1. Scorpion Yosemite Textile Jacket
I only have 40 miles on this jacket so far so I can't speak to it's durability however it seems to be very well made.
I think the size chart is a bit off. It says a large will fit 42" to 44" chest. I have a 42" chest. I'm 6' 2" and 185 lbs. My instincts told me to get XL but the size chart indicated a large would fit so ordered the large and although I could get the zipper closed, it was constrictive and the sleeves pinched my elbows. I sent it back and bought the XL which fits just about perfect.
I got this for fall winter in Portland, OR. I was perfectly happy with my Langlitz Columbia over a base layer and sweater but my wife insisted I would be killed wearing a black jacket and wanted me to get something high vis and reflective. Try to find a simple high vis jacket without a bunch of vents, pockets and liners. I searched and found nothing. I wanted it for cold weather so I don't need vents and I'm used to layering so I don't need thermal inserts. Why is the waterproof liner on the inside? I just want a simple windproof, waterproof shell with some armor. This was as close as I could get. I guess I can use it in the summer too with all the vents but I already have a closer fitting (no sweater underneath) armored leather jacket for that.
The picture makes the yellow look washed out but in person the high vis pops the way it should and there are plenty of reflective accents so the wife is happy. The armor seems to be in all the right places and fits over my shoulders and elbows as it should. The "monkey paw" sleeve stirrups are nice. With gauntlet gloves, no wind is going up the sleeve at all.
The first thing I did when I got it was to hang it from a digital scale I zeroed with a hanger on it. My jacket weighs exactly 6 pounds. Thats one more pound than my Langlitz but my lLanglitz doesn't have a thermal liner and a waterproof liner.
I'm not the kind of guy to head out in the rain. I have a van for that. If I get caught out in the rain, so be it but I don't seek it out.
I mentioned at the top I have 40 miles on it so far. That's 10 miles to work and 10 miles back twice.
The first day it was dry in the morning and 32 degrees. I wore the jacket with the thermal and waterproof liners over only a long sleeve base layer. I have heated grips on my '08 Aprillia Shiver 750. I was comfortable all the way to work. The waist length is a bit longer than my Langlitz so it blocks wind a bit better. The Langlitz does a good job but this is better. Completely wind proof. On my way home in the dark that night, I felt safer knowing I had the high vis and reflectors. It sprinkled a bit but no real rain. Day two started out sunny, clear and cold. By the time I rolled out the driveway, it started sprinkling a bit, then turned to rain and within a couple minutes, there was a half an inch of ice balls covering the road. I putted to the nearest bus shelter and camped out for while to let the storm pass and soon it began to melt enough I could continue. Still dry and comfortable. The way home was a little rainy and the jacket performed as advertised. There are jackets costing well over a thousand dollars with similar features but I don't know why anyone would spend that much when this jacket will do everything you need it to. The pockets are handy too.
