CW EVALUATION: Icon 1000 Beltway Jacket

Attention, riders: If you’re in the market for an all-purpose textile riding jacket with a long waist, you might consider the Icon 1000 Beltway. I wore this handsomely styled jacket (serial number 1000-4667) on our recent “American Beef” comparison test and came away impressed.

This relaxed-fit jacket is well constructed, and the coated canvas material feels both durable and waterproof, though we never had the chance to ride in any rain. What’s more, Brazilian leather is used in the shoulders, forearms, pockets, neck strap, and belt for durability and a welcome dose of added texture. Most important, soft CE-certified D30 armor is standard, deployed in the back, shoulders, and elbows for protection in case of a fall.

Thankfully, that never happened on our trip to Central California, where we saw temps dip into the high 30s one morning. But with its zip-in quilted-satin vest and magnetic flap covering the sturdy YKK main zipper, the Beltway kept me cozy and draft-free, aided, of course, by the big windscreens of those large, American V-twin touring baggers.

As for pockets, there are four main ones on the front, plus two zippered ones down low that kept my hands toasty as I walked into that breakfast joint in Taft. While the Beltway’s four primary pockets look good and functional, they’re not the easiest to use. First, a leather strap from below must be unsnapped, and then the pocket lid needs to be raised with enough force to overcome the Velcro fastener. This can be done with one hand, but it’s far easier to do with two.

A deal breaker? No way. The Icon 1000 Beltway is an impressive blend of rugged old-school cool and modern protection, and it’s available in Resin Black (our fave color) or Baja Blue in generous sizes all the way up to 4XL.