Teknic Sprint Jacket

Teknic Sprint Jacket

Better living through textiles

THIS THIRD-MILLENNIUM THING IS turning out to be pretty complicated. Take riding jackets: Time was, you bought something in black leather and had at it, but today's high-tech textiles are enough to make your head spin!

One such jacket we've tried recently and liked is the Sprint from Teknic (say “technique”). Designed in the U.S. and manufactured from 600-denier cordura in Hong Kong, the Sprint is extremely well-thought-out. Weather sealing is first-rate, thanks to a tall collar, drawstring waist closure and tri-level rain flap covering the main zipper. Teknic’s waterproofyet-breathable Power Skin Z-Finer System keeps you dry in the wet, and a zip-in thermal liner and snap-in, fleece-lined neck warmer keep you warm in the cold.

DETAILS

Specialty Sports Limited 532 Wolverine St. Rocktord, Ml 49341 616/866-3722 Price $259

Nicely detailed Affordably priced

Ventilation, please? Available pants not as nice

Available in men’s sizes 40-50, the Sprint jacket is cut loose to allow layering underneath, and incorporates cinch straps at the waist and sleeves to prevent billowing. The tail is long enough so as not to ride up on a sportbike, yet not so long that you’d sit on it aboard a cruiser. Four external pockets plus an inside breast pocket provide ample storage.

Crash protection consists of Armortex nylon at the shoulders and elbows, plus removable, dual-density foam pads at the shoulders, elbows and along the full length of the back.

Aside from being a tad warm in hot weather and having cuffs so big around that they don’t fit under some gloves, the Sprint is an outstanding example of the new breed of non-leather riding jackets. Moreover, it’s a bargain, costing less than half as much as some of its competitors. Tomorrow’s technology at yesterday’s prices? Sold! S3