Gear Review: Scott Summer VTD DP Blouson

Dec 15, 2017
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3 min read

Scott claims to have designed the Summer VTD DP Blouson safety jacket to tackle hot summers. We find out how comfortable and efficient it is in our weather and riding conditions

Scott is a brand that one would usually associate with off-road riding gear. However, the company also makes a full line of road-oriented motorcycle safety gear as well. We got out hands on the Summer VTD DP Blouson jacket to put it through a full-fledged test cycle spanning over a month.

Used for: 45 days in all weather conditions

Price: Rs 12,990 (letsgearup.in)

Now, don’t let its name fool you. Although it is a mesh jacket designed for warm weather use, it does have a couple of tricks up its sleeve which let us test the jacket through varied weather conditions, except for snow that is. More on that in just a bit.

The Summer VTD DP Blouson consists of 600D Polyester waterproof fabric and mesh. It is designed for regular usage and is one of the lightest jackets we have ever used. In fact, the lightness really allows you to use it on a daily basis, which is a big plus over other jackets that feel a lot heavier, and given our weather conditions, end up making you sweaty.

Speaking of weather conditions, the Scott comes with a two-layer inner jacket made from a breathable yet wind- and waterproof material. Regardless to say, the jacket proved extremely efficient in heavy rain. Sadly, there is no thermal liner for tackling the winter on offer. As a result, you are forced to carry something warm to protect yourself from the cold. But in mild chilly conditions, the wind protection that this inner jacket provides works fairly well.

For impact protection, this Scott comes with CE Level 1 protection for the shoulders and elbows. The SAS-TEC multi-foam back protector is an additional accessory that costs Rs 2,000. The material used for back protection feels very much like memory foam and covers the entire back and should prove useful in the event of a crash.

The jacket gets a magnetic button on the collar which closes the moment you zip up. This gives you a comfortable fit around the neck as it doesn’t feel too tight. It can be left open if required though. What we really liked about this Scott jacket is its fit, which doesn’t feel restrictive in the least. For a more personalised fit, Scott offers a few plug points to tighten parts of the jacket. However, adjustability is restricted to only one stage covering the waistline, wrists and arms. That said, this is a slim fitting jacket and if you have a bit of a paunch, it might not be the most comfortable jacket for you.

In terms of storage, there are three water-resistant pockets on offer - two main ones near the waist and one inside the jacket near the chest. Scott does mention that these pockets are just water resistant and not completely waterproof. So, carrying a ZipLoc to keep your phone and other valuables safe is always a good option in the rain. Other features include a zipper to connect the jacket to the pants to prevent the jacket from riding up in case of a crash.

Using the Scott jacket for the last 45 days has really got me used to wearing it on a daily basis. I end up putting it on for even the smallest of stints since it feels as light as a sweatshirt. At Rs 12,990, it is a rather good deal and is worth buying for the lightness and level of protection it offers.