Royal Enfield Adventurer XT jacket review

RE’s new Adventurer XT jacket aims to offer serious protection and all-weather usability in a premium, waterproof shell – something very few Indian brands currently provide. After using it extensively across Mumbai’s summer and monsoon, and on the highways, it’s safe to say this is an expensive ADV-focused jacket that also delivers plenty for its price.

The ATOP system feels a tad redundant on this jacket.

This is one of the most feature-rich jackets in RE’s catalogue and tips the scales at 2.4kg. It uses a softshell three-layer nylon fabric rated at 10,000mm waterproofing, backed by Cordura and Superfabric in impact zones. The company provides a 6-month warranty on the jacket, but how long the waterproofing lasts is a bit of an unknown and will probably depend on how you maintain it. The jacket carries a CE AA safety rating, and RE’s Ergo Pro-Tech Level 2 armour is provided at the elbows, shoulders and back; only the chest pads are Level 1. 

The jacket could do with larger vents for improved ventilation.

Unlike most Indian riding gear, the XT jacket skips the removable waterproof liner, which means rain protection is baked in. It handled downpours well, but there was some seepage around the collar and zips in sustained rain. There’s also a snug, full-sleeve thermal liner, rated for -15degC, which feels plush and is removable when not needed.

Both pockets on this jacket are quite roomy.

Ventilation is decent, with six vents on the jacket. However, these vents are small, and an additional chest zipper with a mesh panel would’ve greatly improved airflow. As expected, the jacket runs hot in stop-and-go traffic but is fine on the highway. Just keep in mind that the ventilation will take a hit if you’re wearing a bag, as the straps block the upper vents. The jacket also features reflective panels, waterproof zippers with garages and an ATOP lacing system for the wrist/forearm, which feels quite out of place on it.

This jacket even gets an additional pocket at the rear which is a neat touch.

The sizing chart is accurate, and the jacket offers good freedom of movement with no pressure points, even with armour in place. The cuffs, collar and lining are all finished well. In slow-moving traffic, though, heat builds up fast, and this jacket isn’t ideal for stop-and-go city riding, especially in summer. You will be forced to open the jacket in such situations, and it is better suited for use in colder and wetter parts of our country. At Rs 24,950, the Adventurer XT is currently the only properly laminated ADV-style jacket from an Indian brand. The material quality, safety rating and versatility all give it strong value, but just so you know: this is a serious touring shell built for limited seasons and not a do-it-all commuter’s jacket.

Where: store.royalenfield.com
Price: Rs 24,950