Summer Motorcycle Jacket Guide: Mesh vs. Vented
In short: For extreme heat, like summer in Arizona, Texas or the Central Valley, a mesh motorcycle jacket certified to EN 17092 is the coolest option. For warm days with changing conditions, a vented jacket with zippered vents you can close is more versatile. Either way, look for class AA, abrasion-resistant fabric in the crash zones and slim armor.
At 95°F in traffic, a heavy touring jacket becomes a sauna, and riding in a T-shirt is no answer either. Summer motorcycle jackets solve that, but mesh and vented jackets work very differently. Here's how to choose.
Mesh vs. vented jacket
| Mesh jacket | Vented jacket | |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | Maximum, through large mesh panels | High, through breathable fabric and vents |
| Weather protection | None, needs a rain layer | Close the vents when it cools down |
| Best for | Desert heat, slow traffic | Warm days, long rides, changing elevation |
| Our gear | Desert Rider Mesh Jacket | Dryzone Jacket |
Both the Desert Rider and the Dryzone are certified to EN 17092, class AA, with SAS-TEC Level 2 protectors at shoulders, elbows and back.
What the EN 17092 classes mean
EN 17092 is the European standard for motorcycle garments. It tests the complete jacket or pants, not just the fabric:
- AAA: highest abrasion, tear and seam strength requirements, with impact protectors
- AA: high protection for touring and all-round use, with impact protectors
- A: lighter protection, mainly for urban riding, with impact protectors
- B: abrasion protection like A, without impact protectors
- C: under- or over-garments that hold protectors, without abrasion protection of their own
Venting doesn't have to mean less protection: a class AA mesh jacket has passed the same garment test as other AA jackets.
Armor: Level 1 or Level 2?
Protectors are tested for transmitted force, meaning how much of an impact still reaches your body. Lower is better.
- Shoulders, elbows, hips, knees (EN 1621-1): Level 1 under 35 kN, Level 2 under 20 kN on average
- Back (EN 1621-2): Level 1 under 18 kN, Level 2 under 9 kN on average
Complete the summer kit
Pair the jacket with the vented Dryzone Pants, cut with room for adventure boots, and the lightweight Dryzone Gloves with leather palm and stretch textile.
Staying cool on hot rides
- Stay covered. Bare skin burns and dehydrates fast at speed.
- Wear a moisture-wicking base layer, not cotton.
- Soak your base layer or neck gaiter at a stop; evaporation at speed cools you down.
- Drink before you're thirsty and plan shade breaks.
- Pack a rain layer. Monsoon storms in the Southwest and summer thunderstorms in the Southeast arrive fast. The packable Swamp Rain Jacket fits over any jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Are mesh motorcycle jackets safe?
A mesh jacket certified to EN 17092 has passed a full-garment test. Check the class and make sure crash zones are covered with abrasion-resistant fabric, not just mesh.
What's the best motorcycle jacket for summer?
For extreme heat, a certified mesh jacket. For warm days with changing conditions, a vented jacket you can close up.
Can I wear a mesh jacket in the rain?
Not on its own. Put a rain layer over it.
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