Riding Gear: Icon PDX3 WP Jacket

When you’re a motorcyclist living in a wet climate you soon get to know a thing or two about staying dry. This sentiment rings true for the crew at Portland’s premiere riding gear manufacturer, Icon.

In Icon’s hometown, it rains on average about 164 days of the year. So if you’re heading out for a ride there’s a 44% chance it’s going to be wet outside. This has of course led to Icon developing their own range of wet weather gear and the waterproof PDX3 jacket is one of the latest additions.

Fittingly named after their beloved Portland and the historical version of the jacket, the Icon PDX3 is a CE-certified riding garment designed to provide stalwart waterproofing through the heaviest of downpours. Icon has achieved this through the use of a Hycor outer chassis that is both waterproof and breathable. Additionally, to prevent water ingress at the seams they are all fully taped internally and Icon has used waterproof zippers on all of the jacket’s openings.

In most places, if it’s wet outside it’s probably cold too so Icon has equipped the PDX3 jacket with an insulated internal vest. The vest is removable so the jacket’s use extends into warmer seasons and there are oversized pit zips to let cool air in when things really heat up.

The Icon PDX3 Jakcet earns its class A CE safety certification through the use of abrasion-resistant materials and armour. The jacket’s main shell is reinforced using tough 300D polyester in high-impact areas. Along with its anti-abrasion properties, 300D offers excellent levels of tear resistance and is also water-repelling thanks to the materials PU coating. To protect against impacts Icon has integrated a full set of D30 into the PDX3 positioned over the shoulders, elbows and back. For convenience, the armour can be removed and it comes included in the purchase price.

In regard to styling, the Icon PDX3 is cut for a relaxed, casual fit with pre-curved sleeves for optimal mobility. The jacket features a hood to keep your head dry when you’re off the bike which can be rolled up and stowed as desired. Branding on the jacket comes in the form of printed details down the spine and arms and for added safety they’ve been applied using reflective ink. The jacket offers 2 outer pockets for storage and it is available in 4 different colourways of olive, black, grey or dark camo. The Icon PDX3 waterproof jacket retails for a very reasonable $215 USD.