The M-Tech T-Sport leather jacket is a modern take on the classic leather motorcycle jacket. It has a few hidden technology updates, including the water and stain repelling “Mastrotech” leather treatment. The other modern addition is the “Refraction” technology, which reduces UV light absorption and is claimed to reduce the temperatures of the black leather. We ran some totally unscientific tests on the jacket and compared to untreated black leather, the T-Sport jacket did remain slightly cooler than non-treated jacket; more on this below.
The T-Sport jacket has classic looks and the black with red and white accents is my favorite combination. The jacket is also available with red or blue in place of the black panels but those versions are sold only in Europe. M-Tech is relatively new “flying under the radar” brand for many motorcyclists but the company is owned by the very large Mastrotto Group in Italy, who makes and supplies all types of leather for worldwide clothing industries.
They have developed several unique and patented leather treatment technologies useful for motorcyclists. Bottom line, the M-Tech T-Sport jacket has classic good looks, outstanding construction, “hidden” modern features and the price is reasonable for a jacket that will probably last a lifetime while still looking stylish.
Background
We have reviewed a few M-Tech items over the years, most recently the M-Tech Adventure jacket (review), a 3/4-length textile jacket with heavy-duty build quality and several interesting features.
M-Tech is probably best known for their “Refraction” leather treatment developed by the parent Mastrotto Group leather manufacturers in Italy.
The treatment is said to reduce UV light absorption to keep the classic black leather motorcycle jackets, pants and gloves cooler in bright sun.
M-Tech apparel is sold around the world and the brand is now available in the U.S.A., sold direct to consumers.
M-Tech T-Sport Jacket Styling
The T-Sport jacket is a classic motorcycle design, which means simple and proven. It works for cruisers, sport riders and even non-motorcyclists who want to look like one.
This jacket is surely done right, with a touch of bright color provided by the white and red stripes and the retro-looking M-tech “M” logo on the shoulders. I’d rather not have the “MTECH” letters sewn on to the front and rear (at the upper neck), but at least they’re not too overbearing.
The jacket is made in Ukraine, which is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to motorcycle gear.
The construction and overall quality is outstanding and the 1.0 mm thick leather feels substantial and it has beautiful, even graining and very nice dyes in the colors.
The red is a deep scarlet that looks much better than it appears in our photos and it really sets off the design.
The leather sections in the rear are cut to fit a slightly tapered body shape and this gives the jacket a nice overall fit and feel.
The stitching is also perfect, with mostly single rows and rolled edges at the panels. The stitches are perfectly aligned and the stitch intervals are also perfect. It’s an excellent job all around, no doubt.
M-Tech T-Sport Jacket Features
Since the T-Sport jacket is designed as a classic, you won’t find a lot of extraneous features.
There are no vents, for example, although the inside of the arms at the bend of the elbows and around the underarm are sections of black elastic material that give some flexibility in these areas while keeping the overall sleek look.
There are two main standout features on the T-Sport jacket; the first is the Mastrotech leather treatment, which provides water resistance and a claimed anti-static and stain resistance.
It’s hard to tell how it works but we did puddle some water in a depression on the jacket and it never did absorb into the leather. There are no stains either where the water was located.
The treatment doesn’t seem to have affected the feel of the leather surface; it’s not the buttery-smooth type found in leather dress jackets, nor is it the smooth surface-treatment with the feel of something like the iconic Schott Café Racer leather jacket (review).
The graining on the T-Sport jacket is very even and the jacket has a feel that’s a cross between high-end luxury and thick, rugged protective cowhide, if you can imagine that.
The other main feature is the Refraction technology, which is supposed to reflect UV light to keep the black portions of the jacket cooler.
M-Tech Refraction Technology
There isn’t much information available about the Refraction (“refrACTION”) technology, so I don’t know what type of coating or treatment it is and how it works.
M-Tech’s parent corporation the Mastrotto Group claims a 10 Celsius reduction (18° F) in surface temperatures from non-treated black leather. That’s quite a claim.
We ran a very unscientific poor man’s test on the back porch, by laying Rick’s Joe Rocket Speedmaster jacket (review) next to the T-Sport on a sunny 78 F (or so) day (26 C).
