Skip to main content

Madison Flux Super Light Waterproof Softshell jacket


Madison’s softshell has some well-designed details that usually come on more expensive styles, such as gripper print on the shoulders to keep pack straps in place and a fastening for the adjustable over/under peaked hood so that you can roll it up when not in use. We liked the fabric too – it’s so lightweight you don’t feel like you’re wearing it, but adds the right amount of warmth and windproofing, and is pretty breathable. Longer at the back, the jacket keeps you well covered and the fit is relaxed enough for layering but not overly baggy. There are underarm vent holes and two zipped chest pockets. The water-resistant main zip is heavy in relation to the fabric, though, and makes the front of the jacket sag down when you’re in the riding position.

Weight 240g

Price $195

Popular posts from this blog

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.

Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

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

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.

Anthony Messere’s Morpheus Vimana Slope

A flying chariot built with one thing in mind – slopestyle domination