A lightweight, four-way stretch jacket is ideal for the majority of the riding season; Leatt’s DBX 2.0 Jacket has been a favorite, with a fit that’s dialed for mountain bike trail riding. Able to fold into its own pocket in order to easily stow it on the trail, it’s easy to carry for the height of the day and easy to retrieve when the temperatures drop.
Features (via Leatt)
- Lightweight four-way stretch
- Water-resistant and windproof
- 5.000mm/5.000g/m² waterproof/breathable material
- Dirt, water and stain-resistant fabric coating
- New X-Flow mesh inner lining.
- Magnetic hood system (Patent Pending):
- Keeps the hood at the back or
- Fixes the hood on the helmet (helmet magnet included)
- Tailored fit
- Folds into its own chest pocket
- Two-point, fully adjustable hood
- Reflective printing on lower back.
- Stretch fit cuffs and hems
Riding the Oregon coast trails at Klootchy Creek.
On the trail
The DBX 2.0 is water-resistant and breathable, but if I’m caught in a downpour, I don’t expect to be dry for long. That said, rain jackets are great for the height of the wet season, but coming into spring, a hardshell is simply overkill for anything short of a downpour. Even the best wicking rain jacket gets hot and damp from the inside when you’re pedaling, but a softshell is a different beast altogether.
I’ve also been wearing the previous year edition of the Leatt softshell. Similar to the hardshell iteration, with more pockets/ features make it better for casual use but less portable and warmer on the trail.
When traveling, we pack three weights of jackets – a hardshell for rain, a lighter softshell, and a packable windbreaker. Each has their place, but a softshell with 4-way stretch and some waterproof qualities is the Goldilocks of them all.
The Leatt DBX2 checks the boxes for what we look for in a jacket- it has a great fit that is fitted but not restrictive and can still pack down enough to stuff or strap onto a waist pack for when it warms up. Like Leatt’s other jackets it features a magnetic hood system to help keep the hood in place over your helmet while riding (should you need it).
While I prefer hand pockets, it’s a welcome trade-off for the packability of the DBX 2.0, and the chest pocket is useful.
In terms of fit, the DBX 2.0 is on the form-fitting side, which is my personal preference as it doesn’t flap around with extra material. Less material means less weight to carry which is a bonus for portability. I wear a size 38 suit jacket and the medium fit suits me well. (height: 5’10”, weight: 163lbs.)
The Leatt DBX 2 lists for $100. I’m wearing the 2019 iteration, with 2020 models coming in a bit higher at $120. Check it out at Leatt.com or support the site by shopping jackets at our retail partner JensonUSA.
