Via Terra Miller jacket review - do-it-all summer jacket

Via Terra is an Indian brand known for its robust motorcycle luggage systems, but a while back it also ventured into riding gear. The Miller jacket is one of their recent launches and they were kind enough to reach out and send a review unit a couple of months back. The timing for testing this mesh jacket couldn't have been better with the temperatures soaring between 30-45 degrees Celsius during our shoots in the last two months. After seeing some of our photos on social media many of you reached out to know more about the jacket and I did say that my initial impressions were positive. Read on to know more about what I think about the Via Terra Miller.

The fit

The Miller is one jacket that you must try before buying and if you don't have that luxury it is best that you discuss the measurements with Via Terra while placing the order. I usually wear a size XL relaxed fit or a 2XL sport fit for European brands like Rev'it or Alpinestars, but my measurements pointed towards a generously sized 3XL Miller. If your frame is like mine - big midsection but slim arms - there are enough fasters and adjusters to ensure you get a snug fit with the Miller in all areas. This is probably the best fit I have had on a riding jacket of Indian origin. The only gripe is that the wrist area of the jacket is rather thick and if the wrists on your gauntlet gloves aren't generous, they may not fit well over this jacket. I use my track gauntlets with the Miller for that very reason.

Who is it for?

The Miller is aimed at someone looking for a do-it-all summer jacket and to that effect it features a 3D mesh made of some really large pores. There are stretch panels in the arms and even on the back so that it fits street, sport as well as adventure riding postures without worry. 600D Cordura construction and CE-rated (not certified) armour promises Level 2 crash protection.

Do they deliver on the promise?

The mesh panels are large and make up most of the jacket, while the Cordura is placed in the common abrasions areas. The cooling efficiency of the jacket works better than advertised! Our jacket did not come with any rain liner, but the Miller worked fine in some early morning drizzles, without getting drenched and even drying off quickly after an hour of riding in the sun. The neck area has Chinese collars and no coverage straps/wind protection, highlighting that the Miller is strictly a summer jacket. Even the inbuilt armour has large holes drilled in it, which further complements the cooling efficiency of the jacket.

The Powertector CE-rated armour seems to be Via Terra's own (likely to be contract-manufactured by some Asian company). It doesn't have the flexibility of D3O and seems closer to the Knox armour seen in some of the competing jackets at this price point. In comparison though, Via Terra's armour is heavy and thick but the Miller trumps its competition by offering Level 2 armour not just in the elbows and shoulders but also in the back and the chest areas, offering complete coverage. The armour pockets follow a universal design too, so in case you want to move to lighter D3O or Knox protectors, that should be easy to do.

While the fit of the jacket is snug, the area around the external pockets is a bit saggy, making it difficult to access and work the zippers when you are wearing gloves and are seated on the motorcycle. The jacket's main zipper has a small covering panel around the lower seam that will prevent the metal from scratching your tank in case your bike doesn't have a tank pad. The rear end of the jacket comes with a short zipper attachment that can be stitched into your pants for easy pairing of the two garments. However, for someone like me who keeps mixing and matching my riding gear, belt loop attachments would be a welcome addition.

Verdict

Save for the saggy pockets and the moderately heavy build, the Via Terra Miller doesn't leave much room for complaint. It is easy on the pocket, fits well, offers complete protection and works as advertised when it comes to ventilation. Adding colour only around the sleeves, the jacket isn't too loud either and yet gels well with the rest of the gear (and luggage) while still looking smart. I chose the red colour (because red adds 10hp) and so far I'm pretty impressed with how the jacket has performed. If I was in the market for a do-it-all summer jacket, the Via Terra Miller would certainly be on my list of considerations.

Price: Rs 7,999

Where to buy: ViaTerraGear.com

Words Rohit Paradkar