Saint got here out of nowhere after they burst onto the scene with the world’s first single-layer CE-approved motorbike denim. The Melbourne-based model has been creating its ever-expanding vary of merchandise ever since, so in the present day we’re taking a look at one in every of their latest objects—the Saint Engineered Basic denim motorbike jacket.
The Engineered Basic jacket is constructed from, you guessed it, Saint’s ‘Engineered’ denim. That places it at a cheaper price level than the corporate’s ‘Unbreakable’ merchandise, whereas nonetheless incomes it a CE class AA ranking. (In case you’re not a gear nerd, like me, AA is the second-highest ranking for CE-approved motorbike attire, based mostly on the garment’s materials, stitching, and armor.)
Clothes with a AAA ranking (the best) aren’t all the time sensible or cost-effective for the common rider. I don’t personal a pair of racing leathers—however even when I did, it’s not as if I’d slip into them simply to pop all the way down to the shop for ice cream. I typically purpose for AA-rated clothes after I’m on the highway, and I all the time experience with elbow, shoulder, and again armor put in in my driving jackets.
The Saint Engineered Basic denim jacket ships with CE Stage 2 shoulder and elbow protectors. Riders do need to fork out further for the non-obligatory D30 Viper again protector—and whereas there are factors deducted for this, I’m grateful that Saint consists of armor choices for his or her jackets. I merely wouldn’t put on them in any other case.
The very first thing I seen after I slipped the Engineered Basic jacket on was the supreme consolation. Even with the armor put in, it sits completely on my shoulders with the reassuring weight of an armored jacket. The indigo denim is tender, and the additional size within the again and arms retains the physique coated on every part from a chopper to a crotch rocket.
Flexibility is a crucial characteristic in a motorbike jacket (each for consolation and magnificence), and the Engineered Basic delivers this in spades. I haven’t discovered a single situation the place I’ve felt my motion restricted by the jacket due to the unbelievable quantity of stretch within the material. The armor is skinny and versatile, so you’ll be able to hardly inform it’s there.
Between the material’s stretch qualities and the waist and wrist adjustability, there’s greater than sufficient room to layer a sweater beneath when the mercury drops. That stated, right here in Western Australia we’ve simply struggled by means of the most popular summer time on file, with temperatures recurrently exceeding 110º F. As somebody who runs scorching on even the mildest day, I discovered the Engineered Basic jacket a contact heat, particularly when standing within the solar.
Nonetheless, this situation received’t have an effect on everybody—and you may nonetheless really feel some wind flowing by means of the garment as you experience. Some well-placed air flow zips might be a good way for Saint to enhance the jacket for three-season driving sooner or later.
Fashion-wise, the Saint Engineered Basic jacket scores excessive. The contrasting double stitching is fantastically laid, and there are 4 exterior pockets; two chest pockets that fasten with press studs, and two hand hotter pockets. The embroidered Saint emblem and enamel wing pin on the chest pockets are two stunning particulars that stood out to me right away.
The principle jacket’s zippered closure is backed up by a wind protector flap with press studs. All of the press studs are rubber coated, making them much less prone to scratch your satisfaction and pleasure. The jacket is absolutely lined with a breathable mesh which holds the armor in place and contributes to its consolation.
I personal a number of Saint merchandise and have struggled with their dimension chart earlier than. This time round, I measured myself and chosen the jacket that ought to have match. However after I put it on I used to be swimming in denim.
I needed to go down two full sizes to seek out the precise jacket, ultimately ending up with my common jacket dimension, which match me like a glove. Whether or not this is a matter with the precise garment’s measurements or the dimensions chart, I’d advise choosing your standard jacket dimension.
The Saint Engineered Basic jacket satisfies or exceeds all of my standards for driving jacket. The material is tender and versatile, it’s protecting, and it appears to be like rattling good.
At $280 within the USA and AU$399 in Australia, it sits in the course of Saint’s jacket lineup when it comes to worth. And whereas I admittedly didn’t need to pay for this jacket myself, I’d nonetheless name that first rate worth for cash (though it’d be even higher if it got here with a again protector pre-installed).
In case you stay in a spot that has sunny, nice winters like Western Australia, you’ll be capable of use this jacket year-round, like I shall be doing. And in case you pair the Engineered Basic jacket with Saint’s matching Engineered denims, you’ll have a Canadian Tuxedo that 90s motorcyclists might solely dream of.
Photos by Ben Pilatti
