Decathlon Rockrider MTB Softshell Jacket review

The Decathlon Rockrider MTB Softshell Jacket is a perfect example of the brand's reputation for making quality products at a bargain price.

It's capable of dealing with a range of winter weather, impressively breathable and has some useful spec details.

Providing the fit works for you, this jacket is unlikely to disappoint, but that could be an issue for some.

Decathlon Rockrider MTB Softshell Jacket details and specification

Decathlon has taken the formula for a simple softshell jacket and gone to town with the Rockrider MTB. It's warm, stretchy and windproof, while Decathlon has added panels of thin, fleece-backed breathable stretch fabric spanning the length of the sleeves and armpit area.

To protect you from the elements, there's a dropped tail that reaches the saddle when seated. The cuffs house internal sleeves with thumb loops to prevent cold air rushing in and Decathlon has included a detachable collar shaped for shielding your face from bitter winds.

A ventilation flap extends across the upper back, lined with a mesh insert, which is claimed to aid air circulation and provide moisture management.

There are four pockets on the lower back of the jacket, two of which are secured with zips, making them suitable for a small phone and keys.

Decathlon Rockrider MTB Softshell Jacket performance

I tested the Rockrider at average temperatures between 4 and 5°C, in which I bordered on overheating at a moderate pace on the steep climbs.

Surprisingly, I was able to keep the jacket on for the duration of the ride by allowing cold air to circulate thanks to those breathable stretchy panels and vents.

Fully zipped up, the jacket pulls tight across the chest area and shoulders. When reaching overhead, the whole jacket lifts up, leading me to suspect the tailoring isn’t quite right.

However, this isn’t an issue while pedalling or riding trails because there's plenty of flexibility in the material where it’s needed in this forwards position.

The sleeves are particularly long, bunching up around the wrists even in the riding position, but this means they stay in place over the top of cycling gloves.

The internal thumb loop section of the sleeves accentuates this, leaving a clumsy concertina of excess fabric at the wrists.

Although the jacket has plenty of storage space on the back, when the pockets are full they interfere with hip packs or hydration packs, rendering them less useful. A lack of sizeable hand pockets might trouble some too.

The Rockrider offers excellent wind protection and its DWR treatment is effective in showers.

The 437g weight (medium size) gives away its budget price, however.

Decathlon Rockrider MTB Softshell Jacket bottom line

Overall, this is an impressive piece of winter kit with the features and performance normally associated with a higher price tag.

The tailoring of the chest and shoulders cause the fabric to pull tight and the jacket to lift when you raise your arms overhead. How you feel about this issue, plus whether you want a hood or not, are likely to determine whether the Rockrider is the right jacket for you.