For more than a year now, I’ve worn an airbag vest under my jacket every time I ride. Although I hope to never need it, the peace-of-mind that it provides is incredibly valuable. The downside is that most of my riding jackets are now too snug with the airbag vest worn underneath (there needs to be enough space to allow the airbag to inflate between the jacket and the rider’s torso). I needed a new everyday motorcycle jacket that would easily accommodate an airbag vest, and the Speed and Strength Daydream Textile Jacket caught my eye.
Like all of Speed and Strength’s motorcycle apparel, the Daydream jacket has urban, modern styling. The leather on the shoulders and collar and the removable hooded sleeveless liner give it a distinct personality, and for extra pizzaz, I went with the Smoked Purple color option (other colors are Olive or Black).
The jacket’s shell is constructed from a combination of AR-600 textile and leather. Removable Vault CE-approved shoulder, elbow, and spine protectors are included (I removed the spine armor since my airbag vest has a built-in back protector). The removable liner is made of a cotton-polyester blend.
Ventilation is provided by two zippered vents on the upper arms and two zippered exhausts on the upper back. The jacket also has two internal stash pockets and two zippered handwarmer pockets, as well as a spacious internal pocket to store a helmet faceshield.
I’ve found this jacket to be quite comfortable for everyday riding. It’s shaped for a woman’s fit, and compared to some jackets that are only minimally altered from a men’s version to accommodate women, this one’s fit feels thoughtfully designed. The collar and cuffs are comfortable and don’t cause any scratchiness or irritation. The elastic waist was the perfect choice for handling the extra bulk of an airbag vest without making the jacket feel too tight.
While I like the look of the liner’s hood, I found it unnecessary. The only benefit the hood provides me is in style, as I don’t need a hood when I’m wearing a helmet and usually take off my riding jackets when I’m not riding. It could be beneficial when walking around during a break on a crisp late-fall afternoon. But mostly I’ve worn the jacket without the hooded liner.
Matching the material of the hooded liner, the cotton-polyester cuffs are comfortable and easy to stretch over the cuffs of gloves. They stick out about 1.5 inches from the end of the textile sleeves, although in Speed and Strength’s product images, they appear to stick out a couple inches more than that. The jacket also includes belt loops for attachment to pants.
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I’ve enjoyed wearing the Speed and Strength Daydream Textile Jacket for the past few months. It feels durable and comfortable while offering smart styling, ventilation, and other useful features. It fits the bill of what I was looking for: a comfortable everyday riding jacket that can easily accommodate an airbag vest. The jacket is available in sizes XS-2XL for $199.95.
