Belstaff Trialmaster Pro - Jacket Review - Wax Cotton Jacket - Is it really worth the money ?

[@vmm6983]

Wonderful review. Wonderful voice, pace and attention to detail. It was an absolute pleasure watching your video 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you so much for you comments. Much appreciated 👍

[@lohikarhu734]

My trial master protected me in a 70 mph dump on the freeway, in the days when tube-type tires had this ability to go flat in about 10 milliseconds, and the bike and I laid down for a bit of a slide...my left arm hit so hard that I had a sub-dermal tear, from the shock load, but not a scratch... A bit of stitching, and some added wax, and, 4 years later, after some dear driver of an American "barge" ran a stop sign, and left me lying on a rainy roadway at 22:30, the ambulance guys cut my dear Belstaff off my rather "unstable", not-quite-the-right-geometry arm... A sad goodbye to a jacket that protected me for about 5 years of Vancouver rain!

[@johnledingham6049]

Thank you so much for this excellent review! After watching your video a couple of times, I ordered the Trialmaster Pro in Olive Green (I found a great deal, so I couldn't pass it up) to wear on my ’06 Triumph Bonneville. It's everything you said it would be. The only caveat I would have for potential buyers is that the tailoring on the Pro is pretty similar to the standard Trialmaster (i.e. slim through the waist and consequently fitted…but maybe more so with the liner). It loosens up after a few wearings but, with the gilet zipped-in, there isn’t a lot of room for layering, at least in my case - and I’m a fairly slim guy (I have a 40 inch chest, so I chose the Large). Fortunately, the jacket is incredibly warm on its own, so I would only imagine ever needing to wear a jumper underneath, which I do have room for. The plus side of the fit is that it looks fantastic.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi John. Thank you for your kind comments. Yes it’s a fantastic jacket and yes very warm. It’s definitely a Autumn Winter and Spring coat. I look forward to wearing mine now the weather is getting cooler. Glad you got a good deal 👍

[@billcaveny9495]

Sound review Jack. I’ve had my Belstaff for about 10 years now. A good jacket with some flaws. All of which seem to have been addressed. The zip was too long, and fragile. The Italian manufacturer worked to a close fitting silhouette. Still, faults and all, it’s a great jacket. I’m lucky to have a Mohave as well. Of the two I prefer the shorter jacket. Keep up the good work…👍

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thanks Bill 👍 Yes Belstaff have taken the feedback onboard to produce a great jacket 👍

[@JakeRawSon]

Great Video. Thanks for information on the Jacket

[@anthonycoleman5761]

Nice video Jack , you have just made the decision easy for me, going to look next week at the London bike show for one thanks 🙏

[@speedtriplerider7853]

Great review which tells us all we need to know about the product. I had a Belstaff in the 70s which I kept for 20 years and it served me well. Not my style these days but it looks like a quality product and its longevity will probably justify the price. Cheers mate.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you STR. 👍

[@doliven]

my experience with Belstaff is that sizes are way off when it comes to US & UK sizing… I normally wear an Xl but for Belstaff I’ve ordered 3xl and even 4 xl depending on the garment. A 40” chest in not a Xl in the US. An Xl is a 44 a 2xl is a 46, a 3xl is a 48

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

I found the same here in the UK. Rule of thumb here is go up a size 👍

[@richmck007]

If I am not mistaken, a couple of those snaps are also used for Barbour jackets worn by the late great Steve McQueen. Did he or did the PR company actually use his image to promote both British legendary jackets..?

[@darrengudgeon9730]

Hi Jack. Great video again and the jacket looks amazing. Out of my price range unfortunately but i fully understand that buying a quality jacket isn’t going to come cheap. Keep up the good work. Darren.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Darren. Thank you. Yes the jacket is amazing . I was lucky I got a good deal 👍. I am going to compare it with a few cheaper ones to compare and contrast. 👍

[@DirkGentley42]

Great channel Jack. I'm severely tempted to get an Enfield Bullet now! With regards to cheaper jackets: my main one is a Merlin Rowan which is excellent but a bit too heaving if needing to carry it (you get overwarm very quickly walking in it in anything other than very low temperatures). To get something closer to a lighter weight Trailmaster type jacket I bought a Classic Wax Jacket from Speedwear. These are under £100. There is even a Deluxe version, a made in the UK version, and also heavier weight 13Oz cotton version. Top ofthe range also has pockets for body armour. Apart from a couple of niggles (a popper not seated quite right, a too flexible belt ) the quality is fantastic. The main issue is they are a little bit slim fitting so while I can get the large over my leather jacket the sleeves are tightish. I tried an XL but it was too long in the body for me. As it was a tad tight I recently (following your Barbour video) bought a Barbour 2nd hand. Apart from not making me look as cool as Steve McQueen I was shocked to find that the cuffs were so tight I could not do them up over my Goldtop Merino lined gloves. And this was on the loosest position (my god what sort of wrists do other people have?). TBH It's OK without the wrists done up but a bit of a surprise that biker gear doesn't have this range of adjustment. Do you find the same thing? Mine isn't the slim fit version either. In comparison the Speedwear has a decent amount of room in this respect. The Speedwear also has a main zip that can open from the bottom as well as the top. As a thow over, the Barbour feels a little more 'classy' or luxurious as the fabric is more flexible (lighter weight cotton) and there is more room in the arms but if looking for a cheaper jacket for a comparison to either the Barbour or the Trailmaster, then I'd recommend giving the Speedwear ones a try out. (BTW I'm not affiliated in any way). They're at the NEC in November and if I make it there then I'll be trying out other jackets in their range to see if it is a more generous fit compared to body length.

