Make:
Belstaff
Model: Discovery
Available Sizes: Mens
XS-4XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I wear a summer
mesh jacket most of the time but early or late in the season I
have been wanting a nice quality 3/4 jacket. Previously I have
tried several jackets from Joe Rocket, Rev'It and Olympia none
of which fit particularly well. So when I ran across this jacket
at a great price, I jumped on it. Turns out to be a really nice
jacket and a good fit. It is probably a bit shorter in the torso
than I would like, but it isn't so short that I wouldn't use it
unlike the Olympia gear. The sleeves are long actually and fit
me very well so if you are big and short armed, I would avoid
this jacket. Past that the build quality of the jacket is
probably the best I have ever owned. My mom was a seamstress and
taught me well so I know good stitching when I see it and this
has it. The armor is soft, light and thin which is comfy but not
sure how impact resistant it is. However, the material quality
and thickness offset much of that. If I were to go down, I would
probably pick this jacket out of all my jackets short of my
Custom Z leather jacket which is a tank but very stiff. I do
have a couple nitpicks. First it starts with a snug neck area
which like many jackets for the big guy are sometimes too snug.
This jacket is snug with a purpose I believe. Ultimately its
purpose is to keep out the weather which it will do. It isn't so
tight I can't close it, but I know it is there when it is
closed. Not a big deal really. The next one could be a deal
killer for some. The arms are not adjustable so you cannot snug
the armor right up to you. I personally don't mind, but for
safety purposes it is often preferable to get the armor right
next to the body to help absorb and disperse impact force. Those
aside, this is a quality jacket and I am very impressed with it.
I am still interested in trying out the new Kili jacket, but for
now this is my go to jacket when the weather turns foul.
Make:
Cortech
Model: GX Air Series 2
Jacket
Available Sizes: Mens
XS-4XL and up to 3XL tall (3XL Tall Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I have been
looking for my summer riding replacement of my Joe Rocket
Phoenix for the last five years or so. I like the jacket, but
really wanted something with better protection in the impact
zones, fit a tall big guy and wasn't all black. Well I found it.
The Cortech is just about a perfect summer jacket for the tall
big man. It is a nice mesh jacket with leather in the impact
areas (elbow, shoulder, back) but still is mostly mesh. The
collar is super comfy and actually closes around this 21" neck
of mine. Color options in the tall sizes are few but they offer
a silver which is miles better than black in the sun IMO. I did
find the liners too short and tight around the arms, but I never
use the liners on these jackets and prefer to use a rain jacket
during rain and a light windproof thinsulate when it gets cold
at night. The cuffs work great and allow ample room for a long
glove. Anyway, fit is good, quality job on the machine sewing
and I have no reason to think this jacket won't hold up as well
as the Phoenix has.
Make:
FirstGear
Model:
Kilimanjaro 5.0
Available Sizes: Mens
XS-4XL and up to 2XL tall (2XL Tall Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: Normally I wear
a 3XL Tall which can be hard to find, but others have sworn it
is a size larger at least in tall. I would say the jacket
certainly is near 3XL and without the liner certainly is a 3XL.
I find it a tad snug but usable with the liner and perfect
removed. So make sure you trythis jacket on or buy from a place
with a good return policy. In sub 80s, I currently wear a 4XL
Belstaff Discovery Jacket which is almost perfect for me. By
comparison the Discovery is bulky without the liner and there
are no cinch spots to keep the armor from floating around unlike
the Kili. The Kili also has a lighter feel to it and the fabric
seems more supple. The armor is lighter, but I have no doubt it
would protect impact areas as well as the Discovery. Length is
perfect for me and I suspect good for anyone over 6' with longer
arms and torso. You can read other in depth reviews on the
functionality of the jacket, but this being a jacket that has
been around for a long time and through several revisions I
would say it shows. Great jacket, great value and good fit if
you pick the right one and not go by the size label. I will
probably stay with the Discovery during the cold winter months,
use the Kili spring and fall and opt for a Cortech mesh jacket
here in Atlanta during the hottest months. Some people probably
want a single jacket for all seasons and I would actually
consider this jacket for just such duty.
