There are days when putting on a motorcycle jacket before heading out takes almost as much motivation as starting the bike. In spring, no problem. But once the thermometer climbs past 25 °C and the humidity settles in, you quickly start wondering whether you are heading out for a ride… or a sauna session.
Those are the conditions in which we tested the Dainese Herosphere Air Men’s jacket. And after several rides in the summer heat, our first impression was quickly confirmed: this jacket was designed for riders who want to keep going when the mercury really starts to climb.
You Understand Within the First Few Kilometres
Our first ride with the Herosphere Air made one thing clear very quickly: the ventilation is not just a marketing claim.
At a standstill, especially at traffic lights, the heat is obviously still there. You cannot ask a jacket to create wind when the motorcycle is not moving. But as soon as the light turns green and traffic starts moving, you can feel the difference.
At 50 or 60 km/h, air begins to flow through the jacket and things become noticeably more pleasant. Once you leave the city behind and head onto a secondary road, the contrast is even more obvious.
That is probably when we really started to appreciate the Herosphere Air.
In the City: There Is No Escaping the Heat
Daily use did remind us, however, that a ventilated jacket is not portable air conditioning.
In Montreal traffic jams, for example, the benefits of ventilation quickly fade. Sitting still with the sun beating down and the engine giving off heat, you are inevitably going to get hot.
But that is not really a flaw in the jacket. It is simply the reality of summer riding in the city.
As soon as you leave traffic behind and get back up to a normal speed, the Herosphere Air comes into its own again.
On Secondary Roads: This Is Where It Shines
We appreciated this jacket most on country roads and during long rides.
When you string together corners, regularly shift your position or rise slightly on the footpegs to absorb a rough stretch of pavement, nothing really gets in the way of your movements.
It is the kind of detail you notice most when there is simply nothing to complain about.
And What About Protection?
The Herosphere Air incorporates protection at the shoulders and elbows and can accept a compatible back protector. You therefore retain a reassuring level of protection without having to wear a heavy, hot jacket in the middle of July.
We particularly appreciated that compromise. Because yes, when it is very hot, the temptation to head out wearing the bare minimum is strong. But a slide on asphalt does not care whether it is a 15 °C day or a 30 °C day.
A Full Day in the Saddle
It was probably after several consecutive hours that our appreciation of the Herosphere Air really came into focus.
At the start of the day, a cooler morning obviously requires some adjustment. An extra layer may be necessary, especially if the ride begins early.
But as the temperature rises through the day, the jacket gradually starts to make perfect sense. Instead of regretting your choice of gear around noon, you can simply keep riding in comfort.
During a long stop, you also appreciate how light it is. The jacket does not become a burden when you get off the bike for a coffee or a bite to eat.
And in Quebec, a good ride almost always includes at least one stop to talk motorcycles with someone you did not know five minutes earlier.
What We Liked
- Ventilation. This is obviously its greatest strength. As soon as the motorcycle is moving, the airflow is appreciable.
- Comfort. The jacket remains light and does not restrict movement.
- Summer versatility. It is particularly well suited to long rides when the temperature climbs.
- Sense of security. You retain motorcycle-specific protection without feeling as though you are wearing a winter coat in July.
What Could Be Improved
- Long stops. Like all highly ventilated gear, the Herosphere Air cannot do much about the heat when you are standing still.
- Cool mornings. Its summer-focused design means an extra layer will sometimes be needed at the start of the day or in the evening.
Verdict
After several rides, the Dainese Herosphere Air Men’s jacket won us over mainly for one reason: it lets you keep enjoying the motorcycle when the heat would normally start making you think twice.
It obviously does not eliminate the heat. You cannot ask it to perform miracles, but it makes the heat much easier to manage once the motorcycle is moving.
Thanks to Kimpex Canada for making our test of the Dainese Herosphere Air jacket possible.
