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Joe Rocket
What looks at first like a chain-mail bodysuit is actually a riding
jacket designed to keep you cool when the going gets hot: Joe Rocket's
Phoenix Jacket.
The Phoenix is designed as a warm-weather alternative to the hotter and
heavier perforated leather or textile gear. Sure, leather is going to
provide the best protection money can buy, but let's be honest: Who
enjoys being wrapped in leather and saturated in sweat while being
forced to endure the pain of unbearably high temperatures, fortified
with additional heat emanating from a big machine between your legs?
Enough of the S&M jokes, people, I'm being serious here. All the
protection in the world is no good if it's left at home.
Free-air Poly-mesh material is the key to the Phoenix jacket design. The
perforated outer shell allows cooling air to reach your body while
holding no less than a dozen strategically located dual-density foam
body-armor pads. The padding gives this jacket a decidedly futuristic
appearance and was actually the jacket of choice for Vin Diesel in the
movie "XXX."
The foam armor/padding will absorb some of the initial impact during a
crash. But, as those of you who have actually crashed are painfully
aware, seams can evaporate or tear, and synthetic material can burn
through quicker than expected.
But when faced with the alternative of wearing a t-shirt or less on a
hot afternoon ride instead of a leather jacket, the Phoenix is an
intelligent choice. Once you get moving and the air reaches your skin,
evaporative air cools the body. Your commute will not be as miserable,
nor will getting stuck going 55 behind the short bus be as bad as the
day before. Sure it may disappear quicker than a reality TV show
runner-up if you crash at a 100 mph, but we can confidently state that
in a crash, anything is better than nothing.
After wearing the jacket for half the summer, we have come to realize
how great this type of jacket really is. Two exterior pockets and one
interior wallet pocket provide enough stowage area to house your
necessities. The Velcro arm-closures tuck the sleeves neatly inside your
gloves, and the zip-out pad holders allow for a custom placement of
padding if necessary. It's nice to be riding in comfort when the mercury
rises into triple digits.
But the Phoenix is not without faults. No matter how good the design of
a jacket, a rider's body will still be quite warm when the going gets
slow in hot weather. After all, it is not a self-cooling garment; it
needs fresh-air to work, so making forward movement is a must. Now,
besides the get-off, there is one more situation worth avoiding when
wearing perforated garments like this. Riding in cold weather!
If you really want to taste the free-air experience, ride to your
significant-other's abode and then ride to work in the morning without
cold-weather gear when temps are below 60. Then decide which is worse:
freezing or frying? That experience may very well force you to pick up
the optional Joe Rocket Dry Tech Liner that can be zipped in or out of
the jacket to adjust for varying temperatures.
And if the Phoenix alone is not cool enough, another zip-in option from
Joe Rocket is its Sahara Vest. The Sahara is designed to absorb body
heat and release it through the vest surface, although we have not yet
tested it to confirm the claims. These are not the only items designed
to work with the jacket either. Every current Joe Rocket pant is
compatible with the Phoenix, including the Phoenix pant.
The Phoenix looks cool and should absorb some of the initial damage from
a crash, but you have to be realistic and understand that there is more
protective riding gear available. Polyester mesh and foam pads are the
least you can do to protect yourself. If you are okay with that, then
the Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket is a great addition to your closet. It
will get you through the summer and on down the road in comfort.
The Joe Rocket Phoenix retails for $139.95 but is on sale for quite a
bit less at Motorcycle-Superstore.
The Phoenix not only gets our stamp of approval but it has piqued our
interest in the perforated polyester jacket market, so expect more tests
of the other entries available to be coming soon.
Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 Mesh Jacket
* Free-Air poly mesh shell
* Removable waterproof liner included
* C.E. rated protectors in shoulders and elbows
* Removable spine pad with pocket for optional C.E. spine protector
* Elastic sleeve adjusters
* Sure Fit adjustable waistband
* 8” rear zipper for pant attachment
* Reflective logos
* Pocket for audio device with port for wire
* Pocket for face shield storage
Joe_rocket
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MSRP:
$149.99 - $169.99
, Our Price:
$89.00
http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/phoenix_4_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html
Here is a great deal in a “tried and true” design which has been
steadily improved over almost a decade. We are moving out a group of
Phoenix 4.0 jackets to make way for the ‘08 version (only slightly
changed). Save a bundle while the selection of sizes and colors lasts.