[@morrisminor56]

In 1984 a Belstaff cost me £45 only.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Chris. Yes it’s gone up quite a bit. Roughly speaking the average wage in 84 if I remember correctly was about £90 per week. So half a weeks pay compared with a just under a weeks pay today. 🤔

[@DirkGentley42]

Me too, although slightly earlier. It was common to buy a Belstaff if you couldn't afford a leather jacket. I sold the jacket recently (too fat now) but still have the matching trousers that look quite new.

[@henryhartley9993]

Nice one, I own a couple of the Merlin jackets and I've been impressed with the quality for the money, although I think a belstaff is going to be my next purchase...

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Henry. Merlin are very good 👍

[@DirkGentley42]

Yes, the Merlins are great, so comfy, it's like being wrapped up in a duvet. They are heavy buggers though. I haven't actually needed the thermal section yet, despite riding year round. I prefer the leather jacket in warmer temperatures.

[@peterd.1165]

Caroline |Street at Stoke on Trent - Home of the' proper' Belstaff jacket

[@LookOut4Detoxx]

Great review mate! May I ask how tall you are for reference? Trialmaster sizing is always tricky for me.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Yes. I am 5.10 👍

[@andyrussell2873]

Hi Jack hope all ok with you, what happened to the channel ?

[@johnmartin7158]

I think gentleman Jack had long term family issues to contend with. Bless his soul. Cheers.

[@andyrussell2873]

@@johnmartin7158 Thanks Andy

[@qureshi5720]

Yet another excellent review, Jack. How do you maintain something like this? And how long do you reckon they last given an average user ie not abused and not babied either. Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

The jacket probably needs rewaxing once a year. But most users have there jacket for between 25 and 35 years 👍

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Qureshi , Thank you for you kind words

[@shaunthomas4486]

Jack, thanks for your review I'm looking at buying one of these shortly, I'm 43 inch chest, as I note u r, just over 15 stone, 6 ft 1 inch, I note u went for xl how tight fit is that can u layer up under this, I note in belstaff sizing chart 43 inch chest is between XL and 2XL, your expirance with this sizing would be helpful, many thanks Shaun Thomas

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Shaun. Yes the XL isn’t tight and I can just get a sweater underneath it. If you can try one I would. It’s worth it. That’s what I did. If you want a bit of room though go a 2xl . 👍

[@shaunthomas4486]

@@JackBonhamMotorcycles thank u for your super quick reply, il try the 2XL if bit too big I'm looking at buying from moto legends who have good returns policy, again thank u for yr response and advice 👍

[@davidmcdonagh1216]

Hello Jack, firstly I would like to say how much I've enjoyed your reviews. But regarding the Belstaff Trialmaster I'm afraid my experience is a bit different. I have owned one of theses jackets for 8 years but sadly it is now only worn off of my bikes for casual attire. Since this purchase I now own a merlin jacket and two oxford Bradwell jackets ( oxblood red and rifle green ) . In my opinion there is absolutely no comparison in the quality. The Merlin and Oxford jackets are far better quality with lots of nice finishing touches. The removable lining is also much warmer. I have been in many a heavy downpour and they stand up exceedingly well unlike the Belstaff. Superior jackets at half the price. I also have a Belstaff jacket from the seventies, this is a different breed completely. I believe since my purchase Belstaff have once again been bought over by a uk company so hopefully they have now upped their game considerably and you will enjoy it for many years . Cheers!

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hello David. Thank you for your valid comments and contribution. Merlin are actually on my list of jackets to review. It will be interesting to compare. 👍. Thank you for watching the channel 😀

[@simsey33]

Did you buy your Belstaff brand new? And does it have the built miporex waterproof membrane?

[@robertshieh7653]

Great video! It's Robert from Taiwan. I'm wondering to buy a trialmaster for me since the end of last year because of the raining season. But after watching your another video about Barbour international jacket, I'm hesitating to choose a 10oz CE approved or a 6 oz which is more stylish and wearing something much lighter CE approved shirt inside just like you. The weather in Taiwan is much hotter than UK, and not sure the weight of those jackets when wearing with them. Could you give some suggestion plz?

[@DirkGentley42]

From my experiences back in the 80s, a Trailmaster was a tad hot to wear in the height of an English summer. I currently have a Merlin which has zipped air vents, which I find helps in warmer weather (I prefer a well vented leather in warmer weather, and for really hot weather one of those aramid lumberjack shirts, these are a game changer for me in summer. I've just bought a Barbour to sling over the top when it rains). Hope that helps.

[@Vjekoslav-vf3hr]

directed by David Attenborough

[@derekcostello1016]

Very expensive.