Fox Head Downpour Jacket 2015
Reviews / Jackets
202,667
At A Glance
The Downpour is a new jacket for 2015 from Fox Head; it sits at the very pinnacle of the range with a pretty tasty price tag to go with it. It’s built from a new dual layer 4-way stretch material, which has an almost rubberised feel on the inside. The fabric has a 10k/10k waterproof/breathable rating, which will keep you nice and dry during a sustained rain shower, yet still offer a good amount of breathability.
Buy Jackets on
Inside all the seams are fully sealed and the jacket uses water resistant zippers, there is also a stashable fitted hood with elastic detailing to ensure a snug fit over a helmet. The rear of the jacket has a laser cut perforated vent cut into it and there is a hidden pocket which can hold a small smart phone or MP3 player with a headphone port to the inside of the jacket.
On The Trail
Slipping into the Downpour Jacket feels a little strange at first; the rubberised fabric gives a slightly odd sensation on any naked skin such as your arms if you are wearing a short sleeve top underneath! Once you get past that though you soon start to realise the benefits. It has a slim stylish cut, yet at the same time the 4-way stretch fabric offers fantastic mobility as you move around the bike and down the trail.
The details are there too, the internal mobile phone/MP3 pocket is a nice touch, keeping your phone up and away from your keys. (Bear in mind that larger smart phones won’t fit in there though.) The water resistant zips are fantastic and the cuffs on the sleeves do a good job of making a decent seal when the weather gets really inclement.
Breathability is also very good, for sure on really long hot fast rides you’ll get a bit of a sweat build up under your pack on your back, but if you are riding without a pack this isn’t an issue. There are two side vents, which you can open and close to lose a little heat and the vent on the back does a good job of exhausting heat when you really pile on the pace uphill.
The hood is great, it’s perfect for those stops where you are fixing your bike or getting some much needed fuel. Depending on the size of your lid, you can just about fit it over your helmet, however it is probably better suited to just pulling over your head when you stop riding and take the lid off. It’s great that it is stashable too, take care to do a decent job of rolling it up and tucking it away as otherwise you can end up with a sausage round your neck.
Overall
Pricey, but stylish. At the moment it only comes in the Acid Green colour, so for the lovers of unassuming black jackets it might be a bit larey, for the more style conscious rider looking to add a bit of colour to their lives it won’t be a problem. With decent waterproof and breathability ratings this jacket should see you through the harshest of rides. There are plenty of features to keep the most technically minded rider happy too.
This review was in Issue 32 of IMB.
For more information visit Fox HeadRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou Chater is the Publishing Editor of IMB Magazine; he’s a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, but his passion for bikes knows no bounds. His first mountain bike was a Trek 820, which he bought in 1990. It didn’t take him long to earn himself a trip to the hospital on it, and he’s never looked back since. These days he’s keeping it rubber side down, riding locally and overseas as much as possible.
