Raida Bolt Riding Jacket 8 Month Usage Review

Choosing the right riding jacket is not an easy task, and with the amount of choices we have today, this is even more difficult. But out of them all, the Raida Bolt stands out as an affordable jacket that offers good protection at a reasonable price of Rs 5,950. I’ve been using this jacket for 8 months now, and here’s how my experience with it has been.

Built & Fit

The Raida Bolt features a hybrid mesh construction, with mesh panels at the front, inside the arms, and on the back. The rest of the area is covered with 600D PU-coated polyester fabric, which offers better abrasion resistance. 

As someone who is 5’7 and somewhat lean, I use the M size. The jacket fits me quite well. It doesn’t feel too tight or too loose, and manages to strike that balance well. One issue I’ve encountered is the elbow protector moving around a bit too low, which happens quite often. It is something that can be adjusted using the velcro strap below the elbow, but having to do it often is a bit annoying. Although the fit is decent, I wish there was another strap above the elbow for slightly better adjustability.

Comfort & Ventilation

The Raida Bolt offers decent levels of comfort. But that said, the jacket can feel a bit rough against your skin if you’re going to wear it without base layers. Ventilation is another area where this jacket is not the best. While riding for long distances in the sun, you will feel really hot. 

The poor ventilation comes down to the placement of the pockets. The jacket has pockets at the front and back, and both end up blocking the mesh panel. Add in the foam panels for the chest and you don’t have much air flow. During my rides, if there’s one thing that stands out in images, then it would be the fact that I often unzip the jacket at each stop or remove it entirely when we're having tea or snacks.

Now, this is something that becomes a problem in summer and I often wish the jacket had slightly better ventilation. Removing the foam protectors at the chest does help to a great extent, but it's only a temporary fix. 

Although the ventilation is not the best, the high amounts of pockets and storage space make this jacket quite convenient. The Raida Bolt has 4 pockets, and thanks to this, I’m able to keep my phones, keys, and other items without having to worry. Overall, the jacket is not the most comfortable one but it does manage to make up for this in terms of convenience and protection.

Protection

The Raida Bolt offers CE-certified level 2 protectors at the elbows, shoulders, and the back, from Safe-Tech. The protection is quite good, and the jacket does inspire confidence when riding. As this has been my main jacket for the last 8 months, I’ve taken it out during a wide range of different rides. From the usual weekend trips to offroad and trail riding, and even some of the times that I’ve raced on the flat track.

Other than the points of protection, the usage of 600D PU coated polyester fabric is quite reassuring. This helps ensure that in case of a crash and subsequent slide, the jacket is able to offer good abrasion resistance. So in terms of protection, the jacket has everything covered pretty well.

Should You Buy The Raida Bolt?

The Raida Bolt overall is a decent jacket, which manages to offer good protection. But the comfort and ventilation are not the best. Although I recommend the jacket to my friends, I do so with the caveat that comfort and ventilation are concerns.

If you are someone who lives in a coastal area where the heat and humidity are a lot higher, then this jacket might not be the best choice. The same holds if you’re someone who is looking to buy their first riding jacket. It would be better to get something which offers better comfort and ventilation even if the protection is not as good as what the Raida Bolt has to offer, so you don’t end up being discouraged from wearing it more.

But if you’re a more experienced rider looking for something that can offer the best protection at an affordable rate, then the Raida Bolt is a choice worth considering. Even though it sacrifices a bit of comfort and ventilation. But if you are willing to spend a bit extra, then you can also look into the Raida Frigate jacket, which comes at a slightly higher price of Rs 8,999.