Olympia Airglide 6 Jacket Review – Did Olympia Get It Right?

I recently had the opportunity to test out the new Olympia Airglide 6 jacket and pants. As an avid motorcyclist always looking for quality riding gear, I was eager to see how these latest offerings from Olympia would hold up.

In this review, I’ll share my hands-on impressions after extensively evaluating the Airglide 6 jacket and pants on multiple rides.

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

Why I Tested the Olympia Airglide 6

As a rider who logs thousands of miles each year, having gear that provides protection as well as comfort is essential.

My previous Olympia jacket had served me well for years but was starting to show its age. With the release of the Airglide 6, I saw a chance to upgrade to Olympia’s latest generation of technology and styling.

Specifically, I wanted to assess five key factors of the new Airglide 6:

• Protection – How well do the armor and abrasion-resistant materials hold up in a slide?
• Comfort – Is it comfortable in warm weather during long days in the saddle?
• Versatility – Can it adapt to cooler weather with the included liners?
• Features – Are the pockets, vents, and other features truly useful?
• Value – Does it provide good functionality for the price?

Over the course of my testing, the Airglide 6 proved itself in all five of these categories. Read on for the details.

Airglide 6 Overview

Before digging into my experience, let’s briefly overview the key features and updates on the Olympia Airglide 6 jacket and pants:

• Upgrade from Previous Versions: The Airglide 6 jacket replaces the outgoing Airglide 5, while the pants upgrade the older Airglide 4. This is the first major redesign in over two years.
• Aggressive Styling: The jacket has a contemporary, angular look compared to Olympia’s past designs. It is better for younger riders or those seeking a modern aesthetic.
• Optimized for Warm Weather: Mesh paneling throughout provides airflow. Includes a waterproof liner and thermal liner to adapt to changing conditions.
• Armor Upgraded to Level 2: CE-rated level 2 armor is now standard in elbows, shoulders, and knees. The back protector is level 1, with the option to upgrade to level 2.
• 1000D Cordura Reinforcement: High abrasion resistance in impact zones, with 500D in body and extensive mesh for ventilation.
• Full Side Zippers: The zipper spans the full length of pants for easy on/off; the jacket has zippers on each side.
• Price Increase: Jacket starts around $380, pants around $280. Still competitive for the category.

Putting the Jacket Through Its Paces

Over the course of three weeks and hundreds of miles, I wore the Airglide 6 jacket in various conditions, from warm sunny days to cooler rides with the thermal liner inserted. Here are the key benefits I discovered:

Superior Impact Protection

• The included CE level 2 armor provides serious impact absorption. I bottomed out the elbow armor in a parking lot drop test, and it cushioned the impact nicely.
• Hardshell shoulders and elbows backed with padding absorb and distribute pressure.
• Chest and back have extensive padding. The back protector is level 1 but upgradable.
• Feeling Protected: The extensive armor and padding give a sense of security when riding. Fit keeps armor in the proper position.

Comfort for Long Days

• Lightweight mesh material doesn’t weigh you down or restrict movement.
• Mesh panels align with vents to funnel air through. I stayed cool riding in 85+ degree weather.
• The collar is thick and lined with soft material. No irritation at the neck.
• Sleeves are pre-curved to prevent binding and allow a natural riding position.

Adaptable to Changing Conditions

• Included waterproof liner blocks wind and rain when needed. It’s lightweight and packs down small.
• Thermal liner adds warmth for cooler rides. Note it does contain magnets near the collar.
• Long sleeve zippers allow controlling airflow by adjusting openings.
• Four-Season Flexibility: With the zip-out liners, this jacket can adapt as conditions change. I was comfortable in 35-90 degree temps.

Convenient, Useful Features

• Dual inner chest pockets securely hold items and are fleece-lined to prevent scratches.
• Bicep snaps allow adjustment based on layers worn underneath.
• Forearm Velcro tabs let you tighten sleeves over gloves with gauntlets.
• Waist adjustment tabs customize the fit. I appreciated the velcro straps instead of elastic bands.
• Reflective accents help visibility at night: chest logo, bicep strips, and back humanoid shape.
• Loop panels allow attaching a hydration pack.

