Wearing a mesh jacket is my usual choice in the summertime. As much as I like the look and protection of leather gear, it’s more practical for me to err on the side of being cooler. Mesh textile jackets tend to have a shapelier, more flattering look, which is also important to me. My current main jacket is the Dainese Risoluta Air Tex Lady jacket, and it has a sharp red stripe down the front middle, so it looks spunky and clean-cut.
The fit has been changed from the older version; the initial difference I noticed is that the sleeves are longer than my previous Dainese jackets. This is a good thing, as my wrists are covered no matter which style of gloves I’m wearing. The wrist end of the sleeve doesn’t have an expansion zip, which I miss because I often wear the sleeve zip open for extra cooling in Southern California.
I always keep the main closure zip up the front to the top for the ride. Besides keeping the jacket on during a mishap, it serves as a point of protection against bugs, particularly stingers, that may come down the front. Yes, that has happened to me! The Risoluta’s neckline sits higher than any previous jacket I’ve ridden. It irritated me initially. However, once I got going, my awareness of it around my neck disappeared. The collar is a mandarin type that closes with one substantial piece of Velcro. It keeps the main zipper securely closed and my neckline protected whilst riding.
The Dainese Risoluta jacket is generously long enough to be over my waist, and there’s a zipper for fastening the jacket to compatible riding pants. Getting that separation feeling or a breeze around the middle makes me feel vulnerable.
Speaking of feeling vulnerable, the Risoluta jacket is fitted from the factory with CE-rated elbow and shoulder impact protectors. However, it does not include a CE-rated back protector. I added one, and it did not negatively impact the fit of the jacket. We recommend that you always wear a back protector when you’re riding.
The Dainese Risoluta Air Tex Lady jacket is a Level A jacket, which is the lowest of the three levels of protection. This means it has the abrasion protection needed for urban riding, rather than touring or sport riding, per CE standards.
Two deep zip front pockets are plenty and allowed my smartphone to sit in a good position; some jackets leave you feeling stuffed up once you put your bits and pieces in your pockets. This arrangement suits me, as I only need my phone with me.
The Risoluta Air Tex Lady motorcycle jacket is a lightweight mesh jacket that can work for year-round riding thanks to a removable thermal lining. The jacket marries resilience with practicality and Italian style. Knowing that the garment is crafted from a robust, anti-abrasion material enables a more fearless and comfortable ride for me, especially in warm weather. At $380, the Risoluta jacket is not inexpensive. However, at the time of this writing, it’s on sale for $152 in limited sizes on the Dainese website—that’s a deal.
Dainese Risoluta Air Tex Lady Jacket Fast Facts
- Sizes: 0-16 (US); 38-54 (Euro)
- Certification: EN 17082 Level A
- Armor: CE-approved shoulders and elbows
- Colors: White; White/Black
Dainese Risoluta Air Tex Lady Jacket Price: $380 MSRP
