AAA textile jackets - Odd findings

[Horse]

...on the basis that pre these tests you had no idea either way.

Not completely true.

I bought my suit from the USA, so no CE testing as a guide.

However, I decided partly on the basis of materials used (500 denier, 2000 in impact areas) and how it was stitched together, double row.

Supplied with CE armour.

[Noggin]

'only' A rated because the stretchy goretex material that they've used doesn't perform well in one particular test - abrasion.
Something I hopefully never have to rely on.

Not knocking you or your decision, but I suppose I look at something like the abrasion resistance being the only reason to buy a bike specific jacket over say a far cheaper walking/military goretex that'll do the waterproofing bit just as well for a fraction of the cost. I've been thinking AAA base layer to take care of the crashing side of things and then anything can go over the top.

But, surely not all of it is the stretchy goretex that failed the abrasion test? I'd guess that material is in places that need to move more like underarms?

Of course, I know next to nothing about any of this, but my immediate thought was that it would depend where the stretchy goretex was and how likely it was to be the first point of impact or be in contact with the ground for long enough to be a worry.

But, like I say I don't really know anything about this stuff - except I hate cheap armour and nothing really fits so I'm limited on what I can buy anyway! LOL

[Supermofo]

'only' A rated because the stretchy goretex material that they've used doesn't perform well in one particular test - abrasion.
Something I hopefully never have to rely on.

Not knocking you or your decision, but I suppose I look at something like the abrasion resistance being the only reason to buy a bike specific jacket over say a far cheaper walking/military goretex that'll do the waterproofing bit just as well for a fraction of the cost. I've been thinking AAA base layer to take care of the crashing side of things and then anything can go over the top.

But, surely not all of it is the stretchy goretex that failed the abrasion test? I'd guess that material is in places that need to move more like underarms?

Of course, I know next to nothing about any of this, but my immediate thought was that it would depend where the stretchy goretex was and how likely it was to be the first point of impact or be in contact with the ground for long enough to be a worry.

But, like I say I don't really know anything about this stuff - except I hate cheap armour and nothing really fits so I'm limited on what I can buy anyway! LOL

I think all of it is stretchy goretex, like stretchy jeans, for comfort

[Rockburner]

Another odd thing about the rating, i read recently, is that each garment is only tested to the standard that the manufacturer applies for.

So, if a manufacturer won't send a jacket to be tested at AAA, AA, and A, because if it fails at AAA then that's recorded. But if it passes at A it's not then re-tested at AA, unless the manufacturer pays for it to be tested again. So it's quite possible that an A rated jacket could easily pass AA, or even AAA, but if the manufacturer doesn't pay for the AA or AAA test, you wouldn't know.

[Skub]

Another odd thing about the rating, i read recently, is that each garment is only tested to the standard that the manufacturer applies for.

So, if a manufacturer won't send a jacket to be tested at AAA, AA, and A, because if it fails at AAA then that's recorded. But if it passes at A it's not then re-tested at AA, unless the manufacturer pays for it to be tested again. So it's quite possible that an A rated jacket could easily pass AA, or even AAA, but if the manufacturer doesn't pay for the AA or AAA test, you wouldn't know.

Honestly? It all sounds like smoke and mirrors to me. I'll continue to wear what's comfy and forget about the labels. The amount of letter A the garment has hanging on a tag appears virtually incidental.

I looked at my heavy Hideout leather jacket,which seems very well nailed together to me and there isn't a single A on it anywhere. My Weise jacket is rated AA,but I know which one I'd rather crash while wearing.

[Taff]

Not knocking you or your decision, but I suppose I look at something like the abrasion resistance being the only reason to buy a bike specific jacket over say a far cheaper walking/military goretex that'll do the waterproofing bit just as well for a fraction of the cost. I've been thinking AAA base layer to take care of the crashing side of things and then anything can go over the top.

But, surely not all of it is the stretchy goretex that failed the abrasion test? I'd guess that material is in places that need to move more like underarms?

Of course, I know next to nothing about any of this, but my immediate thought was that it would depend where the stretchy goretex was and how likely it was to be the first point of impact or be in contact with the ground for long enough to be a worry.

But, like I say I don't really know anything about this stuff - except I hate cheap armour and nothing really fits so I'm limited on what I can buy anyway! LOL

I think all of it is stretchy goretex, like stretchy jeans, for comfort

No, Noggin is correct, there's reinforced panels on the elbows and shoulders, arse and knees.

[Taff]

Another odd thing about the rating, i read recently, is that each garment is only tested to the standard that the manufacturer applies for.

So, if a manufacturer won't send a jacket to be tested at AAA, AA, and A, because if it fails at AAA then that's recorded. But if it passes at A it's not then re-tested at AA, unless the manufacturer pays for it to be tested again. So it's quite possible that an A rated jacket could easily pass AA, or even AAA, but if the manufacturer doesn't pay for the AA or AAA test, you wouldn't know.

Honestly? It all sounds like smoke and mirrors to me. I'll continue to wear what's comfy and forget about the labels. The amount of letter A the garment has hanging on a tag appears virtually incidental.

I looked at my heavy Hideout leather jacket,which seems very well nailed together to me and there isn't a single A on it anywhere. My Weise jacket is rated AA,but I know which one I'd rather crash while wearing.

And to muddy the waters a bit more, the A* jacket that I looked at (AA) didn't have a back protector or chest protector fitted, they are an extra that you have to buy separately.
The Rukka (A) has both of those fitted as standard and the back protector has more coverage than any other one I've ever worn.

[Horse]

I think all of it is stretchy goretex, like stretchy jeans, for comfort

Goretex membrane itself is really thin, 0.01 mm, not much more substantial than cling film.

[Supermofo]

I looked at my heavy Hideout leather jacket,which seems very well nailed together to me and there isn't a single A on it anywhere. My Weise jacket is rated AA,but I know which one I'd rather crash while wearing.

Depends on the age of the jacket. These ratings didn't exist till about 4 years ago I think. Or Hideout didn't bother getting it tested considering they passed the highest level of the old ratings which are higher than the new ones, so they should easily get a AAA.