In the world of motorcycle gear, there’s always been a divide: you’re either dressed for protection or dressed for style. Rarely do the two meet gracefully. In the moto world, protection and style rarely mix well. We Ride The Dust Apparel Co., a local Philippine brand, is trying to change that with their Dust Combi-Work Hoodie a hooded riding jacket built to handle daily commutes and highway runs while still looking like regular streetwear off the bike.
After putting this locally-made jacket through its paces, including some spirited highway runs and daily commutes, here’s the unfiltered truth about whether this hood-wearing, varsity-styled riding jacket lives up to its “cutting-edge style with unbeatable protection” promise.
We Ride The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie
The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie blends streetwear style with real riding protection, offering comfort, breathability, and everyday safety for city and short highway rides.
What sets the Dust Combi-Work Hoodie apart is its intentional dual identity. It doesn’t look like typical motorcycle armor instead, it embraces a clean streetwear silhouette with a casual, varsity-style fit. Yet beneath that laid-back look are reinforced materials and protective inserts, proving this isn’t just fashion pretending to be gear it’s real riding protection disguised as everyday style.
Disclosure: This Dust Combi-Work Hoodie was personally purchased by me at full retail price. No free product, affiliate links, or brand incentives were involved in this review.
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First Impressions: More Than Just a Hoodie
The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie doesn’t scream “motorcycle gear” at first glance, and that’s entirely the point. With its hooded design and modern work-style aesthetic, it looks like premium streetwear the kind of thing you’d see at a lifestyle brand’s flagship store, not hanging in a traditional moto shop.
But flip it around, and you’re greeted with a bold varsity-style print featuring the brand’s signature Dust rabbit and motorcycle graphics. It’s eye-catching without being obnoxious, striking that sweet spot between rider culture and urban fashion. The high-density embroidered Dust logo on the chest adds another layer of legitimacy this isn’t some quick cash-grab merch; it’s thoughtfully designed apparel.
The standout feature? That safety orange inner lining on the hood. It’s not just for aesthetics in low-light conditions or Manila’s notorious dusty evenings, that pop of orange adds visibility when you need it most. Plus, the adjustable drawstring hood can be tucked away for a cleaner look when you’re off the bike.
The Protection Setup: Armor Ready, Customization Friendly
Here’s where things get interesting. The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie comes with built-in armor pockets that provide basic protection right out of the box perfect for casual riders. But for those who want serious impact protection, it’s designed to be “safety pads-ready”, meaning you can easily slot in CE-rated armor.
I had an extra set of Pandmoto armor lying around, and on a whim, decided to see if they’d fit. The result? Absolutely perfect. The jacket’s internal pockets and armor slots accommodated the Pandmoto shoulder and elbow protectors without any bunching, shifting, or awkward fitting. For back protection, there’s room for a proper CE-rated back pad as well (which I added via SAS-TEC armor).
This compatibility is huge. It means you’re not locked into one armor ecosystem, and you can upgrade your protection level as your riding evolves. Commuters can run it with the basic pads; canyon carvers can beef it up with full CE Level 2 armor.
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On the Road: Where Rubber Meets Reality
The 140 KPH Test
Let’s cut to what matters most: how does this hoodie perform when you’re actually riding? I took it out for a proper test run, pushing speeds up to 140 kph on the expressway to see if this casual-looking jacket could handle highway velocities.
The verdict? At 140 kph on the expressway, it stayed planted with no noticeable ballooning or flapping—better than some mesh jackets I’ve tried in similar conditions. There’s zero balloon effect the mid-weight fabric and cut are clearly designed with aerodynamics in mind. The jacket stays snug to your body, reducing drag and that annoying flapping sound that lesser gear produces at speed.
The armor stayed exactly where it should be. No shifting, no bunching, no discomfort. For a jacket that looks this casual, the performance at highway speeds genuinely surprised me.
Unexpected Rain Protection
Here’s something I didn’t expect: the jacket actually handles light to moderate rain surprisingly well. I got caught in a downpour on my way to the office, and thanks to the thick fabric construction, I arrived completely dry.
This isn’t marketed as a waterproof jacket, and I wouldn’t trust it in a torrential downpour, but the fabric density is substantial enough that it sheds water for a reasonable amount of time. For those sudden tropical rain showers that hit during your commute, the Dust Combi-Work Hoodie has your back literally. The thick fabric acts as a water-resistant barrier, giving you enough time to get to your destination without getting soaked.
This is huge for daily riders in the Philippines where rain can appear out of nowhere. You’re not scrambling to pull over and dig out a rain jacket; the jacket you’re already wearing does the job.
