Olympia Seattle Jacket Review

I recently had the opportunity to test out the new Olympia Seattle jacket and pants. As an experienced motorcycle rider, I wanted to share my thorough thoughts on this new riding gear.

After logging significant miles on my bike wearing this gear, I can provide a comprehensive review from a rider’s perspective.

But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Is this the best motorcycle jacket for you? Let’s find out!

Olympia Seattle Jacket Review

Key Takeaways

• Versatile all-weather protection

• Impressive direct ventilation

• Great value for performanceCheck Best Prices

More Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

• 500D polyester shell

• Waterproof, breathable construction

• Removable insulating liner

• CE-rated armor (shoulders, elbows, knees, back)

• Adjustable for comfort and fit

• Designed for American fit

• Excellent for touring and commutingCheck Best Prices

Jacket Breakdown

The Seattle jacket provides a durable and weather-resistant shell that keeps the elements at bay. The 500 denier polyester material resists abrasion while allowing adequate airflow to prevent overheating.

• Waterproofing – The jacket’s seams are fully sealed to prevent moisture from seeping in. I rode for hours in a steady rain and remained bone dry underneath. Impressive water protection that inspires confidence.

• Fit – Olympia designed the Seattle cut for American riders. I’m 6-foot and 220 pounds with a 44-inch chest. The size of the jacket fits comfortably without restricting my movement on the bike. The sleeves were long enough, and the torso allowed me to move freely.

• Armor – CE level 2 armor in the elbows and shoulders paired with CE level 1 back protection provides impact absorption. I prefer CE 2 across all fields for maximum coverage, but I’m glad a back insert is included.

• Ventilation – This is one of the Seattle’s strongest features. Panels across the chest, back, and arms allow tremendous airflow when opened. I could feel the air rush in and cool me off very well in warm weather. It’s a huge plus for comfort.

• Storage – Dual waterproof cargo pockets provide adequate exterior storage. I recommend keeping electronics and wallets inside the jacket for water protection. The internal pockets safely stored all my personal items.

Notable Features

• Neoprene collar for comfort

• Ripstop-reinforced shoulders and elbows

• Accordion paneling for flexibility (the sample lacked this, but production models will include it)

• Adjustable waist and cuffs for custom fit

• Short connecting zipper for jackets/pants

• Reflective hits for visibility

Overall, the Seattle jacket provides an impressive balance of weather protection, flexibility, and ventilation for a reasonable price. It’s a great 4-season option for daily commuting and touring duties.Check Best Prices

Pants Performance

The Seattle pants match the styling and functionality of the jacket to deliver robust performance across many miles.

• Waterproofing – Like the jacket, the pants repel moisture extremely well. My base layers remained dry despite sustained wet riding.

• Armor – CE 2 armor supplies critical impact protection at the knees. Comfortable and flexible.

• Ventilation – Thigh vents allow welcomed airflow to prevent overheating. I rode on 90+ degree days and could feel the difference when opening the vents.

• Fit and Sizing – I have a 34 waist and the size 34 Seattle pants fit well. They run generously through the thighs with a slight taper near the calves. Plenty of room for knee armor movement.

• Adjustability – Waist snaps and Velcro ankle adjustments allow dialing in the ideal fit. Easy to fine-tune.

Like the jacket, the pants provide impressive weather-fighting coverage paired with useful flexibility and ventilation. The armor placement is exactly where it needs to be for impact protection.

The American cut suits most riders well with the ability to customize the fit. After hundreds of miles, I’m very pleased with the performance and comfort.Check Best Prices

Key Takeaways

• Versatile 4-season riding gear

• Waterproof and breathable

• Spacious American cut

• CE-rated armor for impact absorption

• Removable insulating liner

• Excellent airflow from vents

Riding Impressions

After using the Seattle jacket and pants across multiple rides, here are my detailed thoughts:

Pros

• All-weather protection – The waterproof, wind-resistant shell blocks rain, wind, and cold extremely well. The warm liner takes the edge off chilly mornings until the sun warms up.

• Ventilation – This is a huge highlight. The direct chest, back, and arm vents make a big difference in warmer weather. Impressive airflow.

• Armor coverage – CE 2 shoulders and elbows plus a CE 1 back pad provide substantial impact absorption. It’s good to see padded knees, too.

• Pockets and storage – Internal and external pockets give you ample room to carry items comfortably. Interior pockets keep items dry.

• Value – Considering the weather protection, armor, vents, and overall quality, the Seattle gear is very attractively priced.

Cons

• No CE 2 back pad – I prefer getting CE 2 protection on the back as well as shoulders and elbows for maximum coverage. The included foam is better than nothing.

• Snug cuffs – The jacket cuffs fit pretty snugly over my gloves. A touch more room would make putting on and taking off gloves easier.

• Pant leg taper – The mild taper of the pant legs prohibits fitting over some large adventure boots. Straighter legs would ease that.Check Best Prices

Ideal Uses

The Seattle jacket and pants are optimized for:

• Daily commuting in all-weather

• Touring and traveling

• 4-season riding (with the liner removed during summer)

• Flowing backroad rides

• Light off-road and ADV (not optimal for aggressive technical riding)

The balanced combination of weather protection, comfortable fit, useful features, and ventilation makes the Seattle jacket and pants equipment worth racking up miles on the pavement.

Comparison to Competition

The Olympia Seattle gear compares well against similar options from reputable brands like Tourmaster, Joe Rocket, and Rev’it.

The American generous fit provides more room than many European-styled options. Build quality and weatherproofing match up nicely, while the direct chest, back, and arm vents provide welcome airflow lacking in some competing models.

Overall, Seattle strikes an excellent balance between protection, comfort, ventilation, and value.

At this price point, it pulls ahead of Tourmaster and Joe Rocket for all-weather versatility. And it runs neck and neck with Rev’it’s offerings that can cost significantly more.Check Best Prices

FAQs

Q: Does the jacket have a hood?

A: No, there is no hood included with the jacket. Most riders prefer not to have a hood, which can impact visibility and snag on things. A hood-less collar seals up tightly.

Q: How is the sizing?

A: Olympia’s American cut runs generously large for a comfortable fit. Size down if between two sizes.

Q: Does the thermal liner attach to the pants?

A: No, the liner is only designed for the jacket. But the pants have a smooth interior lining for standalone warmth.

Q: What colors are available?

A: The Seattle jacket and pants come in Black, Light Grey, and Navy color options.

Q: Is this gear waterproof or water-resistant?

A: Fully waterproof construction thanks to sealed seams throughout the shell and taped zippers.Check Best Prices

The Verdict

After hundreds of miles ranging from commuting, touring, and spirited back road rides, I’m very impressed with the performance and value delivered by Olympia’s Seattle jacket and pants.

This gear provides a versatile quiver-of-one solution for riders seeking premium protection from the elements paired with excellent versatility. The removable liner truly enables year-round usage.

The ample vents and adjustable fit grant comfort across varying conditions and riding styles. And the ample armor grants peace of mind if the worst should happen.

While I would prefer CE 2 back protection, that is a minimal gripe given the overall package Olympia has delivered for reasonable prices.

The Seattle jacket and pants check all the boxes for intermediate to experienced riders seeking versatile 4-season riding gear for commuting and touring. I’m happy to recommend this gear for racking up comfortable miles.