Teknic Sirocco Jacket

Olaf Wolff
AllAboutBikes.com Sr. Staff writer

It’s been one of my personal quests of late to find a motorcycle jacket that actually functions throughout a wide range of weather and riding conditions. From my point of view the Teknic Sirocco Gore-Tex Jacket offers one of the widest comfort zones I’ve come across – they just plain nailed-it. On my first test ride I rode from early morning coastal overcast, then inland where the temps hit the 90s and back into evening fog and temperatures in the 50s. The best part was I only wore a t-shirt underneath and never felt the need to zip in the liner.

The outer shell made of Gore-Tex and 600D Cordura is the key reason for the versatility. Gore-Tex has been around for over 20 years and in that time has become a household name yet most of us don’t understand how it works. Gore-Tex fabric is made using high-tech fabrics connected on either side of a Gore-Tex membrane. This membrane is constructed using Teflon and it’s made up of many threads forming vast amounts of micro-pores. These micro-pores are small enough that water can’t leak through the membrane but they’re large enough for moisture/sweat vapor to escape. It works a good deal like our skin, which I understand was the inspiration for its invention.

Gore-Tex can sustain cold and wet weather over and over for many years. The fabric is washable and it can handle a variety of contaminants including bug spray, sweat and even fuel. And of course it’s completely water and windproof.

There are two zipper and hook and loop closured, 12.5 inch vents, on the front of the jacket, one on each side and a third vent in back, of equal length, reaching across the shoulders. Next to the front vents are two generous zippered hand warmer pockets with an additional hook and loop pocket inside the jacket. In the back there’s a sizeable cargo-type pocket that has plenty of room for a map plus snacks. It’s a bit awkward to access while wearing the jacket but it’s a big hit with my wife seated behind me – she uses it like a mobile picnic basket.

This is one of the most comfortable motorcycle jackets I’ve worn to date. The design is smooth, not the least bit bulky, and it’s lighter in weight then any jacket other then a mesh jacket. By design the vents and pockets are nearly invisible when closed, blending seamlessly into the jacket. There is Knox KFP1 CE approved armor in the shoulders, elbows and in back, yet I was peculiarly unaware of the armor being there because of the way the waist length jacket is designed and fits. Wearing it around off the bike is a delight. And it looks damn good I’ve been told. There’s also a chill-stopper zip-off collar that removes in seconds when the heat is on or you’re reaching for an even sportier look.

The 3.5 oz. Poly-fill insulated liner worked well on the one chilly evening ride I used it. The one bewildering thing I found in the jacket though is the mysteries third zipper – there’s a zipper located between the outer and liner zipper. When I asked a representative from Teknic about it he replied “My understanding is that the third or middle zipper is there for an optional fleece liner jacket once carried by Teknic. Additionally, if there is room enough, it can be zipped together to create an additional wind break or stopper.”

So it has an extra zipper, no big deal – this jacket functions as advertised and them some, and it looks down-right dandy in the process

The Teknic Sirocco Jacket is reasonably priced at $296.99