Review: Merlin Alton Leather Motorcycle Jacket
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- In the UK a basic "cafe racer" style leather jacket is easy to find in almost any size or fit. Here in the USA it's more difficult. I finally found the Merlin brand being sold from several well known websites and bought this Alton model. It has a fitted or tapered form to the torso, rather than the boxy US cut that is common here, and came with CE rated armor. I liked the minimal branding. Venting could be better, along with some other minor things, but overall this jacket is a winner. For a shorter rider like myself, it was really nice to find something that fit well.
This must be one of the most thorough jacket reviews I have seen. I am considering purchasing one, but I would have to order from abroad and sizing scares me a bit. Thanks for sharing!
Glad it helped. I know just how you feel--I'm often ordering from international sellers or some hole in the wall in the states. It would be nice to be able to try things on before buying, but that's not reality anymore.
Merlin Hixon has venting. I have one of their textile jackets (Perton) with same venting style and it’s good enough apart from the very hottest days, at which point I switch to just my Knox Urbane Pro mesh jacket/shirt with an MX jersey over the top.
I looked at that Hixon jacket too. Here in the states there is nowhere to see Merlin jackets in person, so it's sometimes hard to tell what they are like. I'm still enjoying my Alton jacket and it's relatively flexible as far as temperature.
How you like the jacket so far? I actually been considering a new jacket and been eyeing this one.
Our cooler season is not quite here yet and I'll have more opportunity to use this jacket then. However, so far I really like it. Maybe the biggest drawback for me is that my wide shoulders tend to stretch the back in the riding position so gussets would be helpful. But, it isn't a big deal.
What other jackets have you bought that fit well? I'm 5'3" with a 39" chest and my weight is about 145lb. I was considering this jacket.
Oh, man, isn't it a pain to find stuff that fits? I search for hours online trying to find sizes that might work. So I think this Merlin jacket would fit you pretty well in the size 38. My only complaint about this jacket is that the sleeves don't seal tightly against your wrist, which lets air in. That's fine for warmer weather but in colder weather it can get chilly. I just put up a new video on the Tourmaster Trek jacket (ua-cam.com/video/YxFxfpokBC/v-deo.html) but I think the size small would be too long for you. Instead, you might look at the Sedici Avventura jacket in a medium or possibly a small. And the Viking Ironborn jacket (ua-cam.com/video/Xnm3ObgzTtI/v-deo.html) in a small is a very inexpensive piece of gear which is worth a try too. Now, if you find pants that fit you let me know!
Hi nice review, im also 5’5 but currently at 154lbs with 40inch chest. Do you think size 38 will fit me or should I go with 40?
Hm. That is tricky. I'm the same height and 140 pounds, but I have wide shoulders and if I actually measure my chest with a tape it's 41 inches. I'm happy with the size 38, but if I really stretch my arms in front of me with the zipper closed the back of the jacket does pull tight. So I guess for you it depends where you carry your weight. If you carry a lot of it in your legs and belly then you might be okay with the 38. If you carry most of it in your shoulders and chest then you might go up to a 40. Or, if you prefer a little looser fit then you might go up to a 40.
Thanks for the video, I am looking to get this one for my husband :) I saw from other reviews that it bleeds through. How was your experience with that?
I've not worn the jacket in a rainstorm, but under regular dry use I've had no issues with dye bleeding. I suppose if you got caught in a downpour it could happen, but I typically don't wear leather if it looks like rain.
Do you still use this jacket? I'm wondering how it holds up over time, and if it develops a good patina. I've had a Merlin Barton waxed cotton jacket for a number of years, and while I still love it, it's got one big flaw: the material inside the pockets is some kind of thick plasticky material, not a textile, and after a few years that plasticky material cracked and developed holes. Really bad choice of material. Does the Alton have any poor design decisions like this? I'm on the cusp of buying one, but not if it's got that plasticky material in the pockets.
I just wore it this morning for an 80 mile rip around town! I love the jacket, and I've not noticed any really bad design issues or plastic material in the pockets. The sleeves zip up the forearm, but there is no webbing when unzipped. That has positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, you can unzip but keep the wrist snapped, and that allows quite a bit of air to get in. On the negative side, the jacket is not as good for cold weather riding. I'd say the sweet spot range is 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit , but you can go ten degrees beyond in either direction if need be. It's been durable so far. The leather is a matte finish, not shiny, but that has not been a problem and the bugs stick just as well to it! I do wear a thin neck gator until it gets really hot, but even without it the collar doesn't rub. The collar snap is arguably a little tight, but that may depend on your neck size. Manufacturers do change specs, but the jacket I got has been a good value and very comfortable.
Nice jacket. Can you measure the sleeve length from the shoulder seam to cuff?
I couldn't find my cloth tape but using a regular tape measure it appears to be about 23 1/4 inches.
You say big chest, but how big? I'm 5'8", 140lbs 36" chest, 28" waist. Would this be puffy on a chest like mine or fit just right?
Probably about right for the size 38. I'm only 5'5" but also 140, and I have wide shoulders and big chest. It's fine on me but if stretch forward the back becomes tight. For a standard suit jacket I take a size 39 short. You're just a little taller and skinnier than me so I think it should work well.
@@tinderboxarts Okay thanks!
You reviewed the jacket without riding in it? Why?
Well, I've done lots of riding in it since the video was made! The video was mostly to show the features and close-up views. As for riding impressions, the jacket gets a thumbs up. It's actually cooler to wear than you might imagine and the little zip pocket does circulate air. The sleeves are not fitted, so some air comes up there too. In cold weather it's best to wear a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt underneath so your arms don't get a blast of cold air from the wrist area. I find the jacket works best in temps between 50 and 70 degrees. Comfort is good, the leather is holding up well, and the snaps are holding up too. Sometimes it's a little tight across my shoulders, but I do have wide shoulders. Overall I'm still pleased with the purchase.
How does the jacket feel in warmer weather.?
I think the temperature range sweet spot for this jacket is between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit on a naked bike. At the lower end of that range you'll need a warm layer under the jacket and at the high end of that range you'll be in a tee-shirt. For short periods you might extend the range slightly. The sleeves don't have wrist ribbing, so air can get up the sleeves as you ride, which is helpful when it's warm and not so helpful when it's cold. For winter riding I have a different jacket and for summer riding I have mesh jacket. This is for spring, autumn and cool summer nights.
nice one
Let's put it this way, I've seen Spidi Leather jackets which are a bilion times better quality
A billion is a lot. I've had no complaints or issues as far as quality. Style is an individual thing.