Sportex Apollo Leather Jacket

This jacket was my "go to" jacket for quite a few years. I bought it in Scotland when away with the Suzuki Owners Club on one of the camping weekends I organised.

I can't remember exactly where.  It was after we had visited a distillery and I came to zip up my old jacket and the zip broke. I was left 400+ miles from home with no serviceable jacket. I posted the old one home and wore this one for the rest of the trip. I never had the old one repaired and it went to charity soon after.

The jacket was a budget to medium buy and it would have been the mid-90's. 

It is made from quite thick leather, is heavy,  and comes with a back protector. It was made in the pre-armour in the shoulders and elbows days! Just padding.

Four zipped external pockets and two inside, but only one zipped. Ideal for wallet and now, the mobile phone!

What is a bit different is that it has a double zip fastening at the front. 

The idea, I think,  is it can be worn on the tightest zip in the summer and then it expanded in winter to allow for a jumper etc.  underneath. 

The photo taken this morning shows it on the tighter "summer" zip.

It has a double pop stud neck enclosure to cover for the two zip front. The wrists are closed by zippers too.  I prefer zippers to Velcro! 

Waist adjustment is provided by two small straps at the hips.

I never wore it on the expanded "winter" setting! Preferring a textile jacket in colder and wetter weather.

It's been in the loft in a plastic bag for quite a few years as I got too fat to wear it! 

Trying it on last night shows I have to lose a few more inches. I had to try it on and use the expanded zip to get it done up! 

I have a way to go before I can start wearing it again on the bike!

I can't remember how much it cost the best part of 25-28 years ago. It is in marvellous condition considering the time it has been in the loft.  It needs a clean and maybe some leather treatment but even so, it's still wearable - once I lose a few inches of blubber! 

I have some Nikwax leather preserver I bought for my boots that can be used on jackets as well I can dig out.

There are a couple of Sportex jackets on eBay now selling as vintage and around £40. Not bad for a decent jacket.

Hopefully, by the summer I will get into it and get to wear it again on the bikes.