This is the second jacket on test that uses the excellent new Polartec Alpha breathable insulation (we predict a slew of new coats featuring it next year), but what Fox have done here is consider every detail of what makes a jacket MTB-specific, in terms of fit and cut, and worked those in too. The fabric combination alone is complex – stretch softshell panels are used at the sides and under the arms, with Cordura abrasion-resistant reinforcement on the elbows and lightweight ripstop stretch nylon through the rest of body, all DWR treated. This translates to a wind and waterresistant jacket that’s warm enough to wear with just a baselayer underneath at a frosty 4°C but doesn’t overheat at 12°C. This is what Polartec’s Alpha insulation was engineered to do, and it works. But fabrics alone don’t make a jacket. The second part of the equation that makes the Pro Fire so good is its fit. Complete freedom of movement through the shoulders means no cold spots and a jacket you’re hardly aware you have on. We’d happily wear all the jackets here that scored 4.5 for different conditions on different days, but what sets Fox’s offering apart is that the fit is pretty much bike-perfect and it’s wearable in a range of temperatures. To top things off, it has a zipped chest pocket and drawcord hem to tweak the fit. A winning mix of insulation, weather protection and active fit – if you can afford it.
Weight 408g
Price $315