My comments from ‘07: The Phoenix 4.0 is a full mesh sport jacket,
primarily for warm weather street and sport riding. The entire jacket is
a mesh material that allows air to blow right through the jacket. To
help extend the jacket’s comfort range, you get a Dry Tech Liner as
standard. The liner works great on cool mornings to take the chill off
and can be easily removed and stored when it warms up. The armor in the
shoulders and elbows of this jacket is a CE approved “turtle shell”
molded rubber type. The back protector supplied is dual density. An
upgraded CE approved back protector is available (see below). This
jacket also has a couple unique and novel features: an MP3 player pocket
with a grommet to pass your head phone cord through near the neck and a
replacement face shield pocket. The face shield pocket feature is very
imaginative. Take the “View Larger Pictures” link above to see the
location of this pocket. When the shield is in place in the jacket it
hangs around your lower torso on one side. The shape of the shield and
the location of the pocket makes it to where you hardly notice the
shield is there. The Phoenix 4.0 is a fourth generation design of the
full mesh jacket and for the money, it’s an excellent jacket.
Great Jacket. I was looking for a new jacket to ride
with this summer and I found this Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 Textile jacket
with new enough and I couldn't pass on the deal. A dealer here in the
city wanted the same jacket for double the price. I will highly
recommend new enough to other riders. The prices are amazing and the
shipping was free and extremely quick. It got to my door step quicker
than the time they quoted me. Great company and friendly service. Very
nice people! Thanks New Enough. I will do business again!
As always, NEW ENOUGH ROCKS!!!! I got exactly what I
wanted, and SUPER FAST!!! I love the jacket and gloves I got for me. I
especially love the way they go with eachother. My new helmet was
awesome as well. My Fiance enjoyed his new jacket and gloves too. It was
his valentines present. The white is awesome!! WE LOVE IT!!!!Thanks New
Enough!!!!
Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 Mesh Jacket
* Free-air™ poly/mesh shell
* Removable waterproof liner
* C.E. rated protectors in shoulders and elbows
* Removable dual density spine pad (can be replaced with optional C.E.
spine protector)
* Elastic sleeve adjusters
* Sure Fit™ adjustable waistband
* 8” zipper for pant attachment
* Reflective stripe
* Pocket for eyeglass storage
* Clip for key storage
Free_shipping
Joe_rocket
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Blue Black Grey White Yellow
MSRP:
$149.99 - $169.99
, Our Price:
$134.99 - $152.99
The Phoenix 5.0 is the newest version of one of Joe
Rocket’s best selling mesh jackets. The entire jacket is a mesh material
that allows air to blow right through. The mesh material used in this
jacket is about as loose weave (which means maximum air flow) as it
gets, so consider this jacket when encountering extreme heat. To help
extend the jacket’s comfort range, you get a removable wind/waterproof
liner. The liner works great on cool mornings to take the chill off and
can be easily removed and stored when it warms up. This liner has a main
front zipper of its own so it can also be worn separately as a light
jacket (handy when trying to pack light on a trip). For crash protection
the jacket comes with removable CE approved shoulder and elbow armor and
a dual density backpad. An upgraded CE approved back protector is
available (see below). There is also some exterior padding on the sides
of the jacket that offers some extra protection as well as some added
styling (the main difference between this jacket and the 4.0 from the
‘07 season). For added nighttime visibility there is a liberal amount of
reflective piping on this jacket that runs across the front and back,
and down both sleeves. One other neat feature of this new Phoenix model
is the interior pocket. The pocket is lined with a very soft material
that is made so it will not scratch your eyeglasses or shades. Take the
“View Larger Pictures” link above to see some good closeups of this
jacket and its features.
Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
Air Conditioning for Your Scoot
By Martin Hackworth, Sep. 13, 2003
It used to be that when I conjured up an image of a mesh garment it was
a fetching black number draped over the form of mi espousa and personal
vixen in a fantasy suite at the rancho du hottie. Alas, these days such
reverie is quite likely to be terminated by a well-aimed elbow in the
ribs in a none too subtle reminder that it is my turn to get out of bed
and attend to the howls of the grommet in the next room. The jacket arms
are long enough to accommodate my 36" sleeve length, a really nice
feature. The jacket moves well with the torso and fits without bunching
while in a forward riding position. Material and build quality are very
good and the entire package is well designed and flawlessly executed.
So how does it work? Pretty darned well. We've had one of the hottest
summers on record up here in the intermountain west and riding around in
a leather jacket, even with all of the vents open, is an ordeal. While
cruising even at low in-town speeds forced convection does the trick.
But the jacket is also amazingly cool to wear while not moving. The
darker colored panels enhance thermal convection just like the black
robes worn by Bedouins - a conversation feature that is sure to distract
any traffic cop you might encounter during field testing.
Sportbike_pilot is pals with fellow Idahoan Randy "Macho Man" Savage.
