Raida Bolt Jacket Review: Affordable, Stylish and Safe

As someone with a rather tall (read 6 feet) and thin body frame, finding riding gear that fits snugly can be a bit of a challenge. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Raida Bolt riding jacket fit me better than most other jackets I’ve tried, it even looked stylish too. Raida is a relatively new brand in the market, and chances are that you may not have heard of it before. Now, the brand faces some tough competition from manufacturers that have been in the field for a while. So, how good is it?

Well, one thing is certain – if you like dark-coloured riding gear that does not draw too much attention, the Bolt will be right up your alley. Our review unit was primarily black in colour with red accents, although there is also a version available with brighter green accents. Raida has used 3D polyester air mesh to cover large patches on the arms, front, and rear of the Bolt. The remaining sections employ 600D polyester. A functional design element of the jacket is the presence of off-white reflective patches on the upper part of the arms and front. Even the Raida logo at the back uses the same reflective material to facilitate enhanced visibility for other motorists at night.  

Thanks to its mesh pattern, the jacket offers great ventilation, particularly useful in summer. However, there is no provision for adding a rain liner to the Bolt. So, you will have to be careful when and where you wear the jacket. It is certainly not an all-weather solution.

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The Bolt comes with four pockets in total – two outside and two inside. I like that one of the inside pockets has a flap with Velcro closure, providing a secure place for your valuables. YKK zippers have been used all around, and they worked flawlessly. I was surprised by the jacket’s meticulous craftmanship, and during my use of it, I couldn’t find a quality issue to speak of.

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The Bolt also comes with Safe Tech CE Level 2 armours for the elbows, shoulders, and back, along with two foam pads for the chest. Needless to say, Raida hasn’t compromised on safety features, providing a comprehensive kit for the price.Accessing the protectors is also straightforward, allowing for easy swapping or removal.

While Raida might not have the brand value of its competitors as of now, it does offer a rather promising product. The Bolt has a simple yet stylish design and is packed with the right safety features. Furthermore, its competitive price of ₹5,950 significantly adds to its appeal. While I am perfectly satisfied with what Raida offers for the price, I still think that a more aggressive pricing strategy could help bolster the brand’s position in the market.