Merlin Taos Air Mesh Jacket
The Merlin Explorer Collection has been designed to complement the rise in accessible, do-it-all motorcycles, alongside the growing number of riders pushing themselves, exploring and creating memories. Explorer offers rugged styling, durability and protection while incorporating the signature Merlin styling using only the best materials and components, such as high performance single-layer laminated styles, Halley Stevensons® ripstop fabrics, D3O® armor and Cordura®.
Merlin Taos Air Mesh Stretch Jacket:- Taos features a unique brushed polyester with stretch outer with large high quality mesh panels, for maximum breathability through the jacket. This brushed handle removes the stiffness/crinkle that can be experienced with traditional polyesters and makes this jacket immediately comfortable, straight off the hanger. Taos has a simple center front zip, adjustment in the arms and hem, stash pockets either hem side, reflective and a large rear pocket. With CE rated D3O armor for up to 7 pieces, this is the perfect spring summer, go anywhere, explorer jacket.
- To care for your jacket, remove all armor from the shoulders, elbows and back and also any removable inner liners. Use a lint-free brush or cloth to really get into any especially dirty areas, then hand-wash the jacket with a mild or diluted detergent in lukewarm water.
- Brushed, Poly Stretch Outer
- High Quality Mesh Panels
- Neoprene Collar and Cuff Edges
- YKK® Zippers Used Throughout
- Elasticated Hem Stash Pockets
- Reflective Transfer On Shoulders
- Fixed Mesh Inner Lining
- D3O® LP1 Tri-Vented Shoulder Pre-Fitted
- D3O® LP1 Tri-Vented Elbow Protectors Pre-Fitted
- D3O® Viper Large Back Protector Pre-Fitted
- D3O® CP1 Split Chest Armor Pockets
- CE EN17092 Level A Garment
- Elasticated Hem Stash Pockets
- Two Internal Pockets
- Coin/Toll Forearm Pocket
- Cuff, Bicep and Forearm Adjustment
- Zip Guard Both Top and Bottom
- Zipped Rear Storage Pocket
- Subtle Merlin Branding
- Low Sports Collar
- Short Jacket-To-Jean Connecting Zipper
- Euro Hoop Jacket-To-Jean Connecting Strap
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Our Two Cents
The Taos Air Jacket from Merlin is a CE Level A rated Mesh jacket that is made for spring and summer riding. With a brushed polyester construction the Taos jacket will keep you both cool during warmer rides as it breathes quite well and comfortable as the jacket fallows for solid stretch and movement. Speaking of comfort the Taos jacket does feature neoprene collar and cuff edges, a fixed mesh inner lining and plenty of adjustability in the selves with hook and loop adjusters at the wrist, strap adjusters at the elbow and button adjusters at the biceps. Overall the Taos fits as I think it should as I normally wear a size XL in most jackets and this jacket is no exception, I would say however that the jacket has a slight taper to it so it does fit more like a sport jacket than for example a regular or American cut jacket but the taper is not as aggressive as for example a European sport/race jacket might be.
Looking at protection the Taos Jacket comes with a good bit of D30 with Level 1 Try-Vented Shoulder and Elbow Protectors as well as a D30 Viper Level 1 Back protector. It also features Split Chest Armor pockets if you wish to purchase the separate D30 Split Chest Armor. Then for protection for your bike, the Taos jacket also includes Zip guards both on the top and bottom of the main zipper to help with scratching your fuel tank but also for aesthetic reasons. Additional protection comes from reflective materials on the shoulders and lower neck.
To make things a bit more convenient while riding the Taos jacket does include a short jacket to jean connecting zipper as well as a Euro Hoop Jacket to Jean Connecting Strap. Additionally the jacket includes two internal pockets, one coin/toll forearm pocket as well as two elasticated hem stack pockets. There is also a large pocket on the rear that is secured by a zipper. I will say this, the Taos jacket features a good amount of pockets but they are different and to me for no other reason than simply to be different. Case in point, the main inner pocket is closed via hook and loop rather than via zipper which is more secure, and the outside pockets are on your sides rather than towards the front so that you can put your hands in them or reach them comfortable. In fact the “side” pockets are so centered to your sides that they are rather difficult to get to and get things out of them. Lastly the back pocket is slanted, and I can’t seem to find any advantage or functional reason behind it being that way, so again I am assuming it’s slanted for style or for looks.
Speaking of looks this is where I am a bit disappointed. At first glance the Taos Mesh Jacket has a pretty classic mesh jacket look and with subtle Merlin branding and in my opinion a quite nice looking Ice or gray color way with black accents it looks quite nice. But then as you look a bit longer that is where the pocket quirks start to become noticeable and start to take away from the jackets looks. The side pockets, the slanted rear pocket, they just don’t do it for me. If those are a non issue for you or fit your style then you are getting a decent CE Level A mesh jacket for the money, but if for you, like me the style choices are a deal breaker there are plenty of other similarly priced Mesh jackets to chose from, some that may even can offer you better style and more protection for the money. :: Damir 4/23/24
