Dainese Super Speed 4 Perforated Jacket Review: Worth The Hefty Price Tag?

The Dainese Super Speed 4 sits at the pinnacle of Dainese’s leather jacket lineup with its premium materials, high levels of protection, and race-inspired design. But with a price tag approaching $900, is this jacket really worth it for the average rider?

In this Dainese Super Speed 4 Jacket review, we will examine how it performed, but the main question I will answer is: Is this the best leather motorcycle jacket for you?

Let’s take a closer look at what sets the Super Speed 4 apart.

Premium Perforated Leather Construction

The Super Speed 4 utilizes [Dainese’s top-of-the-line D-Skin leather](D-Skin Cowhide Leather), which is hand-picked for softness, durability, and abrasion resistance.

But what really sets it apart is its [unique perforated construction](Perforated Cowhide Material) throughout the front, back, and sleeves.

Small holes in the leather allow for [incredible airflow](Air Vents on Sides), keeping you cool even during the hottest summer rides. The perforations are specially designed to maximize breathability without compromising it’s safety.

Key Takeaways

• Perforated D-Skin leather offers protection, performance, and ventilation
• Pro-Armor shoulders and composite elbows provide excellent impact absorption
• Stretch panels enhance flexibility for tucked sport riding positions
• All-day comfort from lightweight design and carefully mapped ventilation

Dainese Super Speed 4 Fit and Sizing

The Dainese Super Speed 4 offers a snug, race-oriented fit that works well for various body types. I’ve found it accommodates different physiques thanks to its clever design and materials.

Fit Characteristics:

• Athletic cut: A sporty, close-to-body fit ideal for performance riding.
• Stretch panels: Microelastic 2.0 and S1 bi-elastic fabric inserts allow flexibility in key areas[5].
• Adjustable waist: This feature helps tailor the fit to your body shape.

In my experience, the Super Speed 4 fits true to size for most riders. However, if you’re between sizes or prefer a looser fit, I’d recommend sizing up.

Sizing Guide:

Dainese uses European sizing. Here’s a quick conversion chart based on chest measurements:

EURO SIZE	ALPHA SIZE	USA SIZE	CHEST (CM)	WAIST (CM)	ARM (CM)	NECK (CM)	HEIGHT (CM)
42	XS	32	82 – 86	70 – 74	55 – 56	35.5 – 36.5	163 – 166
44	SM	34	86 – 90	74 – 78	56 – 57	36.5 – 37.5	166 – 169
46	SM	36	90 – 94	78 – 82	57 – 58	37.5 – 38.5	169 – 172
48	MD	38	94 – 98	82 – 86	58 – 59	38.5 – 39.5	172 – 175
50	MD	40	98 – 102	86 – 90	59 – 60	39.5 – 40.5	175 – 178
52	LG	42	102 – 106	90 – 94	60 – 61	40.5 – 41.5	178 – 181
54	LG	44	106 – 110	94 – 98	61 – 62	41.5 – 42.5	181 – 184
56	XL	46	110 – 114	98 – 102	62 – 63	42.5 – 43.5	184 – 187
58	XL	48	114 – 118	102 – 106	62 – 63	43.5 – 44.5	187 – 188
60	2XL	50	118 – 122	106 – 110	63 – 64	44.5 – 45.5	188 – 189
62	3XL	52	122 – 126	110 – 114	63 – 64	45.5 – 46.5	189 – 190
64	4XL	54	126 – 130	114 – 118	64 – 65	46.5 – 47.5	190 – 191

Short Sizing:

EURO SIZE	ALPHA SIZE	USA SIZE	CHEST (CM)	WAIST (CM)	ARM (CM)	HEIGHT (CM)
46 (Short)	XS	33	83 – 89	81 – 87	51 – 53	156 – 161
48 (Short)	SM	36	89 – 95	87 – 90	53 – 55	161 – 165
50 (Short)	MD	39	95 -101	90 – 93	55 – 57	165 – 170
52 (Short)	LG	42	101 – 107	93 – 99	57 – 58	170 – 174
54 (Short)	XL	45	107 – 113	99 – 102	58 – 59	174 – 178
56 (Short)	2XL	48	113 – 119	102 – 105	59 – 60	178 – 180
58 (Short)	3XL	51	119 – 125	105 – 111	60 – 61	180 – 181
60 (Short)	4XL	54	125 – 131	111 – 117	60 – 61	181 – 183

