I ride lots of high speed dirt dual sport and was looking for something could keep up with the summer heat and humidity of Texas while still offering more abrasion resistance than a regular jersey for the in between dirt road pavement sections. In talking with Brian about mesh options for dual sport he suggested the Tactical Pro Jersey. This has turned out to be a solid piece of gear.
I wear it over a thin long sleeve bamboo shirt with Leatt elbow guards that offer impact and sliding protection from the elbow into the forearm. That combo along with a back protector in the hydration pack provides good protection without being ridiculously hot. For sure it's less breathable than a standard mesh jersey but much better than even the great mesh jacket I own which I don't feel provides anymore actual abrasion protection. The fit and comfort of the jersey are very good. Very easy to throw a rain jacket over and also easy (non bulky) to pack. Only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the black panels on the arms are still hot in the sun (need a lighter color) and I would like to see some Cordura reinforcements on the elbows and shoulders for additional abrasion resistance as the black material with the foam padding underneath does not really breath anyway.
This Jersey looks and feels tough! I'm using it for hot weather ADV riding, about a 50/50 mix of on & off road. I wear it over body armor. I have not crash tested it, and hope I never do, but it feels substantial enough to offer good protection. The ventilation is fantastic, and it fits as it should. If it gets cold, I put a Jacket over it that I have removed the armor from.
I think for extreme off road this would be the best thing out there. It works well for my use from a comfort/venting standpoint, but I do wonder how much abrasion resistance it would have on the road. As much as I like it, I still go back to a conventional armored jacket when it's cooler or the ride is mostly road.
Must thank Brian for recommending the Tech 7 boots, the design allows easy shifting without any motorcycle shift lever adjustment, 1st day in them was all day long…very comfortable. What a great experience shopping at Atomic Moto!
Brian was super, super knowledgeable on these boots and had answers to all of my sizing and fit questions- really helped me to believe buying these boots what the right choice for my style of riding. And they are. Great support, perfect fit, great quality- I have no doubt these will last me years to come. Definitely much, much better for my needs than the ADV style boots I had before. So far they've been perfect for enduro and trail riding on my Beta 300, but the hinge still means they're comfortable enough to wear on long distance ADV rides on my T7.
The boots aren't yet broken in as I'm getting some rubbing above the right ankle. I'm guessing with time and wear, this will resolve itself. Otherwise, a well constructed boot. Sizing per staff recommendation was spot on.
I have had an opportunity to ride over 300 miles in these boots. They are breaking in nicely. One of these rides was 200 miles and involved some off pavement riding. These boots are comfortable for all day use. The soles give really great grip on all surfaces and they inspire confidence. It takes a little time to adjust to shifting with them, but that is to be expected. I had to do some walking and they are fine as long as it isn't a multi-mile hike. The only issue I had was the top buckle unbuckled on the top right boot when I mounted the bike twice. That was probably my fault. They are not optimal for running around the city, but that is not what they are designed for. I will be looking for another boot for casual riding. Overall they are a great touring boot that can be worn for hours and offer really good protection. I expect they will get even better with more use. I would recommend them and buy them again. High quality at a fair price. Thanks Brian for the advice!
Brian at Atomic Moto is simply the best in the business - took the time to advise me on the boots for my type of riding and spent almost an hour on the phone. His customer service is legendary and the reason why I’m a repeat customer of his for moto boots