During the Bike Connection Winter 2018 at Massa Marittima, Fox passed on a full riding kit to media for testing. Together with the tested jacket, we’ve been wearing a long-sleeved shirt, some shorts and the new Flux helmet. Considering the season and the temperature, we were only able to try out the jacket, while we’ll leave the rest for spring, which is hopefully coming soon.
Details
As the name suggests, the Attack Pro Water is a waterproof and windproof jacket made of Truseal, a breathable fabric which keeps out air and water, along with Cordura protections on the elbows. The declared waterproof rating is of 15,000mm with sealed seams. Two front zip vents and a horizontal back exhaust provide ventilation.
The zipper is large and can be opened at both ends, which is very practical when wearing a back pack. By the way, silicone grippers on the shoulders help keeping your bag’s straps in place. The fluorescent Fox logo on the back keeps you highly visible to other people, especially drivers.
The inside of the collar is made of a comfortable soft fabric and practical Velcro straps allow you to tighten up cuffs. A draw string style cord is available around the waist to cinch down the base.
List Price: 230 Euro, cheaper online.
On the trail
I had several chances to test this jacket in wet conditions. It was more mud and water lifted by the wheels rather than heavy rain, and some below-zero rides, when I needed a protection against the wind over some warm clothes. The jacket is quite “sporty”: trim-fitting, and definitely not ideal for big bellied guys. I am 5 ft 9, weigh 71kg and wore a size medium comfortably. Anyway, the highly flexible fabric allows great freedom of movement. Cordura elbow protections help avoid tearing the jacket at the first fall. Apart from that, the fabric is very tough and resistant to thorns and branches.
Let’s start from ventilation: I was amazed by the fabric’s breathability, since it’s not the well-known Goretex. It is a single layer and it doesn’t feel uncomfortable, even on the skin. I usually don’t wear jackets while climbing, excluding heavy rain conditions, anyway, front openings make for a nice air flow, but aren’t as good as the classic armpit vents. The back vent panel works well unless you carry a backpack, since the latter presses the cover and blocks the opening. The front double zipper is very well thought out, with the backpack the bottom slider is definitely practical. In this way the air can easily come in and, provided the riding position is not too vertical, you can stay dry. The zipper is big and solid so that it’s easy to open and close, even wearing winter gloves, and it does not get stuck on to the surrounding fabric. The oblique line is just an aesthetic choice.
Regarding waterproof capability, the jacket kept me dry on really wet downhills, when water and mud spurts fully covered me and the jacket. The waterproof fabric works efficiently, and you can see droplets slide on the jacket and then fall to the ground. The lack of a hood can be an issue in case of a summer storm or prolonged rain, when it would be nice to have one under the helmet not to let rain pass through the collar.
Inside the backpack, the Fox Attack Pro takes up very little space, it can also fit a back pocket of a cycling jersey.
Conclusions
The Fox Attack Pro Water is a waterproof jacket which fits rather tight, solid yet breathable, and leaves great freedom of movement thanks to the stretch fabric. For those who love long alpine rides, the lack of a hood may be a problem, since rain can enter from the collar much more easily.
A lot of well thought out details.
