Product review: BMW ComfortShell suit

I'm only 172cm tall and weigh about 88kg, so I'm hardly a walking coat hanger like Greg Norman.

So when someone says (well, the receptionist at the local dentist) that I look "fetching" in something, I listen.

And she wasn't referring to my new tight-fitting check shirt, but the motorcycle jacket that sat alluringly unzipped in front of her - BMW's new ComfortShell. And I was also strutting around in the $805 ConfortShell pants too, which the receptionist obviously struggled to make out over the counter.

I first used the ComfortShell jacket at the national media launch for the F 800 R in Brisbane mid 2009, in what was an atypical winter's day -- 37.5 pressure-cooker degrees.

Yep, a scorcher in anyone's language, but I can honestly say I didn't melt after opening the four water-resistant vent zips (two on the front and two on the rear) to provide some air flow.

Sure, I won’t deny there were still some uncomfortable moments, but if I had been pushing through that much adversity in some of my other jackets, it would have felt like my body was smothered in glad wrap.

The water and windproof ComfortShell, which is available in black, blue and red, is made from wear-resistant elastic Dyantec as a three-layer laminate.

A co-operative effort with Swiss textiles specialist Schoeller has led to the development of a new 'smart' membrane, c_change, which adapts pore size to ambient temperature for "on demand" control of breathability.

I'll let BMW elaborate further: "In much the same way as fir cones open up when the weather is warm and close again as temperature drops, this suit "breathes" in summer and insulates the wearer when the weather turns cold.

"The c_change membrane also evinces a degree of elasticity that has enabled BMW Motorrad to produce a fully elastic outer material."

Since then, I've worn the ComfortShell in some very cold weather in Victoria and I'll have to endorse BMW's claims.

Sure, I've had to wear a jumper underneath the jacket for extra warmth as the ambient temperature has nudged zero in my neck of the woods, but that’s to be expected. And it's nice not having a bulky inner lining to worry about taking in and out as the weather conditions change. That makes it a practical and stress-free jacket for 365 days of the year.

The sleeves can also be adjusted tight so gloves seamlessly fit over the top.

The ComfortShell has removable protectors at the shoulders, elbows, back and hips and knees. And the protectors have maximum impact-absorbing properties rather than cheap and brittle plastic.

Sometimes the shoulder protectors move around a little bit when the jacket is being fitted, but it doesn’t take long to settle back into place with only the tiniest bit of manipulation.

There is also reflective material on both sleeves, and you have to look closely to realise it's a BMW garment: there is only a small discreet BMW logo on it.

There are four pockets -- two water-resistant outers and two waterproof inners. My only real gripe is that the pockets are fairly small, so I’ve settled on putting the phone in the left pocket and the ever-burgeoning wallet (yeah, right…) in the other. A few bits and pieces can fit around the main stuff, but it doesn’t lave a lot of wriggle room left over.

The retail price for the ComfortShell jacket is $1180.

Meanwhile, the ComfortShell pants can be joined to the jacket via a 40cm zip, and they feature all the techo-wizardy of the jacket.

I particularly like the Velco fastening at the bottom of the pants in conjunction with the zipper, simply because of the adjustment it allows. And the Velcro is good quality too, so it’s not going to lose its ‘sticking’ properties after a couple of months of wear and tear.

And the pants are really comfortable too, unlike some pants where it feels like your dragging sandpaper over your legs when you’re putting them on.

My pants are probably a size too big now since I’ve shed about 8kg, but they certainly don’t feel uncomfortable – and now I can also wear jeans underneath without the situation becoming too tight.

Like the jacket, the pants feature the Dyantec three-layer laminate; they are breathable, windproof and waterproof; have reflective areas; and come in a full range of sizes --- women 34-46 and men 46-60. Colour is black only.

Contact your local BMW Motorrad dealer for more information on the ComfortShell gear.