u003cstrongu003eA:u003c/strongu003e They are expensive because you aren’t buying a fashion piece; you’re buying a piece of safety gear. You’re paying for the research and development that went into the production of that jacket. You’re also paying for all of the innovative materials and extra bits that go into the jacket. Think of it this way — that $500 for the jacket is way cheaper than a hospital bill or funeral service.