Mercury Jacket with Knox armor in shoulders and elbows

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Real-life review: BMG Mercury

Ron Arnold - 12/30/2012

Real-life review: BMG Mercury jacket (Photos)
Motorcycle Safety Gear
May 31, 2011
By: Ron Arnold
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Although it's been mentioned before, I'm just now completing a long-term review of the British Motorcycle Gear (BMG) Mercury jacket. I received the jacket as a Valentine's gift and I've been wearing it ever since the second week of February. In a nutshell, it's what I call a 'professional' all-weather jacket, one that you can count on to not only keep you safe, but also to look good while protecting you from all sorts of weather.

First, a rundown of the Mercury jacket and BMG. BMG is a company that imports and resells the Belstaff motorcycle safety gear line in the United States, exclusively through the International Motorcycle Show appearances and their on-line store. The Mercury jacket is on the low end of the BMG/Belstaff line, and yet is a highly capable, all-weather, textile jacket. Although the design has some years on it, the Mercury has usability features that are just now being implemented in newer jackets. It comes together very well, and it represents a true three or four season jacket for scooterists and motorcyclists.

View slideshow: British Motorcycle Gear Mercury jacket review

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The combination of my Fieldsheer vest and the Mercury Jacket is a hi-vis winner!

Photo credit:

Detroit Scooter Examiner
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The first thing that struck me about the Mercury jacket is it's dual nature. With the substantial liner in place, it feels like a snug winter motorcycle jacket. With the liner out, it feels much looser and more ventilated, almost a summer jacket. The Mercury is highly breathable and you can tell because you never run into that humid feeling that you get with some jackets.

Another thing a casual examination of the jacket reveals is the monster KNOX TP2 armor present in the elbows and shoulders of the jacket. It's unlike any other armor that I've seen. It features a texture that resembles bubbles or pillows. They face outward, and the spaces in between the pillows result in a very flexible, light and natural feel for the armor. The back pad is made of the same stuff, and is very well installed and comfortable without being noticeable in daily use.

The Mercury is absolutely waterproof. This jacket is so waterproof, I don't feel the need to don my Frog Toggs rain gear on top of it. I wear my Frog Toggs pants during the heavy stuff, but I don't need any additional jacket rain protection than what the Mercury provides. I've been in some real downpours and cold, horizontal wind-blown rain too, without a drop getting to my skin. We've had a lot of rain in SE Michigan this spring, and a lot of cold temperatures. The Mercury has served me very well in all types of weather. When wet, the jacket also dries amazingly fast (maybe it's because the inside never gets wet?). It's that good.

Here are some of the things that I like most about the Mercury jacket:

Highly reflective: The reflectivity of this jacket is off the charts. It's largely reflective silver and then features 3M Scotchlite piping and the unique illumiNITE reflective fabric on the shoulders. The logos are also reflective!

Storage: The Mercury has two smallish, waterproof, external pockets in the usual hand-warmer location, but features an interesting array of pockets on the inside of the jacket, all with zippers. There are three pockets on the inside of the jacket and also an elastic band for something else, perhaps a map? Two of the internal pockets have mesh components so are not waterproof, but they are on the inside, deeper than the substantial (buttons, overlap with grip-strip and a zipper) storm flap. The main 'Napoleon' pocket is very large, located over the left chest area, and is waterproof and protected by the storm flap. There is one pocket in the liner, also zippered, but when the liner is in, the two mesh pockets in the jacket are under the liner, and unaccessible.

Details: The thing that keeps bringing me back to the Mercury are the details. Things like the wrist adjusters just seem to work better on this jacket than on some of my other jackets. The grip strip wrist adjuster is very reliable, so much so in fact that I use the cuff zippers to loosen the wrists enough so I can get the jacket off. There is a perforated material just below the soft collar that seems to somehow vent the neck area. The jacket has an aggressive elastic waistband that fits me very well - nice and snug, but it never binds. It's refreshing to have a jacket that seems custom tailored no matter what the season. When I first got the jacket, I was afraid that it was a size too small (I'm 5'10' and 195 lbs and got a large), but after wearing it for half of the poor riding weather season, I realized that it's a perfect fit for me. Nice and snug with the liner in, and just a bit looser with it out.

Improvements: Although it's my favorite all-weather jacket, the ventilation is a little behind the times. Maybe it's because the British Motorcycle Gear/Belstaff guys bias waterproofing over ventilation or perhaps it's because I'm using a high-visibility vest over the jacket, but I don't get a lot of air through the jacket in the warmer weather. I do like the extra room that I get when the liner is removed, and it's a good compromise to remove the liner when it gets warmer. There is an extraction vent of sorts near the bottom edge of the back of the jacket, and perhaps that's what's providing the ventilation when the open zips are blocked/held closed by my vest. I'd also like the liner to be updated to reflect a modern dual-use strategy. I'd like to be able to wear the liner as an acceptable-looking light jacket by itself. Right now it looks like a traditional liner for a motorcycle jacket, i.e. utilitarian. The quality is very high on the liner, don't get me wrong, but it has the slightly shorter arms and various tabs and zippers that show that it's really not for solo use. Some people have complained about the hard plastic grip strip closure by the neck (and BMG now includes extra fasteners to address it), but I've not had a problem with it, even with my 17 1/2 inch neck.

