As part of our mission to provide motorcycle enthusiasts with essential information on gear and safety, we decided to test out the Dainese Women’s Arya Textile Jacket.
This jacket promises versatility for different weather conditions, protection, and a comfortable fit designed for the female form.
We put it through rigorous real-world testing to provide an in-depth and unbiased review. Should you invest your hard-earned money in the Arya jacket? But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Is this the best women’s motorcycle jacket for you?
Let’s dive in and find out!
Dainese Women’s Arya Textile Jacket
Key Takeaways
- Protection designed for women
- Ventilation for warm weather
- Thermal liner for cold rides
A Quick Overview of the Dainese Women’s Arya Jacket
The Arya is a women’s specific 4-season textile motorcycle jacket from the Italian company Dainese (1). It retails for under $400 and comes in 4 different color options – black, black/white, black/red, and black/anthracite.
The outer shell uses a polyester 600D fabric coupled with Cordura for durability. It has CE-rated armor in the shoulders and elbows, with a pocket to accommodate a G1 or G2 back protector (sold separately).
Vents at the shoulders and sides provide airflow in warmer weather. The jacket also has a removable thermal liner for colder riding and a zipper to attach it to riding pants. Reflective details boost visibility for safety.
Breaking Down the Key Features and Benefits
Now let’s take a deeper look at the standout features of this jacket and what they mean for you as a rider:
Designed Specifically for the Female Form
Unlike many jackets made for men first and women second, the Arya is purpose-built for the female body. It has a shaped fit through the sleeves, torso, and hips.
Pre-curved sleeves match a riding position. The adjustable waist belts, cuffs, and hem provide a customized close fit.
For riders, this translates to maximum comfort and mobility on your motorcycle without restrictive tight spots or billowing fabric. Protection is also optimized when armor stays in the proper position during movement.
Premium Protection That Moves With You
Protection is crucial when you’re on a motorcycle moving at high speeds. The Arya doesn’t compromise here. The shoulders and elbows have Dainese’s proprietary Nitrex Evo composite armor for impact absorption. It’s flexible to allow natural movement.
The back protector pocket fits a G1 or G2 nucleon protector that can be purchased separately. This upgrades the jacket to a full hump system for back impacts. Hard plastic guards over the shoulders add abrasion resistance in a potential slide.
Weather Adaptability for Year-Round Riding
The Arya was designed for year-round riding comfort. For warm weather, it has large vents across the chest, shoulders, and sides.
These help air flow directly to your body underneath. The mesh interior liner wicks moisture and allows air circulation.
When the cold hits, put in the full-sleeve thermal liner. This adds insulation while still allowing flexibility. The collar, cuffs, and waist prevent drafts from sneaking in. Ride through spring showers with a separate rain liner (not included).
Visibility and Safety Details
Any responsible rider knows you can’t control other motorists. Boosting your visibility is critical for staying safe on the road.
The Arya helps here with reflective stripe accents on the sleeves, chest, and back. These shine brightly when headlights hit them. Contrast color blocking also helps you stand out.
The short collar prevents head whipping and features soft microfiber comfort padding. Double-closure wrist straps keep sleeves secure in a slide.
Designed and Tested to Dainese’s High Standards
Dainese is one of the most trusted motorcycle gear brands worldwide. They’ve sponsored champions like Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi. The Arya brings this pedigree of quality and performance to the street.
It was designed and tested at Dainese’s research centers in Italy under strict quality control. The jacket is put through motions and impacts in labs to ensure it lives up to protection claims. Only then is it deemed ready for riders.
How Does the Arya Handle the Real World?
Reading through specs and features gives you an idea of what to expect from the Arya jacket. But you want to know how it performs once you actually start riding.
I took this jacket through daily commutes, weekend joyrides, highway trips, and backroad carving. Here’s my hands-on assessment after putting it through its paces:
Sizing Runs True and Allows for Layers
I’m 5’7″, 145 lbs, and went with a size 42 based on Dainese’s chart. The tailored fit was snug but not restrictive. There’s enough room to layer a hoodie or light jacket underneath. No pinching or tight spots.
All the adjustment straps let me tweak the closeness of the fit. I’d recommend ordering your normal jacket size unless you need a trimmer athletic fit. Then consider sizing down.
Ventilation Works As Expected
Once the temperatures start rising, you’ll appreciate how effective the ventilation is. The intake chest vents created noticeable airflow even at urban speeds. Open the shoulder vents, and air circulates through the whole upper body. I stayed cool on hot summer commutes.
The one downside is there are no rear exhaust vents. Air doesn’t flow completely through the jacket. Also, the vents could allow water ingress without the rain liner.
