Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Mesh Jacket

This summer is HOT! To keep yourself cool you need the proper gear and that starts with a mesh jacket. Joe Rocket's Phoenix mesh jacket has always been a warm weather riding favorite and the 5.0 version is even better than before.

style

The Phoenix 5.0 comes in seven color variations to match nearly any bike color (or your preferred color preference). A simple design gives the jacket a clean look. The Joe Rocket logo is found on either shoulder as well as the tail of the jacket.

features

The main feature of the Phoenix 5.0 is the poly/mesh shell of the jacket which moves a huge amount of air throughout the jacket. After wearing this jacket on one of the hottest days this year (it reached 99 F) stuck in traffic I'm glad I was wearing a mesh jacket. In my leathers I would have been sweating more than a Stripper in a church on Sunday! The mesh kept me cool and it felt as if I wasn't wearing a jacket at all.

What do you do when it starts to rain and you are wearing your mesh jacket? You zip in your removable waterproof liner to keep you 'bone' dry. Always make sure to pack it just in case.

Some riders have larger forearms than others. The Phoenix 5.0 has elastic sleeve adjusters to ensure you have a snug fit around your arms. Adjustable waistbands help make a more secure fit around the jacket.

As with nearly all of Joe Rocket's jackets an 8" zipper attachment allows you to connect your jacket to your Joe Rocket pants to have a more full connection and ensure debris does not fly up your lower back.

An inner pocket lets you store your ipod, cell phone, or other audio device. In addition, a wire port lets you listen to your tunes while you ride.

safety

C.E. rated protectors are in the shoulders and elbows to give you a good base of protection. A removable spine pad is included with the jacket along with a pocket for an optional C.E. spine protector - which we recommend wearing at all times.

Reflective piping is found on the shoulders and back of the jacket to make you more visible to others on the road. If you really want to be seen make sure to get the jacket in the hi-vis. yellow color.

quality

The mesh material is durable. The waterproof liner is very much waterproof (I found out after getting caught in a flash downpour). The zippers are all of quality material and zip smoothly and with ease.

show me the money

The Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 retails for USD $169.99.

overall value

If you ride frequently in the summer time or when the weather is humid and hot a mesh jacket is a must. Most mesh jackets out there are made of cheap material and the armor is nearly non-existent. The Phoenix breaks that norm and provides you with the airflow you need without sacrificing safety. If you take your motorcycle on a lot of tours, or commute and do a lot of city driving where traffic is sometimes an issue then the Phoenix mesh jacket will make you feel "re-born".

rating

• Style: 7/10
• Features: 9/10
• Safety: 8/10
• Quality: 9/10
• Price: 8/10
• Overall: 9/10