Polaris Bikewear Summit 2015
Reviews / Jackets
2,658
At A Glance
Polaris have been making top quality bike wear for some time and the Summit jacket is a strong reflection of that. It’s a lightweight 2.5 layer waterproof jacket that is fully breathable. 2.5 layer construction is about as light as you can get and has been used in the industry for a while, and the HydroVent fabric used in the jacket is specifically made for Polaris and it is has been designed with biking in mind.
Buy Jackets on
The Summit is available in three different colours, a grey and black for the more modest rider, this two-tone blue that we have on test and also a black and green for the more outlandish types. The waterproof front zip features a storm baffle, no it doesn’t ask tricky questions at incoming weather, but provides a second layer of waterproof protection behind the zip to ensure you stay dry.
There is a stowable hood, which tucks neatly into the collar and also a chest zip pocket, which is waterproof and has a port for headphones. Velcro cuffs allow you to seal off the elements at the wrist and there are two vent panels on the sides of the chest.
On The Trail
The Summit is a great jacket for packing down small and chucking into your pack. It’s so light and packs so small that you won’t begrudge carrying it around on the off chance you get caught in a downpour. We loved the long zip pulls which are really easy to use when you are wearing gloves, it’s the small things that make a difference!
The hood is a decent size, and it is adjustable, however it won’t fit over your helmet. It’s a welcome touch for those damp moments when you are on the trail fixing broken bikes though and stows neatly away when you aren’t using it. The chest pocket is perfect for storing an iPhone or MP3 player and the headphone port is a nice touch.
The Velcro cuffs work well and you can easily make a decent seal if you need to. The internal seams are all sealed from the elements too and this jacket performed exceedingly well when it was wet. It didn’t spring any leaks and when you get hot there are two side chest vents that can expel a bit of that warm moist air.
Overall
The highlight of the Summit, for us, is the lightweight nature of the jacket. If it was packed with pockets and complicated vents it would become heavier and bulkier. In its minimal guise it’s the perfect companion for those rides when you never know what the weather is going to do. If the weather does turn foul, you’ll be able to whip this out of your bag with the confidence that you will stay dry!
This review was in Issue 32 of IMB.
For more information visit Polaris BikewearRelated
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.
