Settantadue Toga72 Jacket Review
We’ve been putting Dainese’s Toga72 jacket from the Settantadue range through its paces
Price: £423.96 (as tested) to £529.95 | Availability: now | www.dainese.com
THE TOGA72 has been adorning my wardrobe for the three months and was originally sourced along with the Imola72 boots. I wanted a retro styled jacket, that still offered a decent level of protection for Triumph’s Scrambler 1200 launch. I’ve ridden about 1500 miles in it through the winter months and have managed about fifteen walks to the local pub.
What does Settantadue mean?
If you are wondering what the hell Settantadue means, it’s 72 in Italian and signifies the year the company was founded by Lino Dainese. The Settantadue range is a retro take on the riding gear worn by bikers in the hazy heyday of the two-stroke revolution. While the look and feel is retro, all the garments are designed and made with modern day materials and construction techniques.
The range covers everything from jackets, boots, jeans, casual t-shirts and even belts, with it all available to buy online or at your nearest D-Store.
Construction
The outer of the Toga72 is a soft, top-grain leather which has a smooth, almost mirror finish to it when first unboxed. After a few months of use, and one very wet and muddy Triumph launch, the leather is now aged nicely and shows some creases and lines on the inside of the elbow, which add to the retro feel of the jacket.
The interior of the jacket is a thin cotton lining that is extremely soft and gives the jacket a quality feel whenever you wear it.
Fastening
The front of the jacket is secured with a large YKK Zip with two press-studs at the top to secure the collar. The zip is backed by a leather storm-flap to help keep the wind and rain at bay. The zip was quite stiff to start with and would sometimes catch where the upper and lower sections of the jacket meet, although after about a week of use the leather had softened enough that this stopped being a problem.
The cuffs of the Toga71 have a small flap and press-stud covering a large YKK zip that runs about five inches up the arm. There is just about enough room to squeeze some summer riding gloves under the cuff if you needed to although I found they work best with short, summer gloves or longer gloves over the top of the jacket.
Comfort and fit
At 5’7” and about 12-stone I opted for the size 50 after studying the Dainese sizing chart – that equates to a medium in UK sizes or a 37 inch chest.
The jacket is close fitting on me and still retains the look of a retro piece but doesn’t restrict my movement when on or off the bike like some jackets do. I also have enough room to wear some light thermals or a fleece top if the weather is a bit on the chilly side.
The neck of the jacket is slightly too tight on the closest of the two press-studs but just right on the larger of the two.
Protection
The protectors in the elbow and shoulders of the jacket are Dainese Pro Armour and are extremely light, flexible and conform with EN 1621.1. The armour is removeable, but I don’t see why you’d need to as it’s extremely comfortable to wear all the time. As I mentioned above, it doesn’t restrict your movement whatsoever and for the most part, you don’t even know it’s there.
There is a large pocket in the rear of the jacket which is big enough to take my large Force Field back protector which is secured in place with a Velcro section and press-stud. If you aren’t sure if your back protector will fit, take it along to the shop or show before you buy and try it out.
Pockets
There a two decently sized front pockets on either side of the jacket which are big enough for phone, keys and fags. And a smaller pocket on the left-hand side of the chest, just below the embroidered Dainese logo, which is a perfect size for stuffing in petrol receipts and such like. All the exterior pockets are secured with the same chunky YKK zips and are easy to find and use even in thick winter gloves.
There is also a large interior pocket that big enough to carry an iPhone7 Plus, although there is no zip or button to secure the items within it.
Colours and designs
There are two options available for the Toga71, plain black (as tested) and a suitably retro white and red version with Miami Vice-stylee twin black pinstripes down the arms. Both jackets have a really cool design touch in that the leather race suits worn by the stars of the 70s are printed on the inside of the jacket. I’m no retro-racing anorak but can see Agostini’s, Sheene’s, Schwantz’ and Freddie Spencer’s iconic Rothmans leathers in there.
Verdict
I’m a sucker for multipurpose bike kit, whether it’s an off-road lid that doubles as a touring one if you whip the peak off and add a visor. Or a textile suit that has removal layers for winter and summer use.
And that what I like about the product: I know it’s not something I could go trackday riding in, but it does look classy enough that I can wear it when out and about with the missus. If I do that in some of the bike jackets I’ve got, I look like some steroid monkey that’s over-indulged in the bicep curling machine and it's a struggle to get my pint to my mouth.
I just need the bevel-drive Ducati 350 to complete the look now.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
