Icon Synthhawk Jacket

We tried the size Medium in this jacket on Huey and we put an XL jacket on Dewey. Both jackets fit, but there wasn’t a lot of room for error in both the waist and chest. This style has a bit more of a trim fit than most Icon jackets. We generally advise people to buy the size they normally wear in men’s clothing, and I’d stick with that advice on this style as well IF you like a trim fit and you have an average or thinner frame. If you like more room and/or you have a more stout build, then I’d advise you to go up one size.

Below is the size chart offered by Icon and in the case of this style, I’d say it is just about right. If you measure and use the chart you may well find yourself buying one size larger than usual.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The Icon Synthhawk Jacket is a new product for 2021. This is a synthetic leather jacket with contemporary styling. A full set of D3O armor is included.

I can’t recall ever seeing a synthetic leather motorcycle jacket being offered by our major brands, so this is something really new. Icon has been working with synthetic gloves for a few years now and I’ve seen some really nice and practical products.

The overall fit of this jacket is much like other Icon jackets. With it’s blackout look, it really could pass for for a nice casual jacket too. There is nothing here that screams motorcycle and overall, I like the style. They’ve built in small hidden zippers on the elbows and shoulders to access the armor units. I’m guessing those zippers are to make the removal and installation easy so you could indeed use this jacket both on and off the bike.

The armor package is the standard (and very nice) D3O CE1 armor for shoulders, elbows, and back. The synthetic leather material is backed by abrasion resistant nylon in key areas too. I’m not sure if anybody really knows how the overall abrasion resistance to this jacket would compare to real leather, but I’d guess it would compare favorably just based on their claims of how the leather gloves perform and just by its feel and overall heft.

The “swing and a miss” part of this jacket design is the hood. Firstly, it isn’t removable, and the “neck” portion is quite tall which makes it bulky if fully zipped to your chin. Secondly, the “stow-able hood” feature really doesn’t work as it should. It is a single short strap with a patch of Velcro. As near as I can tell, they want you to roll up the hood and use the strap to secure it to the little loop just inside the collar (the loop you’d normally use to hang the jacket on a peg). If the hood was thin/soft material, it might work, but this material is pretty heavy duty and when you roll it up, it’s more like a small pool noodle around your neck which no doubt will rub on your helmet. And of course, if you leave it un-stowed it’s going to catch the wind since there is no “keeper” snap to hold it down in the back. Bummer.

A feature I really like is the mesh panel that can be used in lieu of the main zipper to allow you to catch a great deal of cooling during warmer weather (see our photos to get the idea). By my recollection, we can credit the folks at Joe Rocket/Powertrip with this invention from about 15 years ago. They called it the “big air” zipper. Anyway, it is a good idea that is simple and it works great. There are also zip vents on the upper chest and in the back.

So in summary, if you like the idea of a sharp leather looking, but vegan jacket, and you think you can make the hood situation work for you, then you’ll probably really like this unique jacket. BTW, I noticed the washing instructions tab says you can wash in cold water. Wow, you can’t say that for leather! :: Paul, 04-27-21

Icon says: All the performance of leather but half the weight, the Synthhawk™ jacket is next-gen riding apparel for future-focused pilots. The Ax® Laredo engineered synthetic chassis is internally reinforced with 300D polyester in the elbow and shoulders. Fitted with D3O® CE certified removable back, elbow, and shoulder impact protectors, the Synthhawk has an inconspicuous style but is every bit a certified motorcycle jacket. On hot summer riding days, deploy the AirFly™ center front mesh panel for maximum cooling. The rollable hood storage and adjustable waist drawcord eliminate high-speed wind flap. The ICON Synthhawk jacket welcomes you to one possible future.