Tour Master Advanced Textile Jacket | Gear Review

Tour Master Advanced Textile Jacket
Tour Master Advanced Textile Jacket

When my daughter Julia began riding a year ago, my main concern was for her safety. This meant not only a good helmet, but also protective riding gear with CE-approved impact-absorbing armor. I also wanted weather protection to keep her warm, dry and comfortable so that her attention would remain focused on the road. That’s why I was so glad when Tour Master announced its Advanced Textile Jacket.

The Advanced is loaded with features, starting with its 600-denier Carbolex nylon outer shell, with 1680 denier ballistic nylon over the CE-approved armor in the shoulders and elbows. Abundant reflective material provides visibility, and there’s a waterproof, breathable “Rainguard” barrier in the shell. The microfiber-lined collar is soft and seals well, and the zip/snap-in, full-sleeve thermal liner is a nice feature. However, the liner does not overlap across the front, leaving a three-inch-wide uninsulated strip down the front of the jacket. While she did not ride with the jacket in the rain, Julia reports that it did indeed breathe well and did not become clammy.

For temperature versatility, just remove the liner and the Advanced offers a pair of small mesh-lined vents in the front that double as pockets, along with rear exhaust vents. Add to these the shoulder vents that allow air to blow up around the shoulders and under the armpits, and it’s comfortable in warm weather.

The Advanced does not lack for pockets with a pair of zippered handwarmers and those upper vents that can hold small items when closed. In both the liner and shell (when the liner is removed) there’s a mobile media pocket designed for cell phones, but its hook-and-loop closure necessitates two hands to open. The pouch in the back, hip area of the jacket is accessible by a zippered opening at each end. Julia observes, “It’s awesome. It fits everything!” When removed on a hot day, the liner can be stuffed inside this pocket.

Finally, Julia notes that the articulated triple-density back protector made for a tight fit despite the action back, and she suggests that prospective buyers either try on the jacket in person or order one size larger than usual.

The Advanced is available in Black, Black/Gray and Black/Hi-Viz in men’s sizes from XS-5XL, and women’s XS-XL. Please note that the largest sizes are available in Black only. Overall, the full-featured Advanced is a great value for an MSRP of just $199.99.

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