Merlin Textile Jackets

Merlin textile motorcycle jackets cover several very different kinds of riding kit, from high-airflow summer layers and casual-looking riding shirts to waxed cotton and laminated touring jackets. This collection brings those textile constructions together so you can compare them, but the product name alone does not tell you everything about protection, weather performance or warmth.

Start with the conditions you ride in most often, then check the individual jacket page for its outer material, membrane arrangement, armour supplied, garment classification and care instructions. Moto Central keeps the live Merlin range together here, making it easier to compare technical touring, heritage and urban options without treating every jacket as the same specification.

Understanding the range

• Airflow jackets: Taos Air Mesh and Cotec Air models such as Shenstone and Waltham are the logical place to begin for warm-weather ventilation. Mesh or air-permeable construction should not be assumed to provide the same rain or cold protection as a membrane jacket.
• Laminated touring jackets: Akashi Pro, Burslem and Coplow listings suit riders comparing weather-focused shells. Merlin specifies the Akashi Pro as an AquaSeal Pro 2L laminate with a 15k/12k waterproof and breathability rating, Superfabric overlays, direct-opening vents and a hydration pocket. Those details apply to Akashi Pro, not automatically to every laminated jacket here.
• Riding shirts and hoodies: Axe Hydro, Brody and Hamlin give a more relaxed outline. Compare their certification, impact protectors and weather features just as carefully as you would on a conventional jacket.
• Waxed cotton: Yoxall 2 combines a traditional appearance with motorcycle-specific construction. Waxed cotton has its own cleaning and reproofing requirements, so follow the garment label rather than washing it like an ordinary textile coat.

Fit, protection and compatibility

Try a jacket in your normal riding posture with the layers you expect to wear beneath it. Sleeves should still cover the wrists when your arms are forward, the collar should close comfortably and the shoulder and elbow protectors should stay over the joints. Check adjustment points without pulling the garment so tight that it restricts movement or ventilation.

Garment certification and impact armour are separate checks. Read the product page and label for the jacket's EN 17092 class, the armour positions and levels, and whether a back protector is included or available separately. If you want to connect jacket and trousers, confirm the zip type and length on both garments rather than assuming all Merlin items pair together.

Choosing for British riding

• For frequent rain and longer journeys, prioritise a verified waterproof construction, secure storm closures and usable ventilation.
• For summer and town riding, compare open mesh area, cuff and collar comfort, and the space needed for any layers.
• For year-round use, look at the membrane position and whether insulation is fixed, removable or absent.
• For heritage styling, decide whether you are prepared for the extra aftercare required by waxed cotton.

Clean and dry the jacket according to its own label. Merlin publishes separate guidance for leather, waxed cotton and textile garments, which matters in a collection containing all three care types.

Customer questions

Are all Merlin textile jackets waterproof?

No. The collection includes airflow-led, waxed, laminated and Hydro-named products, so waterproof construction and ratings must be checked model by model.

Does every jacket include a back protector?

Do not assume so. Check each product's armour list to see what is supplied and whether an optional protector pocket is provided.

Can I wear a mesh jacket through winter?

A mesh jacket is designed around airflow. Extra layers can add warmth, but they do not automatically create the wind and rain protection of a purpose-designed winter or waterproof jacket.