They've spent years developing a counter to Chief J. Strongbow's
patented Sleeper Hold. Why? We know not. But fear ye all who leave
negative feedback! It may be you who solves this perspicuous puzzle.
Sportbike_pilot is pals with fellow Idahoan Randy "Macho Man" Savage.
They've spent years developing a counter to Chief J. Strongbow's
patented Sleeper Hold. Why? We know not. But fear ye all who leave
negative feedback! It may be you who solves this perspicuous puzzle.
Nits: remarkably few. Even close-cropped fingernails will snag on the
mesh inside the sleeves while you are putting the jacket on. Unlike
leather, which fits like a second skin with a little age, this jacket
fits just like it's always going to fit right out of the box and feels a
little bulky even given it's extremely light weight. My jacket came with
a small wrinkle in the fabric that won't go away. And you'd need a wrist
bigger around than my leg to employ all of the adjustability in the
sleeve cuffs. Most importantly I've heard through the grapevine that the
Phoenix crashes well (Hmmm... maybe they could have named this a little
better) but I would not want to slide very far while wearing one of
these. At any rate it's a one crash jacket. It's better protection than
a tee shirt for warm weather riding, and you are not nearly as likely to
pass out from heat stroke as you are in a full on leather jacket, but it
is a garment for specialized conditions.
The Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 Jacket is available in black, blue, green,
grey, red and yellow. At a suggested retail of $139.99 in the US and
$199.99 in Canada it's a screaming deal. You won't have any trouble
finding it for less than this nearly everywhere. Availability in some
colors and sizes is currently limited as they are selling like hotcakes.
You need one of these. For more information visit
www.joerocket.com.
Joe Rocket Men's Phoenix 3.0 Jacket
MOTORCYCLE HOT SALE JACKETS 2005
Joe Rocket Men's 2005 Phoenix 3.0 Street Jackets
Best Deals on the Web on Fox Racing, HJC , Arai, Icon Racing, Joe
Rocket, Shoei, Shift Racing, O'Neal, Thor MX and many more
Joe Rocket Phoenix 3.0 Street Jacket - Close Out Specials
Price: $85.49
Motorcycle Street Jacket Apparel Description
. Free-air™ poly/mesh shell
. Removable waterproof inner liner
. High density mesh on shoulders and elbows
. Elastic sleeve adjusters
. Perforated dual density body armor in shoulders, elbows/forearms and
spine
. Sure Fit™ adjustable waistband
. 8" zipper for pant attachment
. Reflective logo on back
. High density padding on shoulders, elbows and back
. Removable Dry Tech® liner included
. Zipper for optional Sahara vest
http://www.motorhelmets.com/hotsales/joe-rocket/pr-hotsales-apparel-joe-rocket-jackets-2005-men-phoenix-3.htm
Crashing in a Joe Rocket Phoenix. There are worse
things that could happen!
Written: Dec 13 '07
Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0
Pros: Light weight, Low cost, impact pads and back protector, Very Cool!
Cons: For really hot weather riding only. You'll freeze when the
temperature drops a little.
The Bottom Line: This jacket fills a very specific need. Hot weather
riding! If you don't mind letting it wait for scorchers, buy it!
toolguy1963's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
I opened the box and pulled the Phoenix jacket out. The left elbow,
forearm and shoulder looked like balled and tangled fishnet stalkings.
The back was highly abraded and ripped through at a number of points and
the right forearm and elbow were slightly worn with the elbow pad poking
through at one point. Holly cow! I’m glad Dana was all right. He said
the jacket saved his hide and took the beating. That was obvious!
There was a note included: Thanks for the jacket Don. I’m glad I took
your advice and brought it with me. Like I said, I went down at 60 MPH
onto concrete highway. I picked most of the weed grass out of the mesh
so customs wouldn’t bust me for agricultural products. Ha ha. I’ll have
a new jacket sent to you pronto. Thanks again Dana.
I bought the Phoenix back in the summer of 2000. I was in Oklahoma City
in the summer time getting ready for a ride and realized the heavy
Italian leathers I brought with me would be like a sauna out there. At
my friends insistence I went to an independent bike shop and bought the
Phoenix off the rack. The leathers stayed behind and we headed for the
scorched state of Texas.
The Phoenix was a lifesaver. This jacket is very light in weight, has
dual density impact padding in the elbows that extend into the forearms.
Impact pads on the shoulders and a back protector. The mesh net outer
structure is made from double layer knit nylon and allows full body
airflow through the torso and arms. It has two side zip pockets and a
single inner pocket. There are adjusting tabs on the arms to keep the
pads tight against your arms so they won’t pivot around in an accident.