Tall Sizing:

EURO SIZE	ALPHA SIZE	USA SIZE	CHEST (CM)	WAIST (CM)	ARM (CM)	HEIGHT (CM)
46 (Tall)	XS	33	83 – 89	75 – 81	57 – 59	172 – 177
48 (Tall)	SM	36	89 – 95	81 – 84	59 – 61	177 – 181
50 (Tall)	MD	39	95 -101	84 – 87	61 – 63	181 – 186
52 (Tall)	LG	42	101 – 107	87 – 93	63 – 64	186 – 190
54 (Tall)	XL	45	107 – 113	93 – 96	64 – 65	190 – 194
56 (Tall)	2XL	48	113 – 119	96 – 99	65 – 66	194 – 196
58 (Tall)	3XL	51	119 – 125	99 – 105	66 – 67	196 – 197
60 (Tall)	4XL	54	125 – 131	105 – 111	66 – 67	197 – 199

Sizing information is provided by the manufacturer and does not guarantee a perfect fit.

For accurate sizing, I always measure my chest, waist, and arm length. The jacket’s arm length increases gradually with size, about 1 cm per size up[4].

Body Type Considerations:

• Athletic build: The default fit suits this body type well.
• Larger chest/shoulders: Consider sizing up for more comfort in these areas.
• Slim build: The standard size should work, but you might need to adjust the waist.

The stretch fabric really helps it conform to my body shape. It’s especially useful for riders with broader shoulders or a more muscular build.

Remember, the Super Speed 4 is designed for a performance fit. Going up a size might be your best bet if you prefer a more relaxed feel or plan to wear thick layers underneath.

Ultimately, the right fit comes down to personal preference and your specific body measurements. When in doubt, I recommend trying on multiple sizes or consulting Dainese’s detailed size chart for the most accurate fit.

How Does The Dainese Super Speed 4 Compare?

Brand	Protection	Comfort
Alpinestars Faster Airflow V2	CE elbow & shoulder armor	Perforated leather, stretch panels
Roland Sands Ronin	D3O elbow & shoulder armor	Perforated leather
Merlin Trance	Basic CE armor	Perforated leather
Alpinestars Missile V2	CE elbow & shoulder armor	Limited perforation

The Dainese Super Speed 4 stands out in this comparison for its premium leather construction and Pro-Armor protection.

Though close in price, the Alpinestars Faster Airflow V2 makes some sacrifices in leather quality and uses basic CE armor instead of Pro-Armor.

The Roland Sands Ronin also provides perforated leather and impact protection from D3O armor at a lower price point of around $600.

However, the non-premium leather and lack of stretch panels reduce its performance and comfort compared to the Super Speed 4.

The Merlin Trance competes at a much lower $400 price point, reflected in its basic armor and non-premium leather.

The Alpinestars Missile V2 sacrifices airflow for style at the same $650 price range as the Faster Airflow V2.

Overall, the Super Speed 4 stands apart with its combination of premium Italian leather, Pro-Armor protection, and extensive perforated panels for airflow, justifying its premium price for riders seeking the highest levels of quality and performance.

Dainese Super Speed 4 Protectors and Armor

Of course, leather alone isn’t enough to provide comprehensive impact protection. That’s why the Super Speed 4 incorporates [Dainese’s Pro-Armor protectors] in the shoulders and [composite protectors on the elbows].

The ergonomic Pro-Armor is designed to move naturally with your body while also absorbing and dispersing impact energy.

The elbows get [CE-certified composite protectors], providing exceptional impact absorption in a vulnerable spot.

Some riders may be disappointed not to see Dainese’s latest Pro-Armor on the elbows, too, but the composite protectors still provide excellent protection.

The shoulders are further reinforced with (Integrated Metal Plates on Shoulders) beneath the leather.

And (Plastic RSS (Replaceable Safety System) Elbow Sliders) provide additional abrasion resistance in the event of a slide.

With its comprehensive set of strategically placed protectors, the Super Speed 4 offers protection on par with many race suits.

Dainese Super Speed 4 Durability

The Dainese Super Speed 4 boasts impressive durability, living up to Dainese’s reputation for quality. I’ve found its