Vaude Men’s Moab Jacket II 2017
Reviews / Jackets
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At A Glance
Vaude continues to produce a vast array of outdoor clothing, and year on year they expand and improve their mountain bike range. Moab is the name which features heavily throughout their line up and this here is the Moab Jacket II.
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Soft shell, full zip and a hood are the first and simplest descriptors of the Moab II. Happily, it's these things I look for in most jackets and the design team have done a great job in producing a good looking piece whilst cramming in plenty of technology and care in the process.
Water repellent rather than proof means this is not a full winter jacket, and best suited for mixed weather. It's claimed as 80% windproof but also highly breathable, which is always hard to believe but that's what they say.
The hood is small, and not for going over a helmet, but can be simply attached down your back rather than offering any velcro straps. The zip is full length and chunky, matched with two big pockets. Drawcords are found on the neck and hem to keep things from flapping in the breeze. Arms are shaped and long with an asymmetric sleeve pattern on one side.
Vaude is known for doing right by the environment and those that work for them. It would be easy to gloss over this and quote some fancy acronyms, but they are one of the leaders in the sustainable and ethical production of clothing and as such should be praised for such forward-thinking. How does your current bike kit compare? Are you happy with their impact?
On The Trail
It's definitely a casual piece of kit, and you won't rock up to a ride looking like you're heading off on some KOM bashing mission. Happy on the bike or in the bakery, it's a versatile piece of kit suitable for a variety of settings without looking out of place.
Constructed fit I find on Vaude works well for me as a gangly armed 190cm human, with generous arm length and body length without getting too cavernous around the middle. I can wear a large happily where usually I need XL to get the length.
Temperature control on two wheels can always be a challenge, and it has to be pretty cool to be able to push hard in the Moab jacket. I found I would regularly start wearing it but quickly stash it in the pack for stops or descents. This worked well as it is very packable and light, making it easy to find a home for it in a pack.
At a stop, or on a windy summit, the Moab jacket did what was claimed and provided good shelter from the cutting wind. This ability to cut the wind, however, worked both ways, and I wasn't convinced by its breathability. Having a full zip soon sorts out your temperature, but overall I found the fabric pretty warm and a little sweaty.
Claiming only water repellency, I was impressed to find the jacket fought off an impressive amount of precipitation and even when wet managed to keep a bit of warmth in. It certainly found it's place on autumn rides when the weather was unpredictable and I can imagine those who ride in cold dry conditions could find this very applicable.
The build quality is great, and although it is now marked with oil and general dirt, the stitching and fabric has held up to abuse excellently. I can imagine the Moab II having a long and adventurous life, just as Vaude intended.
Overall
Comfortable, functional, and versatile, the Moab Jacket II may look laidback but the fabric does an impressive job of cutting both wind and rain. Constructed with the highest regard for sustainability, it's great to know Vaude think hard about their products and people. For everything other than the coldest and wettest, the Moab Jacket II is a great piece of clothing for riding bikes.
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By Ewen Turner
Ewen Turner is a self-confessed bike geek from Kendal in the Lake District of England. He runs a coaching and guiding business up there and has a plethora of knowledge about bikes with an analytical approach to testing. His passion for bicycles is infectious, and he’s a ripper on the trails who prefers to fit his working life around his time on the bike.
