It has been almost a year since I first tested the Weise Scout vented jacket. We are not into weeks of scorching weather – yet – but the jacket has been getting a lot of use in recent days.
I wonder if summer ’23 will see the same peak in demand for AA-rated jackets that are 50% holes?
Article from Summer ’22
It is just before 7 am on a summer morning, and the outside air temperature gauge on the Tracer insists it’s already 20°C. Thankfully, the Weise Scout vented jacket I’m testing adds a cool bite to the morning air.
Over the last few weeks, the weather in Europe has been scorching. The predominant forecast for summer is thankfully a few degrees lower. Still, there are more summer days with significant temperatures on their way.
As summer gets cooking, it is time to discover if vented jackets are any good or are they just a load of hot air generated by the marketing departments?
And on what might be the worst pun ever … let’s get into it.
The Concept
We are all familiar with the zipped vents on motorcycle jackets. We open them on hot days to allow air to pass through the jacket. There are, however, limits to how much cooling air vents can provide.
At one time or another, most of my motorcycle jackets have inflated. More air is coming into the jacket than the exhaust vents on the rear can clear, so the jacket puffs up, and you look like the Michelin Man.
The airflow is the crucial part. That is what cools you. It is the same effect when you stand in front of a fan. The air passing over your skin reduces your temperature. It is called convective heat loss, more commonly referred to as wind chill.
The air blowing over your skin makes it easier for moisture to evaporate, which makes you feel cooler.
Vented Jackets
Wanting to dress for the ride and the possibility of a slide, vented jackets – in fact, any motorcycle jacket – must be made from an abrasion-resistant material. The Weise Scout Jacket I’m testing is made from 600 Denier polyester and, even though it is full of holes, remains a CE Double-A approved garment.
There is something comforting in knowing that a jacket designed for maximum airflow can still protect me should something unwanted happen.
Does It Work?
As the day had started at 20°C and I was feeling the coolness of the morning air, the answer has to be yes. As the air dried, but the temperature stayed the same, the slight chill disappeared and left me at an excellent body temperature for motorcycling.
With the temperature climbing to 27°C by the mid-afternoon, the Weise Scout jacket kept me comfortable and wonderfully ventilated.
Perhaps I should add that I opted to wear a long sleeve T-Shirt that day. As vented jackets have holes, patches of your skin are exposed directly to the sunlight. A long ride on a bright sunny day brings the possibility of sunburn.
I know this, having once had a pair of gloves with a cut-out on the back of the hand. After two hours on the bike in the midday sunshine, I had a bizarre sunburn pattern on the back of my hands.
Weise Scout Jacket
Other than liking Weise clothing, why am I testing the Weise Scout vented jacket rather than any of the others? I have three answers – Price, Fit and Durability.
You can spend a small fortune on a vented summer jacket. Seriously I’ve seen them for over £500 and have been tempted to try one on, just to see what a £500 jacket made 40% from holes feels like.
The objective of the jacket is to let air pass through to your body, so vented jackets can’t be adorned with multiple pockets and features. The holes in the jacket are the primary feature we want.
Nonetheless, Weise hasn’t skimped on the finish, and the Scout jacket has several excellent touches. The neck is Neoprene® trimmed. There are fitting adjustments at the cuff, bicep and waist and two extra pockets on the inside, one of which is designed specifically for your phone.
At £130, the Weise Scout is pitched at a good price for a well-made jacket. Add in the CE-approved armour in the back, elbows and shoulders, and it is good value for money.
The next thing is the fit. Typically, I’m a 2XL across the back and arms, and my torso fits comfortably. With some other makes, I’ve found 2XL requires me to have a 30-inch waistline and to have never enjoyed a good meal.
There is ample space at the bottom of the Weise jacket for those with more to accommodate, and for anyone of a slimmer stature, the Velcro adjustment allows you to trim the jacket to your liking.
And my final requirement is that the jacket – or any other motorcycle clothing – has to last. I’ve knocked seven bells out of some of my gear, and if it doesn’t last, I get very annoyed. I can’t comment on the Weise Scout, having just started wearing it, but Weise’s reputation for durability is well known.
Yes, I could buy a no-name vented jacket with dubious armour and a claimed CE rating, but when we buy cheap, we buy twice.
Bottom Line
The Weise Scout is a well-made vented jacket that does a great job of letting air flow. An excellent summer jacket that is a welcome change from my regular jacket on those days when my alternative would be to slowly boil.
Clarity
We have a long-standing relationship with Weise. As with anything we test, our Product Testing Philosophy applies. If it is good, tell others. Anything else, we say to the manufacturer.
