Bering Antartica GTX jacket in grey

The Antartica jacket is styled very much in the adventure aesthetic. The jacket sits a bit longer. You get large, lower, flap pockets, a ticket pocket on the front of the jacket, and another one on the sleeve. There's a large map pocket on the back. There's a strap to cinch the waist in; a strap that can also be adjusted higher or lower. You get nicely positioned vents at the side of the chest. You get vents on the forearms. And you get exhaust vents on the back. We do also quite like the popper arrangement that allows the chest vents to be held open. There are gusset zips on both sides at the hem to allow the jacket to splay a little on the bike.

 

The neck collar is adjustable. There are poppered straps to reduce the volume on the biceps. The sleeve ends fasten with zips and Velcro, to allow the cuffs of a glove to be worn inside the sleeve. This having been said, we're not massively impressed with how far the sleeve opens. There's a robust wind collar that attaches to the jacket with a zip.

 

The main zip that runs up the front of the jacket is not a waterproof one, but it is protected by a double storm flap, so rain is not going to get into the jacket this way. The zip by the way is a Magneto zip. You don't get a traditional slider with this zip, and that's good because that's the bit that is most easily damaged. Instead, the two halves of the zip fasten magnetically. It takes a little while to get used to but, once you have mastered it it's quick and easy. The storm flap also fastens with magnets. Not recommended if you wear a pacemaker!

 

For thermal protection, you get a pull-out, destination jacket that almost, but not quite, passes for a down jacket. It's filled with a hollow-form fibre of some description, so it will keep you warmish on the bike, and on the street. But don't get too excited. This is no 90% duck down Klim Maverick!

 

There's Level 1 armour in the elbows and shoulders. There's a pocket that will take a D3O protector. The jacket is rated A under EN17092. It also passes the EN13795 standard for visibility, but what's nice is that the silver reflective bands don't stand out against the tones of grey, so the effect is quite subtle.

 

There's a zip that allows you to attach the jacket to the pants. Now, actually, this is less important with a longer jacket, but some people will be glad to know that they can connect the two halves.