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Throttle Closet
Full specification As published
Shell Material600D poly-cotton blend
ArmorCE-rated shoulder/elbow, foam back pad
ClosureYKK zipper with snap storm flap
Weight1.8 kg (size M)
VentilationPerforated underarm panels
Mass1800 g as published
Coverschest, back, shoulders, elbows
Bench rank163 of 200 on this site
Jacket · Rank 163 of 200

Speed and Strength Rust and Redemption Jacket

by Speed and Strength

A café-racer-styled textile jacket built from a 600D poly-cotton blend with CE-rated shoulder and elbow armor, aimed at riders who want vintage moto looks with genuine impact protection.

4.2 Rider rating 4.2 out of 5 Bench score 53/100
  • CE-rated shoulder/elbow armor
  • Rugged poly-cotton construction
  • Reflective night visibility
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Specs taken from the manufacturer No paid placement Bought at retail
Verdict

The Rust and Redemption jacket delivers old-school café-racer attitude with practical CE-rated armor, making it a strong pick for riders who want style without sacrificing basic safety gear. It's not built for touring in heavy rain and the back pad isn't CE-rated standard, but for everyday street riding it holds up well and offers solid value.

The Speed and Strength Rust and Redemption jacket wraps CE-rated armor at the shoulders and elbows inside a 600D poly-cotton shell, with reinforced panels through the high-wear zones and a distressed, industrial finish that leans into the brand's moto-lifestyle image. A back armor pocket houses a foam pad rather than a CE-rated insert, leaving full spine coverage as an upgrade rather than a standard feature. At 1.8 kg for a size medium, it carries real weight, more than a dedicated mesh or textile touring jacket, reflecting the heavier poly-cotton weave and reinforced construction. Perforated underarm panels are built in for ventilation, and the YKK zipper with a snap storm flap handles closure, though the hardware overall reads as functional rather than premium.

In everyday use, the heavy-duty stitching holds up well and the roomy cut fits comfortably over a hoodie or flannel layer, which suits riders who dress casually rather than in a dedicated base layer underneath. The perforated underarm panels and fabric weave let some air through on warm rides, though the jacket isn't in the same league as a true mesh design for hot weather riding. Sizing runs noticeably large, so most riders will want to size down a notch from their usual fit. The jacket isn't waterproof beyond light drizzle, so a separate rain layer becomes necessary once the weather turns properly serious. Zipper hardware works fine day to day but feels noticeably lighter-duty than the rest of the jacket's rugged construction otherwise suggests.

This jacket suits street and café riders who want vintage moto styling with genuine CE-rated shoulder and elbow protection built in, and the reflective accents add real value for anyone riding at night. It's a strong everyday pick for riders who dress casually and want their gear to double as a style statement, rather than a dedicated touring garment built for distance. Riders expecting full waterproofing or a CE-rated back protector as standard will need to add a rain layer and upgrade the back pad separately from the base jacket. Compared to lighter mesh or textile touring jackets, it also runs noticeably heavier. For everyday riding and a rugged look, it remains a solid, well-priced choice overall.

What works
  • Rugged vintage styling backed by heavy-duty stitching
  • CE-rated armor package is solid for the price point
  • Fabric weave allows decent airflow in warm weather
  • Roomy cut fits comfortably over hoodies or flannel layers
  • Reflective accents add a real safety margin at night
What doesn't
  • Not fully waterproof, needs a separate rain layer in storms
  • Sizing runs large, so checking the chart matters
  • Back pad is foam, not CE-rated out of the box
  • Heavier than dedicated mesh or textile touring jackets
  • Zipper hardware feels a bit lightweight for the jacket's build
Bench scorecard
Protection54Weather32Airflow58Comfort58Value62

Derived from this product's own specification, key features and owner-reported pros and cons, then adjusted by its rider rating. Same rules for every piece.

Key features
  • 600D poly-cotton shell construction
  • CE-rated removable shoulder and elbow armor
  • Internal back armor pocket with foam pad included
  • Adjustable snap cuffs and waist straps
  • Zippered hand-warmer and interior media pockets
  • Reflective piping for low-light visibility
  • Zip connection for compatible riding pants
Where it sits in jacket
This piece 53 Category median 52 Category best 65

Bench rank 24 of 50 in jacket. The median piece in this category scores 52; the best scores 65.

What it covers
headfaceneckchestbackshoulderselbowshandswristshipskneesshinsfeetankles

Feed this into the Gear-Up Builder to see what the rest of your kit still leaves bare.

Who it fits
  • A steady middle-of-the-road choice: nothing it does badly, nothing it wins outright.
Stack it against
Held Zeffiro 3.0Bench 65 · 4.6 ★
Klim Marrakesh JacketBench 62 · 4.6 ★
Klim Badlands Pro JacketBench 59 · 4.6 ★
Klim Induction JacketBench 54 · 4.6 ★