Review: Vanson Baja Ventilated Jacket and MK3 Streamliner Vest
The Vanson Baja ventilated jacket is a classically styled, hip-length coat designed for warm weather. The thick, roughly textured mesh is 1000 Denier Cordura, while 1010 Duck waxed cotton adorns the shoulders, elbows, front-button storm flap, pockets, and back. Brass zippers and snaps, leather trim on sleeve cuffs, and a belt (with a leather-wrapped buckle to protect tanks) round out the simple, monochromatic look.
There is CE armor in the shoulders and elbows. A perforated, non-CE back pad is provided and a thicker CE back protector is optional (D3O armor is coming in 2024). The jacket sports multiple exterior pockets—two on the waist paired with hand warmer pockets and one on the chest that will fit smaller phones. This chest pocket is part of the jacket’s mesh and thus is translucent. There are two additional interior waist-level pockets.
The Baja jacket flows as well as any other I’ve ever worn. You can see right through this thing, and the wind flows right through it too. The mesh is stiff and a bit abrasive to the touch at first but softens with use. The Baja strikes a distinctive pose in an era of lookalike textile adventure jackets. It would look right at home on a scrambler or a retro-influenced adventure bike.
The MK3 Streamliner Vest
The MK3 Streamliner vest extends the temperature range of the Baja jacket by 30 degrees and more. The lining is insulated and has several pockets at the waist and chest. Calling it a vest is a misnomer of sorts, as it includes removable sleeves with elasticized cuffs and short ventilation zippers in the armpits.
The liner is secured to the jacket via zippers on either side of the jacket’s main zipper—there are no snaps to fix the sleeves to the jacket. The liner’s fit can be adjusted via laces along the sides. On the inside are high-viz panels and you can wear the liner with the high-viz out (and without the jacket) if stuck on the side of the road.
While riding, the only way to adjust ventilation is by lowering the front zipper. The whole vest can be stowed in the rear pocket. The MK3 Streamliner vest is also not waterproof. You might be able to punch through a summer thunderstorm with it, but anything more will require additional rain gear.
Still, adding the liner extends the Baja jacket’s range dramatically. They worked well at the BMW R 1300 GS press launch in Andalucia, Spain, where temperatures ranged from the
50s in the morning and in the nearby mountains to the 70s closer to the water. Together, they form a stylish three-season jacket.
Vanson says not to wash the Baja—just hose it off with cool water. The wax cotton can be reconditioned as needed.
Vanson Baja Ventilated Jacket
Colors: Black, tan
$599
Vanson Streamliner Vest
$359