A double-back adjusting belt on each side of the jacket is also used to
tighten up around the waist.
The jacket is easy to get into and very comfortable in hot weather. The
mesh works as advertised but you get an added cooling effect since your
skin isn’t directly exposed to the sunlight. My experience with the
jacket was riding in temperatures over one hundred degrees and it was
the most comfortable hot weather riding Iv done.
There are also pants that can be zipped to this jacket with the
installed zipper in the lower back area. By zipping the two pieces
together it ensures that the pants don’t get ripped off your body while
sliding down the road. I didn’t get them so I won’t add a comment here
on the performance.
When the weather cools down you’ll freeze to death in this jacket.
Better have a backup plan. Even down in the 70’s you need some type of
warm garment to use in conjunction with this jacket. I brought it back
to Germany and haven’t used it since. It’s just too cool here. Also
expect to get wet if the clouds let loose. Water will come in just as
fast as the air does.
The jacket comes in a number of colors to match your bike or riding
gear. I bought mine in Red and Black and I think it looks pretty sharp.
It’s not a very versatile item and has a very specific use, so think
about it twice before you do buy one. I can definitely recommend this
jacket if you do any hot weather riding. I bought mine for just
ninety-nine dollars, so the price is reasonable. Enough so that I don’t
mind it hanging in my Kit closet waiting for a hot day. It also did what
it was supposed to do, and thank goodness it wasn’t me that had to find
out. My friend Dana came through his get off in one piece with the worst
of his injuries being a broken hand from hitting a guard rail before he
skidded off into the weeds. Thanks Joe Rocket!
Pros: Light weight, cool, low cost. Much, much better
than nothing. Great for low speed.
Cons: Unlikely to protect you at any substantial speed. Padding and
nylon are very light.
The Bottom Line: I recommend this for low speed travel in hot weather. I
do not recommend it at speeds higher than, say, 40 mph.
jystrebler's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
I bought this jacket due to a lack of any sort of leathers at the store
I shop at.
As we all know, the typical leather jackets for fashion are not in the
same league as leathers for riding a motorcycle. (Even if they are
called "motorcycle jackets".)
For one thing, they're thinner. For another, they offer no padding. (And
yet a third way they differ is that motorcycle jackets have a smaller
chest, a longer back, and longer sleeves because of the position a
person is in while riding a motorcycle.)
I wear this thing underneath fashion leather jackets for added
protection. That's not really the manufacturer's intended purpose.
The purpose of this jacket is to wear in hot weather when a person may
not want to wear a normal leather jacket.
What is this jacket? It is a rather sturdy mesh nylon and layers of soft
padding for the spine and shoulders. There is also double padding at the
elbows (your pointy elbows are likely to sustain a lot of damage if you
ever introduce them to the pavement.)
Frankly, I think this jacket would offer some protection in a low-speed
crash. But as others have pointed out, any substantial sliding and this
thing will shred. Nylon is not that tough... not even when it's double
knit.
The padding is relatively light duty as well... less than what you might
find in a race jacket.
If you were to get intimate with the pavement, you rally have two things
to worry about: impact and grinding (abrasion).
For instance, your spine may whack into the pavement so hard that it
breaks, just like if it were hit by a baseball bat.
Having survived one moderate speed car-entanglement on a bicycle, I can
tell you that the first thing you generally do is bounce and roll. Your
body is flung down the street and you're smacking various parts of it
into the road.
This jacket is intended to offer some protection for that bouncing into
the street. It might save you from a shattered elbow or a separated
shoulder.
But at very high speeds, you have another thing to worry about: grinding
(abrasion.) That means that as you are bouncing, you're also grinding
against the pavement for a while. This jacket will do very little to
assist you while grinding against the pavement.
I think this is one of those items where if you did any substantial
grinding, you'll waste the jacket. So, I only really like this thing for
low-speed wear. Putting a leather shell over it on the outside will
improve it significantly.
On hot days, if I have to drive to the supermarket, I would wear this
jacket over a tee shirt. But I can make that drive without ever getting
over 35 mph.
However, for anything where I had to go any faster than that, I would
probably go with a leather jacket. If you buy a leather jacket that has
vents and a removable liner, it won't seem that hot at speed. Though it
will feel hot if you're stopped or standing around.
Also, another nice feature is that this jacket is washable. Makes sense
since you may do a lot of sweating in it.
So, I think the potential purposes of this jacket are twofold:
1. On a low-speed ride, on a hot day, this over a tee shirt will give
you great protection.
