Completed the Robertstown 2 day trial over the weekend, and it was the first decent ride with the Traverse jacket on.
I got an XL, and was wearing it over an alpine star pressure suit. I found the jacket a little tight in the forearms over the elbow pads and across the shoulders. This was fine for riding, but when you stretched, it was restrictive. One activity it did make tough was zipping and unzipping the pit vents.
The rest of the jacket is really quite generous in sizing with plenty of room around the belly. The collar is really comfy, and the front zip and flap was good to use.
It’s been cold here in SA at the moment. We rode until 930 pm, when it was down to about 4 degrees, and the jacket was great. Air flowed well through it during the competitive sections, but kept the wind chill out on the transports. The next morning we left at 8 am, and it was just over 0 and once again it was great.
So in summary, the build quality and material of this jacket is top quality. The goretex is brilliant. Usually you ride the whole event bathed in sweat, but I never noticed that. The jacket lets your sweat evaporate as you go. Brilliant.
Sizing is a little confusing with some areas being too tight(shoulders and sleeves) while others a but roomy. But if your a slim shouldered big bellied lad, this may well be your jacket. With out the pressure suit it would be fine with a few mid layers on, but I don’t feel comfortable riding with out armour these days. I like the jacket, and am going to try and wear it to death. That may be hard due to the build quality.
And the best bit is I still haven’t worn it in the rain. When it does rain, I’ll be glad I’m in my goretex traverse jacket while everyone else is getting soaked.
