A lightweight, four-way stretch jacket is ideal for the majority of the riding season; Leatt’s DBX 2.0 Jacket has been a favorite, with a fit that’s dialed in for mountain bike trail riding. Able to fold into its own pocket in order to easily stow it on the trail, it’s easy to carry for the height of the day and easy to retrieve when the temperatures drop.

The DBX 2.0 is water-resistant and breathable, but if I’m caught in a downpour, I don’t expect to be dry for long. That said, rain jackets are great for the height of the wet season, but coming into spring, a hardshell is simply overkill for anything short of a downpour. Even the best wicking rain jacket gets hot and damp from the inside when you’re pedaling, but a softshell is a different beast altogether.

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