All Arround MTB

MTB gear with F1 pedigree Headed up by Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber, new outdoor clothing brand Aussie Grit boast of design “with an absence of negatives” – and we certainly hope that’s the case, given the eyewatering prices. Shown here are their Flint bike shorts, which are made from a four-way stretch fabric and have a built-in liner that’s joined to the outer through its elasticated, drawcord-secured ‘Anchor’ waistband. The matching jacket is fairly minimal in terms of features, and made from a three-layer breathable and waterproof fabric. It’s got shaped sleeves, a zipped chest pocket and an offset main zip. Does all this warrant the cost? We’ll find out soon when we put it to the test. Price $225 (shorts), $330 (jacket)

This part-insulated version of Gore’s Power Trail jacket mixes their water-repellent Windstopper fabric with strategically-placed PrimaLoft Gold insulation. It puts the weatherproofing and insulation where you need it most, and joins it all up with highly breathable stretch panels. While it warms up quickly as you start riding, it doesn’t let you overheat, so it’s good for stop/start days. The fit is slim but not tight, with a drop hem, and allows complete range of movement, while the snug collar is higher than most. It has two zipped hand pockets and a chest pocket. We like the cut and construction of the sleeves and cuffs, which works perfectly with winter gloves to avoid gapping or bunching. This jacket's outstanding performance means we’ll be wearing it all winter, on and off the bike. Weight 439g Price $330

It may be budget-priced, but this softshell is anything but basic. The windproof fabric has a sturdy quality and a DWR finish keeps light rain at bay, while a grid-fleece lining aids wicking and gives an instant ‘ahh’ of cosiness, as well as feeling soft against the skin if you’re in short sleeves (and you really don’t need to layer up much – this is a warm jacket). The cut is casual but becomes more functional on the bike, with a dropped back hem, good sleeve and cuff shape, and soft inner cuff gaiters that seal in warmth. Mesh pocket linings that double as front vents, a waterproof main zip and a drawcord-adjustable hem and hood with a stiffened peak are extra features that add to the overall comfort and wearability. It’s incredibly well priced for a jacket that ticks so many boxes. Weight 562g Price $120

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 aw...

Canada’s 7mesh have quickly earned a reputation for immaculate cuts and close attention to detail. The clean-lined Strategy jacket is made from two different weights of Gore Windstopper and, unusually for a softshell, has taped seams, making it highly weatherproof as well as warm and windproof. Construction quality is amazing – you could wear it inside-out and no one would know. Breathability is helped by lighter panels under the arms and at the back – a combo that really works. The fit is slim but the articulated shoulders and sleeves allow great freedom of movement. This is the holy grail of perfect fit and fabric mix that makes for a superb jacket. We love this for fast XC trails when the riding, and not what we’re wearing, is all we want to think about – and it’s currently reduced to $118. Weight 301g Price $297

This is a non-bike-specific style but it’s so beautifully made and fits so well, both on and off the bike, that its versatility becomes the point and makes the price easier to stomach. Made from Gore Windstopper with DWR, it’s windproof, highly water resistant and breathable. We’ve been riding in it with just a baselayer for cold starts and will add a midlayer once things get properly cold. Its understated, stylish looks belie the attention to detail. It has an under-helmet hood, ample pockets (two hand-warmers plus one on the chest), easily grabbable zip-pulls and generous pit-zips to regulate temperature. Thin and light enough to pack into its own pocket, the fabric also has stretch to enhance movement and comfort. The thumb loops are a nice touch, but never quite work on the bike. Weight 364g Price $270

The first thing that strikes you about the Levitation is that when you move your arms, the body doesn’t shift at all. This makes for a jacket that feels instantly ‘right’ on the bike. The fact that it was originally designed for climbing goes some way to explain the exceptional range of movement, and attention to detail is carried through the rest of its construction. Rubberised zip-pulls, a fleece-lined collar and a zip garage are just some of its features. The slim but roomy cut, well-designed over-helmet hood and cuffs that work well with gloves and push up easily make the Levitation outstanding in terms of comfort. There’s a robust quality to the fabric, which is abrasion as well as wind and water-resistant thanks to a DWR finish, making this a real contender in a multi-activity kit line-up. Weight 460g Price $240

