If you do not already know Aether Apparel, you are forgiven. Although the model has been round since 2009, it did not produce its first motorbike gear till 2012. And even then, except you have been advised, you in all probability would not have thought the primary Aether motorbike jacket had something to do with real-world motorcycling.

Let me clarify.

Unfortunately, many individuals who need the basic motorbike look purchase a “moto-inspired” jacket. But these jackets don’t have any place on a bike, nicely, not if you wish to be protected. Whereas Aether’s motorbike gear lets riders have their cake and eat it too.

The Mulholland motorcycle jacket is the newest addition to its lineup. And I obtained one early to get some driving achieved with it. I’m nonetheless formulating my ideas, however this is every little thing you’ll want to know.

Style

First and foremost, I have already got this jacket, and once I confirmed it to my housemate, he mentioned, “Wow… so nice! Wait, is that the motorcycle jacket?”. This jacket is so trendy, and its motorcycle-specific particulars so refined, that you can genuinely put on it on an evening out, and most of the people would suppose it is a moto-inspired jacket.

It’s obtainable in sizes XS-XXL and three colorways: Reserve Brown, Command Green, and Total Eclipse.

Protection

Aether teamed up with D3O when creating the Mulholland to provide CE Level 1 armor on the elbows, shoulders, and again. But it isn’t your common D3O armor, it is the model’s Ghost pads. These pads are presumably essentially the most light-weight and versatile type of CE Level 1 in the marketplace. And having them contained in the jacket barely, if in any respect, modifications its match.

Protection is available in a couple of kind on a bike jacket. You have your armor, however you additionally want safety from the weather, which might in any other case distract you or make you are feeling uncomfortable. Here, the Mulholland comes up trumps.

The seam-taped jacket is constructed from waterproof, three-layered heavy nylon material. The solely situation with this kind of materials is breathability, so Aether fitted the Mulholland with zippered vents on the entrance beneath the arms together with zippered rear exhaust vents. This ought to channel airflow to the areas the place riders want it most. The sleeves additionally function gussets with locking head zippers for added air flow.

Finer Details

It’s the finer particulars that separate a very good motorbike jacket from an excellent motorbike jacket. And it appears as if Aether’s designers are nicely conscious of this.

If you possibly can’t use the options of a bike jacket with motorbike gloves on, like a sluggish drip in your brow—it turns into insufferable with time. All the outside zippers on the Mulholland are massive and designed to be usable with motorbike gloves, even when you’re on the transfer.

Pockets are aplenty on this mannequin, which options seven in complete. Almost all of them have mushy liners, that means you possibly can stash your telephone or sun shades with out worry. The entrance decrease pockets are modern and slim however broaden to accommodate your stuff when essential, and double as hand heaters on chilly days.

Three of the outside pockets function snap closures, which I can already say are straightforward to function with gloves on. Finally, there is a two-way zipper on the entrance, which could concern some riders who do not need to scratch their paintwork.

But you needn’t worry, as Aether says the zipper {hardware} is protected to keep away from scratching your bike.

More To Come

I’ve already put greater than 150 miles on my Mulholland and, to say the least, I’m impressed. But you may must regulate RideApart for my full assessment and see if I believe it is price its $650 price ticket.

I additionally had the chance to interview the corporate’s founder, Palmer West, and discovered about how the model is utilizing cutting-edge know-how to carry basic but protecting designs to market.

More on that to return.