Belstaff Typhoon Jacket
Belstaff Typhoon Jacket
CW EVALUATION
Foul-weather friend
IT TAKES MOXIE TO NAME YOUR RIDING jacket after a tropical cyclone, but the folks at Belstaff have faith in their product. Well-placed, we'd say, after sampling the Typhoon.
Better known for its traditional waxed-cotton riding jackets (still sold 40 years after their inception), U.K.-based Belstaff has been reorganized and now offers a complete line of leather and nylon gear, too. The Typhoon (sizes S-XXXL) is the flagship garment, nicely constructed and finely stitched, with intelligent features such as a triple-flap storm front, high-backed collar and adjustable sleeves to cut down on billowing at speed.
An outer shell of water-resistant cordura nylon is backstopped by a water-
proof inner “membrane” of breathable Permatex, a great combination for fending off drizzles and intermittent showers. Depending on glove style, we had some leakage at the cuffs, and severe all-day dousings will eventually waterlog the nylon outer. Inside, the membrane keeps moisture at bay but not the cold-that’s where the jacket’s very effective full-length zip-in thermal liner comes into play.
TYPHOON JACKET
Belstaff North America 5331 Santa Catalina Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92645 714/901-1167 Price........................$499
^fps
A Tailoring to do Brooks Brothers proud A Armor at shoulders, elbows, back;
3M Scotchlite at shoulders, back A Matching pants, backpack available
Downs
▼ More ventilation needed
▼ Sleeve ends a little fiddley
▼ Hey, turn down that yellow! (red/black/silver and black/gray/ silver also offered, thank goodness)
We had two minor concerns with our Typhoon, one in design, one in execution. First, the jacket’s English heritage shows in that there’s not much provision for warm-weather riding. The forearms open up, as do small underarm vents, but the front has to remain cinched-otherwise it flaps like a big top in a hurricane. Second, one of two front snaps popped off (no diet comments, please). Per the one-year guarantee, Belstaff made things right, returning the Typhoon to us in just over a week.
Good service and a good jacket. O
