POLY/MESH JACKETS?????

Whats up guys I got a question here for you. I've decided to be smart and buy a summer riding jacket because the
t-shirt thing doesnt sound like a great idea anymore.I already know a kid that went down with one and he has a broken leg and road rash everywhere,was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Im looking at alpinestars, joe rocket, and icon on kneedraggers.com. I wanted something really light and there are these poly/mesh jackets that look real breathable but I could have sworn I was told in my MSF course that poly jackets are bad cause they melt into your skin or something??? If so I'll pick something else. Thanks for any info!!!!!!!!  

The melting of material is a possibility with any of the textiles given sufficient speed and continuous contact with pavement (i.e., sliding). I don't think it's that big of an issue.

imo, mesh is better than a regular shirt or what not. I have one and use it for commuting and putting around in hot weather but I don't use it if I'm off for a trip or sport ride on the back roads. That's a job for perforated leather.  

A few years ago I switched to a mesh jacket in the summer time.  My old body has decided that 120F is just too hot to be sporting my leather around town.  I still wear my leather for anything other than my daily commute and of course in the winter time but the mesh has been a life saver in the heat.  I've not tested mine personally but have seen the after effects of a few that have tasted asphalt.  I've seen the mesh tear revealing the pads and I've seen them roll up because the waist wasn't sinched down.  I haven't seen anything that would make me quit wearing mine even though it does feel a little less protective than leather does.  The way I see it, it's better than riding around in a shirt that won't do a darn thing for me if I slide across the 140F asphalt.  If the mesh jacket does nothing more than prevent my body from being scorched with 2nd degree burns I'm a happy man.  Let's hope I never have to find out!  

What everyone is saying here is 100% right. Use simple logic: leather is the best protection, textile is not as good, but still good, textile-mesh is just under that, then sweaters, shirts & others are at the zero level.

They did a study on this in California's free moto-publication Friction Zone, though I don't believe it's on their site. All the expected results prevailed. They put leather pants, textile pants, denim jeans and cotton shorts on a dummy then threw & dragged it behind a truck to simulate a fall & slide. Pretty cool read, but nothing surprising in terms of what performed better.

I've had a solid leather jacket with big air vents that was still very hot. I now have a perforated leather jacket that is excellent. I also have the Joe Rocket Phoenix textile-mesh jacket that I love. Feels like a shirt, but protects the impact points (shoulders, elbows & back). Since I got the perforated leather, though, I don't wear the Phoenix nearly as much, only the 98+ days. It all depends on what level of protection you're comfortable with.

At least you're getting the right gear, and bravo for that.