Scott consistently produce well-designed kit and the Trail MTN doesn’t disappoint, even though it’s not bike-specific. If you’re tall you’ll appreciate the long sleeves and extra body length, which, combined with the roomy (but not baggy) fit, make it supremely comfortable. The lightweight waterproof and windproof fabric has a high degree of stretch and is very warm but breathes well too – we never felt like we were in danger of overheating. The generous peaked hood goes over a helmet but is so well shaped it moves with your head and doesn’t obscure your vision. Other details include underarm perforations, welded seams, zipped hand-warmer pockets and usefully long zip-pulls. The Trail MTN Dryo 30 isn’t cheap but the quality and comfort make it worth the investment. Weight 406g Price $255

Essentially a technical hoody, the SingleTrack is light and comfy, with a relaxed cut that’s all casual style off the bike but, thanks to a longer back hem and plenty of movement through the shoulders, works well on it too. The DWR finish will keep a shower off but it’s not waterproof, and if you ride hard it gets warm, though not to the point where you overheat. To aid breathability it has ventilation holes under the arms, but we’re not sure these make a lot of difference. Despite its simple styling it has two zipped hand-warmer pockets, an internal chest pocket (with media port) and useful inner stash pockets that are perfect for keeping gloves in. The taped back neck is a quality construction detail. In case you don’t love colour blocking, the SingleTrack comes in an understated black finish as well. Weight 428g Price $150

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

Vaude have a commitment to creating environmentally-friendly products, and the Larrau features ‘Eco Finish’, a water-repellent treatment that’s PFC free. We can’t attest to its long-term durability, but from new it works well. This smart jacket feels nice and light, and the inner face of the fabric contains a touch of merino wool, giving it a comfortable balance of warmth and breathability. We liked the cut, with its tall collar and long body, but found the top of the sleeves snug compared to the rest of the jacket, which restricted movement on the bike. If you have a swimmer’s build you may need to size up. There are two zipped chest pockets that double as vents, plus one rear side pocket. The well-designed cuffs extend over your hands, and the zip garage and reflective trim are welcome features. Weight 410g Price $255

This casual hoody-style jacket has slouchy appeal off the bike, but enough functional detail that it won’t let you down on it. The DWR-coated, windproof softshell fabric has four-way stretch, which enhances the easy cut so that you get good freedom of movement on the bike, and the relaxed fit means you can easily layer up underneath. It’s reasonably waterproof and breathes well but isn’t super-warm. The hood is especially good – it’s generous enough to go over a helmet and easy to adjust with one hand for a non-restrictive fit. There’s a single chest pocket and two hand-warmer pockets, one with a pull-out lens wipe. Other features include a slight dropped hem and Velcro adjusters on the cuffs. Our main gripe is that the sleeves come up a bit short when you’re in the riding position. Weight 457g Price $180

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

Helly Hansen make good cold-weather gear so we tested the Crew with a certain level of expectation. Highly water-repellent on the outside, it’s all cosy fleece warmth on the inside – a combination that was a delight on early starts but does get very warm on all but the chilliest of rides. The fit is slim, but that’s OK because you don’t need to pile the layers on underneath. It does mean there isn’t quite the freedom of movement in the shoulders that we’d like, though. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but points it out as a non-bikespecific jacket. Good features include two zipped hand pockets and a chest pocket, plus a tall collar with zip garage. It’s a really nice jacket, but not ideal for riding in because it’s too warm. We’d keep it as one to pull on post-ride. Weight 610g Price $180