2. If you're wearing an unpadded jacket, this is a good idea to wear
underneath.
This jacket will probably help you with the initial smack into the
pavement and the subsequent rolling down the road. But it won't grind
very far before you're down to bare skin.
Also, one liability of any textile based motorcycle clothing is that it
will burn. If you get trapped under your bike and the exhaust warms up
the cloth, it will melt and might graft on to your skin.
That's true for all textile based clothing, not just this jacket. Yet
another reason to love leather, which has some heat-resistant properties
and substantially better abrasion protection properties.
As always, dress for the slide, not the ride.
Recommended:
Yes
Pros: Super light, looks cool, gives you that "safer"
feeling
Cons: Sizing, huge shoulder pads, not backpack friendly
The Bottom Line: In the functionality department, I'd give this jacket a
C, but if it's looks you want, and a little warm-weather protection,
it's a good option. Shop around first.
mimestatic's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
JACKET FEATURES:
-mesh material to allow for maximum breatheability
-high-density foam padding in shoulders, elbows, and back
-zip in/zip out wind-breaker liner
-velcro tighteners at wrists and waist
-button snaps near elbow area and at neck
-2 zippered pockets in front
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE JOE ROCKET PHOENIX MESH JACKET:
To start off with, this jacket looks really, really cool. Yes, it's
supposed to be worn for safety, but you gotta look cool riding your
bike, right? The one I have is mostly red, with a little black and a
little white, to match my bike. I purchased some First Gear carbon fiber
gloves in matching colors to go with it. It looks really sharp.
As for the functionality...
THE GOOD:
-This jacket is super light! If you're looking at getting a mesh jacket,
then you must be living in a hot climate. This jacket won't disappoint
you in the breathability/lightweight department.
-Never having been in a wreck wearing the jacket, I can't attest to the
protection it might provide, but it seems like it would do a lot to
prevent road rash in a slide, which is really all any jacket will do
anyway.
THE BAD:
-The windbreaker liner does very little to stop the cold from coming in,
so keep that in mind...also, if you start to sweat even a little bit
with the liner in, it is almost impossible to get the jacket off, as it
sticks to your skin
-The shoulder pads are HUGE, and they kind of inhibit me from being able
to turn my head all the way to the side while I'm riding to check the
lane next to me
-THIS JACKET SHOULD BE TRIED ON BEFORE YOU BUY IT! The velcro waist
adjusters seem as if they were made for a 300 pound man and the torso
length is just a tad short
-If you're like me, and use your bike to go to school, good luck wearing
a backpack with this thing on... it's near impossible to get the strap
past the bulging elbow pads
MY RECOMMENDATION:
As other reviewers have said, it is much better than not wearing any
body protection at all. And if you live in Arizona, as I do, or plan to
ride your bike in the summer, you NEED a mesh jacket unless you want to
arrive at your destination drenched in sweat. Many companies are making
mesh jackets now, so I would shop around before buying a Phoenix.
Pros: Cool,Lightweight, Armored
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: Cool and lightweight to wear and some of the best
protection offered by any maker of motorcycle riding gear.
scottsw1's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
I'm a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and I'm required to wear
protective equipment because while riding a motorcycle the military
claims that they won't provide medical coverage for me if I get in an
accident. I bought the Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket because my Joe Rocket
Ballistic jacket was just too hot to wear in the middle of summer when
the temperature is in the low to mid 90's. I saw this jacket on the rack
at my local dealership and after trying it on I knew that I wasn't going
to leave the store without one!
The Phoenix jacket is constructed of a nylon mesh material. The material
is double layered so it's pretty durable but still lightweight. Just to
let you know, because it is double layered, you still can't see through
it but it still lets an unbelievable amount of air in for circulation.
One of the most important features is the amount of armor that is
included in this jacket. First off the armor in this jacket is double
layered. The layer next to the outer layer of the jacket is pretty soft,
but this covers the hard layer underneath. The armor starts around the
neck of the jacket and extends down the shoulder area to about 4 inches
down the arm. There is about a 4-inch area that isn't covered in the
bicep area of the arm and then the armor starts again and extends down
to the wrist area of the rider. The back of the jacket is almost
completely covered in armor and would do a great job of protecting a
rider if he found himself sliding on his back from being thrown from his
motorcycle. I really can't believe how much protection Joe Rocket
included in the back area because they sell a back protector that cost
around $50 and it seems that people would buy this jacket instead of a
strap on back plate and it would cost the company some profits in the
long run.
The jacket also includes 2 outer pockets and 1 inside pocket. The outer
pockets are large enough to carry a cell phone or other objects in the
4-5 inch range. The inside pocket is large enough to carry a wallet or a
pair of sunglasses. The outer pockets also have some reflective straps
to help you open them.
