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www. FavoriteRidesAndDestinations. com | ridermagazine. com

SPRING 2017 ISSUE 01 / VOL. 02

AS TOURING RIDERS WE ASK a lot of our apparel, especially jackets. A good jacket needs to be comfortable enough for all-day riding, versatile enough to keep us warm / cool / dry in all sorts of weather and practical enough to protect us, carry our stuff and withstand serious use and abuse. Since most of us are on a budget, it should be reasonably priced, too.

Fly Street’ s Terra Trek 4 Jacket checks all of these boxes, and it looks good to boot. We’ ve worn it during more than 2,000 miles of desert-and-mountain touring with temperatures that ranged from freezing to sweltering, lots of wind and steady rain, and the Terra Trek 4 passed with flying colors. Its outer shell is made of 600D polyester with a HydraGuard treatment that’ s breathable, blocks wind and keeps out water. Protective elements include reinforced ballistic panels on the elbows, CE-approved elbow and shoulder armor, and a foam back pad. The heavy-duty, two-way YKK main zipper has outer and inner storm flaps, the chest and shoulder vents use Aqua-Guard waterproof zippers, and all of the zipper pulls are durable and easy to use with gloves.

Fly’ s Air Induction System features two long, vertical vents down the chest, a pair of large shoulder vents and two exhaust vents behind the shoulders. With everything open, the Terra Trek 4 moves plenty of air, and the stretchy athletic mesh lining allows air to circulate around inside the jacket. The front vents are easy to open and close with gloved hands while riding, which is helpful when the temperature changes suddenly or a cloudburst catches you off-guard.

The three-quarter length jacket has a roomy fit without being baggy, which accommodates various body types as well as the full-sleeve removable thermal liner and whatever base layers you choose to wear. Fit adjustments abound, from the waist straps and elastic panel at the lower back to long, zippered expansion panels that run from the armpits to the hips, adjustable wrist cuffs and cinch straps on the forearms and biceps. My only gripe is that the microfleece-lined, mandarinstyle collar offers very little adjustment; when wearing a high-collar base layer, such as a fleece pullover or an electric liner, the collar becomes too tight and the hook-and-loop tab often comes undone.

One of my favorite features, besides the long vertical vents, is the generous amount of storage the Terra Trek 4 offers. There are four cargo pockets in front( with large, fold-over storm flaps covering the zippers, which have large, grippy rubber tabs that make it easy open them with gloves on), a large cargo pocket across the lower back and five inside pockets— three in the main jacket and two in the thermal liner. Add in reflective panels and a jacket-to-pants connection zipper and you’ ve got a fully featured jacket that’ s comfortable, practical and stylish.

I saved the best for last: the Terra Trek 4 costs just $ 199.95, and it’ s available in sizes S-4XL and multiple colorways( black, red / black, blue / black, silver / black and hi-viz yellow). It’ s one of the best deals going for a multi-season, multipurpose touring jacket. Greg Drevenstedt

For more information: Visit flyracing. com