Hot and humid summer days in Maryland force me to choose between comfort and safety every time I go out riding. I usually pick how much gear to wear based on the distance I'm traveling, speed and type of traffic on my route, and weather conditions. Often enough, I find myself over or under protected. The AGV Sport AirTex jacket and pant set rides the fine middle line.

When testing the AirTex, I wanted to see how versatile it would be through the different places I ride. Off the main highways and through the backroads was a cool breeze. Lightweight, porous fabric allowed cool air to pass through, and hot air to escape. The most breathable sections are placed in key areas where the body perspires more, and on the front where fresh air hits you. It's easy enough to stay cool while moving, but my heavy traffic commute presented a different challenge altogether. Sitting on top of a 200+ degree motor while waiting for a stop light to change under a sweltering summer sun will undoubtedly make you sweat. To combat this, the AirTex has an absorbent collar to soak up sweat, and zipper vents on the wrists and pant thighs to let hot air escape. Although it's geared towards in-­town and short-distance adventure touring, the tough padding allowed me to ride confidently on trails in Shenandoah.

Initial observations of the build quality are good. A month or so of use shows no signs of rips or loose stitching so far. Abrasion resistant leather reinforcements are sewn in on the shoulders and elbows. Tough CE approved pad inserts at these critical points of impact saved me when I took a spill in the dirt; leaving my limbs in tact. These, plus the back­pad allowed me to pretend I was hugging a barrel and roll right out of it. The form fitting design of the jacket stays in line with the general contours of my average build, so there's no extra material to move around. There are also waist and bicep straps to tighten loose areas down. I haven't needed to use it yet, but the removable liner should allow me to ride comfortably into the colder evenings of autumn.

Pocket space is great on the pants, but limited on the jacket. I will gladly sacrifice pocket space for breathability on a summer jacket though. Two large front pockets are big enough to slide my phone and wallet in and out with ease. The forearm and inside pockets are good little stash spots for quick cash or other small items, but that's about it. The pants have two adequately sized hand pockets and two cargo pockets above the knees. Although they run a little large, the pants are perfectly comfortable by themselves, or as an over­pant. The zippered bottom allows room for larger boots to be tucked under easily.

My only complaints are that the back protector is too thin, and chest protection is non-­existent. There is a trade­off when considering these options, but we can't expect a light summer jacket to do everything. This one makes an excellent attempt, however. MSRP: Jacket ­ $129.00 | Pants ­ $109.00 AGVSport.com

{gallery}ARTICLES/Gear/AGV/Airtex/Gallery{/gallery}