This motorcycle’s jacket’s name refers to its aptitude towards adventurous tracks (XT) and the waterproof Drystar®XF-membrane that turns this tight motorcycle jacket into a fun, clever and especially comfortable candidate to tour around in almost all year long.
Its style and features – technically as well as visually – lean more towards ‘motocross’ but there is still more than enough ‘civilisation’ left to simply cleave through the city. Something for motorcycle riders who don’t mind a splat of mud, an mini-enduro-side-adventure, lots of space above the tyres and a ride others prefer to skip. Or the owners of a ‘crossover’ motorcycle helmet that still needs a matching motorbike jacket.
The Hyde XT Drystar®XF motorcycle jacket was initially designed for the dual sport segment. Adventure-touring on a husky adventure bike requires quite some effort from a rider; which makes this lightweight, stretching in four directions outer layer that is also waterproof, a welcome addition. The reinforcements with ripstop (arms and shoulders) protect the areas that will potentially suffer most during a fall. Evidently, that is exactly where the Nucleon Flex Plus elbow and shoulder protectors are internally. And with reason – we’ll talk about that later.
The laminated Drystar®XF membrane keeps the motorcycle jacket compact in all (read: wet) circumstances. ‘Like water from a duck’, that is the effect of laminated membranes, which means that water is not given the chance to weigh down the Hyde XT Drystar®XF motorcycle jacket. Vice versa, everything dries up a lot quicker as well and an icy wind will not cool you down to the bone. The breathing capacities are retained and with its long, direct ventilation openings at the front and back, this motorcycle jacket can be worn for a very long season before it gets too much. The underarm also has a long ventilation zip.
Completely in line with the motocross and enduro tradition, the impact protectors – those present and the optional ones – get their own mesh jacket. Protectors that are not integrated in the outer layer, are closer to the body, feel snug and take up a lot less freedom of movement during those adventurous rides. Sweat, washability, exchangeable protectors, the option to fit the back and chest protectors in some cases; using them looks a lot less challenging when they have their own easily removable mesh jacket.
The protectors that are standard are those for the elbows and shoulders. You can expand at your own preference/need with a Nucleon Plasma back protector (level 2 certified) or Nucleon KR-CELLi back protector (level 1-certified) and double chest protectors or you can take everything to the next level if you are really heading for heavy adventure. If you leave the removable mesh jacket at home, then the Hyde XT Drystar®XF is ‘simply’ a pleasant, sporty, casual, waterproof motorcycle jacket. Which is perfect too.
Another extra element is the fact that the Hyde XT Drystar®XF motorcycle jacket is ‘Tech-Air Ready’. Bring on the airbag jacket.
Pockets are not the Hyde XT Drystar®XF motorcycle jacket’s first concern, although the two slash pockets (zip) and a number of inner pockets give you plenty of options.
There is maintenance clothing, and then there is clothing maintenance. Good, solid motorcycle clothing is an investment in comfort and personal safety. So invest in its maintenance after your purchase and enjoy your gear for longer.
We put the best tips and tricks on this maintenance page.
