The Perton II Cotec D3O® jacket from Merlin is a part of their Heritage collection that aims to blend classic styles with modern motorcycle safety. The Perton II’s overall construction is a combination of 8oz Halley Stevensons® Cotec Waxed Cotton, a Texland™ Humax® 15k/10k Waterproof/Breathable Membrane, an Outlast® Temperature Regulating Removable Thermal Liner, British Marton Mills® Tartan Liner Trim, a Leather Piped Collar, Cuffs and Pocket Edges, a Corduroy Collar and Cuffs with YKK® Zippers Used Throughout. Impact protection comes from the included level 1 D3O® elbow and shoulder armor as well as the included D3O® Viper Level 1 back protector. This combination or armor and materials yields a CE Level AA rating.
Moving on to features, comfort and convenience, there are two chest pockets with an expansion pleat, two lower zipped pockets, an inside facing jet pocket, a couple of internal pockets (one zippered Napoleon, one zippered regular and one hook and loop closure pocket in the removable liner), as well as a coin or toll stash pocket on the forearm. Other features include Merlin Branded antique brass finish hardware to complete the look, diamond quilted shoulder overlays, pinch closure center front snap studs, as well as a NightGloss® reflective turn up on the collar. To help with fit there are adjustments at the cuff, bicep and hem, as well as a short jacket to jean connection zipper and a 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. Climate control is available via the ventilation points on both the front and the rear of the jacket.
A the time of this review the Perton II retails at $479.95 and though I think its fair value for the money for the materials used, the protection ratings and all of the features that you get, I can’t help but think that I simply like the Merlin Edale II better, granted its $20 more, but that is such a small difference at this price point. Nothing wrong with the Parton II, its really a taste thing, but I think the Edale looks better with the additional diamond quilted sections and design of the lower front pockets, this however will be a totally subjective matter and either way I think you are getting a good jacket. :: Damir 8/6/24
