A closer look at the Merlin Spring Summer 2022 Collection
You can tell summer is nearly upon us.
Apart from the (occasional) blasts of sunshine and heat, it’s also time for another new Merlin gear drop.
Our Spring Summer 2022 Collection is rolling in thick and fast, so let us introduce you to some of the products you can expect to see hitting your local retailers very soon.
Outlaw D3O Smock
The Outlaw Smock leads the SS22 Collection, joining the Explorer Collection and introducing a combination of new ideas to the Merlin range.
First and foremost, Outlaw is one of the first in our entire range to be made from 100% organic cotton. The Ripstop outer is provided by our long-time partner Halley Stevensons, who also provide all the waxes for our Tech Wax and Traditional Wax offerings. In addition, the cotton uses 45% less CO2e and 50% less water in production and has a fluorocarbon-free finish, making Outlaw a futureproof option for the eco-conscious rider.
The Halley outer isn’t just better for the environment, it’s still seriously protective. Ripstop is woven into a crosshatch pattern which provides enhanced reinforcement against ripping and tearing, and overall Outlaw achieves a CE Level ‘A’ in line with the newest testing standard EN17092.
Elsewhere, Outlaw is backed by D3O®’s LP1 shoulder and elbow armour and a D3O® Viper Stealth back protector. Their CP1 chest protectors can also be fitted as an optional extra if required.
The biggest draw of Outlaw is its smock styling. Now you can carry everything but the kitchen sink in the large pouch pocket on the front, which has an additional pocket behind it to give riders even more room to stash gloves, maps or whatever your heart desires.
The three-panel hood offers a closer fit but if you don’t want to ride with it it can be unzipped and put to one side in favour of a more summery style with an option to pin back the collar if required.
Outlaw also receives a Texland Humax waterproof membrane and a jacket-to-jean connector zip for the attachment of Merlin jeans. It’s available now in Black or Green in sizes S-4XL. Find your nearest Outlaw stockist here.
Drifter D3O Jacket
Those who aren’t such a fan of the Outlaw styling may wish to opt for the Drifter jacket instead.
Made from the same 100% organic cotton Halley Stevensons Ripstop outer as Outlaw, Drifter is styled like a more traditional motorcycle jacket. Backed by a five-piece set of D3O® armour (shoulders, elbows, back) with overall CE Level ‘A’ approval and with the option to add their CP1 chest protectors, Drifter is as protective as it is stylish.
On the front, large pockets are backed by magnetic hand warmer pockets, while on the chest the two ventilation points allow cool air to flow around the body.
A Texland Humax waterproof membrane backs up the fluorocarbon-free waterproof repellent treatment for wet weather riding, while multiple adjustment points allow a more personalised fit.
Drifter is available now in sizes S-4XL in either Black or Green. You can find your nearest stockist here.
Mahala Raid Jacket and Trousers
We launched the original Mahala jacket and trousers as part of our Autumn Winter 2021 range, offering riders a versatile yet stylish alternative to traditional bulky adventure gear. Now, for Spring Summer 2022, we introduce the Mahala Raid.
The Mahala Raid jacket provides stacks of cool airflow for riders looking to explore hotter climates. The large mesh panels on the chest, arms and back drag in cool air to keep it circulating around the body, while the abrasion resistant Cordura® water-repellent outer combined with a five-piece D3O® armour set (shoulders, elbows, back) inspires confidence in protection.
Multiple adjustment points to the bicep, forearm, cuff, waist and hem allow a more tailored fit for the rider, while both long and short connection zips allow easy connection to Merlin jeans.
The Mahala Raid jacket is available now in Black/Sand, Black/Olive or Black in sizes S-3XL.
The Mahala Raid trousers can easily be attached to the matching jacket for the ultimate warm weather riding set. Constructed from the same abrasion-resistant Cordura®, the Raid trousers feature large mesh panels on the thighs to drag in cool air when it’s needed most.
D3O® protectors to the hips and knees offer protection, and the trousers are finished off with subtle Merlin-branded snap studs and high-quality YKK® zippers.
