Royal Enfield and Knox came together to develop a range of riding jackets, including ones with the highest rated armour in the business. The one you see here, however, is one of their lower-spec summer jackets or if you live close to the equator like me, an all-year-round jacket. It’s aptly called the Windfarer because the majority of it is made of mesh panels and that’s exactly what I was looking for.
The Windfarer enters my wardrobe as a secondary jacket because it’s lacking in the protection department. And that’s by design. My primary jacket, which features CE Level 2 armour and much less mesh, is significantly hotter and heavier. This jacket has had to make a bit of a sacrifice to be as light and comfortable as it is. While most of it is made up of lightweight mesh, the shoulder and elbow areas do feature 610 D Cordura patches to help with abrasion.
The Windfarer also comes equipped with CE Level 1 armour at the shoulders and elbow. As for back protection, it uses basic EVA foam, which I intend to swap out for something more protective as soon as possible. The jacket also comes with a detachable inner liner that Royal Enfield says works as a thermal liner, while also being waterproof and breathable. This is something the hot summer and subsequent lockdowns haven’t given us an opportunity to try out yet.
I have, however, had the opportunity to use the jacket where it was intended to be - in our hot and humid weather. I am happy to report that it’s one of the most comfortable jackets I’ve used. It’s so airy on the move that you almost forget you’re wearing it, and that’s high praise. What’s really nice is that it has mesh all the way up your inner arm, so you won’t have to worry about sweating up the underarms of your T-shirt.
Despite being touring fit, it doesn’t flap around even at high speeds. This is owing to the fact that it has straps in multiple locations (biceps, forearms, cuffs, and waist) that help adjust it to your body size. Speaking of size, the Windfarer runs a little large and we’d recommend trying one out at a Royal Enfield store before making the purchase. The length of the arms is also a tad bit longer than you’d find on other jackets, but this is quite nice as it keeps you covered if you wear short cuff gloves.
Something that deserves special mention are the pockets, the two near the waist are deep enough to store your phone, wallet, diary, refrigerator, okay I may have exaggerated a bit there, but they are pretty spacious.
Almost everyone I know has told me that they love the way the jacket looks and I can’t help but agree with them. It’s available in black and a unique shade of green, and it’s the latter I’d recommend getting if you want the compliments I’ve been getting. What’s also nice is that Royal Enfield has been subtle with its branding, with small black logos at the chest and shoulder region and a reflective logo hidden behind the mesh on your back. This is a smart move from the company, as this will appeal to riders of other motorcycle brands as well.
At nearly Rs 7,000, the Windfarer is a little more expensive than what you can get from some Indian brands, especially since it doesn’t come with a standard back protector. However, I think the quality levels are very good and it feels worth the price if you want comfort, urban oriented protection.
Where: www.store.royalenfield.com
Price: Rs 6,950
Gavin Rodrigues
Dinshaw Magol
Rishaad Mody