Using a Tempgun infrared thermometer (review) during a span of about 10 minutes, the black sections of the T-Sport consistently registered slightly cooler temperatures than the black sections of the Speedmaster, but nothing like a 10° C or 18° F difference.
This is a difficult test, because the two jackets have to be at the same angle to the sun.
Also, the temperatures have to be taken at the same location on each jacket; the clouds coming across make a difference, as does the wind; the surface sheen of the leather is different. And there are probably more factors.
During the 10 minute time span however, the T-Sport ranged around a 5° F or so difference. Is that enough to be noticeable when wearing the jacket? Very difficult to say, as you’d have to wear both jackets under the same conditions and have pretty sensitive skin.
But at least we were able to “prove” that there is something going on; a difference in temperatures that makes the black surface of the T-Sport cooler than the black leather of the Speedmaster.
Pockets
The T-Sport has a single 13 cm wide and 11 cm deep pocket on the left side at the upper chest. It closes with an “OPTI” branded zipper and it’s handy for storing a wallet.
The two hand pockets are in the standard location. Each is about 17 cm tall and as much deep, although the inside is cut at an angle, as these types of pockets usually are.
The pocket openings are nicely finished with a separate backing stitched into a narrow square rectangular-shaped insert that is also finished with the high-quality stitching used in the T-Sport jacket.
There’s an 18 cm by 17 cm cargo pocket on the inside of the right side of the liner and a similar pocket on the inside of the jacket itself, both placed low and down in the front.
Removable Liner
The T-Sport also has a slightly more rugged insulating liner than many of the other leather motorcycle jackets we’ve reviewed. This one has full-length sleeves with elastic cuffs that attach with dual snaps at the bottom of each sleeve.
The elastic cuffs are comfortable and help to keep the arms warmer.
The liner also attaches with a full-length zipper around the inside of the front of the jacket. Altogether, the liner probably adds about a 1/2 size to the jacket.
The liner is comfortable and it’s actually nicely efficient in colder weather.
Collar, Cuffs and Adjusters
The collar on the T-Sport is also relatively basic, or “classic”, as befits this jacket style. It has two metal snaps for adjustment.
The front main zipper is also an “OPTI” brand. It has smaller teeth so that most of it is hidden behind the leather in the zipper opening, as you can see in the photo above.
The sleeve cuffs are once again the typically classic design, with a 15 cm zipper on the inside and a single metal snap at the cuff end.
The T-Sport jacket also has waist adjusters on either side. In keeping with what appears to be M-Tech’s aversion to hook-and-loop (that we noticed with the Adventure jacket), the adjusters on the T-Sport are snaps.
This nicely hides the adjuster but means only two snaps for the actual adjustment, although this didn’t bother and we didn’t find the need to change the setting.
Sizing and Fit
The jacket is available in sizes ranging from 46 to 60 Euro. This jacket is a size 54, about equivalent to a U.S. men’s XL and it fits correctly to size. With the liner installed, a chest size of about 44 should fit with a sleeve length of 34 or so.
Protection
The T-Sport jacket includes CE-rated shoulder and elbow protectors labeled EN Level 1. The jacket has a large pocket in the rear for the optional “MPROTECH” back protector, which is a CE Level 1 protector that comes in small and large sizes.
| webBikeWorld Overall Opinionator: M-Tech T-Sport Jacket | |
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| Picks… | …and Pans |
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Conclusion
The M-Tech T-Sport jacket is a beautifully classic design with a high level of finishing and quality. The jacket should look good many years from now, as this type of styling has been with us seemingly forever with no end in sight. Leather motorcycle jacket aficionados should like the T-Sport and heck, everyone needs a classic leather jacket in the wardrobe, whether you’re a motorcyclist or not. The price is reasonable for this level of quality and the added technology make the T-Sport a contender.
| wBW Product Review: M-Tech T-Sport Jacket | |
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| Manufacturer: M-Tech (IT) | List Price: $374.99 |
| Colors: Black, Red, Blue with white/red trim. | Made In: Ukraine |
| Sizes: 46 to 60 Euro | Review Date: May 2014 |
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