Tour Master Rincon Jacket and Cortech DSX Pant Review

[This Tour Master Rincon Jacket and Cortech DSX Pant review was originally published in the January 2011 issue of Rider magazine]

Tourmaster Rincon Jacket and Cortech DSX PantWe all have our little vanities, and one of mine is attractive motorcycle clothing. Having grown up in the age of Barber and Belstaff, two of the eminent English moto-haberdashers in the ’50s and ’60s, I have always liked the look of the waterproof waxed-cotton jacket of half a century past. The look is what I want, not the reality, the reality being that the waterproofing wax rubs off on everything it touches, like your passenger’s jacket, and you have to re-wax the cotton every year or so.

So Tour Master came up with a solution—the Rincon jacket, a nonwaxed version made of 320-denier nylon and polyester. It looks like the old style, but is considerably friendlier to the wearer and those close to him, or her. Thanks to modern technology the Rainguard barrier, not wax, is what keeps the rider dry. It’s a breathable membrane that allows perspiration out, but water can’t get in.

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The three-quarter-length jacket has all the modern conveniences, like lots of pockets to keep things in, including a big hunter’s pouch at the back. The outside bellows pockets have both hook-and-loop strips and newly designed little snaps to keep them properly shut.

The collar and cuffs are all lined with a soft fabric that feels comfortable to the neck and wrists, and close down with hook-and-loop fasteners. I did find that after putting on the jacket, closing the right cuff before zipping up the front made life a lot simpler, as the hook-and-loop stuff on the cuff could catch on the hook-and-loop strip which parallels the zipper; even donning clothing has a drill to be learned.

Keeping things snug are a pair of hook-and-loop cinchers at the waist, and two take-up straps on each arm to prevent flapping, these using conventional snaps. Since the collar is not fully adjustable for a tight fit, I always carry a silk scarf in a pocket to wrap around my neck to keep the drafts out, or when I go out on a rainy day, to keep any drips from dribbling down.

On a hot day there are five vents to keep the air going through, one each on the upper arms, two on the chest, and one at the back. I would say that this jacket is pleasant to wear up to 85 or so degrees. And with the Z.O.Q. (Zip-Out Quilted) liner in place, and depending on what you are wearing underneath that, the jacket is good for some pretty cool temps.

Protection? Good, with CE armor at the shoulders and elbows, plus a lightweight back protector. All removable for washing. For the night owls amongst us, the jacket has Phoslite reflective piping—which does show up well when the headlights appear.

Along with the jacket I am wearing a pair of Cortech DSX Denim Pants, much like regular jeans, but strengthened by using heavy 13.5-ounce denim and double stitching. The trousers have adjustable CE armor at the knees, and leather panels sewn into the so-called “impact areas.” There is nothing waterproof about these strides, but that is no problem as I carry a lightweight two-piece rainsuit when I’m traveling.

The men’s Rincon jacket, black only, is available in sizes S-3XL, and costs $200. The DSX pants go from a 30/30 waist/leg to 44/34, in black, light blue and dark blue, and a tag of $100.

For more information: Tour Master and Cortech are trademarks of Helmet House Inc. Check out the websites or call (800) 421-7247 to find your nearest dealer.

 

 

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