Tourmaster Transition Jacket

We checked the sizing of this style with our Fit Check mannequins Huey and Dewey. They are wearing size Medium and XL jackets respectively. These are their “usual” sizes and they fit just fine. We also checked the chest and belly of the other sizes and find them to fit OK too. Therefore, we recommend you choose the size you normally wear in men’s clothing. If anything, we find the fit to be generous, so if you are between sizes, I’d advise the smaller.

Another way to refine your size selection is to measure your chest and belly and then use our size chart (below) which lists max chest and max belly sizes for each jacket size. The measurements in the chart are a combination of the manufacturer’s size chart and also the measurements we take on the product samples. After you measure, you can choose a jacket size using the chart. You’ll want to choose a size that will accommodate both your chest and belly.

This jacket is offered in tall size. Tall jackets will be about 1 1/2” longer in the sleeves and torso than the “standard” size jackets. Sleeve lengths listed below are for standard sizes, so add the 1 1/2” for an estimate of the sleeve length of tall sizes. Sleeve lengths are measured from the shoulder seam to the cuff end.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The Transition jacket by Tourmaster is a newly updated version of this longstanding jacket style. This is a longer touring style (sometimes called a “3/4” style) favored by touring riders and commuters. This jacket includes both a removable waterproof liner and thermal liner. It has extensive venting capability too. Armor is included for the shoulders and elbows and a back protector is available. Both men’s and women’s sizes are offered, so take the link below to view the other gender.

We’ve been carrying versions of the Transition jacket for years. The most recent iteration was “version 5” which we reviewed in 2017. This season, they decided to reset their version-naming scheme and simply call this one the Transition Jacket. This jacket offers a lot of functionality for the money so value-wise, this is a winner!

So what’s new here? This jacket is now offered with two removable liners… a waterproof liner and a thermal liner. You can mix and match those in the jacket depending upon the weather conditions. Previously, this jacket was only offered in a fixed-waterproof liner version, which, by nature isn’t as easily worn in warmer weather conditions. And speaking of warmer weather, this jacket has a number of forward facing zip vents….sleeve ends, bicep, shoulders, and chest. And in the back, there are two rear exhaust vents. Being a jacket without a “fixed” waterproof liner means these vents flow directly through to your body when open, and so they are the most effective. This jacket probably won’t be comfortable on hot summer days even with the vents open, but it will work well in all temps below that… and of course, wet weather too. So I’d say you can find comfort in at least three of the year’s seasons (depending on where you live of course).

A touring style like this has a longer body and by nature comes with a lot of storage options. In front, you get a couple zippered handwarmer pockets. The two chest vents I mentioned earlier can also double as pockets, and in the back is a large fanny pouch. Inside, you’ll find three more pockets.

Earlier I mentioned the included removable waterproof liner, but this jacket has one more trick up its… er… collar. It has a rain hood hidden inside. And when deployed, you wear it over your head and under your helmet. The hood will create a rain barrier between your helmet and your jacket collar effectively blocking water from entering around your neck. The jacket’s collar is also adjustable with a sliding snap arrangement. There is also a small loop and corresponding hook on the shoulder to hold open the collar and keep it from flapping when you don’t need it zipped all the way up.

Tour Master is featuring SafeTech brand armor in their 2020 and later products. The jacket includes shoulder and elbow armor inserts that are CE level 2 rated. The material is a more flexible and “squishy” rubberized material, which I think is an improvement in comfort over past designs using less flexible black solid rubber. The jacket has a fabric pocket for a back protector. The jacket comes standard with a simple thin foam back pad (mostly a place holder). Optionally you can buy a CE rated back protector by SafeTech for about twenty bucks (something I’d recommend).

You can mate this jacket to Tour Master pants with the short rear zipper to make a complete touring or commuting outfit. Pants are very reasonably priced, so you can get everything for under $400 for both pieces with optional armor. A very good value indeed! :: Paul, 01-21-21