Test RST Adventure-X motorcycle jacket with integrated airbag In&Motion
Following our visit to RST in Derbyshire (United Kingdom), a stone's throw from the Donington Park circuit, the Journal Moto du Net was entrusted with one of the great novelties of 2020 from this English equipment manufacturer: its Adventure-X textile jacket, intended as its name suggests for trail riding.
Special feature of this second generation of Adventure-X: this jacket is one of the first RST garments to be able to integrate, as desired, the airbag of its French partner In&Motion. A safe and technological breakthrough for Rhino Sports Technology (RST), a brand created in 1988 by Jonny Tower on which its new owner Bihr has great ambitions.
Double hit for MNC, who in addition to getting to know RST motorcycle equipment - best known across the Channel, in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa - will also be able to test the In&Motion electronic airbag which we have already presented in detail. A two-stage test, in short!
A good bet for the Dakar
The Adventure-X jacket openly proclaims its all-terrain orientation with its robust appearance and countless features, which evoke rally-raid: example with its zipped space in the back where a hydration pocket slides (not supplied) and its loops to guide the suction hose towards the helmet. The Dakar? All right !
Its collar tab - surrounded by neoprene so as not to irritate the neck - can also be kept in the open position thanks to a press stud on the left: in this way, this flap cannot "tap" the chin on the cause of the wind when it is detached during driving in very hot weather. Smart!
The carrying handle placed at the top of the back - into which two or three fingers slip for easy handling - is another illustration of its functional character: the Adventure-X is developed in the field, for all terrains . And it shows in its pragmatic design and clever details.
Like its reflective strips on the elbows to stay visible even with a passenger or a top-case. Well seen also its ventilation zips along the arms (very effective), on the shoulders (less convincing) and in the back for evacuation. On the chest, two panels of approximately 15 x 10 cm retract to let in air.
Not to mention its large removable pocket on the back of the jacket: "the Australians call it the "Road Kill Pocket" because they use it to transport animals killed on the road to their barbecue", we told confided - quite seriously - to the official RST driver in the Dakar, Mick Extance!
While MNC has not tested it for this use - there is no shortage of "poultry" on the edges of the roads -, the substantial space offered by this pocket allowed us to store a pair of motorcycle gloves in it or, with a bit of force, the fairly thick removable liner.
Warm and dry
This thermal lining - covered with a waterproof membrane - provides remarkable insulation against the cold and rain: MNC stayed dry and warm during the most "watered" by these winter drives, despite the notoriously chilly temperament of its tester!
Dismantling is done conventionally via zippers on each side of the bust and at the wrists, a proven and effective system if not the most practical. Two pockets are also present in this lining: one that closes with a zip, the other with scratch.
Both easily receive the motorcycle papers, a notebook or a large phone in a case (16 x 9 cm in our case). A wallet also comes in if needed, for those who prefer to store it "warm" rather than in the pocket provided for this purpose at mid-height on the left side.
This wallet pocket - waterproof - is however more practical because accessing it does not require opening the main zip, unlike those in the lining. Just lift the central scratch to open this pocket and take out your credit card, for example, with less handling and... draughts!
Two other external pockets are also present on the front of the jacket, each closing with a - very - powerful scratch associated with two press studs for good measure. No risk of accidental opening for these waterproof pockets which are deep enough to accommodate a glasses case or a large smartphone.
The opportunity to highlight the robustness of all its scratches, zips and pressures, which show no weakness or failure after one year. Same satisfaction for the polyester materials and the seams of the outer layer, which literally resist "without a hitch" the ravages of time, bad weather and various projections.
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The plastic shells on the top of the shoulders and the textile reinforcements in the friction zones - under the elbows, in particular - confirm this feeling of general solidity: the Adventure-X is manufactured (in Pakistan, by the way) to last, not to be changed each time a new GS is released!
Only quality criticism: the zipper sliders should all end in a plastic tab, not just the center zipper. The other sliders - too short - are difficult to handle with motorcycle gloves, especially the long ventilation zips on the arms or tightening at the wrists.
MNC would also have appreciated a pocket above the left forearm, so practical for keeping small items close at hand (credit card, parking beep, change...). A detail for some, but every detail counts at this price level: 649 euros with the integrated airbag, 389 euros without!
The weight of words
During our visit to RST, the manufacturer explained to us that the weight and size of its Adventure-X jacket had been reworked: the number of layers has notably increased of "three to two" between the first and second generation.
The English equipment remains nevertheless voluminous, especially with the winter lining. Advantage: its generous coverage prevents unpleasant cold air rising under the waist and in the back. Disadvantage: its loose cut and its thickness do not promote dynamism in sporty driving, especially off-road...
Two Velcro loops at the waistband, however, allow it to be adjusted closer to the body, while vertical zips above the hips can, conversely, open it up further on the lower part for more ease. Three different tightenings are also offered for the biceps and forearms.
Despite its enveloping format, this jacket offers a good level of general comfort thanks to its well-designed shapes without any annoying elements: no "corkscrew" lining in the sleeves, badly placed scratches that "itch" or unpleasant friction.
Its semi-rigid shells on the elbows and shoulders contribute to this positive perception: its excellent quality protections manage the feat of being forgotten despite their remarkably covering format, almost to the level of the wrists and with a back around the shoulders. Some competing jackets can go get dressed!
The key to this comfortable discretion lies in the flexibility of its level 2 protective shells, the highest degree of impact absorption in the nomenclature of motorcycle personal protective equipment (PPE). RST does not compromise on security: who will complain?
MNC verdict: 8/10
Main flaw of this Adventure-X jacket? Its high weight: 4.6 kg on the MNC scale with the airbag and the winter lining in size 52. For comparison, jackets of the same category and of identical size previously tested weigh between 2.2 and 2.5 kg , including the Bering California and its triple layers!
Of course, the In&Motion airbag contributes significantly to this with its "0.800 kg" announced by its Savoyard manufacturer (test on page 2). But if these additional 800 gr - mainly placed in the back - obviously do not lighten it, the RST jacket does not evolve less in a high weight range.
You should probably see the counterpart of its imposing format and its technical choices focused on durability, solidity and functionality. Weighty arguments, one would be tempted to write!
Too bad because this super well-designed and qualitative jacket pays a "heavy" price: its heaviness forms a perceptible tread as soon as it is put on, during maneuvers when stationary and when going "in force" over an obstacle off- road. Added fatigue to the key...
Not to mention the "stupid" practical concerns: placing it on the back of a chair or on a coat rack exposes it to possible tipping, because the weight of the airbag unbalances it backwards! Also avoid hangers that are too fragile, which risk twisting (experienced in the MNC wardrobe)...
Finally, the last inconvenience linked to the airbag: the Adventure-X jacket suffers from very insufficient ventilation, which is surprising given the importance of its ventilation. Impossible for MNC to determine the part of responsibility of the RST equipment or the IN&Motion device, for lack of direct comparison elements...
The impact of the airbag is nonetheless palpable: the overlay it forms on the back causes perspiration, while breathability is impaired by the blue fabric (above) inside which cushions swell. This elastic membrane partially blocks the air at the chest and back, where the mesh fabric of the non-airbag version allows it to pass. We hope so, at least.
The fact remains that the Adventure-X jacket with integrated airbag becomes suffocating in the middle of summer due to lack of air circulation, all the more so during a somewhat committed getaway across paths: added to its weight, this constraint makes the expression "wet the jersey" take on its full meaning!
Highlights RST Adventure-X Airbag Jacket
Weak points RST Adventure-X Airbag jacket
