seems close to the option I've seen often mentioned (and have considered myself) of an armoured shirt/jacket (over a base layer), then your own choice of insulating layer(s), then a laminated shell-type jacket.

Posting here as much to share as to gather info & opinion before I make any purchase.

Here in Thailand the cheapest frogg toggs worked great, about $19 us, also. Ame in handy when a cold front came in for over a week giving us 40 degree weather in the morning, breathed well when the temps raised.

Not sure if this is reliant to this thread, when out for the weekend trail riding I use gortex jacket and another layer for warmth if anything,
The bottom halve I've tried a few things but I tend to swet so I've found a set of knee armer with a pair of lycra cycling trousers do the trick, they dry very quickly but when they get wet they are still quite warm, and they look sexy

Just looking at changing my ride kit, or should I say enhancing to appreciate European weather after the slightly warmer middle eastern frying. There I used Forcefield armour shirt with either an off-road shirt or RST Adventure suit (no armour but abrasion protection on road) over.

Looking to add a windproof or heated jacket between the hard armour jacket and the RST and finally a lightweight waterproof 2 piece (Richa Rain Warrior or Alpine quick seal) on top for a waterproof layer when rain gets heavy. Alpine folds really small and easy to have handy. Mid layers can be used on/off bike. Will be picking up the mid and outer layers soon and see how I get on. for bottoms will use FF knee protectors and RST Trousers without armour. Trying to decide on FF shorts or as mentioned before some lycra and hip protectors in suit.

From a mountaineering/military background I am a firm believer in layers and also taking the effort to remain comfortable (that includes getting out for a piss in the middle of the night in the rain and not staying inside not able to sleep....).

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DR650SE, KTM 1190 Adventure, CRF450X, KTM990 Adventure