Troy Lee Design Descent waterproof jacket review

The Troy Lee Designs Descent gives a firm nod to the brand’s moto heritage in a jacket that feels as though it can go the distance, with no-nonsense styling yet attention to the details that matter.

It's a three-layer 10k/10k jacket, which means that it has a 10,000mm waterproof rating and a 10,000g/m2 breathability rating.

That's not the highest, but provides a balance of protection and breathability that should work fine in all but the most extreme or high-energy conditions.

Although not stuffed with extra features, a capacious over-helmet hood, long back hem and long rubberised zip pulls are details you appreciate when it’s cold and the rain isn’t going to stop before tea time.

Troy Lee Designs Descent waterproof jacket performance

Having ridden in this jacket across a range of mild autumn temperatures from 10-14℃ and rain that was sometimes light but mostly torrential, it was when things got very wet that the Descent was at its best.

The water beaded extremely well, not just from the start, but even after what can only be described as a sustained onslaught, and it didn’t wet out.

It was worn with the same long-sleeve Merino baselayer that underpins our testing of all waterproof jackets, and although it isn’t the most breathable jacket and does get warm, we didn’t overheat.

The hood is designed to be worn over a helmet and it does sit well, with the peak standing out to keep the drips from your eyes.

However, at a couple of inches over six feet tall, I found that there wasn’t enough length through the back of either the hood or the body to be truly comfortable.

This might not be a problem for shorter riders or those with shorter arms.

It feels fine when you’re standing up, but once on the bike the raised hood pulls at the back of the jacket and the collar rises up at the front, which feels stifling.

In other fit-related issues, with arms outstretched on the bars the sleeves ride up and the shoulders pull noticeably across the front.

There's a degree of stretch in the fabric that partly mitigates the latter, but I found myself constantly adjusting the sleeves throughout the course of a ride.

Your fit experience may differ, of course, but I'd recommend testing this on the bike you ride and throwing a few shapes before committing.

Returning to the details that matter, the handwarmer pockets are larger than they appear, with space to the front and the back.

The long-length zip pulls all have rubberised ends, making them easy to grab with cold or gloved hands.

Troy Lee Designs Descent waterproof jacket bottom line

I appreciated this jacket most in heavy rain, when its rugged nature and easy shrugging off of surface water gave me an all-round protected feel.

These are benefits that would see you happily commit to a day of uplifts, even with an ominous weather forecast.

Where it delivered less well for me was the fit, but that will be dependent on individual body shape.