Mesh vs. Vented

[fastfreddy]

What do you prefer, and why? Which is better in your opinion?
I have had both, and I can't really decide what works the best to stay cool.
So what do you like?

[Bryan217]

I've got a mesh textile jacket that I wear year round. If it gets cool, I can put in the rain liner. If it gets cold, I can put on my heated liner. I don't like the bulky quilted liner that came with. To me, it's awkward. I prefer the heated liner.

I love the fact that I only need 1 jacket, no matter the time of year. That's why mesh works for me.

[1KPerDay]

If it's REALLY hot, there's no contest. Mesh. Soak it in the sink and you'll be cool for about 15 minutes. Then you can stop and soak it again.

As for actual protection, I don't think anyone will argue that quality ballistic nylon/cordura/leather will be superior. But when it comes to a choice between a t-shirt and mesh, or wearing non-perforated gear and sweating to death, I vote mesh.

[miles]

Vented.  My rides often involve a very large temperature range, and it's better to have controllable airflow.  

[Castaway]

I've got an Alpinestar mesh jacket that I pretty much don't wear anymore. It does provide air flow to the torso when moving, but not much sitting still. It's heavy compared to my 'stich Roadcrafter jacket. With the Roadcrafter I get a draft up the arms with the cuffs unzipped, and with the front zipper undone a little top and bottom I get torso air flow. When it's in the 90s there's no stopping the sweat regardless.

[ConPilot1]

I have both and switch off depending on conditions. PA is weird. It can be 50 degrees in the early AM like today and rocket up to 80 before you know it.

This morning, I put on my Roadcrafter jacket and headed for the bike shed. I started up the bike and went back upstairs for my Motorport AMK.  

[Dan K]

Mesh for hot.  Lets way more air pass and still gives me sufficient (for my risk acceptable risk levels) protection.

- Dan

[Chuck 500]

Both?  

I've got an Olympia GT Air Transition.  Panels with vents open up to mesh when wanted.  Also has two stage liner.  I have yet to see a more versatile jacket.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[MK96xj]

Mesh for 80 and up.
Vented for 40-80.
Closed vents and liner below 40.
32 or less heated liner.

[DangerMoney]

Mesh for 80 and up.
Vented for 40-80.

+1

[fastfreddy]

Seems like most agree that mesh is best in hot weather. I just didn't know if vents would circulate the air better. I know my back gets hot in my mesh jacket.
Back in the day I wore a Hein Gericke Concorde leather jacket with vents and I wore it up to 95 degrees, no problem. But I am 50lbs heavier now and I guess I retain more heat now.

[chosemerveilleux]

I think it depends on the type of mesh the jacket has.

My Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 jacket was entirely too dehydrating for me at anything over 85 degrees.  The mesh on that jacket is loose, and looks a lot like fish netting.  I honestly haven't worn it since  the one or two times I wore it last summer.

On the other hand, the mesh on my Rev'it Sirocco and BMW Airflow 3 jackets is a much tighter weave, so I can better regulate my temperature and also not dry out like I do in the Joe Rocket.  They flow air, just not like I'm standing in the prop wash of a B-29 like the JR Phoenix does, which is too much air.

I definitely think that when the temps soar to say the upper 90's the best thing to use is a well ventilated non mesh or partial mesh jacket, with a good long sleeved wicking layer like under armor heat gear or patagonia capilene.

I had the Zodiac from British Motorcycle Gear and that was an awesome jacket when it got stupid hot.  It was vented, and apparently had a very sensible airflow design, as I routinely wore that jacket in comfort in temps over 100.   I would still use it but I gained some weight and gave it to a friend, who absolutely loves it in the hot weather.

[MK96xj]

I think it depends on the type of mesh the jacket has.

My Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 jacket was entirely too dehydrating for me at anything over 85 degrees.  The mesh on that jacket is loose, and looks a lot like fish netting.  I honestly haven't worn it since  the one or two times I wore it last summer.

On the other hand, the mesh on my Rev'it Sirocco and BMW Airflow 3 jackets is a much tighter weave, so I can better regulate my temperature and also not dry out like I do in the Joe Rocket.  They flow air, just not like I'm standing in the prop wash of a B-29 like the JR Phoenix does, which is too much air.

I definitely think that when the temps soar to say the upper 90's the best thing to use is a well ventilated non mesh or partial mesh jacket, with a good long sleeved wicking layer like under armor heat gear or patagonia capilene.

I had the Zodiac from British Motorcycle Gear and that was an awesome jacket when it got stupid hot.  It was vented, and apparently had a very sensible airflow design, as I routinely wore that jacket in comfort in temps over 100.   I would still use it but I gained some weight and gave it to a friend, who absolutely loves it in the hot weather.

All good points especially the long sleeve wicking layer.

Also, vented jackets will have different characteristics on differnt bikes due to airflow over farings. My HG vented jacket is downright cold on the Multi where as on the ZZR it can get hot.

[Bama67]

I think it all depends on your location. Here in South Alabama, were it has been over 100 degrees with HIGH ASS HUMIDITY all summer, mesh is the only choice, unless you want to sweat to death and be absolutely phucking miserable.

Some people say, LEATHER IS THE ONLY PROTECTION blah, blah, blah, yeah I agree it's the best. I have a perforated leather jacket, it's a very nice jacket, but you ain't wearing that bitch down here in the summer. It is only good for early spring and fall.

I also have a vented jacket that I had before I bought a true mesh jacket, and yeah, it moves some air, but it was pure misery here for 6 months out of the year.

On a side note, just bought a new Tour Master Air Intake 2 mesh jacket, haven't got to try it. But I have heard great things. I want as much air flow as possible, I don't really get dried out or anything. YMMV.

[ChrisZRX]

I vote mesh.

I love my Fieldsheer Congo Air Mesh Jacket.  69.99 closeout at Motorcycle Superstore.  

That jacket is much more substantial than my first gen Firstgear Mesh Tex, and flows air better.  

[paddy_crow]

No contest, Motoport Kevlar mesh jacket. Best jacket I've ever owned.