Fox Downpour jacket review

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

Get 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 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.