The MA1-style flight jacket is as intertwined with the scooterboy scene as clouds of blue smoke blasting from a 2-stroke expansion chamber. I always wondered why nobody made a proper flight jacket for riding with waterproofing and armour. Now Spada have reinvented the MA1, and it’s great.
In my teenage year’s the flight jacket was my de-rigueur riding jacket. For cold weather it was two flight jackets. For rain or snow I added a thin waterproof jacket. None of this was ideal riding kit; it had no armour for a start, but at the time style and affordability were my main priorities.
Spada Air Force One
Fast forward to 2017 and Spada have updated the flight jacket concept again with the latest incarnation of their Air Force One, keeping all of the style but adding tons more practicality.
This season the outer shell has been upgraded to thicker, more abrasion-resistant 600D polyester material, as used on regular textile motorcycle jackets. The jacket comes with CE elbow and shoulder armour and there’s space for a back protector, and yet it still hangs like a proper flight jacket so it’s fine for everyday wear.
Additional warmth when riding comes from a breathable waterproof and windproof lining. The compromise in the summer is that it isn’t vented in any way, so it can get a bit sweaty off the bike.
It’s all about the look
The style focus also meant no compromise on the elasticated collar and cuffs. Obviously these aren’t waterproof, so don’t expect an Air Force One to keep you dry in a thunderstorm. However if you use a packaway waterproof over the top (our SLUK ultra-reflective overjackets are perfect for this) then with armour it still functions as a decent riding jacket for several seasons.
Detail features include a fixed orange lining, capacious interior pocket, a hanging chain inside the collar and a target-shaped pull on the sleeve pocket.
This year Spada have three colours in the range; black olive and platinum. Sizes range from Small to XXXXL.
Currently my son has commandeered this jacket for both riding and as regular casual-wear; which is no doubt exactly the sort of use Spada had in mind when they designed it.
Verdict
This isn’t a winter riding jacket, but for the summer as a dual-purpose on and off the scooter jacket with weather-resistance and decent crash protection it’s a bargain for £99.
The Air Force One has many more features than a regular flight jacket for only a little more money. You can find your nearest stockist on the Spada website.
Sticky
Check out the latest offerings from the SLUK Shop
Certainly ticks my boxes…going to invest in one
The collar and cuffs aren’t the problem. The zip leaks like Wales on St. David’s day. Even the slightest shower leaves my front soaking wet. It is, however, a nice jacket apart from that.
I bought my Olive Green Spada as a direct result of this SLUK Review. Not disappointed, but I got a size larger than the guide would suggest. I have two other Spada jackets and they too are one size larger; the belly’s the problem not the chest size! The AF1 panels are well cut and stitched together using good quality materials and the jacket retails at a very reasonable price. Spada is a British company sourcing from Pakistan, I understand but obviously maintains rigorous quality control on their products. I haven’t had any weather problems to date but as the cuffs and collar aren’t watertight I do the obvious thing and wear an over-jacket if its peeing down. I have added a level 1 back protector because I don’t fancy spending the rest of my natural in a wheelchair and although, not recently I hasten to add, I do have experience of arse to tarmac contact. If you’re in the hunt for an excellent fit, good quality and reasonably priced scoot jacket then take a look at the Spada AF1.
Gotta be betta than yer standard MA1/2 if ya hit the tarmac…innit!