The Zephyr Mesh jacket and pants by Tourmaster are designed to handle everything from hot-weather highway miles to changing conditions on an all-day ride. High-flow polyester R1 mesh panels maximize airflow, while the 450D ripstop stretch-polyester main chassis is reinforced with 600D ripstop nylon overlays at the elbows and lower arms.
By Keith Dowdle
Protection comes from CE-certified Armanox Phoenix soft-flex armor at the shoulders, elbows, and back, with the armor impact tested to EN 1621-2 Level 2. When temperatures drop, the removable Ascent 2-in-1 inner layer can be worn as a jacket or vest, thanks to zip-off sleeves and a thermal waffle lining. In wet weather, the Aqua-Barrier waterproof shell can be worn over or under the jacket and packs into its own storage pouch . A waterproof and thermal liner for the pants is also included.
Stretch panels and multiple adjustment points at the waist, arms and cuffs allow riders to dial in the fit. Storage is generous, with hand and chest pockets, an oversized rear pocket, and multiple internal compartments. For visibility and convenience, the Zephyr adds 3M Scotchlite reflective accents, durable YKK zippers, and an eight-inch jacket-to-pant connection.
Available in small through 4X, the Zephyr pants come in black only, while the jacket comes in three color options: all black, gray on gray, and two-tone black and beige with orange accents. The jacket and pants are backed by a four-year warranty.
Lowdown | Tourmaster Zephyr Mesh Jacket & Pants
Standout Feature: Highly versatile gear that won’t break the bank
Highly versatile
Looks great
Won’t break the bank
Wet-weather protection for the pants is an internal affair
Prices: Jacket $349.99; Pants $249.99
Website: https://tourmaster.com/products/zephyr-mesh-jacket.html
Rider Analysis | Tourmaster Zephyr Mesh Jacket & Pants
Tourmaster sent us the black-and-beige kit with orange highlights, so it looks perfect on the KTM. As I took off for my first ride with the liner removed, I was a bit chilly on that balmy 80-degree day. The air streams right through the mesh panels, and I was only wearing a lightweight wicking-style T-shirt with bicycle shorts underneath the kit, so yes, I was a bit chilly at first. Both the jacket and pants have lots of Velcro adjustment points, so you can keep everything as tight or as loose as you like. The collar on the jacket has hold-downs on both sides (as every riding jacket should) so you can pin the collar down for even more airflow.
I love that the jacket has lots of pockets inside and out, and the pants have large cargo pockets with zippers and a magnetic clasp to hold down the dust cover. Secure cargo pockets are a must-have for me, as I keep my Garmin inReach in my left cargo pocket on every ride. The jacket has a large fanny pack pocket to hold the inner layer and rain cover when not in use, and I found this pocket to be very handy and perfectly placed so as not to interfere with my backpack. The jacket also has a neoprene cell phone pocket inside, with a reflective phone image so you can find it in the dark. Never seen that before.
The main front zipper is two-way, so you can zip the bottom open a bit to keep the jacket from riding up under your chin. This zipper system is nonnegotiable for me; I can’t stand a jacket riding up and interfering with my helmet. Kudos to Tourmaster for adding a simple feature that makes such a huge difference.
I took my time writing my review for this kit, and my procrastination paid off in that I got to wear it in both hot and cold conditions. When autumn rolled in, I added the liners to this gear, which I’m really starting to like by now. One thing about layered gear I have always hated is that most liners look like absolute crap, so you’re basically forced to bring an extra jacket if you plan to go out to dinner or walk around town without looking like a total buffoon. That’s not the case with the Zephyr kit; the jacket liner is quite fashionable, and I love the fact that the sleeves can be zipped off for even more style and versatility. Tourmaster calls this liner a mid-layer, and you’ll probably need a heavier thermal base when temperatures get frigid, but I found the kit to be perfect for cool fall days down to about 50 degrees.
Another thing I really like about the new Tourmaster Zephyr kit is that the wet-weather protection, at least for the jacket, can be worn either inside or over the kit. I always prefer over-the-gear rain protection because it makes no sense to me to remove your gear to stick a rain layer inside and then when you’re ready to remove it, everything is wet. Thank you, Tourmaster, for giving us a rain shell that goes over the jacket; now let’s do the same for the pants. Ugh.
To be very frank, I haven’t been that thrilled with Tourmaster gear in the past, but I must admit they’ve stepped up their game with the Zephyr kit. Overall, I’m very impressed. It looks great, and the material quality and craftsmanship are much better than what I’ve seen from them before.
Riding gear in general has gotten to be so expensive that if I didn’t work in the industry, I’m not even sure how I could afford to do this sport, so getting an opportunity to tell you about a great piece of kit for under $600 (yes, that’s for the entire kit: jacket and pants) is truly satisfying.CN
Click here to read the Tourmaster Zephyr Mesh Jacket & Pants Review in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
