SHIFT XC Riding Jacket
- Updated: August 23, 2005
Here’s an item that most ATV riders don’t have, but should. It’s Shift’s XC Riding Jacket. If you ride long distances or during the Spring, Fall or Winter months, if you want something safer than a windbreaker, if you need to carry stuff while you ride – then we suggest you check out what we have to say about this jacket.
To start, the Shift XC Riding Jacket is made to fit the riding needs of casual riders to serious Baja 1000 racers. Vents in the arms and body can easily be opened when temperatures start warming up as you ride. By opening up the vent’s zippers, you can control the amount of air coming into the jacket opening for optimal temperature control. If temps continue to warm the rider can easily unzip the sleeves. The sleeves easily store in the large cargo compartment in the back of the jacket. Speaking of compartments, there’s also another pocket in the rear that acts as a perfect organizer. We were able to store extra gloves, goggles, snacks, tools and a dry towel.
Removable elbow pads are built into the sleeves. There is also an opening in the front of the jacket for the rider to route the hose from a drink system. Velcro can be found at the end of the sleeves to help stop air from entering if desired.
The Shift XC Riding Jacket features a 100% polyester and nylon main body with updated high quality rubber logos. The jacket comes with a polyester mesh liner, which helps remove the moisture from rider perspiration. It comes in black, blue, red and orange.
Seat Time
Shift did a nice job of making the jacket extremely comfortable for riding. You can look forward to having full movement of your arms when riding with this jacket. In fact, you’ll forget you even have it on. If it rains, thanks to the polyester and nylon main body material, the water easily repels to make sure you’re warm and dry inside.
Our Tom Prendergast recently took the jacket on a riding trip in the mountains of Colorado. Mornings were cold and wet. Temps were in the low forties – a problem for riders trying to get by with wind-breakers, but not for Tom. As the day progressed temperatures increased to the 80s. Since Tom was no where near camp, he simply removed the sleeves and opened the vents to allow air to flow through. “I love it. It’s the best riding jacket I’ve ever had, that’s for sure. I never felt too hot even on the ride back to camp in the hot mid day afternoon,” proudly boasted Tom. He also told us that he really liked how the jacket protected him from branches on the trail and rocky roost from riders in front of him.
You can ride with just about any jacket, but if you’re serious about being safe, stopping wind from entering, staying dry and being comfortable with no jacket tail or sleeves to restrict your need to move around on the machine – then you really should check out a Shift XC Riding Jacket for yourself.
Retail price: $139
