Reise Moto recently forayed into the world of two-wheeler riding gear by bringing acclaimed brands like Ixon, Spidi, and Acerbis to our shores. The company sent us the Ixon Draco mesh jacket, which I have been using for the past four months, and I’m happy to report that it has not left me wanting much.
In our climate, ventilation is key, and the Draco has excelled in that regard. Except for when you are at a standstill surrounded by vehicles, there is always enough airflow, even in hot months like May and October, which is a very big plus. A side bonus is that the Draco manages to look rather striking, so if you are one who wants your riding gear to look good too, this will be right up your alley.
Speaking of protection, the Draco comes standard with CE Level 2-certified shoulder and elbow armour, with an optional L2 back protector sold separately (priced at Rs 2,999), which I have been using since day one. I’m more than happy to forego chest armour for the benefit of added airflow, but the lack of having the option is a negative.
The Draco also has enough storage with four pockets: a large zippered one on each side, a velcro pocket on the inner right side, and a waterproof one on the inner left. The last one works as advertised and can hold a chunky power bank in addition to a big smartphone. My only gripe here is that the zipper pulls on the outer pockets are too small to grasp with a gloved hand, and I would’ve liked longer pull tabs here. There is also a neat loop that can tether the jacket to any pants, so long as it has belt hoops.
But the biggest potential challenge of the Ixon Draco for the Indian buyer will be getting the right size if they can’t try it on in person. On both my previous Indian jackets, I’ve used size L, but for the Draco, I needed to move up to XL. This was because, while the rest of the jacket fit well, the waist area was too tight once I assumed my riding position. With the XL size, this issue was mitigated, but the elbow armour didn’t feel snug. However, I was able to solve this by clasping the forearm buckle to the tighter closure option provided. Currently, Reise only has a store in Mumbai, so trying the jacket on for size won’t be easy for many buyers.
Once you put it on, the Draco feels nice and plush against your skin, just like you’d want a premium Euro jacket to. In fact, after being washed a couple dozen times, it has only gotten better, and I have no comfort-related qualms about it.
At Rs 15,099 (Rs 18,098 as tested), the Ixon Draco is a reasonably priced European jacket that is practical, stylish and offers premium protection. It finds a good middle ground between jackets from Indian brands on one end and the ultra-premium Italian offerings on the other. If you are in the market for a sporty textile jacket for road use, the Ixon Draco is a worthy option; the only thing you need to ensure is the sizing.
Where: reisemoto.com
Price: Rs 15,099; Rs 18,098 (as tested)
Gavin Rodrigues
Rishaad Mody
