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Olympia Moto Sports Switchback 2 Mesh Tech jacket


By Kevin Greenwald #124358


LET’S FACE IT – TWO ARMS, A front-entry zipper, some protective padding, a few pockets and anyone can create a motorcycle jacket – it’s not rocket science. However, mis- takes or omissions, no matter how small, can separate a passable jacket from a truly out- standing garment; in other words, the Devil is in the details. Olympia Moto


Sports, based in Hen- dersonville, N.C., has been producing top- shelf motorcycle gear for some time now, and founder Kevin Rhea, always attentive to the comments, needs and nuances of riders and co-riders alike, is a sta- ple at BMW rallies. His philosophy seems to be that cutting corners is a style of riding, not a blueprint for how to manufacture outerwear to which you trust your health and well-being. Though not the most expensive garment you could grab off the rack, the Switchback 2 Mesh Tech Jacket quickly pulls away from a crowded field of bargain-priced pre- tenders. It’s loaded with features I’ve come to rely on, and through years of experience with many brands, my Olympia products traditionally hold up long after others have weakened, faded, broken, leaked or torn.


24 BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2015 The shell is genuine 500 denier Cordura®


fabric. The back protector is articulated, so it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing that third


Scotchlite™, the brightest in the industry. All critical seams are multi-stitched for strength, zippers are from YKK®, etc. You get the point – this jacket wasn’t sewn together from a parts bin overnight. Offered in three contrast-


ing color selections, it’s quite stylish and the 2XL fit well right out of the box. I opted for the Pewter/Ivory combo for enhanced visibility, as I have too much neon yellow already hanging in my gear locker. This jacket sits right at the waistline, so I found the front pockets riding a tad high – sometimes difficult to quickly zip open for storing or retrieving items. Not a deal-breaker, but I’d prefer them lower if possible. I rode in fall weather in Wisconsin, but found the shell beefy enough that with the included liner, I was comfort- able in short sleeves beneath these layers, even at speeds over 70 and with temps hov- ering at or below 65 degrees. Speaking of the liner, in the


past Olympia touted it as “stylish sportswear” you could don socially when off the bike. I never marched to the beat of that drum, since


stone tablet that Moses overlooked. The armor at the shoulders and elbows are more flexible than most, again giving you that sensation of unrestricted movement. The soft collar is actual neoprene – thick enough to cushion contact with sensitive neck skin for all-day comfort. The piping (front, back and sides) is genuine 3M


the high-notched waist and loose cuffs still screamed “liner!” Maybe I wasn’t the only rider to mention that to Rhea, as it now has elastic around the entire waist, elastic cuffs and looks more like a windbreaker than a liner. Also unique to this item is the fact that the liner is oversized so that it can be


member tested


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