dhb Trail Waterproof review

Dhb has a well-deserved reputation for quality kit at accessible prices and its Trail Waterproof jacket doesn’t disappoint.

This is a specification that ticks all the important boxes, starting with a stretch 20k/20k three-layer waterproof fabric that feels substantial but not heavy.

From the top of the hood (designed to go over a helmet) to the clever drawcord adjustment at the drop back hem, it has features that are well thought through and make a difference.

The shaped cuffs are a construction detail usually found on higher-price jackets, the hood folds away (as all should in our opinion) and the rubber zip pulls are easy to grab with freezing or gloved fingers.

dhb Trail Waterproof jacket performance

On the bike, the stretch advantage of the material is immediately noticeable.

Reaching forward, you can feel ease in the back where it would otherwise be tight – and that means the sleeves barely move.

It allows the cut of the jacket to be slimmer yet deliver sufficient freedom of movement, which makes for an overall more comfortable ride.

There is still room for layering, though, and it's just relaxed enough to wear off the bike too.

Continuing the theme of cut, the cuffs deserve an honourable mention of their own.

Shaped over the back of the hands, they sit well over gloves and as you move forwards after dropping off the back of the saddle – when the sleeves will inevitably pull up to some degree – they just slide back into place.

It’s a detail, but I've lost count of the number of times I’ve done battle with adjustable cuffs that get stuck halfway up my arms in the same situation.

The hood is designed to go over a helmet, but even so I found it pulled a little, so opted to wear it underneath, where it works just as well, with unrestricted vision and a stiffened peak that stops the drips.

Another detail that makes a difference is that the hem drawcord pulls in at each side, rather than running all the way through.

The result is a dropped tail that's pulled protectively close but stays flat and doesn’t ride up, ensuring your backside is better protected against rear-wheel spray.

Three-layer fabrics are durable but they can be warm. To mitigate this, the long-zipped pockets are mesh lined so that they can double up as vents should you need them.

Having ridden in this jacket in a combination of mild temperatures (12-14℃) but rain so torrential I was disinclined to open any zips at all, I was surprised how well it coped with the heat build-up.

It’s been underpinned with long- and short-sleeve baselayers, and the inside is smooth enough to feel good on bare arms without becoming sticky, as you’d expect from three-layer fabric.

Wearing the Trail with just a long-sleeve wicking layer will see you through a range of temperatures and conditions.

dhb Trail Waterproof jacket bottom line

The Trail is a quiet hero: it shows up, does the job well and isn’t demanding of the budget.

And while it's bike-specific, it’s versatile enough to be worn off it too.