Another plus is a zipper installed on the lower back area of the inside
of the jacket. This zipper is used so that the jacket can be mated to a
pair of riding pants. I have used my Joe Rocket Ballistic pants with the
Phoenix jacket and they mate together perfectly. What's nice about
zipping them together is that the jacket won't ride up from the pants
exposing your lower back and the jacket won't flop around due to wind at
high speeds.
One word of caution is that this jacket offers virtually no protection
from water if you were caught in a rainstorm, but that is the price you
pay for comfort in hot weather.
Joe Rocket makes this jacket in a wide array of colors to match almost
any motorcycle brand.
Bottom line: Buy this jacket for the best protection for hot weather
riding, without becoming overheated yourself.
Recommended:
Yes
Pros: Cool, Armor, Lightweight
Cons: Sizing is off. Button Snaps. Made out of polyester. Not CE rated
Armor.
The Bottom Line: If you normally wear a T-shirt in hot weather
motorcycling, then at least get this. Also take a look at the Firstgear
MeshTex Jacket.
drew0570's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
This jacket is definately great for allowing as much airflow as possible
during hot-weather riding. When the temps get up into the 90's, it is
better to wear this than just a T-Shirt. Wearing anything bulkier with
more protection means sweating like crazy and risking a heat stroke.
Now for my criticizing:
It does have armor all over, but it isn't CE rated armor, so I would
more or less just call it padding.
The jacket's material is 100% polyester. I would think that they could
have found a tougher material than polyester to make the weave pattern
of that jacket. I don't feel that this jacket will provide the abrasion
protection necessary in a somewhat high speed or greater crash that
involves sliding across pavement or gravel. A crash in the grass might
save your &ss though :-) .
It also has snap buttons used to tighten the sleeves around your arms
and hold the elbow armor in place. I feel that in a crash, those snaps
could easily un-snap and then your armor is no longer in the right place
to protect the elbows. Also, the snaps only offer one size adjustment...
which is a bit tight on my arms. My other jackets use velcro straps with
buckles to serve the same purpose. Velcro straps are adjustable and they
would be much harder to come loose in a crash when wrapped around a
buckle.
Then their is the sizing. The people who designed this jacket as well as
the Phoenix pants that are supposed to go with it seemed to be very
partial to large people. They barely even provide the Phoenix Jacket
product as a unisex option so that smaller women riders or passengers
could use it. I normally wear a size Medium with by Belstaff Avalon
jacket, but this jacket I wear a small, and the arms are still too long.
Luckily I am able to get my girlfriend into a size extra-small, but she
is 5'7". Anyone who's girlfriend is smaller than that probably won't fit
very well with this jacket. The phoenix pants that attach to this jacket
with the zipper are a complete joke as far as sizing is concerned. They
only go down as low as a small (no extra-small) and they are HUGE! I
have a 31" inseam and the small Phoenix pants are way too big. They
balloon out at the hips and make you look like a clown. The legs are way
too long. And the knee armor sits below my knees even when my legs are
bent. Basically... unwearable. And there is no way that I would be able
to get my girlfriend a pair as they are way too huge for her.
The zipper attachement in the Phoenix Jacket that is used to zipper the
pants into the jacket uses a spandex type material that is attached to
the very thin inner mesh lining. This will come off easily in a crash
and I have seen pictures of a guys Phoenix jacket after a crash on his
BMW R1150RT and that zipper pulled right out(**** UPDATED 28MAY2002- I
found the link to that crash report on the bmwrt.com website. Go to the
"RT BBS" link, select search, search for "Rider Down" with date range
set to all posts. It describes the whole crash as well as the outcome of
the Joe Rocket outfit.. with pictures... It was actually the Joe Rocket
Ballistic jacket, but it has the same zipper attachement as you can see
from the pictures.END UPDATE****). Being that Joe Rockets Phoenix Pants
are usually too big (Unless you are one of the lucky ones who can get
them to fit), if the attachement zipper comes off, your pants will
probably pull right down in a crash offering no protection. I think Joe
Rocket could have done a better job of attaching that zipper to a
stronger material.
Conclusion: Great to keep you cool in hot weather... The laws of physics
would tell you that polyester does not offer good abrasion resistance
(If you think so, you might as well go to your nearest thrift shop and
pick up a nice polyester shirt and pants for your motorcycling
protection). Forget about the matching Phoenix Pants... until Joe Rocket
decides to do some resizing. Finally... it's better than nothing. I'd
give the Phoenix Jacket a rating of 1 for quality and material... and a
rating of between 4 and 5 for keeping you cool. My average rating
though, I can't let go above a 2. Only recommended if you normally wear
a T-shirt in hot weather or can't bear the heat any longer.
