First impressions review: Aldi textile motorcycle jacket
At £80, I think I’d buy one
I'VE been using this jacket since it Aldi sent it to us a couple of weeks ago, and it's not at all bad for the low price of £80.
It's part of a range of Aldi motorcycle gear on sale now while stocks last.
As textile jackets go, it seems like one of the most protective I've seen, and it's said to fulfil the highest European safety standards. It's well fitted in the arms, not too baggy like some textile sleeves, so the elbow and shoulder armour has a fighting chance of staying over your elbows and shoulders in a crash.
The back protector feels as tough as a Roman shield and the outer fabric looks like it has some real abrasion resistance. There's an extra tough section running up the backs of the arms and over the shoulders, of reassuringly thick fabric.
It doesn't look bad. Alpinestars doesn't have much to worry about but you won't stand out at the bike meet as the bloke in supermarket kit
It's got lots of external pockets, which is handy, and some reflective piping for car drivers who can only see glowing things.
It won't replace my favourite jacket because it's too stiff. It feels a bit like wearing a heavy cardboard box. The sleeves, while snug enough, are a little too long on me and the thick back protector feels like a surfboard.
Also, the lining is non-removable and not very thick. I've been using it on a town commute in mild winter temperatures and it's been fine. I worry that it will be too cold in more extreme winter temperatures and too warm in summer, although it does have zip air vents.
But if I was doing a motorway commute, as a I have in the past, I think I would give it a chance at this price, and get the textile trousers that zip to it as well, for another £60. Both are described as waterproof. It's been dry when I've used the jacket so I can't currently vouch for the claim.
If we give it the benefit of the doubt, that's £140 for a full waterproof textile suit, something that could easily cost several times that from one of the well-known brands.
Spend some of the change on a heated vest. You need one for a long winter commute anyway.
Product tested: Aldi textile motorcycle jacket
Price: £79.99
