****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I desperately needed an new mesh jacket, my old Frank Thomas jacket was a good 12 years old and completely worn out. I searched around the 'net and read a lot of reviews. I settled on the Phoenix 5.0 due to the high ratings, airflow, and Amazon actually had a Large/Tall in stock compared to other sites. I purchased the jacket in mid October 2016.I am 6'1" and 180 lbs., with a 43" chest and long arms. I felt I needed a tall size, as the Large Frank Thomas sleeves were too short. The Phoenix fixed that problem, the tall arm length is great. The wrist zippers on the Phoenix need to be changed, as they unzip an inch or two when riding. They need locking zippers on the wrist. The sleeve fit can be adjusted quite well with the straps, which have 3 positions. The waist straps have Velcro and are adjustable through a wide range, so a good fit is found there. I knew going in that the body would be longer too, and that is a small issue because of my riding position. Be sure you really have a long torso if you think you want a tall. I ride a "Standard" style bike, (Kawasaki KZ) so I'm more upright, and I find myself sitting on the bottom backside of the jacket. If I pull the bottom out then it bunches up at the shoulders a bit, not bad but I noticed it a few times. If you ride a bit leaned over, or a sport bike, then this should not be an issue. This is not a big deal and not worth taking a star away, but if a jacket maker anywhere makes a jacket with long sleeves and a regular body length, I'll be all over it.The mesh is very free flowing, and I love it. Living in Oklahoma leaves most riding days in the 90's or 100's during the summer, and you can still find 80+ degree days in October, so a free flow jacket like the Phoenix 5.0 is really needed. The chest and sleeve mesh is wide open and flows so much air, it feels like you have no jacket at all. The few spots that have textile do not block enough air to make a difference. Wearing this jacket keeps me cooler and more comfortable than wearing no jacket, as it keeps the sun and wind off my body. I'm surprised that some riders can't believe this, they think they stay cooler wearing nothing. Not true.The rain liner zips in and also has snaps that hook to loops in the neck, waist and wrist area. It is very secure. The zipper is offset to one side, which I think is a way to keep rain from getting in. I had a little issue with the rubber liner getting stuck in the zipper a few times. I need to be careful and slowly pull up the zipper and watch what I'm doing here. The zipper didn't damage the liner, thankfully.I rode in 60 degree weather with a light long sleeve shirt and the liner, and was plenty warm. I haven't ridden in the 50's yet, but there is enough room to wear a sweatshirt and the liner, and it would be snug but I think it will keep me very warm. For my location this means it's a 3 season jacket, and makes it an even better bargain.The padding fits the jacket well and doesn't move around in the wind like my old jacket did. I know I had a few issues with the zippers but I feel that is not enough to knock a star off, and I'm ok giving a 5 star rating. This jacket has impressed me so much compared to my old one! At $152 bucks for a jacket of this quality, I feel I got my money's worth!For those of us who grew up with leathers, this jacket is a godsend in the hot Texas summers. It's not that warm, even with the liner in, so I wouldn't use it as a winter riding jacket. But even with the body armor, it lets a nice breeze through and is comfortable in warmer weather.It seems pretty well made, also. I didn't see any horrendously poor stitches. The zippers are a little stiff -- and the liner is zip out. But perhaps as the thing gets older, it'll break in a bit.I have been caught in the rain in it, and it's about as waterproof as most rain slickers if the liner is in. If the liner is out, you're going to get wet.For the amount of body armer, it's quite comfortable. It's not my "go to" jacket for anything other than riding. But it's a great jacket on a bike.I did take some issue with the branding, which was really over the top. But it only took a seam ripper to remove the "ROCKET" patch from the lower back and the two oval "Joe Rocket" patches from the shoulders. Having done that, I had a tailor sew on a vintage patch for the bike I ride (an old Norton). And I get compliments on that.I'm somewhat long torsoed, and the jacket was a tad short for my body. I do wish it were a little longer, but that may just be me.For the price, it's kind of hard to beat. And I chose to buy it when somebody in my local riding group showed up a a meet-and-greet with one that had a hole in the shoulder from where he went down in it at 45mph and skidded about 400 feet with no damage to him and minimal damage (other than the torn shoulder) to the jacket.Overall, I'd buy it again at