For me, I'm going to try to find the hard-to-find Firstgear MeshTex
jacket and see if it is a better alternative to the Phoenix. There's
very little information about it anywhere... Even on FirstGear's
website. I don't know what these manufacturers are thinking?
Pros: Allows air flow, comfortable, light, double
armor, excellent price, different colors.
Cons: Does not offer "full" protection, polyester.
The Bottom Line: Buy it!
cbr919's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
I bought this jacket mainly because I did not want to risk getting a
heat stroke! While motor vehicle accidents are always a risk with
motorcyclists, I think riders (including myself) underestimate the
possibility of getting a heat stroke. It's common sense for people to
remove layers of clothing during hot, hazy, and humid weather. We know
why most motorcyclists shouldn't and/or don't do this!
Most motorcyclists end up either wearing full leather or just a t-shirt
and shorts. I've tried wearing a textile jacket but all that does is
trap your body heat and sweat. Textile jackets are usually full or
fuller length than leather jackets, which are shorter. Textile jackets
are fabulous when the weather is cold because they help block out cold
air and trap your body heat.
The first thing that you notice when you put on this jacket and ride off
is its weight, or lack thereof! I am accustomed to riding with the
weight of a heavy leather jacket. But as soon as I rode off for the
first time with this jacket on, I didn't feel this jacket on me at all.
It's the same feeling as riding with a "good" passenger. If the
passenger is "good", you don't even notice that he/she is behind you on
your motorcycle. However, if the passenger is "bad", you feel every
movement they make which makes your job tougher.
Joe Rocket sells two versions of their so-called mesh jacket, the
Phoenix and the Reactor.
These are the same jackets except for a few minor differences. The
Reactor has a better overall "fit and feel". The Reactor offers leather
along the outside of both arms. This leather is perforated. The Reactor
is also a little more expensive. Is the Reactor worth the extra cost?
Not really!
The Phoenix jacket offers two front pockets with a zipper opening. The
pockets are big enough to hold a wallet or small cell phone. The jacket
also has an inner pocket behind the left side. It too has a zipper
opening. The jacket is 100% polyester on the inside and the outside.
One of the reasons I bought the Phoenix jacket instead of the Reactor
jacket was it's lack of leather. That makes the Phoenix jacket easy to
wash. You can simply put this jacket into a tub of water and hand wash
it. Obviously, you cannot soak leather to clean it.
The Phoenix jacket also offers a rear zipper attachment to join to
motorcycle pants. It has an adjustable waist band and belt. These are
both attached by velcro to suit your particular body measurements. The
collar on the Phoenix jacket is all polyester mesh and feels very
comfortable. My jacket is the 2002 model year.
The Phoenix jacket contains very good body armor in the back, shoulder,
and elbow areas. It's actually double armor. One part is sewn into the
jacket and cannot be removed. The other part is removable via velcro
openings. If you're not accustomed to wearing back armor, this is the
first thing you'll notice when you put on this jacket. The arms of the
this jacket both contain 2 snap-on buttons to secure the elbow armor to
your elbow. This does make the arms feel somewhat "snug" but consider
its function. Elbow armor is useless if it slides along your arm during
a spill.
Aesthetic-wise (i.e. how does it look), this jacket draws a lot of looks
and compliments from fellow riders. Instead of looking like a "Power
Ranger", you will look more like a serious motorcyclist. The Phoenix
jacket comes in black, grey, red, blue, green, or yellow. The outer
torso, inner arms, and collar are always black.
This jacket is mesh all around. There is a Joe Rocket plastic logo on
the left chest area and two Joe Rocket Ballistic Series plastic logos,
one on each arm below the shoulders.
The bottomline is this jacket did what it was supposed to do! It offered
me good protection while allowing cool air to reach my body and help
maintain a very comfortable ride.
Would this jacket hold up in a spill? Hopefully, I never have to find
out. One of the local dealers did mention that this was a one accident
only jacket. I take that to mean it will protect you but the jacket will
take permanent damage (i.e. needs to be replaced).
Which is fine with me! It's the same with your helmet. Your helmet is
designed to absorb most if not all the impact before these forces reach
your skull. Then, your helmet needs to be replaced!
The first day I rode with this jacket it was over 90 degrees and hot,
hazy, and humid (in Toronto, Canada). I did not sweat at all between my
neck and waist. I did not find myself needing a "drink of water" to
combat the heat like I normally would. I rode for over an hour and did
not need to stop and cool off (i.e. get inside where there's air
conditioning).
