Viaterra Cooper Urban Bomber Riding Jacket: Review

Gallery Why the Cooper?The Construction What’s Good What’s Not Good Should You Buy One?Product Details

Why the Cooper?

I had been using Viaterra’s Wayne urban riding jacket for my daily commutes and photoshoots. The Wayne is light, breathable, and because it is made from cotton, it feels good against the skin even in hot and muggy weather. But excessive use has meant frequent washes, and with that, the jacket has begun to show its age. It no longer looks as good in pictures, and it has also started fraying in places. So, it was obviously time for something new.

And new, the Cooper most certainly is. Viaterra only just launched it, and given its specs, intent, and design, I decided to get one as a replacement for my Wayne. I have now been using it for over a month, and in that time I have commuted in it, worn it on a weekend ride, and gone scrambling over hard-packed mud a couple of times too. Here then, is what’s good and what’s not about the Viaterra Cooper.

The Construction

Now, before we get into the pros and cons, let’s dig deeper into the construction and promise of the Cooper.

Unlike the Wayne, the Cooper is a mesh jacket made from polyester. And by mesh, it is extensively see-through all around, meaning a high rate of airflow. Where there isn’t mesh, there is 600D Oxford fabric for better abrasion resistance. The 600D fabric is used across the length of the arm and on the sides of the abdomen. These are areas that generally make contact with the road in case of a fall. Viaterra says this fabric blends abrasion resistance and low weight well.

Talking about protection, the Cooper comes with Level 2 armour for the back, shoulders, elbows, and chest as standard. The latter is something that is missing on the Wayne. Given that Viaterra has chosen a ‘bomber’ style for this riding jacket, style, fit, and comfort have also received adequate attention. For fit, the jacket only uses a two-step snap-button adjustment on the arm. But it gets elasticated ribbed collars and cuffs for a more secure fit across body types. And, in typical bomber style, there is an elastic band around the waist as well.

For style, there is a Velcro patch on the right arm that one can customise. Plus, it gets a bright-coloured ‘34’ race number on the left arm as a tribute to Kevin Schwantz. So, more motorcycling and less aviation.

Now let’s talk about the pros and cons.

What’s Good

Fit

Even though the Cooper only offers adjustment for a snugger fit around the arms, the elasticated cuffs and collar work well too. In fact, the fit all around — torso and arms included — is snug without feeling tight. As a result, it remains comfortable across different two-wheeler types, from scooters and cruisers to ADVs and even committed sports bikes. The jacket does have a tendency to ride up at the rear, but if you remember to secure the provided loop to your belt, that problem disappears.

Ventilation

The Cooper scores high on ventilation. Be it being stuck in traffic, riding slowly off-road, or cruising on a baking afternoon on the highway, there is enough airflow to keep the feeling of stifling at bay. I did not even feel the need to unzip it halfway in traffic. That said, one does need to wear a full-sleeve inner under the jacket because polyester simply does not feel as nice or comfortable against the skin as cotton on a hot and humid day.

Protection

With Level 2 armour all around, tougher 600D fabric, and a snug fit that doesn’t allow the armour to move around in the event of a crash, the Cooper does inspire confidence. Now, we have not crashed in the jacket — yet, — but we have no reason to question Viaterra’s claims.

What’s Not Good

No Waterproof Pocket

I did miss having a waterproof pocket on the jacket. On one occasion, it looked like it might rain while I was already en route, and I had to scramble to find a polythene bag to keep my wallet and ID dry. If I am only going to have one jacket in my wardrobe, and I am not fully prepared for an unexpected shower, I would want my jacket to have my back.

Limited Personalisation

Viaterra claims personalisation as one of the highlights of the Cooper. But as a buyer, one cannot actually choose the patch they want. The jacket’s product page showcases six patch options, but when you buy the jacket, there is only an option to choose the colour and size — not the patch itself.Ideally, buyers should be able to choose a patch. Better still, they should be able to design one from preset templates as part of the buying experience for an added cost.

Should You Buy One?

I still like the Wayne. But the Cooper is a better-looking jacket. It offers better protection, is light, easy to carry, and given its construction, should also be able to handle more abuse.

I would still want the Wayne for short rides where I just want to throw something over a T-shirt on a muggy day. But for almost every other purpose, the Cooper — at just Rs. 500 more — makes better sense. The fact that the armour is included in the Cooper’s price, unlike the Wayne, is another point in favour of the ‘bomber’.