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Review Of Ixon Nirvana Jacket - By Sharon Parker
Ixon Nirvana - Ladies Motorcycle Jacket
A waterproof textile jacket designed especially for ladies.
Specifications
-
100% waterproof & breathable
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Removable CE approved armour on shoulders & elbows
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Removable back comfort padding
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Removable winter lining
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Comfort collar
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Connection zipper for trousers
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Adjustable tightening on cuffs with snaps
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Adjustable back
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Zipped gusset on hips
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2 external pockets
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2 internal pockets - 1 inside pocket specifically for mobile phone
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Long & fitted cut
Ixon Ladies Jacket Size Guide
|
Size |
XS |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
XXL |
XXXL |
XXXXL |
|
UK Size |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
|
Ixon Size |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
I have included the size guide here because when I went to try on this jacket the Ixon sizes really confused me. There sizing just makes no sense. But once you have the guide I would say the sizes are pretty true. So if you are an 8 then an Ixon 4 would be the right size.
I bought my Ixon Nirvana jacket 5 years ago in August 2007. I paid at the time £105 for it. You can still purchase this jacket today for around the same price.
Looking a bit dirty now but that just shows it has been out to play
It comes in grey (mine) black or blue.
So after 5 years of wearing this jacket what have I got to say about it?
This jacket is designed for ladies. Well female will do if your no lady. Why? Because it has shape to it. You actually get a waist with it, wow! It is light and comfortable to wear. The CE Armour in the shoulders and elbows are light and not too restrictive to movement. The back comfort padding I removed because I always use a full back protector myself. The adjustable wrists, back and hips all allow for a flexible, snug and shapely fit. The heavy duty durable front zip is further protected from rain seepage by press studs fastening over the zip. The inner liner is easy to remove and makes the jacket nice and warm for the winter months. Along with the extra length of this jacket this has been the jacket I have always considered my winter jacket. With this in mind I bought a size 10. I am usually I size 6 to 8. So the extra room gives more scope for extra layers of clothes for those cold winter months. So if you do want this as a winter jacket I would recommend going up one size to get those extra layers underneath. Mind you with the summer we just had it was pretty much been my all year round jacket.
The two outer pockets are closed only by Velcro. Depends how you feel about the stuff as to whether you want to put anything valuable in there. But I have never had a problem because I don't tend to ever use my pockets :-). That's what the riders tank bag or top-box is for..all my bits and bobs. The inner pockets have one closed again by Velcro and the other a drawstring especially for your mobile phone.
I like this jacket. It is nothing special or flash. It simply is a good jacket at a reasonable price that was actually designed for women. There is only one problem. After 5 years it is no longer waterproof. It did remain waterproof for just over 4 and a half years. I however do not ride every day. I am a pillion and usually go out on average every other weekend and then the odd day here and there and holidays away on the bike. I do go out on a lot of wet days (hard to avoid in the UK). However this jacket has seen some mileage, like trips to France and Scotland etc and some pretty miserable weather like 6 hours to Worthing from Liverpool in a constant downpour. I also do not treat my jacket with special care. It gets used as a beach towel on the beach and a general sit upon when I need a dry spot for my bum.
So is 4 and a half years a good and acceptable time for a jacket ro remain waterproof? Well my Bering pants are still waterproof after 8 years so in comparison I guess not but can you compare pants to jackets? Well all I can tell you is the facts and that is my jacket stayed waterproof on average for lightish pillion use for nearly 5 years. I haven't had enough jackets myself to say if this is good or bad but from what I can gather from other folks it's pretty average to good.
Inner removable liner and inner pockets
So what to do with a waterproof jacket that is no longer waterproof? Well I was actually reluctant to throw this jacket out. It has been a good comfortable, warm jacket and all the rest of it, its Velcros, zips and press studs are still all in perfect working order. It is no longer super shiny and clean but the way I throw my jackets on the floor nothing new will stay looking that way for very long anyhow. So I did not really have any burning desire to buy a new jacket other than the fact this was no longer waterproof.
Having said that, fickle creature that I am, I did so happen to try on another jacket that fitted so nice I just had to have it and the wonderful boyfriend bought it for me, but that's another story. The new jacket I got was very fitted so summer use only, no getting layers under that one. So come the winter I was still stuck with a winter jacket that was not waterproof. Solution was simple ...put a Regatta waterproof jacket over the bike jacket. See more about the wonders of the Regatta jacket in another review but suffice to say my Ixon Nirvana much loved jacket now lives on. Under the dry protection of the Regatta we are both riding still, through the wind and rain and staying snug and dry and warm all the way. Yeeeahhh.
So all in all would I recommend the Ixon Nirvana. Yes I would. It is not the best made and probably not the longest lasting jacket out there. So far I am still convinced Bering beats everyone else on quality. But for the price I think it lasted pretty well and it's still going with a little extra help. If you want a jacket to stay waterproof for ever (is there such a thing?) or at least longer than 5 years on lightish pillion duty then don't buy it. If you would rather be seen soaked through to the skin than pull on a Regatta over your bike jacket after said 5 years then don't buy it.
However if your happy to don a Regatta or indeed just purchase a new jacket every 5 years or so then buy it. Its warm, light and comfortable, it's a reasonable price and it looks good. Well as good as any bike jacket ever happens to look on me once I got all my layers on underneath.
Now for the score - considering price, comfort and style and durability I would give this Ixon Nirvana a hmmm 7 or 8 .....right decided
8 out of 10.
Would I own another Ixon jacket ... yes already have ... The Ixon Diva, (the one the boyfriend bought for me). I think he rather likes the way Ixon do the lady fitted look ;-).
Reader's Comments
Debbie said :-
Was unsure whether to buy an ixon nirvana but not anymore...I will definately be buying one now. Thanks for in depth and informative review. :-)
22/04/2016 19:56:25 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Cheers Debbie. She is rather thorough that Sharon Parker isn't she.
25/04/2016 07:55:14 UTC
Vicki said :-
I purchased an IXON Nirvana a couple of years ago but only wore it once, but love it.
To re-waterproof your jacket use NIKWAX TX-Direct, a wash in product & I can verify it's capabilities, as an outdoor adventurer, skier etc I have used it for years.
For your jacket or heavily soiled clothing, I would recommend the TECH WASH, it will clean your jacket like new, revive the waterproofing & breath-ability - You will feel like it's a new jacket :)
Using the NIKWAX products once a year or so will keep all your breathable waterproof clothing performing the way it should.
No I am not an employee but just love this product & have been using them for about 20 years - I SWEAR BY THEM.
HOpe this helps.
Cheers
www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4...
09/05/2016 01:53:16 UTC
Henrik said :-
Guess I will have eternal life in heaven also, and lot of motorcycles and virgins to not be bored up there, as long as I use NIKWAX :-)
10/05/2016 11:44:29 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Henrik you cheeky monkey. It does sound rather like a Nikwax advert Vicki.
I'm not always convinced by "waterproofing" products. Here is my problem. When riding a motorcycle in heavy rain waterproofing needs to be waterproof like a sheet of plastic. I have seen plenty of videos showing water running off a material but what if you were to try and carry water with a sheet of that treated material? Any small holes would let the water through.
A treated jacket will keep the rain off but where the water pools or where the rain is being forced into the waterproofing any tiny holes will lead to ingress. I compare riding a motorcycle to being like standing in waist deep water while being blasted by a fire hose.
My other concern with Nikwax is how long it lasts. I wear my bike gear most days and with the climate I'd have to ask how often would treatment be required? It's all very well and good when you're at home but no good when you're on a 4 week trip. There's enough to carry already.
10/05/2016 15:31:44 UTC
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