Does it offer the same level of protection as a leather jacket?
Definitely not! But it does offer much better protection than a t-shirt,
sweater, or a jean jacket!
Pros: Excellent armor, great hot weather protection.
Cons: Begins to fray at cuffs easily.
The Bottom Line: Go buy it! This works as advertised. A few minor
derogatory points, but otherwise perfect.
Ralph-A's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
I bought one of these jackets with a lot of trepedition. I am a very
firm believer in using the very best riding gear at all times. So when I
saw this jacket, basically made of mesh (600 Denier I believe)with armor
installed in several necessary spots, I was a little apprehensive to say
the least.
But upon reading reviews in various magazines, I came upon the
realization that the jacket was good in a crash, at least within certain
parameters.
Would I go out for a day of high speed sport bike riding with this on?
(Not that I do anyway, it's not my thing, personally. I'm not a squid)No.
But would I go out for a day of sport touring? Yes I would. And I have.
the jacket is great for those balmy summer days and nights.
At first, I didn't feel comfortable with it, because of the light mesh.
But after getting used to it, I find it's a great summer jacket.
One problem with it is that the mesh tends to fray easily. A friends
jacket started to fray almost immediately at the cuffs. Also, one of the
other guys who bought one broke a snap at the arm early on. So it's not
perfect. These seem to be quality control issues more then anything.
I've seen crash reports of users who have had this jacket on, and have
been very impressed. The jacket is a one crash only jacket. It's a
throwaway when you have the misfortune of crashing in it, but that's
okay. From everything I've read, it does its job nicely.
Did I mention how it's a great looking, sporty jacket too? In fact it's
the best looking vented/mesh jacket on the market.
One other thing, don't wear it under 70 degrees. Go for something a
little heavier at that point. You'll be surprised how cold that feels at
highway speeds.
Pros: light weight and very comfortable. open weave
lets air flow through.
Cons: only really worn on warm days
The Bottom Line: Great Jacket, Great manufacturer, comfortable, and
stylish.
danable007's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
I have bought one of these jackets and actually the pants as well. They
are extremely comfortable and are not restrictive at all. I bought the
phoenix for two main reasons:1) It is a very sharp looking jacket and 2)
in the summer when I would not want to wear my leather, this is better
than a t-shirt.. and I still don't get over heated while riding.
In my opinion, this is a great investment.. but do not throw out your
leathers. This is a step forward for safety conscious shoppers who want
protection, but not at the expense of uncomfortably warm days.
When you are looking at the material up close, it looks almost like
normal woven threads, but they do not stretch or move about.. and seem
to be stronger than one would imagine.. and tests have come back to
compare it with the same protection as leather..
a very good investment Joe Rocket has always been a name you could trust
in safety, and they are relatively inexpensive at 130.00..
Pros: Cool Breezy Good protection Good value
Cons: Wasn't invented soon enough for me.
The Bottom Line: No excuses for not wearing protection on hot days. For
cooler rides, I wear an oversized leather jacket over the Phoenix.
Phoenix pants; my next purchase.
ski89venture's Full Review: Joe Rocket Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket
I've been wanting to purchase this jacket since the first time I saw
one. Now I'll feel comfortable on those 90 degree days, and be protected
too.
I plan on making it serve me in the cold too by layering under it, and
wearing a regular cold weather jacket over it. That'll save me about 300
bucks. As the day wears on, I'll just put the heavy jacket in trunk of
my touring machine and cool right down without worrying about
protection.
Now I have to save up for the Phoenix pants that zip right up to the
jacket. Then I can start riding in shorts too.
This is a well crafted, designed, and stylish jacket. If your anywhere
south of PA and the temps in July and August start hitting the 90s and
triple digits, this jacket is for you.
Passion for Riding
my favorite recipe for adrenaline
First preheat atmosphere to a balmy 77 degrees.
Next place the "KEY" ingredient in the bike and slowly turn.
Riders pulse should begin to quicken as he hears the Cobra pipes growl
Place safety gear on as not to attract additional tickets.
Next climb down onto the bike, taking care not to drool on your tank.
Slosh fuel in tank to ensure a return ride is possible.
Carefully ride through town to the stretch of road which contains "Dead
mans curve, Devil's bend, Satan's twisted nightmare or whatever they
call it in your town"
Carefully remove thoughts of lonely wife and kids, should you not
return.
Snap right wrist toward road and BAKE at 90 mph for 30 minutes or until
glazed.
Passion for Riding
Enjoy |
