Joe Rocket Crossfire Motorcycle Jacket Review

With over 15 years of riding experience, I’ve tested my share of motorcycle jackets. As an avid tourer and daily commuter, I demand a lot from my gear. It needs to provide protection and weather resistance without compromising comfort and airflow.

I came across the Crossfire while looking for an affordable 3-4-season jacket. I liked that it had a waterproof outer shell yet direct vents for airflow.

I’ll share how the Crossfire held up during real-world use in this review. You’ll get details on fit, protection, style, and features like ventilation.

But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Is this the best motorcycle jacket for all seasons for you? Let’s find out!

Sizing and Fit

I’m happy to report that the sizing for the Crossfire is accurate to the chart. I’m 5’10” with a 42″ chest, and the size large fits me perfectly in the shoulders, sleeves, and torso.

Joe Rocket also offers short and tall size options, which is great for accommodating different body types.

The jacket has a comfortable, athletic cut through the shoulders and torso. The sleeves are pre-curved to match a riding position. There’s no loose or baggy fabric around the waist or arms.

For maximum comfort on a bike, I would have liked to see some stretch panels incorporated, particularly at the shoulder blades.

This would help the jacket move better with you as you transition through riding positions. The Crossfire is still decently comfortable, but stretch panels would improve it.

SIZE	CHEST (IN)	WAIST (IN)	ARM (IN)
SM	38-40	29-31	32
MD	40-42	32-34	33
LG	42-44	34-36	34
XL	46-48	36-39	35
2XL	50-52	39-42	36
3XL	54-56	42-45	36.5
4XL	58-60	45-49	36.5
5XL	61-63	49-53	37

Protection You Can Count On

The Crossfire includes CE-rated armor at the elbows and shoulders. This armor carries a Level 1 protection rating, meaning it meets rigorous standards for impact absorption.

There’s also a basic foam back pad, though it lacks any official armor rating. I recommend swapping this out for a CE-rated back protector for maximum protection.

Reflective piping on the shoulders and arms boosts nighttime visibility. This is subtly integrated and matches the colorway nicely.

Overall, the Crossfire provides satisfactory protection for daily street riding. Upgrading the back pad would make it suitable for more aggressive riding.

Weather Protection That Goes the Distance

The Crossfire stands out for its waterproof yet ventilated shell. It uses a laminated construction that bonds the outer layer directly to the waterproof interior, eliminating any moisture-trapping insulation.

This is different from jackets that use removable waterproof liners. Those liners can sag and billow while also inhibiting airflow from reaching your body.

During testing, the Crossfire kept me dry even in heavy rain. Water beads up and rolls right off the shell.

The waterproofing also enables the use of direct vents. These vents channel airflow directly through the jacket without compromising water resistance. I’ll cover the venting in more detail next.

For all-weather riding, the Crossfire delivers excellent protection against rain and wind. The waterproof laminate is the key, providing a secure barrier without excess bulk.

Ventilation That Pulls Its Weight

Venting and airflow is critical for riding comfort across changing temperatures. Here’s an overview of how the Crossfire delivers:

• Bicep Vents – Zippered vents at the upper arms allow air to enter and circulate through the torso.
• Chest Vents – Two large panels at the chest secure together or can hang open. The angled position sucks air in when riding.
• Rear Exhaust Vents – Mesh paneling at the back allows hot air to exit as fresh air enters the front.
• Removable Liner – The full thermal liner can be easily removed to maximize airflow in warm weather.

This system works excellently to keep you cool while riding. The chest vents are particularly effective due to the scooped shape and position. The air really gets forced in at speed.

Venting and temperature regulation are crucial for multiseason comfort. The Crossfire delivers useful intake and exhaust airflow.

Layering for Year-round Use

A major highlight of the Crossfire is its four-season versatility. This is achieved through extensive venting and the full thermal liner.

The liner attaches to the inner shell wall with sleeves and secures around the collar. It’s comfortable against the skin and adds noticeable warmth.