All in all, the BMG Mercury jacket is an amazingly flexible jacket and must be high on the list for a scooterist looking for one jacket that does it all. Try one yourself the next time the International Motorcycle Show pulls into town.

Great jacket, but not for 4 seasons.

D.E. Rost - 4/30/2010

I have been wearing the Mercury jacket for a little over 2000 miles now, ranging in temperatures from 25 degrees up to 85 degrees. I purchased this jacket and pants at the motorcycle show and can not say enough about the friendliness and customer service, these guys are great. First about me: 6�1�, 220lbs, average to athletic build. My bikes: �00 BMW R1100RT & �76 R90/6. My riding: daily commute of 60 miles in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Pros:
� The jacket is very comfortable and truly gives with the body.
� It is waterproof, except for the crotch. (I handle this by sitting on a beaded seat cover in the rain. Yes, I actually RIDE in the rain, I don�t just get caught in it.)
� This jacket is warm! In 25 degrees with just a long sleeve shirt on I was just fine.
� Very reflective, with a high degree of �safety feeling� with all of the armor.
� Stays clean! Commuting in the rain with road spray and this thing still looks brand new.

Cons:
� This jacket is warm, with no ventilation. There are 2 vents at the chest that do not open enough to allow air in, and that�s it. Even being on a fairing-ed bike with 40 mph side winds (it�s Chicago), there is no air. On a naked bike, you get some air, but only at speeds over 45mph. The vents are simply too small and too few to be of use over 75-80 degrees.
� The Velcro on the collar is weak and too small, and often will come loose in side winds.
� The straps to synch up the arms are too long, and even at fully �closed�, there is too much flap in the arms. (without the liner)
� In addition to the zipper in back to connect paints, there are two loops in the pant that connect to tabs in the jacket. They are situated a little too much towards the back so that they become a little too awkward to use on a daily basis. I would rather see them positioned above the front pockets for convenience, and as such, use.

Would I recommend this jacket? Absolutely�. But not for use during the summer. The quality is terrific, as is the feel and the degree of safety. The customer service is first rate, even when there is a problem. (A pad was left out of my order and it was shipped immediately without question.)

You will not go wrong with BMG!

Can't beat it

Don - 9/23/2008

I've had this jacket almost two years and have worn it in temps from 32-100 degrees. The yellow is highly visible and the jacket has held up very well. Lots of storage, good ventilation.

Almost perfect, needs to breathe

sailthenet - 8/23/2008

This is a great jacket. The quality is top notch. I have owned it now for a couple of years. You can not beat it for visibility (mine is yellow, and I have a yellow bike), the reflective panels are fantastic. The neck closure does like to come loose, but the reason I dinged it by one star is the ventilation. I have never ridden without being wet underneath due to moisture collecting inside the jacket. I am not uncomfortable while wearing it, but it needs better ventilation. I have ventilation problems with all my jackets except my mesh jacket, so perhaps this is the price we pay for a waterproof jacket. This would be a perfect jacket with better ventilation.

Mercury jacket

Helmut Imberger - 7/12/2008

I'v had this jacket now for over a year, it is functional, light, very comfortable and also looks good. I've worn it in all day rain and it kept me dry.

There is one particular fault however; the velcro collar closure is ineffective; it easily blows open in wind. I have remedied this somewhat by installing the spare press stud button that came with the jacket. BMG Response. We include the extra snap for this purpose.. In Europe many riders wanted the snap as an option or more velcro...so we included both.. We have now added the snap closure to the neck in the USA since most riders seem to prefer it..

Mercury Jacket performed flawlessly

Jon McKay - 7/7/2008

I purchased a Mercury Jacket from your company and I would like to pass on a few comments about this jacket.

First, it is an outstanding piece of gear. It is very well made and the quality is apparent. The neck closure is the one notable failure of the design but even that is not too annoying. I was caught in a thunderstorm the other day at the mid-point of my journey and had no opinion other than to push on. My Mercury jacket performed flawlessly. No water reached the interior, despite the heavy rain. I've worn the jacket in mild weather, without the liner, in temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and it is comfortable. It is not a hot weather jacket but is a very useful piece of kit. In addition to the comfort provided there is a high level of safety features built into the jacket.

Second, the jacket is fairly priced. I looked at dozens of jackets before settling on the Mercury. There are cheaper jackets on the market but few superior ones.

Thank you
Jon McKay

Fantastic Jacket

Gazza from NZ - 8/24/2011

Would give it 5 stars but haven't tested it in the rain yet. Fit and quality is excellent. Very pleased, better than I expected. Ordered it on Friday and it arrived in New Zealand on the Wednesday!!

Almost flawless!

ToddtheSquid - 6/7/2009

I have being using a Mercury for many years now. Living in Vancouver, I need a jacket that is totally waterproof and warm, yet flexible enough to provide ventilation in hotter conditions. This jacket works well on both fronts. The only flaw? The Velcro on the throat closure is not strong enough in windy conditions and continually releases. I have had other users make the same comment.

BMG Response: We include extra snaps for this purpose. The new Production now has a hidden neck snap as well as the Velcro so this problem has been resolved.

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