Belstaff Mistral leather jacket in black

The Belstaff Mistral feels very special. The leather is wonderfully soft, as you would expect from a brand with Belstaff's credentials. it has been treated with a special blend of waxes and vegetable oils which, apparently, give the jacket some waterproof qualities. We would treat this claim with a degree of caution.  Leather is naturally hydrophilic and we would recommend that in anything more than a shower you still use a waterproof.

In addition to the waterproof treatment Belstaff has equipped the Mistral with a waterproof main zip and bands of Neoprene behind the main zip, and in the collar, to soak up moisture in the event of a shower. There are 'zip garages' to ensure the zips are seated correctly when closed.

The Mistral has stretch panels up the flanks and down the sleeves. These make the jacket incredibly comfortable to wear from the get-go. Over time it will just become more comfortable and more supple.

It is AA accredited under EN17092 and fitted with Level 1 Ghost armour in the shoulders and elbows. We offer an upgrade to Level 2 Ghost at a reduced price of £30 as we can buy back the Level 1. There is a pocket for a back protector although it does not come as standard. Again, we would recommend a D3O version which could be level 1 or level 2, your choice.

The badging is subtle but obvious enough to those who know what they are looking for! There are three external pockets and one internal. The buttons are rubber covered and there is a cover for the zip so the jacket will not scratch your tank. Zipped gussets on the sleeves allow you to put your sleeve cuffs easily on the inside.

We were delighted to see that this jacket has a properly lowered back making it much more of a proper bike jacket. The back of the jacket will sit well below your belt line when you are sat in the riding position which is important in a proper riding jacket.