Make: Joe
Rocket
Model: Ballistic
7.0 Jacket
Available
Sizes: S-5XL and to 3XL Tall (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I first tried the 3XL Tall but found it binding
under the arms. This was a surprise since the Phoenix jacket is
such a good fit. This jacket is a great fit right till the
neck. For some reason they think people that buy a jacket this
big have small necks. I cannot zip the jacket all the way up
which makes it not that useful in wet conditions. Still very
nice jacket but because of the neck not waterproof at least for
me.
Make:
Joe Rocket
Model:
Phoenix 4.0
Jacket
Available Sizes: S-5XL and to 3XL Tall (3XL Tall Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I sometimes think
it should be called Big OR Tall. This jacket is an off the
shelf Big AND Tall jacket. It has great length in the arms,
plenty of room for my belly and doesn't constrict my shoulders.
Pockets for CE armor, very comfortable mesh and I have been down
in this jacket and it protected me well.
Make:
Olympia
Model: Bushwacker Jacket
Available Sizes: Mens S-4XL (4XL
Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I am a big fan of the
build quality of Olympia gear. Unfortunately they don't seem to
work very well for long armed or long torso people. This jacket
falls into that category for me. It has enough girth, but the
height of this 3/4 jacket is more like a 5/8 jacket. The end of
the jacket barely makes it to my hips and the elastic that is
designed to go around the mid-section of your body is several
inches above my belly button. Shame as the jacket seems like a
quality jacket and their aren't many mesh 3/4 jackets around.
Alas the search continues for a more protective replacement to
the Joe Rocket Phoenix3XL Tall. This jacket does seem to run a
size small at least with the 4XL. I would consider the 4XL a 3XL
in other garments so if you are on the border of sizes I would
try one size up.
Make:
Olympia
Model:
Mens Recon 2 Air Jacket
Available Sizes: S-4XL
(4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This jacket is
nearly perfect. The design is excellent and quality is
incredible especially for the price. The styling looks good to
me and I love the fact that it comes in a gray-ish color rather
than black which sucks up heat here in Atlanta. The problem I
have with the jacket is the same problem I have with a lot of
these kind of jackets, the torso is too short. It needs another
1-2" of material to replace my Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket.
Make:
Road Gear
Model:
AirTec Mesh Jacket
Available Sizes: 40-52 (52
Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This is a good jacket and
most will be happy with it. The styling is clean, jacket is
comfortable and it features pretty much everything you need in a
good mesh jacket. In the end, I found the jacket to simply be a
bit short for me and really offered no real advantages over my
long favorite Phoenix jacket.
Make: Z Custom
Model: Carbon Fiber Jacket
Available Sizes: Only Custom Sizes
Custom Alterations: Completely Custom
Comments: If you have the cash for this jacket, I am
a big fan. It is completely customized for your body and it
uses the high grade materials. Being completely customized for
the person wearing simply means everything works. The only two
downsides to this jacket are cost and weight but that weight
feels like it will protect more. I have been down in this
jacket and it was a nasty one. Other than scuffing the jacket
it held up incredibly well.
Pants
Make: Sliders
Model: Kevlar Cargo 2.0 Riding
Pants
Available Sizes: 30-44 Waist by
30-36 Inseam (42w x 34i Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: Prior to these pants I
wore Draggin Jeans. They are fine, but not really the "look" I
like nor are they particularly comfy. They work and I prefer
them to pull overs. Based on another review, I decided to try
these and I am glad I did. These pants are perfect for me.
Plenty of room in the leg area for armor if you choose, more
Kevlar than Draggin Jeans and the crotch area has a nice relaxed
fit. Actually, I sit around in these after a ride sometimes
where the other pants would be taken off for something more
comfy ASAP. I like where these come up on my waist but they do
ride low compared to normal pants although I think they are
probably about the same place as the Draggin Jeans. The other
very minor nitpick I have with these pants is they should have
more belt loops. Not a big deal, but they do seem to be a couple
shy of a standard pair of pants. I am going back for more
probably two more.
Helmets
Make: HJC
Model: CL-SP Helmet
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This helmet fits fairly well, but I find it
heavy and the weight rides high on my head. After a few hours
in it, I find it more uncomfortable which is odd at least for
me.
Make: Arai
Model: Quantum 2 Helmet
Available Sizes: S-2XL (2XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This helmet fits about as good as it gets for
me. The weight is great and feels very balanced. Also, I have
a huge jaw line that makes most helmets virtually impossible to
wear but this one has ample room in that area. This helmet is
my daily driver.