Great Value for the Price

• With CE level 2 armor, multiple liners, and useful features, the Airglide 6 provides functionality on par with premium jackets.
• At around $380, it’s priced very competitively for what you get. It is much more affordable than many competing options with similar specs.
• Olympia quality without the premium price tag.

Evaluating the Airglide 6 Pants

Next, I spent time evaluating Olympia’s redesigned Airglide 6 pants:

Ultimate Convenience With Full Side Zippers

• Full-length side zippers on both sides allow slipping pants on easily over boots. This was a game changer for convenience compared to traditional pants.

Durable, Abrasion-Resistant Materials

• The knees and seat are reinforced with durable 1000D Cordura fabric to prevent ripping in slides.
• 500D Cordura used throughout the remainder of the pants provides flexibility while still being protective.
• The material showed no signs of wear, even when I deliberately dragged my knees on the pavement.

Optimized for Warm Weather Riding Comfort

• Generous mesh paneling on the torso and behind the knees allowed excellent airflow. Kept me cool in temps up to 90 degrees.
• Lighter overall feel due to athletic cut and stretch panels. Did not feel restrictive even after hours of riding.
• The waterproof liner can be inserted to block wind and moisture when needed. Packs down to stow in cargo pocket.

Armor Stays in Place

• Hardshell CE level 2 knee armor backed by foam padding absorbs impact force.
• Knee armor stayed centered on the kneecap even during aggressive riding.
• Snug, athletic fit prevents armor from shifting out of place.

Useful Features Enhance Functionality

• Deep waist adjustment tabs with velcro closure allowed customizing fit.
• Long side zippers make it easy to reach pants pockets while seated on the bike.
• The cargo thigh pocket provides storage and doubles as waterproof liner storage.
• Pre-curved legs prevent binding and allow a natural riding position.
• Reflective accents on calves improve visibility.

Remarkable Value at Just Over $280

• The Airglide 6 pants offer premium protection and functionality for under $300.
• Comparable riding pants often cost $350+, so these represent a great value.
• With CE level 2 armor, many vents, and useful features, they perform on par with much more expensive pants.

Final Impressions: A Versatile, Feature-Packed Upgrade

After extensively testing both the Olympia Airglide 6 jacket and pants, I’m impressed with how they’ve taken this staple touring set to the next level. The styling brings Olympia up-to-date while retaining its signature value.

The abundant airflow from the mesh panels proved ideal for warm-weather riding. Yet the included liners allow adapting as temperatures drop. The CE level 2 armor provides substantial impact protection without an excessive cost increase.

While an upgrade over the predecessor Airglide 5 jacket and Airglide 4 pants, the price increase is justified by the additions and tweaks Olympia made.

Riders seeking reliable, affordable touring gear with excellent versatility should give the Olympia Airglide 6 jacket and pants a close look.

Their optimal balance of protection, comfort, convenience, and value ticks all the key boxes riders look for. After testing them extensively myself, I’m pleased to recommend both as smart upgrades over previous versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Olympia Airglide 6 designed for?

The Airglide 6 jacket and pants are designed as versatile, warm-weather touring gear with included liners to stretch into cooler temperatures. They provide good airflow for comfort with solid impact protection.

How does the armor compare to previous models?

The new Airglide 6 comes with upgraded CE level 2 shoulder, elbows, and knee armor for greater impact absorption. The prior versions had basic foam armor.

Is the Airglide 6 fully waterproof?

The outer shells are water-resistant but not fully waterproof. However, both the jacket and pants include lightweight waterproof liners that can be inserted when you need extra weather protection.

What kind of warranty does Olympia offer?

Olympia offers a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. This protects against things like zipper failure or armor coming loose.

How do the jacket and pants fit?

Compared to European brands, these have an American cut with a bit more room in the shoulders, sleeves, and body. Go by the size chart, but they allow layering undershirts and armor.

Conclusion

The Airglide 6 jacket and pants deliver impressive quality and features for the price. Riders seeking versatile, multi-season gear that provides ample protection without breaking the bank would do well to consider Olympia’s latest offerings.

After extensively testing both myself, I’m happy to recommend them as smart upgrades over the preceding versions. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Previous Article: Olympia Dakar 3 Jacket Review

Next Article: Merlin Miller Jacket Review

Also Available From Amazon