Removable Membrane

There are three types of construction for a waterproof, motorcycle jacket. A 'Drop-liner' jacket, 'laminated' jacket and 'removable liner'.

Jackets with removable liners are the last word in versatility, because when you remove the waterproof liner, which you cannot do in a drop-liner or laminated jacket, the jacket becomes more breathable, and so much more comfortable to wear in hot weather.

Now when the waterproof layer is in place inside the jacket you have a garment that performs similarly to a drop-liner jacket. In fact, it will be a little better than a drop-liner jacket because the rain can't get trapped between the outer fabric and the  membrane. It will simply run out.

With the best 'removable-liner' jackets, the membrane can be worn on the outside of the jacket as well as on the inside. Wear the membrane on the outside, and you will have a jacket that performs more like a laminated one than a drop-liner one. But you need to check this out. Every manufacturer will claim that their membranes can be worn on the outside, but only those that contain stretch will do this comfortably.

Some question why, therefore, you would ever wear the membrane on the inside. Well you would do this for three reasons. In a couple of hours' rain, the jacket won't wet out. But, importantly, the membrane will always serve to keep the wind at bay, and help you stay warmer. And, of course, wearing the membrane on the inside also looks a lot better!

And so with a jacket with a removable membrane you potentially have something that works in all circumstances. It can protect you from the wind and the rain. But in the hottest weather, such a jacket can keep you cool in the way that a laminated or drop-liner one wouldn't.

We do removable membrane jackets from a few brands. The Held jacket offerings are both a starter price and a full blown GTX option; the Rukka jacket is, unsuprisingly, only a top of the range Goretex version. We also have a couple of Spidi jackets, Richa jacket versions for both men and ladies. There isn't a Klim jacket in this format. They don't do one. They do plenty of laminated jackets and plenty of summer options. Just pair the summer, ventilated option with a waterproof to make your own removable liner!