Merlin Axe Shirt
The Merlin Axe Kevlar Riding Shirt provides motorcycle specific protection under the guise of a flannel button up. DuPont™ Kevlar® lining throughout the shirt provides abrasion resistance with CE rated impact armor at the elbows and shoulders. Upgrade the impact protection by adding in an optional CE rated back protector.
- 100% DuPont™ Kevlar® protective lining throughout
- Removable CE approved shoulder and elbow armor
- Mesh lining for improved comfort and air circulation
- Pocket for optional back protector (sold separately)
- YKK center front zipper with snap stud closure flap
- Snap stud closure at cuffs and chest pockets
- YKK jacket-to-pants connecting zipper
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Sizing Information
Below is the Merlin-published chest size for each jacket’s alpha size along with our estimate of max chest and max waist/belly. This particular style is a casual style so there is only a moderate taper from chest to waist.
Note: Add about 1” to your chest and belly measurements if you plan to add a back protector.
| Jacket Size | Merlin Published Max Chest |
Our Estimate of Max Chest |
Our Estimate of Max Belly/Waist |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 36-37 | 35-37 | 34 |
| Small | 38-39 | 37-39 | 36 |
| Medium | 40-41 | 39-41 | 38 |
| Large | 42-43 | 41-43 | 40 |
| XL | 44-45 | 43-45 | 42 |
| XXL | 46-47 | 45-47 | 44 |
| XXXL | 48-49 | 47-49 | 46 |
| XXXXL | 50-51 | 49-51 | 48 |
| XXXXXL | 52-53 | 51-52 | 50 |
Our Two Cents
The Axe riding shirt from Merlin is a part of Merlin’s Leisure Moto Collection and is meant to look like a regular flannel button up while providing protection to the rider. Speaking of protection, the Axe riding shirt does feature 220gsm DuPont™ Kevlar® Fibre Lined Throughout, as well as included CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow armor and a pocket for a back protector (the back protector itself would need to be purchased separately). The Axe riding shirt has achieved a CE Level A abrasion resistance rating which is impressive considering how light and normal the shirt feels.
From a looks standpoint the Axe riding shirt really plays the part as it closely resembles a flannel shirt as it comes in 5 different color flannel patterns as well as a black version and it also even includes functional snap buttons all the way down the front of the shirt to hide the zipper to complete the “just a regular flannel shirt” look. The snap button closures also continue at the wrist cuffs as well as the chest pockets. Speaking of pockets the Axe shirt only features 3, one internal and two on the chest, my biggest complaint here is that none of them feature a zipper so if you really want to make sure your pocket contents are secure you may need to look elsewhere.
Some other notable features are a snap down collar, a jacket to jean connection zipper, and a Euro jacket to jean connector hoop. Overall the Axe riding shirt really plays the part from a looks standpoint, but I worry that you may be leaving some protection attributes on the table in order to achieve that casual flannel look. If you are an aesthetic first, protection second kind of rider then this might be a great choice for you, but if your primary concern is protection above all else you may not be pleased with the level of protection that this jacket offers. With that said, overall the Axe riding shirt from Merlin is extremely comfortable, can easily pass as a normal shirt, and fits comfortable with more of a casual or regular fit rather than a sport or Euro fit. This shirt features no taper, and fits true to size, as I typically wear a size XL and the XL version of the Axe riding shirt fit me like I would expect it to. :: Damir 4/21/24
