Helstons Division jacket in green

The Division jacket very much takes its inspiration from the M65 battle dress field tunic that was issued to the American armed forces, particularly during the Vietnam war. As such, it sits alongside other iconic military styles such the A2 leather flying jacket and the MA 1.

The Helstons version may look like the original, and it is indeed a very authentic-looking take on the M65, but it is also a very credible bike jacket in its own right.

The outer material is a reasonably heavy-duty Cordura. This gives the jacket a certain heft and reassuringly robust feel. The jacket is still, though, very comfortable. Importantly the Cordura chassis is strong enough to earn it an AA rating under EN17092. The jacket also comes, as standard, with CE armour in the elbows, shoulders and back, painting the picture of a jacket that is commendably protective for one that looks so cool. The armour, by the way, is Helstons’ latest super-soft, Ghost-like armour. Bottom line? The Division is both comfortable and protective.

In terms of functionality, you get a fixed, drop-liner, waterproof membrane and a removable thermal one. A hood is concealed in the collar. To adjust the fit, you get a drawstring arrangement on the waist, as well Velcro straps at the ends of the sleeves. There are four external pockets, and two more inside the jacket.

In an ideal world, we might have asked for zips at the ends of the sleeves to allow the cuff of a glove to sit inside the sleeve. We would also perhaps have wanted a couple of zipped gussets at the hem. But the fact is that these features might have detracted from the original look.

So what is the Division, and who is it for? Well, it’s a style piece. We think that Helstons has done a great job with it. It is a very cool jacket that will talk to a lot of bikers. But the membrane is not a laminated one, so this is not the kind of jacket you would naturally choose to go touring in, especially as it has no venting; and it’s not the best option for a high-mileage commuter. But we come back to the fact that the Division is a fantastic blending of what one might term form and function. It looks right, it is really nice to wear, it will keep you dry, it will keep you warm; and importantly, it’s properly protective.