The Drifter D3O® Explorer jacket from Merlin is a part of their Explorer collection (who could have guessed with explore in it’s name) and is designed as a more causal looking adventure jacket. The Drifters overall construction is a combination of a 100% Organic Halley Stevensons® Ripstop Cotton Outer that features a Fluorocarbon Free Water Repellent Treatment Finish (this yields 45% Less CO2e And 50% Less Water Usage During Production for the ECO minded) a Texland Humax Waterproof And Breathable Membrane, Premium Close-Knit Mesh and YKK® Zippers. Impact protection comes for the included D3O® level 1 shoulder and elbow armor, a D3O® Viper level 1 back protector which is also included as well as pockets for a chest protector that would need to be purchased separately. This combination of materials and armor yields a CE Level A rating.
Moving on to features, comfort and convenience, there are multiple pockets throughout the front of the jacket all of which are zippered, there is a magnetic entry side pocket, as well as a couple of internal pockets (one zippered Napoleon, one zippered regular and one button closure that is on the removable liner). Additionally there are ventilation ports both in the front and rear, a fold back collar for summer riding, adjustability points at the arms and hem, a tank guard section on the main zipper as well as a jacket to jean connection zipper and euro hoop connecting strap. Fair warning on Merlin’s connections, the short connection zipper is a good amount shorter than the ones I have seen on for example REV’IT! Jackets, and the jean loop hook is a single strap versus the two strap design that I have seen both Alpinestars and REV’IT! utilize, not necessarily a bad thing, but something to note (What is weird on the Drifter is that there are two extra loops on the sides that I haven’t seen on other Merlin Jackets and they can be used to further secure jeans making this jacket a totally weird setup compared to other Merlin jackets as it would then have a total of 3 jean loop hooks). Overall it’s a fairly simple and minimal looking jacket, in a way it reminds me of a windbreaker/rain type jacket in the way the main material looks, but it does have quite a bit going on with all the different pockets, vents and adjustability.
At the time of this review this jacket retails for $479.95 and I am a bit torn here as its quite pricey for a CE Level A jacket, plenty of jackets in this price range that are AA rated. Overall I think it looks good, especially in the black (its got a very clear British look and British riding weather thing going on and it works for it, especially if that is the style you are liking and going for), there are a lot of good features and pockets, but I’m still torn because of the protection level at the price. At that price point, if you like Merlin and you like the British look that I am talking about I would probably just spend an extra $20 and check out Merlin’s Edale II jacket as its AA rated and to me it just looks and feels better. Easily worth the extra $20. :: Damir 8/6/24
