Belstaff is one of those motorcycle jacket brands with an incredibly long and storied history. The company built its name on the backs of motorcycle riders (quite literally) in legendary races like the Isle of Man TT and the arduous Scottish Six Days Trial. And while over one hundred years of know-how goes into each stitch of each leather or waxed canvas jacket, Belstaff’s $1,400 price tags aren’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a motorcycle jacket with timeless style with integrated shoulder, back and elbow protection, but don’t want to break the bank, the Merlin Elmhurst is worth a look.
At $329, the Merlin Elmhurst is nearly $1,000 down on the equivalent Belstaff jacket. The Elmhurst uses Halley Stevensons Scottish waxed cotton lined with Outlast thermal regulating fabric. Removable CE certified armor at the elbows, back and shoulders mean the Merlin jacket carries industry-standard protection for highway riding, too.
No one doubts the quality of Belstaff jackets, but if you’re on the hunt for a specific style and you’re more concerned with looks and performance than which brand name gets stitched on the shoulder, consider the Merlin Elmhurst as a Belstaff for a more sensible budget.
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