RAVEN Moto LORICA Armored Hoodie

Assessment Abstract

In the event you’re in search of the primary takeaways from this assessment, right here is my abstract on RAVEN Moto’s LORICA Armored Hoodie

• The LORICA Armored Hoodie retails for $249.99 CAD with free delivery over $60
• Comfy, pullover type hoodie obtainable in 5 completely different colours
• The LORICA may be very indistinguishable to common streetwear when it comes to each seems & really feel
• Incognito premium CE degree 2 armor is offered and pre-installed within the shoulders, elbows and again
• A Kevlar reinforcing layer is utilized in all excessive affect areas
• Amongst many different options, underarm vents with breathable mesh preserve your physique cool whereas driving
• Moisture-wicking inside lining retains your physique dry however tends to entice in sweat & odors
• The LORICA is a good worth for the cash and is one in all my go-to jackets for driving

The LORICA Armored Hoodie – Safety & Consolation At Its Greatest

Squids.

The rationale your mom misplaced sleep for weeks after you advised her you had been getting your first bike.

We’ve all skilled it – You’re cruising on the freeway together with your window down on a pleasant summer time day and abruptly it occurs.

The startle has your coronary heart skip a number of beats and as you regain your composure you see the loud, screaming sport bike with a gearless rider weaving by way of site visitors at twice the velocity restrict.

Your eardrums are nonetheless ringing and you could possibly’ve swore the bike was so near your automobile you could possibly’ve touched it. Subsequent, queue the everyday “the place the f*** did he come from?”.

“Are they loopy driving like that in a t-shirt?”

Properly sure, they’re. With as we speak’s expertise, there’s completely no excuse to be driving with out gear. And whereas it takes greater than only a lack of drugs to be thought of a Squid, we’ll depart the driving instruction for an additional day.

Being Protected Doesn’t Should be Uncomfortable

In the event you haven’t earlier than, ask a buddy or member of the family who rides with out gear why they do it. I assure you their solutions will likely be nothing wanting trivial. Personally, I consider it comes all the way down to the ignorance of the rider.

I’m not afraid to confess that after I was first wanting into getting a bike I wasn’t fascinated about sporting gear. Don’t get me improper – blazing down the road in shorts and a t-shirt wasn’t my type, however on the identical time I definitely didn’t need to put on a racing go well with on a cruiser.

And that’s precisely the issue.

My ignorance as a beginner rider gave me the improper impression of what bike gear is.

As a member (which you undoubtedly are, proper?), you’ll undoubtedly know higher. Our readers know that you simply don’t must seem like Ironman to be protected – and so does RAVEN Moto.

LORICA Armored Hoodie

The workforce over at RAVEN have out completed themselves this time.

At first, I need to admit that I used to be a bit skeptical. My preliminary impression was that the LORICA was so jam filled with options, some issues should’ve been neglected or sacrifices been made to maintain the worth level so aggressive.

Have you ever ever heard of the saying “if it’s too good to be true, it most likely is.”?

Fortuitously, this was not the case with the LORICA. As bike lovers themselves, the RAVEN Moto design workforce took the wants of the on a regular basis rider and turned them right into a extremely practical and cozy armored hoodie. Most significantly to me – they did it and not using a zipper.

The LORICA is marketed as an Armored Jacket however styled as an Armored Hoodie. The 2 phrases will likely be used interchangeably all through this assessment.

For All The Zip-Up Lovers

Very not often do I see a bike jacket and not using a zipper. I perceive that for almost all of riders, zippers are welcomed with open arms as they permit for simple on and off. Whereas I can admit they’re extremely handy, my appreciation for zippers stops there.

Have you ever ever washed a jacket with a zipper? Chilly wash, hold dry, it doesn’t matter. The following time you zip up that jacket your zipper is filled with peaks & valleys as in the event you’re smuggling a toddler’s versatile ruler beneath.

