Adidas Terrex Agravic Alpha Shield jacket

The front of the Agravic is Polartec Alpha, to provide warmth at an incredibly light, barely-there weight, while the outer is windproof and water-resistant Pertex Quantum. It packs down into itself, making it hard to believe that it could keep you warm, but it does. Not only that, but once you start to work hard it breathes exceptionally well. It does feel quite delicate, so it’s not one for bashing through thorns in, and the thin sleeves get cold when wet. The cut isn’t bike-specific but the back and arms are sufficiently long, and gripper on the rear hem keeps it in place. There are two zipped hand pockets, and the hood (which flaps around when riding) and hem are adjustable. It’s well-insulated and good for cold but dry rides. On damp days you’ll want to stick a waterproof over the top.

Weight 151g

Price $180

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

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KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

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SKS Airbuster CO2 inflator

The alloy Airbuster has a large knob so you can regulate the flow of gas, a mechanical stop to prevent the cartridge being pierced in transit and a dust cap to keep the valve free of debris. While it works with Presta and Schrader valves, switching between them requires a fiddly change of the valve head. The thin rubber sleeve doesn’t provide much protection from cold spent canisters. You can’t insert much of the valve into the inflator head, so you have to be careful to avoid leaks. Price $33 w/16g cartridge

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