Watch Out For: I’m 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, and I usually fit squarely into medium-sized moto gear. Aether’s website describes the Divide jacket and pants as fitting “true to size,” so I was surprised to find the mediums longer and baggier than expected, especially considering the brand’s modern ethos. A friendly salesperson at Aether’s LA flagship swapped those pieces for a small — one of the first times I’ve found myself scaling down for a proper fit. (At least the customer service was outstanding.)
Alternatives: Aether’s most direct competitor is Dainese, the Italian brand that also occupies the rarified, pricey space where functionality doesn’t kill style; their Gran Turismo jacket ($1,100) and pants ($700) have a more colorful, technical look than the Aether Divide, but also offers a bit more climatological versatility due to the larger vented zippers. Klim’s Adventure Rally jacket ($1,700–$1,800) and Badlands Pro pants ($700–$720) demand an even higher price of entry, but are considerably more complex, with a three-layer shell and built-in hydration system that make them worthy of round-the-world rides; subsequently, they look the part as well. Alpinestars’ Revenant jacket ($950) and pants ($650) take the long-distance theme seriously, offering an available Tech-Air airbag system for an added $1,150; their Gordon Drystar Overcoat ($400) is more philosophically similar to Aether, though not quite as stylish.
Review: Motorcycle touring gear is best evaluated under trying circumstances, hell-or-high-water extremes that make for stories you’ll tell your grandkids. The winding backroads between Los Angeles and Solvang aren’t exactly the stuff of Camel Trophy lore, but a rookie mistake did make for some unexpectedly challenging (and embarrassing) test conditions: pushing my borrowed Honda Africa Twin uphill for half a mile and waiting two hours for a roadside services to deliver a splash of fuel. (Note to self: Honda’s onboard computer is eerily accurate at estimating range.)
While waiting for help, I had plenty of time to ponder the fact that an unseasonably warm spring day isn’t exactly the Divide’s optimal environment: sturdily constructed with Gore-Tex Pro and fully seam-sealed for wind and water protection, the Divide lineup is best experienced in motion, perhaps in the rain — but most definitely not in warm conditions. Aether also sells the Mojave jacket ($550) and pants ($450), which are more breathable and incorporate considerably larger vents but lack waterproofing.
While the Divide’s zippered armpit and back vents offer some airflow at a stop, my attitude improved after I hit the road again and began soaking up the breeze along the heavenly twisties of Highway 33 which link Ventura, Ojai and the Santa Ynez Mountains. When night fell on the return ride, the wind insulation ensured comfortable climes despite the cool desert air.
At speed, the jacket and pants offer enough roominess not to feel cramped or too snug — in fact, the pants are surprisingly spacious, considering Aether’s fashion-forward sensibilities. There’s not enough extra fabric to cause flapping at speed, though the fit also isn’t as tailored as some of Dainese’s offerings. The lamb leather lining at the jacket neck adds a bit of substance to the textile panels, as do the leather panels on the inner thigh for added grip.
