QUICK HITS
• NF’s Zrilix™ 2 stretch fabric
• 5 pockets
• Shaped Elbows
• Sizes XS – XXL
WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE RIDE NF LIGHTWEIGHT TRAIL JACKET
The Lightweight Trail Jacket ticks all the boxes when it comes to wants and needs in a jacket you take with you on mountain bike rides. NF threw in some slick bonus checkboxes though, helping to boost the comfort and functionality of this piece.
The material is NF’s Zrilix™ 2 – the same blend they use for their Lightweight Trail Pant. Just like the DP5’s, there is stretch built into the material throughout the entire jacket. This is a blend of 88% Nylon and 12% Spandex. All materials are GRS 4 100% recycled certified or post-consumer materials. Even with its tighter overall fit, you do not feel restricted when on the bike thanks to that ample amount of movement in the fabric. This is not a waterproof fabric, however it is given a PFC-Free DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating to fend off light showers.
The elbows have a dedicated arrangement of stitching and panels that gives the jacket a natural elbows-bent form factor, further adding to its solid fit when getting rowdy on the bike. At the top of the wrist, there is an extension to the sleeve that helps keep wind and water away from the gap between the jacket and gloves – this is pretty slick. The front zipper is bi-directional, allowing for easy ventilation while on the climbs.
There are a total of 5 pockets: 3 on the exterior with YKK zippers, and two inside. The exterior hand pockets are large and can store plenty of snacks, a beer or anything else roughly the size of two large fists. The zippered chest pocket is quite deep, and roughly the size of a passport book. On the inside of each side panel there are two open stash pockets good for trash, glasses and even a pair of goggles with some elbow grease to squeeze them in. The hood is large enough for half shell helmets, but lacks a drawstring. Even without the drawstring when zipped up the hood does stay in place. Lastly there is a single drawstring for the waist to cinch the jacket down when the weather really starts to fight you.
Available in sizes XS to XXL with a choice of three colors, the Ride NF Lightweight Trail Jacket retails for $215.
THE DIRT
At 6’1” and 170lbs, I opted to wear a size large. As I mentioned above, the amount of stretch this jacket has is fricking sweet, allowing it to feel form-fitting without being restricting. Even when used with a base layer and an insulated vest, the fit was comfortable. NF recommends to size up if you want a baggy style, which would make sense. The forearm area is snug fitting, so if you really plan to use this in extreme temps where large base layers are needed, then sizing up may be essential. I would not let that deter you from getting the size you normally use, though. The “athletic fit” is a welcome trait for me, keeping excess material to a minimum.
I used this jacket in all sorts of weather over my six month test period. On warmer days where a storm was planned to roll in during my ride, utilising the two-way zipper for extra heat dissipation on the climbs was great. The zipper was easy to adjust on the move with just one hand, avoiding the need to stop to adjust. Even when fully zipped, the Zrilix™ 2 fabric material did a great job breathing and dissipating body heat. While the name of the jacket says “Lightweight”, it is not an ultralight packable jacket you can stuff in your downtube storage, but offers a little more in the ways of insulation.
It hits a sweet spot for the PNW weird weather days, though. We get a healthy amount of wind in Spokane, and when the temps are around 35F and the wind is kicking, you can feel it in your bones. The wind blocking feeling of this jacket is exactly what I would hope for in a do-everything product. On mild climbs where body heat was not high but trail speeds were moderate, the jacket kept me comfortable, and the added material over the tops of my gloves keeping the wind off my skin was awesome.
When getting rowdy, the Ride NF Lightweight Trail Jacket never held me back. There was so much flex and movement in the material that it blended into the background. I often wear my Evoc water pack with a chest mount camera. This combo on jackets without movement in the fabric can be extremely uncomfortable. Thankfully though I didn’t have any such issues with this jacket. I had many five hour rides with that combo, and have been as comfortable as one can with that setup.
The pockets offered heaps of storage potential, though I rarely took full advantage of it. Most commonly I was keeping a thin set of riding gloves in while I was climbing in more winter focused gloves, swapping them out at the top. They are large enough to easily fit my favourite trail snack, a croissant, without it getting too squashed. I did not often find myself using the chest pocket but would rather have it and not use it than wish it was there.
The PFC-free DWR coating combined with the Zrilix™ 2 material worked well in moderately wet conditions – a light sprinkle was easily handled by the material. And when the downpours came and the jacket soaked through, I did not feel waterlogged or get overly cold. I also found that the material tended to dry out pretty darn fast. I have no scientific tests to back this up, but it dried out notably quickly! The material had a robust feel without being bulky, backed up by how durable it has been. There’s been plenty of dirt samples under my piloting, with no notable damage to show for it. One thing worth noting is the Ride NF Lightweight Trail Jacket produced a bit of rustle when rubbing my arms on my torso. It wasn’t 90’s windbreaker loud, but something worth a mention.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE
I think a good comparison for this jacket is the Outdoor Research Freewheel pullover jacket. The biggest difference here is that the main full-length front zipper the NF jacket has compared to the 3/4 zip on the Freewheel. The materials at first feel quite similar, but the NF has roughly 20% more stretch. Combined with the angled elbows, this produced a more tailored fit and feel. Both jackets are a “PNW Lightweight” jacket, and can be worn in temps up to 60 degrees somewhat comfortably. The NF took the win in the breathability department. Both jackets have a very rip resistant feeling fabric with the OR taking the top spot when it comes to overall thickness. The addition of the side pockets on the NF is something I really like, especially when wearing it off the bike.
The Wolf’s Last Word
NF is making products they want to use day in and day out with extreme attention to detail. While they are most known for their line of pants, the Lightweight Trail Jacket is not to be slept on. Aptly categorised on their website under “Things to wear with your pants” this jacket has me not fretting over the inbound spring storms. The combination of stretchy material and MTB-specific tailored fit is exactly what riders are after. 
Price: $215
Website: Ridenf.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Cole’s den is in Spokane WA, where he relocated a few years back. Growing up in the lush, loamy playgrounds of the PNW, his soul is forever tied to steep, rooty descents and that unmistakable squish of perfect dirt. After 19 years of shredding, Cole’s been on every kind of rig out there. Once a die-hard fan of big travel bikes, he’s now on a quest for the mythical short-travel do-it-all machine. And yes, skids may be for kids, but this middle-aged manchild is here to prove they’re also for anyone who loves having a damn good time.
Rank: Professional Amateur
Size: 6’1” / 185cm | 170lbs / 77kg
Social: @adventuresbycole
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