Opinions on Merlin bike gear

[yellowstreak]

When I started on a bike, my first jacket was a Frank Thomas. It was affordable and good quality. Its still going strong, although its a bit tighter these days for some reason.

I was in a shop last week and came across a Merlin jacket made of barbour waxed cotton and with shoulder and elbow armour and a simple back protector. It has a breathable membrane. Apparently the company was set up by former partners of Frank Thomas.

Compared to the armoured (and Italian made) Belstaff stuff it seems amazingly good value and looked well put together. Has anyone here used it?

http://www.merlinbikegear.com/product-category/textiles/heritage-textiles/

[SAS Tom]

We sell a lot of it at work. It's really good stuff, I was expecting it to be cheap crap but it has proven to be decent so far. We don't have any trouble with it, people really like it and Merlin stand behind their products too.

I have a pair of their short boots and they are more comfortable than a lot of boots 3 or 4 times the cost and seem durable so far.

[shoestring7]

Lots of motorcycle gear is now made in Asia. It means the materials technology needed to keep riders warm, dry and protected is well known so there's no reason why budget gear will not do a pretty decent job.

The cut may well be different to well known brands, and details will differ. For example the lower press-studs on Belstaff and Barbour jackets are rubber covered to protect the tank - doesn't seem to be the case in these - and Belstaff have D3O armour which is lighter and more comfortable than most.

SS7

[yellowstreak]

Agreed, I noticed the lack of runner covered studs at the bottom, but it was the price that most caught my notice. I think I will try one.