Make: GMax
Model: 68S SPC Helmet
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This helmet is tight fit going on and feels
pretty good even though smaller than an Arai. I do have
pressure on my forehead with this helmet which has kept me from
enjoying it. My face also sits very close to the front of the
helmet but nothing that makes me feel uncomfortable. The
features to price on this helmet make it a winner if it fits
your noggin. I haven't given up on it yet.
Gloves
Make:
AlpineStars
Model: S-MX 6 Gloves
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: These gloves are manna from heaven in the
summer. My hands usually end up busting the stitches out of
most other gloves but these are down right roomy. They work
great in cool to hot weather and have held up incredibly well.
One of the few pieces of gear I have zero complaints with. Well
it would be nice to have a silver color to reflect some of that
hot sun in the summers but very minor nitpick.
Make: Cortech
Model: GX Air 2 Gloves
Available Sizes: Mens XS-3XL (3XL
Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: If you have large hands
or long fingers, avoid these gloves. I bought them site unseen
after trying out the Scarab gloves, but quickly found out these
didn't fit worth a hoot. They are small and have stubby fingers
like so many cheap gloves made out there. For smaller hands
these may be fine gloves, but if you have smaller hands you
probably aren't reading this.
Make: Cortech
Model: Scarab Winter Gloves
Available Sizes: Mens XS-4XL (4XL
Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I am not a big cold
weather rider especially when we usually get a few days of
warmer weather through Atlanta even in the winter months.
However, I do ride from time to time in the cold and decided to
try a nice set of cold weather gloves. I tried these on at a
local shop and found that they fit a large hand with semi-long
fingers well. It is comfortable and comes with a reasonably
sized cuff. I don't find many gloves that fit me well since they
are usually too small around the hand or have short fingers.
This glove has ample room and the micro fleece is very comfy. I
have only ridden in them three times, but so far so good.
Virtually no break in time is required.
Make: Road Gear
Model: CarbonMaxx Gloves
Available Sizes: XS-XXXL (XXXL
Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: Finally a glove that fits
around my big hand the way it is supposed to. There are so few
gloves out there for big hands and slightly long fingers that
are cut correctly. The area between the thumb and forefinger is
a generous cut unlike many other gloves I have tried. Another
bonus to the glove is that it is a "shorty" style but still has
plenty of protection in the wrist area. I would call it a 3/4
glove since it is more than the typical wrist cut but less than
a full length. All-in-all my new summer riding glove.
Rain Gear
Make: First Gear
Model: Sierra Rain Jacket
Available Sizes: S-5XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I bought this jacket to carry along with me on
long distance rides. I wanted something I could put on quickly
and would fit over my other gear. The jacket works for its
purpose and has held up in several heavy rain riding sessions.
My only real complaints are that it is bulky when you aren't
wearing it eating up precious cargo space and it doesn't
breathe.
Make: First Gear
Model: Sierra Rain Pants
Available Sizes: S-5XL (4XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I bought these pants to carry along with me on
long distance rides. I wanted something I could put on quickly
and would fit over my other gear. These pants work their
intended purpose and has held up in several heavy rain riding
sessions. My only real complaints are that it is bulky when you
aren't wearing it eating up precious cargo space and it doesn't
breathe.
Make: Frogg Toggs
Model: Leep Frogg Rain Suit
Available Sizes: S-3XL (3XL Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: This is now my default wet weather riding
suit. It packs well, doesn't balloon up like other light weight
rain gear and it breathes bought this jacket to carry along with
me on long distance rides. I wanted something I could put on
quickly and would fit over my other gear. It has held up very
well but the material still feels wimpy compared to other rain
suits. I don't expect this to have the life of other heavy duty
jackets, but I feel it is worth it. I seriously doubt this will
survive in a crash, but I don't think that is really
a consideration for me either.
Other
Make:
Edge Eyeware
Model:
Kazbek Sunglasses
Available Sizes: Normal and XL (XL
Purchased)
Custom Alterations: None
Comments: I have a very wide head
which make items like sunglasses and helmets a chore to buy so
when I find something that works pretty well I get exceptionally
excited. This is such a product. The glasses look good, come in
a lot of options, have the safety features I consider
requirements and are extremely comfy for wide heads. The best
part is you can find them under $15 online. If you are looking
for some good quality sunglasses for your huge cranium, give
these a try.