Hard-Wear
David A. Dodson

Ultra Cool K Summer Jacket

Summertime is a great time to ride. There's no ice on the road, there's not usually much rain, and when the gas prices go up it's always better to be on two wheels than four. The only drawback is that in hundred-degree heat it can be awful uncomfortable in that padded jacket, but you don't want to be out of it if the unthinkable happens. If only someone would make a summer riding jacket that will not only save your skin in an emergency, but also keep you nice and cool. And if it happens to look good, then so much the better. Luckily for us those garment gurus at Brosh-Tex have you covered with their Ultra Cool K Jacket.

The body of the jacket is constructed from DuPont's CoolMax miracle fabric that pulls moisture and sweat away from the rider's clothes and body and allows air to flow freely through the garment with no noticeable resistance. It also has open mesh ventilation under the arms and partially down the ribcage. The back and forearms feature vents that you can open or close with easy access zippers. The outer arms and shoulders are Kevlar reinforced for maximum protection on major impact zones in the eventuality of a wreck. The Ultra Cool K Jacket also comes equipped with pockets in the shoulders, elbows and back for additional armor.

Sounds like a winner on paper, but does it actually work? We rode in a large Ultra Cool K Jacket both with and without armor and were surprised how light and cool it actually was. The CoolMax body was quite impressive; it retained absolutely no heat, and blocked absolutely no wind. Without pads it weighs in at a svelte one pound and wads up to fit easily in any tank bag or backpack when not in use. With full pads, the jacket fit comfortably and securely after situating the armor to fit my upper body via Velcro strips in the pad pockets. The shoulders, elbows and back armor are made of super tough and ultra light Hextech that can not only take one hell of a beating, but also fits like a second skin after a modest break in period of one to two weeks.

This jacket also happens to be quite easy on the eyes. Available in a variety of two-tone combinations, a quick browse through Brosh.com and you should see one that appeals to you. And the fact that it's machine washable (without the pads, of course) makes the Ultra Cool K about as low maintenance as they come.

The true beauty of the Ultra Cool K Jacket is in its remarkable comfort and flexibility. A jacket this lightweight offering this level of protection is ideal for activities not limited to riding motorcycles. It also happens to be perfect for rollerblading, skateboarding, mountain biking and a host of other activities that require pads. The advantage of the Ultra Cool K is that it not only protects your shoulders, elbows and back, but it also covers vulnerable arm, forearm and belly skin if you happen to take a spill during these lower velocity sports.

Bottom line is the Ultra Cool K Jacket from Brosh will give you a cool, comfortable ride while saving your hide. The CoolMax cools when things are going well, while the Kevlar and Hextech take the beating for you when things go wrong. It also translates well over to other activities if you happen to have hobbies that threaten to smash you up when improperly done. Available in sizes ranging from XSmall to XXXLarge and in a host of colors, for about one hundred dollars (plus about fifty five dollars for shoulder, elbow and back armor) you can order yours online at www.Brosh.com.