Dainese Antartica GoreTex Motorrad Textiljacke

The side pockets are amazing - one of the main reasons why I got the jacket - they are to the sides and don't bulk up when sitting upright on my Triumph Tiger Explorer

The cuffs are the main points for me. They are elastic and the goretex membrane actually extends out of these. So when they get wet, you don't. These go under my heated gloves... Seriously brilliant design feature from Dainese. Kudos Italianos.

Armor - this is a Dainese that comes with a proper back protector! I love it. I did buy the chest protectors in addition though. Dainese: Take notice please. At this price point, you should include the chest protectors!

Zippers - well, they are scuba diving equipment level zippers. I had to lubricate them (the lubricant is included) and closed them shut. I don't think I will ever operate them. This jacket belongs to cold and rain.

Gator - brilliant. Simply brilliant. I ride year-round and this gator is a life-safer here in NYC in the winter months.

Aesthetics - this jacket fits me like a glove. Literally the best form-fitting yet comfortable jacket I have ever worn.

Kidney belts - beh. I set them once, I don't touch them again. They are another great design feature of this jacket. Seriously strong and well thought of.

Inner layer - 700 down feather jacket. Beh, when it's < 30F you must wear heated gear. That inner layer doesn't work at those temperatures. It's a great jacket by itself though. I took it out and I am wearing it when I am not on the bike. Very high quality material.

The mesh pockets under the arm pits - I think this is the greatest invention since sliced bread. I put a carabine through the loop and my keys are hanging off of that and I tuck them into that area when I am riding. My bike key chain is a bit, uh, crowded and putting it into and taking it out of the pocket (of any of my jackets) is a pain. And the new Tiger Explorer is keyless so I don't have to put the key in the ignition but I have to keep the keys close by (can't put them in the bag) so these pockets are amazing! I haven't used them to store my gloves yet - since I have side cases and a top case I don't carry my gloves around when I am not on the bike. They are - again - very well thought of and are awesome features! Kudos Italianos, seriously bravo!

I have only one complaint and there's nothing anybody can do about that. Because my first point is the reason of the complaint, so something's gotta give. This is a necessary compromise because I wouldn't give up on the first feature of pockets being to the side and not bulking up when I am sitting upright: the pockets are very hard to reach! Yeap, they are so much to the sides and the rainproof seal is so tight that it's a pain in the shoulder and wrists to easily access the pockets. You can definitely access them, but not smoothly. And I am more than happy to live with this compromise.

I would totally buy this jacket again - maybe Dainese would send me the pants so that I can review the pants as well? :-)