In Gear: Vanson Full Throttle Leather Jacket Review
More than just a black leather jacket. Much more
The leather motorcycle jacket is an icon — but few have considered comfort and airflow when designing theirs. That’s where the Vanson Full Throttle Perforated and Vented Leather Jacket sets itself apart.
Video: In Gear: Vanson Full Throttle Leather Jacket Review
The Full Throttle leather jacket from Vanson is a premium American-made riding jacket designed to deliver classic leather style and protection while still being able to be worn on hotter days without turning every ride into a sauna. Handmade in the U.S. in Fall River, Massachusetts, from 1.2 mm pre-softened leather, the Full Throttle may look like your average black leather jacket, but it incorporates a surprisingly technical approach to ventilation and mobility.
At the heart of the jacket is Vanson’s patented AirCurtain vent system. On the outside, you’ll see perforated panels across the front of the jacket, but on the inside lie zip-open internal curtains to control airflow through the jacket. Close the flaps, and the wind stays out. When opened, you get massive amounts of airflow entering the front of the jacket and exiting through rear vents, keeping you cool while still protecting you as only a leather jacket can.
If that’s not enough air for you, additional airflow comes from RamAir sleeve vents located near the elbow, directing air through the sleeves and out the back vents for continuous circulation on the move. While lots of jackets have zips on the sleeve to bring in more air, the RamAir sleeve on the Full Throttle is designed to open with the bend of your elbow while in the riding position, creating a mouth, if you will, that scoops up air as you ride. Meanwhile, Vanson’s Floating Armor System (F.A.S.) secures CE-approved armor at the shoulders and elbows with a harness that keeps the protectors positioned correctly while still allowing freedom of movement.
So does the Full Throttle actually solve the age-old problem of hot, heavy leather gear? And how does it feel during real-world riding? Watch the video to find out my impressions.
- Price: $769
- Sizes: XS-4XL (also available in women’s cut and sizing)
- Color: Black
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Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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