Macna’s Synchrone All-Weather jacket | A quality 3-piece thoughtfully designed with top jacket tech

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The Macna Synchrone is a three-piece all-weather motorcycle jacket geared more toward touring and adventure riding than off-road or enduro. There’s a breathable mesh core jacket for the warmer months, with an inner thermal liner for chillier temperatures and a laminated waterproof shell that keeps the worst of the weather securely out.

All three pieces fit into each other and can be worn simultaneously. The thermal liner can be worn separately off-bike (to the shops etc), whereas the shell and core are more suited for the road.

Is the Macna Synchrone jacket comfortable?

As with all 3-piece jackets, it depends on how many layers you’re wearing. The core jacket by itself is very comfortable. As soon as you start adding layers it naturally becomes a bit more restrictive. That’s the only reason I’ve marked comfort down to 4/5. My other jacket is a waterproof laminated textile with a separate inner thermal layer. In the colder months it’s more comfortable as a two-piece, but its not as cool as the Synchrone in the warmer months.

Riding in the hot temperatures of Portugal and Spain I found the core jacket was a blessing. The mesh allowed the wind to pass through nicely and I still felt protected by the armour and the tough construction. I own another mesh ‘jacket’ which is basically just a thin mesh material with protective armour at the elbows, shoulders, and back so I’ve hung that up in favour of this one. 

Adding the inner thermal layer in chillier temperatures the jacket becomes cozy and warm but you can still feel the wind coming through the mesh. As soon as the temperature takes a deep dive the outer waterproof shell becomes essential to block out the coldness and the wind chill.

Normally, that’s when extra layers would start feeling tight. But on the inside of the outer shell are two velcro-secured straps that allow you to expand it on either side so you don’t feel you’re in a straightjacket. That was a welcome discovery. You do have to look around the Synchrone to find all these thoughtfully placed items.

Is the Macna Synchrone weatherproof?

This jacket handles any kind of weather brilliantly. When it’s hot the ventilation in the core layer allows the air to pass through comfortably. In torrential downpours the rain just bounces off the specially designed Raintex DL laminated outer shell keeping me perfectly dry.

In freezing temperatures the three layers are essential. Thankfully, the waterproof outer shell did its job when I tipped over in deeper than expected flood waters on the way to work one day. It kept me dry underneath even though I was half-submerged before I could clamber to my feet and pick my bike up. Thankfully the panniers saved it from going under and I was able to ride away – shaken, not soaked.

Does the Macna Synchrone look good?

Every square inch of the Macna Synchrone is carefully and creatively thought out. I opted to review the orange, black and grey version which I think looks smart and gets me away from the usual ‘man in black’ look. I’m also more visible on the road with the jacket’s reflective patches and its Night Eye material. This is the dark grey fabric that becomes luminous when riding at night, being coated with lots of tiny dishes that reflect light back to its source – i.e. the traffic around you.

How practical is the Macna Synchrone?

The Synchrone is full of technology that includes an Easy Cuff system which uses zips to attach the thermal inner liner to the core jacket, instead of loops and snaps. This prevents those annoying loose or floating layers that you have to keep adjusting as you ride.

If you wear heated gloves in the winter there are a series of loops that enable a cable to be run neatly through the removable thermal liner to an internal pocket designed to hold the gloves’ power source. They call this the Electric Power Guide, which keeps the cable neatly secured as you operate your bike, giving freedom of movement and preventing bulk at the wrists.

Other convenient items of jacket tech include: Collar Loop which keeps the collar folded aside allowing cooler air into the jacket; the Side Eye reflective elements that help visibility in dark and low light conditions; adjustable lower arm and upper arm outer straps for a more secure fit; Zip Grip reinforcements that makes zipping up easier, especially with gloves on; a unique pocket on the upper back of the jacket for the optional Vision 2C LED rear light; and a long jacket-to-trousers connection zip for the accompanying Macna trousers (sold separately).

The outer shell also attaches to the core jacket through two sturdy loops so they become as one. This makes it easy to put them on and take them off together. I never separate them during the colder months.

Is this a quality jacket that’s worth the price?

Yes, this is a quality jacket in many departments. It is well constructed and each layer is independently designed with its own features, yet they all fit together as one unit. The inner thermal layer is soft and cozy with enough pockets to be useful if you were just wearing it on its own.

The core layer is a fully armoured and equipped jacket and is all you would need in the warmer months. When it rains the outer shell is easy to put on and take off and totally waterproof. In winter the three layers work well together if you make the adjustments to suit your own fit. All of Macna’s innovative jacket tech just adds to the convenience and wearability.

• Related: Best motorcycle base layers

My overall verdict?

I’ve found the Macna Synchrone to be a thoughtfully designed motorcycle jacket full of innovative elements that make life easier for the rider, and a bit safer on the road. They’ve put themselves in our place and designed a jacket that adds rather than takes away from the riding experience.

I’ve been riding with it for over 4000 miles and I’m always comfortable and feel well protected from the variations in weather conditions and temperatures. I personally like the colours on this jacket since they go well with my 40th Anniversary BMW F850GS Adventure, and they make me that bit more visible on the road. But the black version is just as smart and has all the same features.

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