German brand iXS have a high profile on the Continent – they sponsor the European Downhill series – and they've got some good stuff to offer. The Sinister is described as a “crossover freeride jacket” and it wouldn’t look out of place off the bike.
It bridges the gap between traditional waterproofs and softshells, with a proprietary, fully waterproof fabric that’s towards the soft and stretchy end of the spectrum. Inside, there’s an unusual extra mesh liner that helps with moisture transport and comfort.
The Sinister has quite a generous cut, but it’s not flappy. Drawcords are tucked up inside the hem at the sides, and simple Velcro tabs look after the sleeves. There are pockets aplenty and a detachable hood.
A couple of hours of sustained rainfall failed to breach the Sinister’s defences and the temperature control was impressive. There are underarm zipped vents in case you start to push the breathability of the fabric.