In Gear Guide #61 we feature Furygan’s latest James D3O Gloves, the Black Jack riding shirt from Rokker and a tried and tested review of the classic Belstaff Trialmaster after a recent trip over the Italian Dolomites.
FURYGAN JAMES D30 GLOVES
French manufacturer Furygan, with their prowling panther logo, have really grabbed our attention of late with some great looking kit. These James D3O gloves caused a relative scramble for test duties when they arrived at Bike Shed HQ, and it was Dutch that snapped them up.
We all want to have our cake and eat it, but if you want stylish gloves that fit well, look good and feel like they’d offer decent protection, there wasn’t much to choose from, until recently.
These are handsome mitts with neat ribbing detail and zip closures, not too dissimilar from Roland Sands Diesel gloves, but by no means a copy. British company D3O takes care of protective issues with their impact absorbing materials, which are supple when you flex your hands, but go rock hard under impact. Combined with the 100% goat leather construction (doubled up on the palm) the gloves are very comfortable within a couple of rides, where they settle-in nicely to the shape of your hand.
Furygan have labelled their touch-screen tech as a Sensitive Science Insert which is a cracking name for the handy pinky pad which allows you to read a message or check google maps without drama. It works, albeit with a firm touch – but it’s a huge improvement on trying to get your gloves off in time to beat your answerphone cut-in.
The primary remit for these gloves is summer riding but they would no doubt stretch a little into the neighbouring seasons and they’ve already survived a couple of short summer rain showers without going stiff and brittle. All in all the James D3O gloves have proved a great addition to my daily riding apparel, looking great and providing reassuring levels of tech and protection. Well worth checking out.
Review by Gareth Charlton & Dutch
ROKKER BLACK JACK RIDER SHIRT
The first time I saw this shirt was on the back of Anthony Partridge at Wheels & Waves this year. Anyone who’s met Anthony, the brains and brawn behind Matt Black Customs, knows he’s a deeply stylish individual who parties hard. A career cocktail barman before turning his hand to building bikes, this man knows the rigours of a long, hard night. So anything he wears has to look the business but be fit for purpose. This man puts his bikes, and his gear through the paces.
The Black Jack Rider is constructed of 100% schoeller®-Dynatec, a hard wearing fabric with good protective properties and a high level of stability. It is pleasant to the touch and is extremely tear and abrasion-resistant. It is impact and temperature resistant. Dynatec ® is made of Cordura ® and Dynafil TS 70 TS with a melting point of 290°C. It has Coldblack® finishing technology that reflects heat and UV-rays, and NanoSphere® finishing technology that increases the water and dirt repelling properties.
This is a simple, no bullshit heavy black western shirt. It may not be protective in terms of heavy armour, but it will help keep your skin intact if you intend sliding up the gravel. It’ll also look after you when you’re partying hard. This thing looks like it should be worn on a bike, and its tailored cut and ample length sleeves means it can be worn comfortably underneath a leather jacket if desired. It’s rugged, durable, and gets better with the battering.
Thanks to Simon Bottomley for the images and Andrew Almond at Bolt for the location and bike.
Review by Gareth Roberts.
BELSTAFF TRIALMASTER JACKET
It seems only right that when traveling to Wheels & Waves from London, you should make the most of the trip, which is exactly what my mate Steve and I did. From Biarritz we decided to swing by eastern Italy to see the Dolomites. Damn, if you haven’t seen them, GO!!
So planning what to wear in Biarritz, you don’t really want to be laden in cumbersome textile suits (although this year it would have made sense). I opted to wear my wax cotton Belstaff Trialmaster jacket. I’ve been using this jacket for a couple years commuting in London and it has never let me down. It has armor, is waterproof-ish and warm. This was a big call for the two-week journey, especially on my Ducati GT with no fairing.
Throughout our tour the jacket proved itself. It isn’t 100% waterproof, nothing is, but it is very good at keeping you as dry and warm as possible. I found it very comfortable, even when having to pile layers underneath along with my back protector. The sleeves have adequate room, with snap closures that allow my gantlet gloves to fit over; a vital option when touring in the cold and rain. The elbow and shoulder protectors don’t bind your arms in one position, no niggly pulls and room to stretch in. The body of the jacket also has plenty of room, I am a stocky guy so not the European cut.
What I found most useful is the pockets and the collar. The pockets are ample sized to store loads of stuff, with an interior pocket for things you want protected, like your phone. The collar is a good fit for my 16 inch neck and doesn’t interfere with your helmet, keeping the wind from running down your back and giving you chills.
The only down side I have with the jacket is that some of the stitching on the interior pocket has given way and the lower zip can unzip upwards depending on riding position, it’s a minor design flaw and only happens when I am on a sports bike. The jacket is a bit pricey, but you are definitely not paying for fashion over function, it is well made with the high end quality you’d expect for the price. It’s a very good jacket that is stylish and timeless, and will last for years, much like the ones from the 70’s have done today.
Review by Timm Wellens.
via The Bike Shed
