Cortech HRX Jacket Review

Part one.

I usually don't review lots of items on this blog as I am limited to what I purchase myself however I am going make you think I went on a spending spree and present another item to look at.

Main reason I have purchased two new things in rapid succession is the value of the aussie dollar is starting to fall which makes buying items from overseas less attractive. (edit - good thing I moved on this as Aus dollar has fallen from 90+ US cents to 64 US cents) And so my new summer jacket the Cortech HRX has landed today from the USA.



As I mentioned in my last post, Winter is evaporating quickly as we more or less are skipping Spring and into Summer warm days in a matter of a few weeks. This week it is already muggy and sweaty by 8.00am and Sunday is forecast 31 degree (C)

My old Summer jacket is basic mesh item from Dryrider which I have used for the last 4 years and whilst it has served me fine I have wanted to improve the protection level of my riding apparel for some time with the summer jacket being number one on my upgrade list due to its simply construction and basic foam padding armor.

Shopping Local...

I have been looking for some time at jackets and came to the conclusion that nothing in the local shops was what I had in mind. Part of the problem is the majority of the Brisbane shops all stock the same limited range of items from a limited number of brands all with very similar pricing. Be it that two families operate something of a near duopoly it should not be any surprised.
If you are looking for rider gear from major makers like Tourmaster, Ixon, Cortech, Daniese, Technic, RST, Firstgear, Ikon, or Aerostitch (to mention a few) you are out of luck in this town.

What I had in mind...

I kept putting this purchase off wanting to look up close at more brands but gave up and started to then surf the web instead. What I had in mind was more protection in a summer jacket. I have to exclude all perforated leather jackets since I get an allergic reaction to leather (unless it is fully lined like my winter jacket). So it needed to be a mesh/textile jacket that suits the tropics heat with possible use of some leather external but with proper CE rated armor in elbows and shoulders. I wanted it to include a CE rated back protector, also zip in/out liners and it had to be mostly non black in colour as I want to increase my visibility to other road users by wearing a lighter colour. Small items I was also looking for was traditional zip up lower arms and proper hemmed cuffs not loose end with velcro as these ride up your arm and leave you wrists sunburned. A comfy neck line and longer rear of jacket length so to not leave my lower back exposed. Oh and it had to be easily washable if it was light colour - all of this is not not so easy to find.


I kept coming back to this the Cortech HRX which ticks all of those boxes. I hesitated on if for a couple of months since I did not know the brand and was not able to see it close up before purchase as it is not sold here. Well with the aussie dollar falling fast I 'pulled the trigger' as the Americans love to say and ordered one from Ebay when I lwas successful in placing a 'best offer' lower bid with a seller who also offered slightly cheaper shipping than any of the big US online shops. This combined to make for a good deal.



The quality is excellent, the finish is great and the design is thoughtful. I will continue this review after my road test on Sunday.