Picture Credit score: RAVEN Moto

And don’t even get me began with tank scratches. Sure, there are methods to stop it however maybe the best approach can also be my favourite – purchase one thing and not using a zipper.

Nonetheless, zippers are nonetheless very talked-about and plenty of riders’ first selection. If that’s you, don’t fear. The workforce at RAVEN Moto have you ever lined with their Lacuna Full-Zip Armored Hoodie.

Design, Match & Really feel

The LORICA is sort of precisely what I used to be in search of in a pullover hoodie. It’s slim becoming, breathable, and intensely good wanting. It’s obtainable in 5 completely different colours with my private favourite being the all black. Nevertheless, I’ll admit that the purple does look fairly sharp as properly!

Designed to Look Like a Common Hoodie

On RAVEN Moto’s web site, the LORICA Armored hoodie is pictured with very distinctive armor patches on the shoulders, elbows & again. I used to be pleasantly stunned after I acquired my hoodie to search out that the armor may be very incognito. In actual fact, I’ve had a number of situations the place somebody thought I used to be sporting a daily hoodie. It was not till I had talked about I used to be sporting armor that they then seen.

Persevering with its look as an on a regular basis hoodie, the LORICA sports activities drawstrings that may be eliminated if wanted. Logos on the middle chest and hood, in addition to tags, are reflective for higher visibility in poor lighting. The sleeves and complete size are outsized, and for good cause, as you’ll discover out as we cowl options.

The within of the LORICA will likely be lined beneath with Options.

Sizing

I discovered the LORICA to suit true to dimension. In the event you’re not sure about your dimension, you may seek the advice of their information however you need to be secure ordering the identical dimension as you’ll another hoodie.

For the aim of this assessment, I made a decision to seek the advice of RAVEN Moto’s sizing information. I discovered myself borderline between massive & XL. The information’s suggestion is to dimension up whenever you’re in between sizes, and I consider that was the best selection.

Though the LORICA is designed to be slim becoming, I really feel that a big would’ve been only a tad too tight for my private desire. With the XL, I’ve full vary of movement and don’t really feel any stretch within the cloth when holding the handlebars, shoulder checking, or leaning ahead. Whereas it will not be as slim becoming because the designers supposed, it suits precisely how I’d prefer it to and I consider that’s extra necessary.

Heavy, But Mild at The Identical Time

The LORICA is heavy in your palms, however whereas driving that weight interprets into confidence. I discovered the load of the hoodie reminds you that you simply’re sporting armor as a result of with out it, you could possibly simply overlook.

Your preliminary thought is probably going just like mine: Heavy = Sizzling. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. The LORICA wears like a skinny, light-weight hoodie and considerate vents preserve your physique cool (extra on that in Options) whereas driving.

The outside cloth isn’t as tender because the fleece you’d put on to lounge round the home. As an alternative, it’s extra akin to that of sweatpants or fitness center shirts. In the event you’re sporting an undershirt, you’ll not have to fret about any itching or scratching. The material doesn’t gather lint, and filth/particles can simply be wiped off.

Design, Match & Really feel Ranking – 85%

All in all, the LORICA does an incredible job of presenting itself as another hoodie you’d put on on an evening out or round the home. The sizing suits true and the material encourages you to put on it repeatedly.

If I needed to make a criticism, and this can be a stretch at greatest, it will be that the hood is pretty heavy and might really feel like a weighted cape when driving. I discovered that tightening the drawstrings & tying them in a bow helped forestall this.

What’s extra, I’d’ve most well-liked if the LORICA didn’t have drawstrings in any respect. I discover that with regards to bike gear they’re extra of a nuisance than something. I perceive the LORICA is designed to move as streetwear, and as such maybe a steel snap closure may’ve been carried out as a substitute?

Options

As beforehand talked about, the LORICA has a fair proportion of options. Whereas their web site does a superb job of highlighting some, I used to be repeatedly discovering extra all through the primary week of use.

