dhb Trail Waterproof review
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dhb Trail Waterproof review

Well-specified full waterproof jacket designed especially for all-weather trail use

Our rating

4

170.00
190.00
150.00
273.00

Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Published: November 13, 2021 at 9:00 am

Our review
Well-specified waterproof performance and comfort at a great price

Pros:

Quality of specification; value; comfort

Cons:

The hood doesn’t quite work over a helmet for taller riders

Dhb has a well-deserved reputation for quality kit at accessible prices and its Trail Waterproof jacket doesn’t disappoint.

This is a specification that ticks all the important boxes, starting with a stretch 20k/20k three-layer waterproof fabric that feels substantial but not heavy.

From the top of the hood (designed to go over a helmet) to the clever drawcord adjustment at the drop back hem, it has features that are well thought through and make a difference.

The shaped cuffs are a construction detail usually found on higher-price jackets, the hood folds away (as all should in our opinion) and the rubber zip pulls are easy to grab with freezing or gloved fingers.

To find the right size jacket for your body shape, please consult each manufacturers’ size guides, and come equipped with key measurements such as chest diameter, arm length and height.

Our male tester requested a jacket to fit his 184cm/6ft height, 96.5cm/38in chest and 86.3cm/34in sleeves.

dhb Trail Waterproof jacket performance

On the bike, the stretch advantage of the material is immediately noticeable.

Reaching forward, you can feel ease in the back where it would otherwise be tight – and that means the sleeves barely move.

It allows the cut of the jacket to be slimmer yet deliver sufficient freedom of movement, which makes for an overall more comfortable ride.

dhb Trail Waterproof jacket for trail mountain biking
The jacket's slimmer cut still enables plenty of movement. Russell Burton / Immediate Media

There is still room for layering, though, and it's just relaxed enough to wear off the bike too.

Continuing the theme of cut, the cuffs deserve an honourable mention of their own.

Shaped over the back of the hands, they sit well over gloves and as you move forwards after dropping off the back of the saddle – when the sleeves will inevitably pull up to some degree – they just slide back into place.

dhb Trail Waterproof jacket
The dropped tail provides protection against rear-wheel spray. Russell Burton / Immediate Media

It’s a detail, but I've lost count of the number of times I’ve done battle with adjustable cuffs that get stuck halfway up my arms in the same situation.

The hood is designed to go over a helmet, but even so I found it pulled a little, so opted to wear it underneath, where it works just as well, with unrestricted vision and a stiffened peak that stops the drips.

DHB Trail Waterproof jacket for trail mountain biking
The Trail Waterproof will fit over a helmet. Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Another detail that makes a difference is that the hem drawcord pulls in at each side, rather than running all the way through.

The result is a dropped tail that's pulled protectively close but stays flat and doesn’t ride up, ensuring your backside is better protected against rear-wheel spray.

Three-layer fabrics are durable but they can be warm. To mitigate this, the long-zipped pockets are mesh lined so that they can double up as vents should you need them.

dhb Trail Waterproof jacket for trail mountain biking
Long-zipped pockets work as handy vents too. Russell Burton / Immediate Media

Having ridden in this jacket in a combination of mild temperatures (12-14℃) but rain so torrential I was disinclined to open any zips at all, I was surprised how well it coped with the heat build-up.

It’s been underpinned with long- and short-sleeve baselayers, and the inside is smooth enough to feel good on bare arms without becoming sticky, as you’d expect from three-layer fabric.

Wearing the Trail with just a long-sleeve wicking layer will see you through a range of temperatures and conditions.

dhb Trail Waterproof jacket bottom line

The Trail is a quiet hero: it shows up, does the job well and isn’t demanding of the budget.

And while it's bike-specific, it’s versatile enough to be worn off it too.

Product

Brand dhb2
Price 273.00 AUD,170.00 EUR,150.00 GBP,190.00 USD
Weight 394.0000, GRAM (M) -

Features

br_gender mens
Features Material: Three-layer fabric with stretch

Waterproof rating: 20,000mm

Breathability rating: 20,000g/m²

Hood: Adjustable packaway hood

Zip: Waterproof YKK Aquaguard front zip

Pockets: Vent option pockets

Cuffs: Shaped cuffs

Hem: Adjustable dropped back hem