A trip to BrooklynBretta

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Posted by: Paul

30 March 2009 397 views No Comment

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For all the great things I’ve heard about Brooklynbretta, it took me until Saturday to finally make a trip there.

They’re located in Park Slope a block from the Union Street R stop.

I went there specifically to get a proper bike jacket. I wanted something practical with protection but not something that made me look like a power-ranger.

I’d heard that they stocked Corrazo jackets which to me seemed the perfect blend of light-weight, and stylish but with protection.

Sitting on the motorcycle on the range during the Basic Rider Course got me thinking that just falling over onto the cement from a stationary position would smart. Especially given what Karate has done to my elbows over the past five years (another story.) Clearly my $40 H&M jacket wasn’t going to cut it out on the open-road.

Nick at Brooklynbretta is quite a character, and a stand-up guy to boot. He’s clearing his shelves of the last few Corazzo jackets in stock and clearly not a fan.

After briefly trying one on I wholeheartedly concur. Sure they have racing stripes, but they are way too light to give you any confidence of protection either from a fall or from an abrasive skid.

Instead, Nick pointed me to the AlpineStars Air-Flo. They didn’t have my size, but I tried on a smaller one, and liked it immediately. Plenty of solid protection on the elbows, shoulders and back without looking out of place as a casual street jacket. Plus the lining is removable so it’ll be relatively light-weight during the summer.

Apparently the air-flo moniker speaks to the fact that the jacket is water-proof and abrasian-resistent without stopping a good ventilation for summer days. Only time will tell I guess.

I ordered one, and it should be in stock this week. Thanks Nick.