Pockets

The LORICA has 4 pockets – 1 on every sleeve, a middle kangaroo pouch with a middle zip pocket overtop. My private favourite is the sleeve pockets, or the “License & Registration” pockets as I referred to them as. They’re the right dimension for small wallets, money, keys, and different necessary objects. The pockets are deep and secured with velcro.

The kangaroo pouch makes for a handy place to carry your gloves whenever you aren’t driving, however the heart zip undoubtedly steals the present. This pocket is massive sufficient for bottles of water, a baseball cap, your cellphone and a lot extra. I make frequent use of this pocket in all places I am going with my hat, home keys and cellphone.

Thumb & Belt Loops

Within the occasion of an accident, the LORICA has thumb loops and hidden snap closures on the within of the waist band to carry the hoodie in place whereas sliding. The hidden closures open and wrap round your belt against feeding it by way of the loops. The additional complete size retains the belt loops hidden and prevents the hoodie from driving up whereas leaning ahead

Sometimes, I keep away from utilizing thumb loops because the sleeves really feel stretched and uncomfortable. The thoughtfully designed outsized sleeves on the LORICA eradicate that stretch, even whereas reaching to your deal with bars.

RAVEN’s intention is so that you can put on the thumb loops beneath your gloves. To make sure a cushty and comfortable match, try RAVEN Moto’s TRAUMA gloves.

Underneath Arm Vents & Breathable Mesh

Let’s get one factor straight – I’m a comparatively sweaty man. As such, it ought to come as no shock to you that my favourite characteristic of the LORICA is the beneath arm vents.

With my raised handlebars, I can actually really feel the air flowing in and all through the hoodie as I experience. The vents are sealed off with a sturdy, breathable mesh to stop any bugs or particles from getting in.

After a grueling fitness center session on a scorching humid day, I discovered the underarm vents dramatically modified the temperature of my physique whereas driving. Even at a pink mild, the cool breeze flowing in was greater than welcomed.

Reflective Supplies for All Round Visibility

As riders, everyone knows how necessary it’s to be seen to drivers. The facet pockets sport small loop tags that mirror mild. The middle chest brand, in addition to the hood brand are made out of reflective materials as properly for higher visibility.

With solely utilizing the flash on my cellphone’s digital camera, you may see how properly the brand acts like a hi-viz vest, reflecting the sunshine and standing out from its black background.

Inside Mesh Lining

Flip the LORICA inside out and also you’ll discover the whole hoodie is lined with an inside mesh. This mesh is very breathable and acts as a moisture wicking layer between your pores and skin and the hoodies fleece.

I discovered this mesh to be a really welcomed characteristic because it felt cool in opposition to my pores and skin against the everyday fleece inside you’d anticipate in a hoodie.

Options Ranking – 80%

The LORICA has a variety of options which will appear trivial till you’ve skilled them for yourselves. For instance, I consider the thumb and belt loops are a genius addition and also you’ll be glad about them in the event that they’re ever used for his or her supposed objective – god forbid.

All through the testing section of this hoodie I didn’t discover myself wanting extra. I struggled to consider further options that would’ve been good to have. I used to be totally impressed that armor was included, and the standard of mentioned armor (see Safety for extra).

Sadly, the moisture-wicking inside lining simply didn’t lower it for me. Whereas it did its job and depraved away sweat, I discovered the moisture would get trapped between the liner and fleece and was generally reluctant to dry. The identical occasion occurred with odors.

Safety

The LORICA Armored Hoodie ships straight to your door pre-packed with premium CE degree 2 protectors, in addition to an aramid fiber lining, 100% DuPont Kevlar in affect areas.

For a greater understanding of how protected you’ll be, try this text on The Evolution Of Armor: An Investigation Into the Gear that Retains You Protected.

Abrasion Resistance

In the event you like your pores and skin being in your physique, abrasion resistance will likely be of a lot significance to you. In the event you look intently on the photograph beneath, you’ll discover a yellow define across the armor sleeve. This yellow lining is the DuPont Kevlar RAVEN Moto used to assist fight abrasion.