the price point offered. And I'm in the market for something I can use to keep me warmer riding in the cooler months.The Phoenix 5.0 Men's Mesh Motorcycle Riding Jacket is the perfect summer riding jacket, especially if you live anywhere south of New York state where it gets HOT! The wet-weather inner liner is helpful for temperatures between 55f and 70f, depending on what else you are wearing, but if it is above 70f simply removing the liner allows the wind to flow freely through the jacket's mesh outer layer and keep you cool. You can also remove the jacket's back protector panel if you want even more air to flow through. The inner liner rolls up nicely and can be stored in a small pouch, handlebar or saddle bag.The jacket's cinches and zippers are high-quality, heavy-duty and in just the right places to reach while riding. For example, the zippers at the cuffs are on top of your arms where they can be operated easily. Zipper pulls are large enough to grab while wearing gloves too. I do wish there was an inner pocket on the right hand side of the jacket for my sunglasses, but the one on the left is large enough to hold and close over the top of my Galaxy S9 Note. The cinches at the waste and the forearms make the jacket easy to fit to your body as well.I have been riding motorcycles for almost 40 years now and IMHO Joe Rocket makes some of THE best motorcycle jackets around, and this one is no exception. I posted a lot of photos here because the pictures I found online prior to purchasing simply did not do the bright colors of this jacket justice. It really looks sharp in person!I hope this review helps you decide what you want to buy. Be safe!The new coat arrived today In a much smaller and appropriate box. The coat, I am happy to report fits perfectly. No damage and fast shipping. Nonetheless, I stick with my original idea and that you should order your coat one size bigger than you think it should be.Great coat, well manufactured. I highly recommend this product.Two important things I have learned since wearing this jacked: 1. Even the black threads shine in the light. They either dipped the black material in a vat or sprayed it with this coating that glows in bright light. People who see me in the coat always say "Boy is it ever bright" Of course it is, that is why I ordered it - to be seen on the road. 2. A person in a comment stated he had no idea what to put in that small pocket inside his jacket on the left side. I had an epiphany today, and stuck my sun glasses in that pocket. The pocket may be too small for a cell phone, however your sunglasses fit in that pocket perfectly.Again: Great coat, highly visible and bright, double stitched means great quality. The liner is great. It doesn't get cold and keeps you warm and protected from the wind.HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS COAT.So far I’m loving this jacket. Great ventilation, and having owned an Alter Ego 10.0 as well, I like the additional padding by the ribs. I’m not sure that the key clip is useful or usable (especially with gloves on), and I wish that the inside pocket had a zipper and not velcro (once again, hard to use even with gloves off). But those are minor things. I can’t verify it right now but I assume that the inner liner will keep me warm enough on cold (4-5 celsius) days but if not a fleece sweater will fix that. Pity it doesn’t have the storage pouch in the back like later versions, but I can live without it.Being mesh, I've found it really cool and comfortable on hot days in the summer. It's also very comfortable when the weather is cooler if you use the zip out liner. I'd say it's more of an all weather jacket. Spine, shoulder, elbow armor adds protection where it's probably need the most. Zip down pockets good for phone, wallet, or other items to stay secured while riding. I'm 180, a little big in the belly, but the large fits me well. If you're over that, you'll probably want to go a size up.This is my first mesh jacket. It fits well and is much cooler than my leather jacket. I should have bought this year's ago. The rain jacket insert works well and is useful on cool mornings. The jacket is well made and has ample adjustments to adjust from wearing a t shirt to a hoodie. I cannot compare this to other brands however I am very happy with the jacket and I highly recommend it. It only has 2 pockets and they are zippered. More pockets, I think, would defeat the purpose of the mesh. It also has a clip on the inside for holding keys.I bought the red jacket. It is very bright. The black and red glisten in sunshine. The jacket without the waterproof liner is very airy and cool. Ideal for hot days. The liner looks quite heavy duty. (not yet tried it in rain)Shoulder pads dont sit exactly on top of my shoulders but back a bit.Only one inside jacket pocket. I'd like a couple more.Two outside pockets zip closes downwards. Good for one handed use I'd say
