Intrepid are a new rider owned, rider designed UK-based clothing company. This hooded softshell is their first product. From the second we put it on we knew riders had had something to do with the design because it just fits right.
The articulated, reinforced elbows, the neck and the hood are all detail areas where others let themselves down, but not here. A tailored approach to fit makes the Ultimate great to ride in. It looks stylish and pub wearable, but on the bike this jacket comes alive.
Reach forward and the arms feel the perfect length and the drop tail is spot-on. A large rear pocket can hold quite a bit and has allowed us to go packless a few times. There are thumb loops and a zip lift-pass pocket on the left forearm.
Intrepid call it extremely breathable, but make no specific claims about windproofness or water resistance. We’ve ridden in it on wet and blowy days and it’s been able to fend off both elements to a high enough degree so as not to worry us.
A full-on downpour would require a secondary waterproof layer but that’s the case for pretty much all softshells. It’s the best fitting and best specced hooded jacket of its type that we’ve used. Not cheap, but worth it.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.