LS2 Petrol £159.99
Modern design let down by waterproofing
The LS2 has a much straighter fit than almost all the other jackets here and has a more modern feel to it as a result. Initial fit was good though it felt a bit loose around the waist as a result of being a straight cut — pulling in the straps helped a little. It did up well with the drop liner zipped into the outer though this doesn’t feel like it has much thermal effect — it’s very thin and there’s no separate thermal liner. In the freezer, this was borne out, with the shoulders feeling chilly after 10 minutes and the arms a few minutes later. On the road, it’s quite long and as it’s narrow, it rides up and gapes. The vents do nothing with the drop liner in place but with it out,
there is loads of air flow from the two front vents but also, the mesh panels on the inside of the arms. It comes with no back protector but the armour feels decent and it’s AA rated, inspiring air confidence. But the water test let it down; with only two poppers on the neck, you can’t get it tight enough to prevent water coming in, even with the drop liner collar secured and my base layer was soaked down the front. Both front pockets were also soaked.
VERDICT
Another modern cut better suited to spring or summer riding — not up to winter.
‘The water test let it down — my base layer was soaked’
With its separate drop liner and thermal liner, the Oxford was tricky to get done up, with multiple zips, flaps and poppers and once on, felt a little bulky. There was a bit of a gape at the neck of the drop liner which couldn’t be adjusted out, as it was only fitted with a single popper but the outer managed. The drop-liner waist is elasticated so it fits well there and on the bike, the jacket feels a little loose overall around the midriff, though this would potentially change with a back protector fitted. Opening the vents with the drop liner in place made little difference and the forearm vent zips kept getting stuck — annoying. The whole thing felt a little clammy cross-country though. With the drop and thermal liners removed, it was nice and cool but by this point, was getting a bit flappy at motorway speeds, even with adjusters pulled in. Confidence was reasonable — the armour felt sturdy but the lack of a back protector and just an A CE rating hit this a bit. In the water test, it did very well — just a slight drip down through the neck with the drop liner collar fastened well and the pockets remained dry.
VERDICT
Took a knock in confidence but a flexible jacket that kept the rider warm and dry.