The Mahala Raid trousers are available now in Black/Sand, Black/Olive or Black in sizes S-4XL in a choice of regular (32in) or short (30in) leg lengths.
Brody Riding Shirt
Joining the Heritage line-up for 2022, the Brody Riding Shirt allows you to ride in style without compromising on safety.
The first of its kind within the Merlin range, Brody is a single-layer shirt, making it lighter in weight, more flexible and above all more comfortable to ride in. Brody has 220gsm Kevlar weaved into the outer stretch cotton construction, with its protective qualities rated to CE Level ‘AA’ when tested to the new EN17092 standard.
In addition, Brody is backed by a set of D3O®’s flexible Ghost shoulder and elbow armour, and there’s a pocket for an optional D3O® Viper Stealth back protector in size large.
Brody oozes retro style in its three colour options – black, camel or green – which are all finished off with brass Merlin-branded snap studs and a discreet heritage Merlin patch on the left bicep.
There are pockets aplenty on Brody, with two large zipped side entry pockets, two buttoned chest pockets and a small card-size pocket on the arm, as well as internal storage pockets.
The Brody shirt will be available in the coming weeks in sizes S-4XL.
Sherbrook Riding Shirt
Our Axe riding shirt has been incredibly popular since its release, so for Spring Summer ‘22 we’re taking it one step further.
Sherbrook builds on Axe’s success, offering the same popular checkered style in a single layer riding shirt with Kevlar™ weaved into the outer cotton, making for a lightweight, comfortable riding shirt which achieves CE Level ‘A’.
It’s pre-fitted with D3O®’s flexible Ghost shoulder and elbow armour with a pocket for an optional D3O® Viper Stealth back protector.
Within the Sherbrook shirt it’s the smaller, rider-specific details that make the difference. The central zipper is covered over with a colour matching closure and pop buttons to protect bike paintwork, while a branded reflective panel has been added to the rear of the shirt to help increase visibility at night.
Sherbrook comes in Red/Black, Grey/Black or Green/Black in sizes S-4XL, and will be available from many Merlin retailers in the coming weeks.
New Single Layer Riding Jeans
For 2022 we introduce a range of new riding jeans to our expansive denim range.
While the four new jeans are different in style they all share one common feature. They’re all single-layer jeans with abrasion resistant Cordura® weaved in, making for a comfortable, flexible yet safe riding jean that can be worn both on and off the bike.
Dunford and Alexander share very similar styling cues, inspired by traditional high-street jeans but with biking protection. D3O®’s flexible Ghost armour is pre-fitted to the knees and hips and the jeans are certified to CE Level ‘AA’.
Alexander is available in blue only with a regular (32in) leg length, and is slightly more fitted from the knee down than Dunford, which is only available in black with a choice of short (30in) or regular (32in) leg lengths. Both jeans come in sizes 30-40.
The Zoey jean features the same great specifications as Dunford and Alexander, but in a flattering female-specific fit. Available in a regular (31in) leg length only, Zoey size from 8-18.
Finally, the Warren jean takes traditional cargo styling and inserts biking protection for a practical pair of riding jeans. The single-layer Cordura® outer is backed by D3O® hip and knee armour, and two expandable pleated cargo pockets on each thigh offer plenty of carrying space for smaller items. Warren are available in a regular (32in) leg length in sizes 30-40.
Shenstone glove
The final new addition to the Merlin line-up – the Shenstone glove. Designed to be paired with the already incredibly popular Shenstone Air jacket, the matching glove features mesh on the fingers and back of the hand, and punched leather throughout for improved airflow while riding.
Made from premium cowhide leather, the Shenstone glove benefits from D3O® knuckle armour and accordion stretch panels to the back of the hand for enhanced comfort.
They will be available soon in black or brown, in sizes S-3XL.
You can find your nearest Merlin stockist by using our ‘Find a Stockist’ page here.
Published on 27 May, 2022 by Emily Macbeth