Icon Overlord Prime Jacket Test | Perfect Balance

Icon Overlord Prime Motorcycle Review

The balance of protection and comfort is a constant challenge for apparel designers. Icon’s Overlord Prime Jacket is intended for high-end protection on the street – particularly when worn with the matching pants – without the inconvenience of a one-piece race suit.

Built on a 1.2 – 1.4mm leather chassis cut to Icon’s spec for the attack position, it has a tailored body fit and precurved arms; the abrasion protection is serious.

Key protection areas at the shoulders, elbows, and back are equipped with external injection molded hard plastic armor. Underneath, Icon installs removable CE compliant Field Armor impact protectors at the shoulders and elbows and a removable dual-density back pad over the spine, allowing personalization of the protection system. The back system can be upgraded to Icon’s Stryker CE-compliant back protector.

Enhancing comfort and style, Icon’s Overlord Prime series uses a combination of Brazilian cowhide leather, textile and synthetic materials to create exceptionally rugged protective gear that doesn’t look rough. Gathered leather stretch panels at the shoulders and elbows, and textile stretch panels in the inner arms, keep the fit close and functional.

The result of the efforts is a fit that stays close to the rider in the wind, allows full range of motion with comfort and keeps all those armored points where they must be to provide the protection they are designed for.

The jacket is collarless to allow maximum freedom of movement with your helmet on, plus there are snap waist adjusters and a snap-close zipper retainer tab.

Ventilation necessary for warm weather riding is provided by perforated leather panels at the chest, upper arms, lower arms (perforated to subtly spell out “Icon”), down the flanks and at the lower back.

A mesh inner liner allows air to flow through. When the weather isn’t quite as toasty and a little warmth is preferred, there is a zip-in quilted, insulated vest liner.

YKK Autolock zippers are used for the main jacket closure, at both slash pockets, the wrist closures and the internal chest pocket.  A wrap-around zipper is also provided at the waist to allow full integration with the Overlord Leather Pants.

Icon bases its image at the crossroads of style and protection. The Overlord Prime Jacket accomplishes the two goals with indisputable confidence and Èlan.

For additional information, log onto Rideicon.com.

This story is featured in the May/June 2013 issue of Ultimate MotorCycling magazine — available on newsstands and good bookstores everywhere. The issue is also available free to readers on Apple Newsstand (for iOS devices) and Google Play (Android). To subscribe to the print edition, please visit our Subscriber Services page.