If you're looking for top-shelf protection that'll handle all the vagaries Mother Nature can hurl at you, you might want to consider Rukka's AirPower3. Although a bit on the heavy side, the AirPower3's multiple layers nevertheless felt light and comfortable.
The abrasion-resistant Cordura AFT shell is a good choice for warm summer days due to its efficient airflow. With the inner jacket removed, a cool stream of air flooded the wide knit right down to my skin when riding, thanks to polyamid fibers that are knitted instead of woven like regular Cordura.
Inside, the removable Gore-Tex jacket boasts AirVantage adjustable insulation, so when it got chilly, I merely blew into the supplied connecting tube, thereby warming its inflatable air chambers-more air, warmer vest. That inner jacket is also equipped with Outlast to even out climactic contrasts (Outlast is paraffin wax that changes from liquid to solid with temperature shifts, so it reduces how quickly you overheat or get cold).
Protective measures consist of two-ply Cordura in the crash zones and Rukka's Air Protectors in the shoulder, elbows and back. This breathable, comfortable armor conforms to European CE standards and felt sublimely unobtrusive. Two outside pockets featured waterproof zips and two waterproof pockets were sequestered within. Sleeve adjusters tailored the width, and helped keep the protectors in place.
What we dug: versatility,comfy fit with unobtrusive CE armor.What we didn't: no chest pocket, ultra-pricey.
Although River Road claims its warm-weather Yuma Mesh Jacket is "race-inspired," I doubt this is the kind of wrap you'd wanna be wearing at the track. It's crafted from heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant, polyester mesh, yes, but that's hardly protective at 150 (or even 75) mph. It does make for a pretty cool solution to hot-weather riding, though, and I've worn the Yuma around town (on the highway, it feels inadequate) for months. It's just as comfortable as any comparable Joe Rocket item. The removable EVA foam armor in the shoulders, elbows and back feels slightly less substantial than Rocket's, however, making me wonder how smart it is to wear this kind of gear at speed.
When I added the waterproof/windproof zip-out liner, I could wear the Yuma longer into the day when temperatures cooled, and I suppose you could use that combination as a rain jacket as well (though I couldn't tell you how well that would work). The Yuma is secured via hook-and-loop collar and cuff closures, and fit is tailored with two adjustable waist belts. I found two zippered outside pockets at the waist and one chest pocket to hold my sundries, and reflective piping at the collar to boost my nighttime visibility.
What we dug: some value for basic summertime protection.What we didn't: feels flimsy.
I'm not sure what "Deluxe digital synthetic leather" is, but Olympia's warm-weather Ventor mitts are made with it, and it sure feels good. That outer material, coupled with abrasion-resistant stretch nylon on the back, is probably responsible for the Ventors becoming my new favorite gloves for around-town sprints in the dog days of summer. The premium leather palm features gel padding underneath, which noticeably damped vibration to my hands at highway speeds without any dreaded hot spots-much more so than any roper-style glove I've worn in the last few years. The Ventors were ultra-comfy right out of the box, with a so-called "Knuckle Flex" design that gave me excellent flexibility at the controls without binding. They weren't perfect, though-a bit of chafing developed atop my right little finger after about a week of long-distance touring.
I liked the sharp styling of the Ventors, which proved functional, as well: The floating finger panels don't just look cool, but also allow greater dexterity, and the off-color reinforced pieces at the thumb, forefingers and heel of the hand mesh nicely with the overall design. Venting at the fingers kept me comfortable in all but the most humid conditions and the neoprene cuff-with adjustable strap-close securely yet softly. For summertime and short stints, these are the ones.
What we dug: ventilation with vibration damping, and a great control feel.What we didn't: some chafing.
These are the gloves you take along for backup in case the weather turns foul. Harley-Davidson says the medium-gauntleted FXRG gloves are "completely reengineered, with top-of-the-line protection for all riding conditions." I found the last part to be only partially true, but not for lack of tough construction. The drum-dyed leather outer is reinforced with molded polycarbonate knuckles, and leather finger pads not only look appropriately superhero-ish but also offer up real impact protection. An accordion palm is said to reduce bunching and improve the flexibility of your grip, and I indeed found this to be the case when the gloves were dry. After a daylong traipse in the rain, however, this design lost its shape when waterlogged, and the leather outer began to sag and bunch, even though the waterproof Gore-Tex liner did its job of keeping me dry (though the liners separated slightly from the glove body). Also, the seal system around the cuff began to curl up around the hem, thus limiting its effectiveness at repelling moisture. The gauntlet hem also became rolled with use, making a tight seal difficult.
I did like the built-in rubber thumb squeegee that allowed me to wipe moisture off my faceshield. Also, when they were dry, the medium-length gauntlets provided protection when riding alpine mountain passes.
What we dug: good versatility, comfort and protection.What we didn't: loses shape with use.