Versatile for Changing Conditions
I got a lot of mileage out of this jacket by adjusting it for different conditions. Chilly morning rides called for the insulated liner. When things warmed up, I could remove it and open the vents. The zip-off sleeves turned it into a vest.
It proved versatile across seasons besides winter. Add a windproof outer layer for cold weather or the rain liner (sold separately) when wet.
Armor Offers Comfortable Protection
The armor plates effectively balanced impact protection and ergonomic flexibility. I almost forgot they were there until I was reminded of bumps and jolts. They allowed full freedom of movement.
The elbow and shoulder guards stayed put even when I took an unplanned low-side slip. They did their job absorbing impact without any discomfort. If you want back protection, adding a G1 or G2 guard is quick and easy.
Functional Details Enhance the Riding Experience
Lots of small functional details added up to make this an excellent riding jacket for my needs. Things like the microfiber collar lining, double wrist closures, adjustability for fit, and pass-through pocket access.
The rear reflective stripes and contrast panels made me feel confident drivers could see me. I also used the short waist zipper to attach riding pants for full coverage.
Final Verdict: Is the Dainese Arya Worth Buying?
Let’s sum up this review. Is the Dainese Arya jacket worth your hard-earned dollars? In my opinion, yes – as long as you don’t need 100% waterproofing. Here are the key takeaways:
- Provides excellent CE-rated protection optimized for women. Armor stays in place when riding
- Airflow is exceptional with large chest, shoulder, and side intake vents
- Versatility for all four seasons with the thermal liner and the ability to layer
- Safety details like reflectivity, soft collar, and double wrist closures
- Comfortable ergonomic shape and adjustable fit specifically for women
If you ride in the occasional rain, I’d recommend pairing the Arya with a separate rain liner. For a fully waterproof women’s jacket, check out the similar Dainese Arya D-Dry instead.
But for most dry to mixed weather riding, the standard Arya jacket has quickly become my go-to choice. It’s comfortable, protective, stylish, and provides excellent value for the price. Riders looking for a premium 4-season women’s jacket should give it serious consideration.
The Bottom Line
For versatile, all-weather protection tailored specifically for women, it’s hard to beat the Dainese Arya textile jacket.
How Does the Arya Stack Up to Other Jackets?
| Jacket | Protection | Weather Adaptability | Fit for Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spidi 4Season H2Out | Composite armorRemovable liner | Air ventsWaterproof liner | Relaxed unisex fit |
| Rev’it Xena 3 | Seesmart armorRemovable liner | VentsWaterproof liner | Designed for womenPartially adjustable |
| Klim Artemis | D3O armorRemovable liner | VentsWaterproof | Designed for women Pre-shaped |
| Roland Sands Cambria CE | Dual-density CE armorFixed liner | Minimal ventsWater-resistant | Designed for women-shaped |
The Dainese Arya provides comparable premium protection and 4-season weather adaptability as other top women’s jackets at a very competitive price point. The adjustable fit and styling make it stand out as an excellent value choice.
5 Key Takeaways on the Dainese Arya Jacket:
- Protection designed for women’s fit
- Airflow from ventilation ports
- Thermal liner for colder weather
- Reflective details and safety accents
- Value priced for the features
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dainese Arya Jacket
Does this jacket come with a back protector?
No, the back protector is sold separately. But there is an interior pocket to accommodate a Dainese G1 or G2 back protector, which can be purchased separately.
How long does the jacket last?
With proper care, the jacket should last several seasons of regular use. The outer shell is durable polyester with reinforced impact areas. Dainese offers a 2-year warranty against defects.
Is the thermal liner waterproof?
No, the included thermal liner adds warmth but is not waterproof. You would need to add a separate rain liner in wet weather.
What’s the fit like?
It’s designed for a woman’s specific fit. Expect a snug but comfortable fit with a good allowance for layered clothing underneath. There are also several adjustment straps for a customized fit.
Can you wear it off the bike?
Yes, the jacket is stylish enough to wear casually off the bike. The armor can be removed if desired. Pair it with jeans, boots, and a scarf for a comfortable fall outfit.
Does it have a waist connection zipper?
Yes, there is a 360-degree zipper at the waist to attach riding pants for full coverage.
Final Verdict: An Excellent Jacket for All-Weather Motorcycle Riding
The Dainese Women’s Arya Textile Jacket impresses with its versatility, protection, and comfortable tailored fit. For women riders seeking a premium 4-season option, it delivers excellent value.
Just be sure to budget for a separate rain liner if frequent wet weather riding is on your agenda. But for everything else, the Arya has you covered year-round.
Stay safe on the twisties, and keep the rubber side down! Let us know if you have any other questions about this motorcycle jacket (2).
We’re happy to help fellow riding enthusiasts make the best gear choices for their needs and budget. Don’t underestimate the importance of a good jacket – your safety depends on it.
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