Backyard astronomers among our readership might recognize the name “Maia” as one of the Pleiades, a cluster of stars easily recognizable in the night sky. The seven brightest stars are named after the Greek mythological daughters of the titan Atlas, and Maia, the eldest sister, is associated with growth and possibly the namesake for the month of May.

As far as motorcycle apparel goes, Maia is just a lovely name for a summer and “shoulder season” Scorpion jacket, with a longer touring cut and plenty of thoughtful design features. Its outer shell is made from dual-layer small-pore mesh throughout the front and back of the torso and the inner arms, with plenty of tough 600D polyester coverage where you need it most: shoulders, outer arms, elbows, hips and lower back. Inside is a full mesh liner for maximum airflow, with an Airguard windproof and water-resistant liner that zips in for chillier rides. Retro-reflective material runs across the upper back and down the front and back of each arm for nighttime visibility. Elbow and shoulder armor is made by Sas-Tec and is CE-certified to level 2; the foam back pad can be swapped for an optional CE-certified protector. There are two deep zippered handwarmer pockets and one inner chest pocket, and fit can be dialed-in with elastic straps below the bust and two zippered hip gussets; accordion stretch panels also help with fit as you move around on and off the bike.

I like the heavier-duty feel of the Maia compared with some other ultra-lightweight mesh jackets with less protection that I’ve worn, and the large-tooth front zipper is smooth and easy to use. The touring-cut Maia also happens to fit me and my long torso and arms quite well. Best of all, its mandarin collar is neoprene-lined for chafe-free comfort, and zips all the way up with no annoying hook-and-loop or snap strap to fiddle with. Cuffs are zippered as well, but with hook-and-loop straps that keep the cuff securely closed over gloves. Overall, this is a solidly built and thoughtfully designed jacket that will keep you cool in hot weather and won’t break the bank.

The Maia is available in black or black/gray in women’s sizes XS-XL for $189.95; 2XL costs an extra $10. 

For more information, see your dealer or visit scorpionusa.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com