You can ride comfortably into the low 40s Fahrenheit with the liner inserted. Remove it, and the jacket remains comfortable into the 80s with vents open.

For summer nights or high-elevation rides, I’ll often start with the liner in and remove it when temperatures rise. This handy adaptability is key for touring and adventure riding.

The Crossfire truly bridges the gap across seasons. With some layering adjustments, you can stretch it for year-round motorcycle use.

Breaking Down the Features

Feature	Description
Waterproof Shell	Full-sleeve quilted liner provides warmth for colder weather riding. Easily removed when temperatures rise.
Vents	Bicep, chest, and rear exhaust vents promote airflow. Chest vents are especially effective.
Armor	CE-Level 1 armor at elbows and shoulders. The basic foam back pad should be upgraded.
Reflectivity	Blacked-out reflective piping on shoulders and arms enhances visibility.
Removable Thermal Liner	Waist tabs, sleeve tabs, and collars allow fit customization.
Storage	Two exterior pockets and one internal pocket provide adequate storage.
Adjustability	Waist tabs, sleeve tabs, and collar allow fit customization.

This breakdown gives a quick overview of the core features enabling quatro-season usage. The Crossfire checks all the key boxes for protection, visibility, storage, and weather adaptability.

Styling That Blends Right In

The overall aesthetics of the Crossfire are muted and understated. The colorway I tested uses a gray shell with black armor and minimal white accents on the logos.

It’s a neutral design that doesn’t call too much attention. I do wish the Joe Rocket branding was toned down or blacked out. The white logos stand out a bit much for my taste.

You’ll find three color options: black, gray, and hi-viz yellow. Go hi-viz if maximum visibility is your top priority. Otherwise, the black and gray are both clean, modern looks.

Getting the Most Value for Your Money

Considering its impressive versatility, the Crossfire offers fantastic bang for your buck at $250. You’d be hard-pressed to find another jacket with these features at this price point.

The Crossfire is hundreds less than many premium alternatives, including the iconic Rev’It! Sand 3 jacket, which costs $499.

For riders who want one jacket to rule them all seasons, the Crossfire gives you back a lot of change from that $500 level. You’ll have enough left over to upgrade the back armor, too.

If your budget is under $300, I can confidently recommend the Crossfire for four-season riding. The combination of waterproofing, venting, and insulation is hard to beat.

Final Verdict After Extensive Testing

Over several weeks and hundreds of miles, the Crossfire became my go-to jacket for daily commutes and weekend rides. I wore it in everything from hot sunny skies to torrential downpours.

The Crossfire delivered on all of its promised capabilities. True to size, protective, weatherproof, and ventilated. It quickly won my trust and became a staple piece of gear.

This is it for riders seeking a single jacket to cover them year-round. The Crossfire fully lives up to its billing as a versatile, four-season option. Considering the reasonable price, there’s really no reason not to add it to your gear collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Crossfire work well for hot weather?

The direct ventilation and removable liner make the Crossfire suitable for hot conditions. Just be sure to open all vents and remove the liner when temps exceed 70 F.

How does the sizing run?

The sizing is accurate to the size chart. Order your normal jacket size, and you should achieve a comfortable fit.

Is the Crossfire waterproof in heavy rain?

Absolutely. The laminated shell kept me bone dry even riding through torrential downpours. Water beads up and rolls right off.

Does the Crossfire protect well in a crash?

It provides good abrasion protection, but I recommend upgrading the basic backpad that’s included. With a CE-rated back protector added it will protect you effectively.

Can you connect the Crossfire to riding pants?

It has a short connecting zipper and belt loops to interface with riding pants for a complete suit.

Conclusion

The Joe Rocket Crossfire jacket delivers incredible four-season versatility at an affordable price. It provides ample protection, storage, visibility, and weather adaptability for daily commuting or cross-country touring.

The Crossfire checks every box for riders seeking one jacket that can do it all. I’m comfortable recommending it to any rider that puts functionality, durability, and value above all else. Simply put, this is one of the most impressive jackets available for under $300.

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