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The Office Transition: Streetwear Credibility
This is where the Dust Combi-Work Hoodie really shines, and it’s exactly why this jacket exists.
My daily routine: ride to the office, park the bike, walk in. With traditional moto gear, you either look like you’re about to race MotoGP or you’re stuck carrying a change of clothes. With this jacket, I simply remove the SAS-TEC armor inserts (takes about 30 seconds), and I’m left with what looks like a quality streetwear hoodie.
The varsity-style back print, the modern cut, the hooded design none of it screams “motorcycle gear” once the armor is out. I’ve worn this into client meetings, casual office days, and evening hangouts without feeling overdressed or out of place. That’s the genius of the design: it’s dual-purpose without compromise.
For commuters riding to work, especially those in creative industries or casual workplaces, this is a game-changer. One less thing to carry, one less thing to change.
Build Quality and Durability
The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie uses mid-weight fabric that’s clearly built with abrasion resistance in mind. It’s not full leather or Cordura, but it’s substantially tougher than regular streetwear. The stitching is tight, the zippers are quality hardware, and after weeks of daily use, there’s no fraying or wear showing up.
Would it hold up in a slide? I haven’t tested that (and hope I never have to), but the fabric density and build quality suggest it would perform better than standard clothing while obviously falling short of full race leathers. For urban commuting and spirited weekend rides, it’s appropriate protection.
The embroidered logo hasn’t shown any signs of deterioration, and the varsity print on the back is holding up well to regular use and washing. This feels like a jacket built to last.
The Local Advantage: Supporting Philippine Riding Culture
There’s something genuinely cool about supporting a local brand that understands the specific needs of Filipino riders. We Ride The Dust gets it they know we’re not riding through alpine passes in 5°C weather. They know we need gear that can handle tropical heat, sudden rain, dusty roads, and varied riding conditions.
You can find this jacket at partner stores like The Handlebar in Silang, Cavite or UpShift Moto Supply, or order through their social media channels (@weridethedust.apparelco). No international shipping delays, no customs hassles, no sizing confusion based on Western body types. It’s designed for us, sold by us, made accessible to us.
The price point (you’ll need to check their current listings) positions it as affordable premium gear not cheap, but far more accessible than importing from European or American brands.
Who Is This Jacket For?
Perfect For:
- Daily commuters who ride to work
- Riders who want one jacket for multiple contexts
- Urban and highway riders
- Big bike riders who prefer casual style over race replica aesthetics
- Neo-classic and scrambler owners
- Anyone who values versatility over specialization
- Riders who appreciate local brands
Maybe Skip If:
- You need maximum cold-weather protection
- You’re looking for race-level armor and protection
- You primarily ride in very cold climates
- You want traditional moto jacket aesthetics
- You need certified waterproofing (this isn’t a rain jacket)
Final Thoughts: Local Pride Meets Real Performance
The We Ride The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie succeeds because it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It’s not a track jacket. It’s not a touring jacket. It’s not trying to compete with $800 European imports.
What it is, is a smartly designed, locally-made riding jacket that understands the modern Filipino rider’s reality: we need protection on the road and presentability off it. We ride in heat and humidity. We navigate between highway speeds and parking lot crawls. We want gear that reflects our lifestyle, not just our bike’s spec sheet.
At 140 kph, it performed flawlessly no ballooning, stable fit, armor stayed put. In the office, with armor removed, it looks like quality streetwear. For daily commutes and highway rides, the breathability is actually an asset. And when unexpected rain hits? That thick fabric kept me dry all the way to the office. The ability to customize armor means it grows with your riding skill and confidence.
We Ride The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie
The Dust Combi-Work Hoodie blends streetwear style with real riding protection, offering comfort, breathability, and everyday safety for city and short highway rides.
Is it perfect? No. You’ll need layers for cold rides, and serious sport riders will want more aggressive protection. But for the vast majority of riders in the Philippines those of us commuting, exploring, weekend riding, and living our lives between destinations this jacket hits a sweet spot that few others manage.
Supporting a local brand that genuinely understands our riding culture and delivers quality gear? That’s the cherry on top. We Ride The Dust has created something special here: a jacket that’s proudly Filipino, genuinely functional, and effortlessly cool.
Bottom Line: If you’re a Filipino rider looking for one jacket that handles highway speeds and coffee shop hangouts with equal competence, the Dust Combi-Work Hoodie deserves serious consideration. It’s not trying to be the ultimate everything it’s just damn good at being exactly what it is.
Born to ride. Raised on Dust. 🏍️