Fox Downpour jacket review

Coat for the coldest days

Our rating

3

250.00

165.00

Fox Downpour jacket

Steve Behr

Robin Weaver

Published: January 28, 2015 at 10:00 am

Our review

Not the most breathable jacket, but does a solid job of keeping the elements out on really cold, wet days

The new Downpour jacket from Fox offers some well-considered mountain bike specific features, all packaged up stylishly in one of the best looking waterproofs out there.

Thanks to the four-way stretch fabric, movement remains unrestricted, and the rubbery-feeling finish means there’s none of that loud crinkling noise you get with some of the more rigid waterproof materials out there. The cut offers enough length in the arms and at the rear when you’re stretched out in the saddle too, so you never really feel exposed to the elements.

The stashable hood is a handy touch:

The stashable hood is a handy touchGet working really hard on the bike and you’ll soon notice that the Downpour isn’t the most breathable jacket. Even with just a baselayer underneath, things heat up quickly and get pretty clammy too. Luckily the two zipped, easy access underarm vents do offer some light relief but this one is definitely better suited to really cold days.

Vents provide some limited heat relief, but this is really a jacket for cold days:

Thanks to the four-way stretch fabric, movement remains unrestricted, and the rubbery-feeling finish means there’s none of that loud crinkling noise you get with some of the more rigid waterproof materials out there. The cut offers enough length in the arms and at the rear when you’re stretched out in the saddle too, so you never really feel exposed to the elements.

The stashable hood is a handy touch:

The stashable hood is a handy touchGet working really hard on the bike and you’ll soon notice that the Downpour isn’t the most breathable jacket. Even with just a baselayer underneath, things heat up quickly and get pretty clammy too. Luckily the two zipped, easy access underarm vents do offer some light relief but this one is definitely better suited to really cold days.

Vents provide some limited heat relief, but this is really a jacket for cold days:

Vents provide some limited heat relief, but this is really a jacket for chilly days

We found the Downpour particularly useful on wet uplift days when the temperature had really dropped. It’ll keep you surprisingly warm and do a great job of sealing the weather well and truly out.

We found ourselves using the two zipped pockets constantly and the stashable hood is a nice touch if you’re stuck outdoors in the ugliest weather.

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Technical editor-in-chief

Rob is BikeRadar and MBUK’s technical editor-in-chief. Our resident tech nerd has lived and breathed mountain bikes since the age of nine. After a couple of years ripping around his local woods, he raced cross-country through the early 90s. A shift to downhill better suited his skillset and he soon became a regular on the national circuit before having a crack at some UCI Downhill World Cups. Rob always had an eye for tech and was keen to glean any kind of mechanical advantage possible. Whether that was through geometry changes, suspension tuning or adapting parts, he learned quickly that an open mind is key. He began working as a freelance writer for MBUK over 20 years ago, while he finished his degree in sports technology. He landed his dream role as technical editor 15 years ago. Rob’s passion for bikes encompasses just about anything with two wheels, including fast and efficient cross-country bikes and long-travel enduro rigs or downhill machines. He rides on the road and gravel, too. He’s tested hundreds of bikes, piles of components and mountains of kit, so understands what does and doesn’t work.

Height: 172cm
Bike size: Medium/450-460mm reach