Furygan Marlon X Kevlar review | Casual motorcycle jacket tested

Date reviewed: June 2023 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £189.99 | www.furygan.com

I’m going to start this review of the Furygan Marlon X Kevlar by saying that this is currently my favourite warm-weather jacket for most of my rides.

Okay, that’s perhaps a spoiler alert and you’re about to click away, but there is of course still good and not-so-good about this very casual-style jacket, which I’ve been wearing for several months on an R1250GS and a VFR800 while commuting and enjoying weekend trips out…

Construction and fit

Available in black or khaki (which I have, and is slightly more green looking than my pictures show), the Furygan Marlon X Kevlar is machine washable and predominantly made of high tenacity 600 denier polyester.

The outer material feels very soft to the touch, and doesn’t have that shiny look of some textile riding kit.

This is very much a casual-style jacket, which does look great when walking around off the bike, and is also lightweight enough that even in summer I can happily keep it on. And if I do take it off, it’s flexible enough to drape over an arm.

Fit is of course subjective, but I really like the cut of the Furygan (as does my wife). I would say that, like many European brands, it’s a little on the slim side, and I do find the arms are a touch short when reaching out, though I’m probably at the limit of this size Large. The shoulders have expansion gussets, so there’s some movement available, and it’s not helped by the optional back protector I’ve fitted. As with any riding kit, try it on to find the best size for you.

While writing this review, I did notice that one of the poppers had broken on the collar, and an area of about an inch in length had been missed in stitching where the zip is sewn to the inner lining. These don’t affect safety or performance, and should be sorted no bother under warranty.

Protection and certification

The Furygan Marlon X Kevlar can’t offer the same levels of protection as the highest-rated kit, but thanks to DuPont Kevlar reinforcements at the elbows and shoulders (which also have cotton padding that reduces the impact energy during a crash), it’s achieved Level AA under EN17092 (AAA is the highest). This means it’s been tested for abrasion resistance at varying levels according to the different zones, the elbows and shoulders being the most critical, as well as for seam and tear strength.

D3O Level 1 (Level 2 is the higher protection) armour is included at the shoulders and elbows, and while it’s Type A (Type B is the larger size), it’s not been made down to the minimum requirements, so offers a decent level of coverage and – importantly – sits correctly in place on my arms and doesn’t move around too much. D3O’s Ghost armour would have been slimmer, but the included design cups the limbs well, which helps to keep it in place.

No back protector is supplied, and I would strongly recommend having one with this jacket as besides offering additional protection, it can ride up at the back too easily without it. Retailing at £40.99, the Furygan D3O Full Back Fury Level 2 back protector is a significant cost to add, though you could potentially use it in other kit too. At the time of writing, it was available at a reduced price in some stores, and you could ask for a deal if you buy it with the jacket at a friendly dealer.

Given how lightweight and comfortable the X Kevlar jacket is, it’s hard to see much reason to settle for anything that offers the minimum protection of Level A.

All motorcycle clothing sold in the UK and Europe is deemed to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This is a good thing for riders as it can help them choose kit that has provable levels of safety because, to meet this legislation, it must be tested to a recognised standard. To fully understand the labels found in all bike kit, click here.

Pockets

There are five pockets on the Furygan Marlon X Kevlar, though the breast pocket doesn’t close, so will be of limited use. It looks good though.

The two pockets at the waist have a vertical zip and are just big enough to tuck my hands into. They’re also large enough to swallow my keys in one, and wallet and large Pixel 7 Pro phone in the other.

Inside there’s a large vertically-opening water-resistant pocket on the left, with a top-loading zipped pocket on the right, which while not as big (or water resistant), will still swallow my phone.

I usually prefer the security of horizontal main pockets, but the styling of this jacket comes together great. I also don’t tend to put that much in these pockets as I usually wear the Marlon X Kevlar with a pair of riding jeans, so stash my gear in there.

Fastening

A metal YKK zip secures the front of the Marlon X Kevlar, with five flat, stylish-looking branded poppers securing the flap over the front. Thanks to their smooth design, these should be unlikely to damage your bike’s paintwork.

The cuffs are secured with a zip and popper, and while the zip can sometimes get caught in the material behind, you soon get used to running a finger ahead of it. I also sometimes leave them open a bit to get a little more air up the sleeves.

While not a concern for many, note that the metal backing of the poppers on the cuffs could scratch a watch or its bracelet. This is common with many jackets.

Typically, this kind of jacket will most likely be worn with short-cuff gloves, though gauntlet-style sports gloves will fit over fine.

Adjustment

There’s no adjustment on the Marlon, but the armour stays in place well for me, and this isn’t the style of jacket that would look good with straps.

Ventilation

While there are no vents, the construction of the Furygan Marlon X-Kevlar means it stays comfortable at higher temperatures, with air able to pass through it fairly easily, if not providing a direct blast like mesh can. Still, I found it very comfortable even during the 25°C and above temperatures we’ve had recently, and don’t feel the need to whip it off the moment I stop riding. I still wear it up into late 20s and early 30s, and its fine, though a mesh jacket can feel better; it depends how much air your bike’s fairing allows to reach you.

The elbows can feel a little sticky at times, most likely due to the additional material here, but by leaving the cuffs or the top of the main zip a little open, even more air can get through.

Warmth

The Furygan Marlon X Kevlar is fine in late Spring and early Autumn, so while it won’t suit the colder months, you should get plenty of use out of it.

The back protector isn’t supplied, but I do recommend fitting one

Liner

The Marlon X Kevlar is mostly lined with a lightweight mesh, which is comfortable in the heat and doesn’t stick to you. The armour pockets are lined with a smoother material, but it’s still not sticky or cheap feeling.

Waterproofing

This Furygan jacket is not intended to be waterproof, and its lack of a membrane is part of the reason it’s relatively cool to wear. I did get caught in rain for a few miles, but found the Marlon X Kevlar dried out quickly.

Three alternatives to the Furygan Marlon X Kevlar

As brands push harder with material technology, and get to grips with the certification test requirements, we’re seeing more variety in the kit available. Here are just three more options of casual-style gear…

• The Spada Vermont costs just £139.99 and includes a back protector. This is a denim jacket with Kevlar reinforcements, and looks great. Read the full review of the Spada Vermont here.

• The RST X Kevlar Sherpa cost £179.99 and is lined with a Sherpa fleece inside. It’s unlikely to offer the same comfort in hot weather as the Furygan Marlon or the Spada Vermont, but it might be just the style you’re looking for. We haven’t reviewed the Sherpa.

• The Merlin Cody costs £199.99 and is an AA-rated hoody with Kevlar reinforcement. There’s a pocket for a back protector, but one isn’t included. We haven’t reviewed the Cody.

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the motorcycle textiles we’ve tested here and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership.

Furygan Marlon X Kevlar review | Verdict

Buying motorcycle kit is typically about finding the compromises you’re happy with. Can you afford it, how comfortable is it and do the features and styling suit your needs? Added to this is the protection level it offers, and while the Furygan Marlon X Kevlar can’t match the highest-performing kit, its AA-level certification proves that it’s met a reasonable level. Plus the armour is well placed, and it stays there, which is just as important.

The couple of minor warranty issues aside, I really like this jacket, and particularly love that I could ride some great roads to and from the Horological Institute’s Museum of Timekeeping in it, and still spend the entire day wearing it while I was there.

I’d say that the Marlon X Kevlar does need a back protector, but for many riders looking for something casually-styled, it’s a superb option.

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