The ‘tennis heart-throb circa 1970’ vibe of this jacket has a certain appeal, but it delivers more than just style. Essentially a fleece with strategically-placed windproof panels, it’s an amped-up jersey, and one that works well.We didn’t overheat, even when riding hard, and the protective front keeps the cold off on long descents. The cut is relaxed, and silicone gripper keeps the long back hem firmly in place. It fits well on the bike and looks good off it too, making it a versatile item.We liked the Alpinestars jacket much more than we thought we would – it’s much warmer than we anticipated and, although we’d layer a waterproof over the top on days that are both cold and wet, on dry rides it works just fine on its own. It also has a useful zipped side pocket for essentials. Weight 365g Price $165

Bontrager’s Starvos is a hybrid jacket/jersey that combines windproof panels on the front and arms with a lighter, more breathable knit at the back. This is a tried and tested approach that keeps wind and light rain off where it matters, so you’re protected in bad weather and from the chill of descents, but allows heat to dissipate faster than a jacket made wholly from softshell material. While the cut is relaxed enough that you can add insulating midlayers, we found it was warm enough to work fine on frosty mornings with just a baselayer underneath. The longer back is very jersey-like, with an elasticated hem and gripper and three open pockets, and the cuffs are elasticated too. More of a beefedup jersey than a jacket, the S1 is well priced and good for crisp, dry days, but not as capable as others here. Weight 473g Price $135

Norrona’s trollveggen range is designed for the most extreme alpine conditions so, while it’s not a bikespecific design, the GTLP gives excellent protection from the elements. The high specification of this Norwegian brand makes for an eye-watering price though. Made from Gore-Tex Light Pro, which delivers maximum durability and breathability, the jacket does almost stand up by itself but doesn’t feel uncomfortable on. Simple lines and easy-to-use features – in the form of waterproof zips, two large chest pockets and an over-the-helmet hood that fits perfectly (when you move your head, the body of the jacket doesn’t move at all) – make it a joy to wear. The two-way pit zips are the best we’ve tried, and usable even on the fly. This jacket is the ultimate in winter mountain biking protection. Weight 455g Price $674

It’s neither the lightest nor the most breathable mountain bike jacket, but in terms of balance of features and protection for the money, the Mayhem 2 delivers excellent value. There’s no compromise on fit – it’s slim through the body but with enough room in the shoulders for freedom of movement on the bike, plus it comfortably accommodates extra layers. A chest pocket takes a phone or keys, and we like the practicality of the contrast black lower back and sleeves, which don’t show the trail muck quite as much. The hood goes over a helmet (if you’re very tall, you may find it snug when fully zipped up, but it still works well) and there are vents under the arms. Our only quibble is that we’d prefer them to be longer, to increase airflow and help with the Altura jacket’s limited breathability. Weight 369g Price $180

In a field of not just good but very good jackets, the Power Trail nudges ahead because, having worn everything else, we found ourselves coming back to it. Simply put, it just feels right. The cut is immaculate. Underarm fit seems to be the hardest thing to get right on a bike jacket, but this is perfect – raise your arms and the body of the jacket stays put. The shape of the arms means they articulate with yours in the riding position. With a semi-fitted cut, there’s enough room to add layers but it doesn’t feel baggy if you don’t. Gore’s construction quality is always high, but the detailing here is also impressive. The hood is designed to go under rather than over a helmet, with a stretch inner band and narrow turn-back on the outer that channels water down and away from your face. Once we tried it, we were converted to the under-lid design, which felt better than even the best-cut over-helmet alternatives. The zip pulls have been improved and made longer and the one chest poc...

Our mantra of ‘great fabric, focused design’ is perfectly illustrated by the Delirious. It’s made from Gore-Tex Active Shell, which we’ve found to give a high level of breathability even on milder days. Sweet Protection have worked the fabric into an unfussy style with one pocket and a killer fit, with an extra-long drop to the back that’s kept in place with a drawcord hem. Together with an adjustable collar and cuffs, this means you feel properly sealed in – but please note that there’s no hood. The cut looks slimmer than it is, meaning that it accommodates winter layers well but doesn’t feel too baggy when worn over just a single baselayer. This is a deceptively simple jacket but one that hits the spot in terms of cut and waterproof performance on the bike, as you’d expect given the price tag. Weight 258g Price $360