A Jacket Liner may appear to be an insignificant piece of clothing - to those that don't know.It is an indispensable piece of inner clothing that helps to keep you warm or cooler, depending on the type. It can also keep you dry and prevent you from getting seriously burned.

Who doesn't want to able to ride their motorcycle in the winter and NOT feel the biting wind tear through your jacket? When riding a motorcycle, in winter, there are two things that we MUST achieve in order to ensure keeping warm - 1) block the wind and, 2) retain as much body heat as possible. With the aid of technology now there is a heated Jacket Liner available which will help you achieve both.

The technology is referred to as Microwire. "Microwire was developed by Gerbing in response to the specifications of a contract with the US Navy Special Operations. Each wire carries hundreds of stainless steel conductive strands, far thinner than any copper wire or carbon-fiber wire in use in this industry today. And, each strand is 1/4 the thickness of a human hair." (www.cyclematters.com)

"The new Microwire Jacket Liner uses a single Teflon-coated Microwire, woven into heating pads, and placed strategically throughout the jacket. Each Microwire Jacket Liner also has one pound less wire weight than previous jacket liners." (www.cyclematters.com)

(Photo & text courtesy of GCRad1, Flickr)

This type of Jacket Liner is a hot weather riding apparel. It is "a lightweight / waterproof / breathable liner.The body of the liner is fleece backed; comfortable to well below 60; can be worn underneath any free air style jacket; also has a snap on the collar near the top of the zipper, to ensure your throat area stays dry and warm...Yet another great feature is the fact that this jacket liner has almost no bulk to it. You can fold it up to the size of a pair of socks and simply stash it in your tank bag or under your seat, which I regularly do." (www.motorcycle.com)

Micro

Micro fleece, also known as polar fleece, is a synthetic fiber "made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other synthetic fibers"(www.wikipedia.org), which is "a new, light and strong pile fabric meant to mimic and in some ways surpass wool. Fleece has some of wool's finest qualities but weighs a fraction of the lightest available woolens" (www.wikipedia.org) Because it may be manufactured from recycled plastic bottles, it "can be a vegan alternative to wool" (www.wikipedia.org)

Nomex

This type of Jacket Liner is manufactured with Nomex technology which is "inherently flame resistant and,,.cannot be degraded by laundering" (www.coverallsale.com)

This type of Jacket Liner is primarily worn by personnel in the petrochemicals' industry, "utilities, military applications, auto racing, volunteer and professional fire fighters." (www.coverallsale.com)

(Photo courtesy of iorikuo, Flickr.)

You have seen them worn a zillion different scenarios - on the street, regardless of the weather and the socio/economic status of the wearer. This is the good ole' "Army Jacket Liner."

This liner features "a 100% nylon shell, poly-fill insulation for lightweight warmth, two front pockets, button-closure front, and knit cuffs. You may also wear the liner by itself as a lightweight jacket."

As the name states, this Jacket Liner is good in three different types of weather - cold, rain and mild. Weighing in at a mere 100 grams, this piece of clothing is versatile and convenient.

"It secures to the shell at neckline and wrists." (www.trailspace.com) making it conversion-friendly.