Roland Sands Design Gets Technical

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

New Spring collection includes sport & adventure jackets, jeans and boots

An informal little get together last night at Roland Sands Design in Los Alamitos, California, is where the 2016 Spring collection of Roland Sands apparel was on display. Among the custom two-wheel fabrications and a taco stand hung the full-line variety of stylish biker wear. Punctuating the new offerings is an uptick in technical functionality, as well as an expanding variety of products.

Bob Ketchum of Roland Sands Design proudly shows off the Zuma jacket in black. Behind him is the Zuma in Timber coloring. Ketchum says that RSD jackets feel like a broke-in catcher’s mitt because of the processing each jacket receives prior to public availability.

First to catch our eye was the new Zuma jacket – the first sportbike jacket from RSD to include an aerodynamic speed hump. The Zuma is made from 1.0 – 1.2mm thickness buffalo leather. The fit is sportbike tight, with pre-curved sleeves for an aggressive riding position. Unlike other RSD jackets where body armor is an option, the $750 Zuma comes with SAS-TEC CE level 2 shoulder and elbow armor, and a foam back protector. The Timber colored Zuma with the subtle RSD logo perforated into the chest will have you singing Free Bird all the way to the next Lynyrd Skynyrd concert.

A real departure for RSD gear is the company’s new adventure-touring offering, the Sentinel jacket. Like the Zuma, the Sentinel comes equipped with SAS-TEC CE level 2 shoulder and elbow armor, and foam back protector. The three-season Sentinel is constructed with a waterproof, breathable Cordura nylon shell with a DuPont water-repellent finish and water-repellent YKK zippers. The polyester removable liner can be worn as a lightweight jacket or stored in the rear fanny pack pocket when not in use. At $750, the Sentinel’s not cheap, but it’s a fully featured 3-season jacket meant to compete with the likes of Rev’It and Dainese.

The multi-density insole is removeable for easy replacement.

Next up is the Mojave boot. The Mojaves are constructed with a cowhide upper, Vibram outsoles, and feature a Hipora waterproof barrier and gusseted tongue to keep your tootsies dry. Safety wise, the toes, sides, and heels are reinforced, while down the back of the boots runs a 3M Scotchlite reflective strip. The Mojave boots are available in Men’s sizes 8-13, colors Black, Whiskey, Oxblood, Gray for $300.

Also new for Spring 2016 are the Dalton riding jeans. The Daltons are 70% cotton and 30% Kevlar-reinforced denim throughout, not just in the knees or buttocks areas. The button-fly jeans feature a straight fit (claimed to be like Levis 514s) with triple stitching on the inseam. RSD offers a lifetime warranty on the Daltons, provided you don’t crash in them, meaning any lost buttons or loose stitchings will be fixed for free. The Daltons are available only in Indigo, in waist sizes 28”, 30”, 32”, 34”, 36”, 38” for $225.

There are a few more items joining the RSD 2016 lineup: Clash and Ronin Black Ops jackets, Stoddard Kevlar-lined plaid shirt, and Black Ops hoodie. All 2016 Spring items should be available soon at rolandsands.com.

Tom Roderick
Tom Roderick

A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.

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