These mesh motorbike jackets are the best we've tested, so feel the breeze and stay cool with MCN

Summer motorcycle clothing has come on quite far these days, mesh motorcycle jackets in particular are a real game-changer when the hot weather hits and they offer a great way to stay cool without sacrificing safety.

We tend not to get that many heatwaves in the UK but our summers do seem to be getting steadily warmer, and we have seen some pretty extreme temperatures in recent years. That said, it doesn’t take much of a climb in the mercury for protective motorcycle clothing to become cumbersome, hot and sweaty.

Why do I need to add a mesh jacket to my riding wardrobe?

It can be tempting to ditch the protective gear when you see some people out in shorts and t-shirts, but there are now some quite effective options available to help to keep you safe and cool while out on your bike in scorching temperatures. You don’t need to compromise on safety.

Mesh motorcycle jackets tend to use solid material in key impact and abrasion zones, so the outside of arms, shoulders and upper back with mesh that allows air flow in non-key areas, such as the insides of arms, the area below the arms and the front of the jacket. This way they offer protection while also allowing for plenty of cooling air to flow through the jacket so that you don’t get too hot and sticky.

Even though you might feel that you’ll only need it for a couple of weeks of the year, once you’ve tried one, you’ll realise that the difference they make is quite profound. The constant movement of air past your body really does make all the difference when riding in hot weather. A mesh jacket is worth the investment to make those lovely summer trips to the beach for fish and chips or a ride to the pub for a shandy all that much more enjoyable.

• Related: Best summer motorbike gloves

Of course, if masses of cooling air can get in, then so can water so you can’t expect mesh clothing to be waterproof. You may want to take some waterproof over layers with you just in case, this is Britain after all.

What to look for in a mesh motorbike jacket

Nothing lets you feel the breeze better than a good mesh motorbike jacket, so the first thing to look for is how well ventilated it is. The mesh is there to keep you cool, so check how much there is and where it’s placed on the garment. Mesh on the inner forearm should shoot the breeze through to your forearm and armpits, while mesh on the back should allow it to escape and keep a steady flow of air. Mesh on the chest should wrap the air around your torso, where it can also escape out the back.

An important thing to look for, as always, is safety. Mesh jackets are typically less safe than non-mesh versions, since the mesh material replaces some of the abrasion resistant material on the garment in less vital zones. However, look to find something with at least a CE A safety rating, with AA offering a higher rated level of safety.

Some mesh jackets also sport thermal and waterproof linings for some added versatility, so check for these if you’d use them. Being caught in a summer downpour isn’t uncommon, and internal linings can be less cumbersome than a rain-proof over-jacket.

Our favourite mesh motorcycle jackets

Frequently asked questions

Can a mesh jacket really keep me safe in an accident?

As with all motorcycle gear, safety ratings are really important to pay attention to. Any mesh jacket should display a CE garment rating for the abrasion resistance that it offers and a level 1 or 2 CE rating for the armour that is fitted. AAA rated with level 2 armour will offer the best protection and A being the poorer level of protection. Due to the mesh insert areas this type of summer jacket is less likely to be able to offer the highest AAA level of protection but AA is often sufficient for normal road riding.

Can a mesh jacket really keep me cool?

A mesh jacket is probably the most effective type of summer jacket for cooling, due to the amount of air that they allow to pass through them. Perforated leather can also be an option for the airflow is usually reduced and the leather will hold heat in direct sunlight more than some synthetic fabrics.

Is colour important in choosing a mesh jacket?

Colour can play a role in a jackets ability to keep you cool, black is well known for absorbing heat while lighter colours will reflect a certain amount if the suns heat away from you. So if you really struggle with the heat a paler colour would likely be a better choice.

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How MCN tests mesh jackets

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles in order to provide you with opinions and evaluations you can trust, alongside news of the most significant developments in motorcycling safety gear. We want you to stay safe, enjoy your riding and hopefully look great while doing so! 

We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions.

That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on. To make it onto this list, these mesh jackets must have been worn for hundreds of miles by our team of experienced testers, show no major flaws, meet current safety standards as well as offering decent value for money. 

Each of our expert reviewers tests their products for a variety of things, both subjective and objective, and these mesh jackets are no exception. Factors assessed include their ability to let air flow through, what level of protection they offer, how comfortable they are to wear, how they look, how cool they keep you while riding and anything other features they may have.

We cover hundreds of miles in these mesh jackets and regularly compare them with one another in the office, so collectively we’ve built the sort of knowledge base you can trust.

If you can’t see a review against a mesh jacket on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given mesh jacket, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. We test against criteria like how comfortable it is, how protective is it, does it look good and if it is good value for it’s price tag. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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