With gas prices the way they are and the economy as crummy as it is, it seems like the current buzz word is hybrid. No doubt the media plays a part in its (over) use, but it seems that even motorcycle apparel manufacturers are catching on to the lingo. Take Shift for example. Its Fuse hybrid jacket retails for $299.95 and is called so because of its unique leather and textile design, incorporating 1.2-1.4mm premium-grade leather in all major impact and abrasion zones. Nylon material is used in non-critical areas to reduce weight and add partial venting. Of course, CE approved armor in the shoulder and elbow areas reinforce the leather in the event of a fall, and aramid stretch panels offer flexibility and abrasion resistance as well. Like most jackets these days, a connection zipper for attachment to Shift riding pants is also incorporated into the design. Other key features include reflective piping to be seen at night, an adjustable waist band on each side to help ensure a proper fit and a total of four pockets (two interior, two exterior) that come in handy for stowing wallets, phones and other miscellaneous items.
Being a hybrid, the Fuse jacket doesn't excel in any one climate zone. With its limited venting (two small vents are located above the breast area) it's a bit too warm for the hottest of summer days, and with the removable quilted vest liner it's adequate at best during the winter. That leaves moderate temperatures like the spring and autumn months as the ideal weather for the Fuse. The jacket's slightly articulated design is hard to notice when off the bike, but in the riding position the jacket feels natural. With the vest liner in place, the body's core stays warm enough for most early morning rides, and the liner can easily be taken off and stowed away as the day goes on. On most jackets in this category the zipper ends right below the collar, leaving the clavicle area slightly exposed to oncoming air making its way into the jacket. While this is a commonly overlooked aspect, Shift has added what can best be described as a flap that attaches via a button behind the collar. This extra material essentially blocks off this exposed area behind the zipper, and though it seems insignificant, it actually reduces the amount of air coming into the jacket noticeably.
While we don't feel like giving the Fuse the ultimate torture test just yet, we do believe that the double-stitched seams and premium leather would hold up well to all but the most severe of abrasions. Really, there isn't much to fault about the Fuse, although the venting (or lack thereof) could benefit from some updating. Obviously it's not meant for certain conditions, and despite this rather warm Los Angeles summer some testers have been choosing to wear it as their everyday jacket because "it's comfortable and it looks really flashy."
That's fine by us.
WWW.SHIFTRACING.COM