Spidi ladies Stretch H2Out jacket in black

The Stretch Lady jacket ticks a lot of the boxes that you would want to be ticked in a ladies' motorcycle jacket. In fact, given its price it ticked a few more than you might expect.

 

The core proposition is that of a drop-liner jacket. Now many people will know that, for 95% of motorcyclists, this is our favoured form of construction.

 

As a result of spending too much time conducting uncritical research, a lot of bikers have convinced themselves that they need laminated gear. Most people actually don't. A drop-liner jacket will keep you dry in anything less than four hours of heavy rain. A drop-liner jacket will be warmer, more comfortable and much more reliable. And we make this latter point because, for various reasons, most laminated garments fail.

 

But there's another factor when it comes to ladies' jackets. Laminated jackets are stiffer, and just don't mould as well to the female form. And this jacket, which is very shapely, demonstrates this very point. If it had a laminated membrane it would be both less comfortable and less flattering.

 

The outer material is made from a Polyamide of some description. Spidi has its own vocabulary when it comes to describing the fabrics it uses. This jacket is made from what they call 'High Trenacity Tenax Flex'. All we can say is that, despite its stretch component, it feels pretty robust; and so it doesn't surprise us that it passes the EN17092 abrasion standard at the AA level.

 

But what is even more reassuring is that the jacket comes fitted with Level 2 armour in the elbows and shoulders. And if you know Motolegends you will know that, for us, the armour is more important than a jacket's outer chassis.

 

As with most jackets at this kind of price point, the back protector is not included. But here is one of our few criticisms of this jacket. There's no pocket for the back protector. It attaches with Velcro, and sits next to the body. It just feels a bit unfinished!

 

In terms of the detailing, the jacket punches above its weight in a number of respects. So you get a clip-in, 80g. thermal liner, vents on the biceps and under the arms. And a large exhaust vent across the back. There's an adjuster to cinch the jacket in at the waist, a drawstring in the hem and zips at the ends of the sleeves. You also get some reflective bands for better nighttime visibility.

 

The Stretch Lady is very much a traditional, three-season motorcycle jacket. Those seasons being Spring, Autumn and, to a degree, Winter. Well vented as it is, you wouldn't want to be wearing a jacket like this on a particularly warm day. It's no Marrakesh. And so it's not really something you'd wear for a tour to the warmer parts of Europe. But nor, really, is this the kind of jacket you'd commute through the winter in.

 

This is an ideal jacket for the person who tends to mostly go out at weekends. It will keep you warm and it will keep you dry. It's the kind of jacket you'd wear over a pair of jeans. There is technically a matching pant, but we're not bringing it in. If you want a full-on suit there are better options.

 

We think the Stretch Lady is a bit of a looker. It's also going to be really comfortable; both on and off the bike. It's more protective than one might imagine. And it will also do a great job of keeping the elements at bay. And honestly, at this price, there's not much that can match it.

 

If it fits, and you like the way it looks on you, then there's nothing about it that's not to like.