Bike Perfect Verdict
Tough and packable weatherproof layer that is perfect for fair weather MTB and bikepacking trips where stow ability is more important than all-out weatherproofing.
Pros
- +
Very windproof
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Lightweight and packs small
- +
Fits really well, hood is also very well-measured
- +
Double zip
Cons
- -
Limited rain protection
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High price
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Velocio’s Ultralight Trail Hooded jacket has been in its lineup for a while although it recently changed department to Velocio’s new Off-Road Equipment MTB range. Made from Pertex Quantum Air fabric, the Ultralight Trail jacket is designed to be the best MTB jacket if you’re looking for a light and packable shell. It has been a regular ride companion for me over the last year or two, getting tucked away in frame bags and pockets ready for any unexpected unfavorable weather changes.
Design and specifications
Velocio has used Pertex Quantum Air fabric for the jacket which is very light at 50gsm and is designed to be weather-resistant, windproof, and breathable. The material has a hydrostatic head rating of 6k which is backed up with a DWR treatment which should be enough to fend off the odd shower. The fabric has a decent amount of stretch to aid fit and the cuffs and rear hem are elasticated to stop any chilly breezes sneaking in.
The jacket features a double-ended front zip so you can let your coattails flap from the bottom if you need a little head dissipation. The zip has a draught excluding strip that backs the full length of the zip.
The hood is generous enough to swallow a helmet easily and has a slightly stiffened peak to help keep it flat and in place when riding. Rather than use a drawstring to cinch the hood down, Velocio has opted for elasticated sections on the edges and rear of the hood to add tension when being worn.
There are two zipped pockets on the jacket for storage, there’s an inside chest pocket and a zipped rear pocket. The zipped rear pocket doubles as the stuff sack. Stuffing is a very simple process as the pocket is quite large but once the jacket is zipped into the pocket it can be squished down to quite a small size.
The overall weight for my medium review sample is 136g, which is very impressive considering the Gore’s ultra-premium C5 Shakedry 1985 jacket is 121g, more delicate, and doesn’t feature a hood.
Velocio has a ton of sizes which should cover all riders from XS to 4XL for men and 2XS to 3XL for women. The jacket comes in three color options; Charcoal, Moonrock, or the bright Fire Red I have on test.
Performance
The Pertex Quantum is properly lightweight and initially the thinness of the material had me doubting it would be all that waterproof or durable, however, the Ultralight Trail Hooded jacket has impressed me in both regards. Despite the material being so thin that a fair bit of light can penetrate through, it does a decent job at buffering rain and wind. Water will find its way in though so don’t expect to stay completely dry in heavy or extended showers. The jacket dries quickly so if you do get soaked, it doesn't take much riding before it will dry out again ready for the next shower or to be packed away again. Even if the jacket does wet through, it will remain windproof and stop biting wind chill so you stay surprisingly comfortable, albeit a touch soggy.
After two years of use, there is still enough DWR that splashes still roll off the surface. While I haven’t had any big tumbles in this jacket, I have subjected it to loads of backpack-wearing, bushwacking, and other trail-riding wear and tear and it's still in great nick.
Fit is very good, my size medium isn’t race neat but doesn't flap too much on speedy gravel rides, particularly if the hood is up. There is plenty of room for a few layers underneath too should you need a little extra insulation and it's casual enough to not look too dorky when worn with trail riding gear.
The hood fits well over a MTB or gravel helmet and stays in place while riding. The front of the jacket has a high collar too so when the hood is up it battens down the hatches around my face to avoid any draughts down the neck.
Verdict
Velocio’s Ultralight Trail Hooded jacket has been a solid emergency layer on MTB, gravel, and bikepacking rides. It's shower-resistant and impressively windproof, plus it’s still weatherproof despite plenty of rough stuffing, trail scuffing, and dirt splattering. The material is reasonably breathable too and the double zip means I could easily dump heat out if needed. Pack size and weight are very good as well, meaning it’s easy enough to stuff in a framebag or bib pocket. But at $189 / £151, it's pretty pricey considering the jacket is more of a windproof than a proper waterproof.
Tech specs: Velocio Ultralight Trail Hooded jacket
- Price: $189 / £151
- Weight: 136g (medium)
- Sizes: XS to 4XL (men), 2XS to 3XL (women)
- Colors: Charcoal, Moonrock, Fire Red
- Materials: Pertex Quantum Air