The armor pouches are strengthened with the aramid fiber lining as they’re excessive affect areas. Whereas not as abrasion resistant as leather-based or textile, Kevlar will assist decrease bodily hurt do you have to ever end up skipping throughout pavement.

It’s typical in gear designed to seem like streetwear to solely use Kevlar in affect areas. In the event you’re in search of throughout abrasion resistance, it’s possible you’ll need to try RAVEN Moto’s Phantom Road Armored Bike Jacket.

Affect Safety

It’s not unusual to buy a jacket and solely obtain some armor, if any in any respect. With the LORICA, RAVEN Moto supplies premium CE degree 2 protectors pre-installed within the shoulders, elbows, and again.

The Flying Bats Lite-Professional Air Clever 2 protectors are light-weight, versatile, breathable, and cozy. I discovered the armor to be a lot thinner than SAS-TEC protectors I had put in in earlier jackets whereas nonetheless assembly the identical security certifications.

I’m infamous for eradicating elbow pads out of my jackets as I discover them insufferable to experience in. With the LORICA, I forgot they had been there the majority of the time. Often the elbow pads would slide out of their velcro enclosure which leads me to consider the outsized sleeve size could also be responsible.

RAVEN REBIRTH Program

I got here throughout one thing I believed was very cool whereas scrolling by way of RAVEN Moto’s web site – the REBIRTH Program.

Merely put, do you have to ever end up in an accident sporting RAVEN’s gear, there’s a quick on-line kind you may full for an opportunity of receiving substitute gear.

To me, giving again is essential. By means of numerous packages, resembling their psychological well being initiative, RAVEN Moto’s dedication to their riders and their security is one thing I’d like to see extra of within the trade.

Good on you, RAVEN.

Safety Ranking – 80%

The LORICA will do an incredible job at preserving you protected, however can not obtain an ideal rating because it doesn’t present all-around protection.

Sadly, with regards to security the very fact of the matter is that there are higher choices out there. As we lined, leather-based & textiles will offer you better abrasion resistance, and racing fits being a tier above that.

With that being mentioned, the LORICA Armored Hoodie is extraordinarily protecting for what it’s – a streetwear strengthened hoodie. I actually like that good high quality armor is included together with your buy for all affect areas.

Ultimate Verdict

RAVEN Moto in the event you’re studying this please ship me one other LORICA Hoodie.

On a critical word – I actually like this product. I feel the workforce over at RAVEN Moto have completed an incredible job at making a hoodie that acts like streetwear whereas concurrently preserving you protected and secure as bike gear ought to.

Considerate options sprinkled all through the design left me happy and never wanting extra.

In the event you’re on the fence, don’t let minor setbacks discourage you from an in any other case implausible general product.

Like I discussed beforehand, there aren’t many non-zip choices obtainable in the marketplace. In the event you’re in search of a pullover that’ll work laborious for you each on and off the bike, I counsel critically contemplating the LORICA Armored Hoodie.

Execs

• Made out of top quality supplies with true to dimension becoming
• Aramid fiber lining, 100% DuPont Kevlar in excessive affect areas
• Discreet premium CE Degree 2 again, elbow and shoulder protectors included
• Logos, tags and different parts are reflective for all-around visibility
• Quite a few options for each rider security and comfort
• Backed by a superb firm with nice customer support

Cons

• Moisture-wicking inside lining can entice in sweat & odors
• Might be reluctant to dry when moist
• Heavy hood and drawstrings could be a nuisance whereas driving
• Elbow protectors tend of popping out of their velcro sleeve

Specs

• Producer: RAVEN Moto
• Worth: $249.00 USD
• Colours: Black, Purple, Purple, Blue, Pink
• Sizes Accessible: SM to 4XL
• Assessment Interval: Might to June 2023

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