Scott Trail MTN 10 jacket.

First published in Singletrack Magazine issue 99

At Eurobike 2014, I was on a personal mission to find a jacket that would give me all the protection I needed for a full-on winter of riding. With eight airship hangers full of gear to browse, this task posed no mean feat; however, without much hesitation, I settled on the Scott Trail MTB 10 as the jacket that I would like to put to the test.

At this point, it is safe to say that I have not been disappointed. This winter seems to have been given an extension; I have worn it a lot and never found it lacking. From its first outing in freezing conditions in January, to fairly recently in the Cairngorms, accompanied by 60mph gales and sideways, torrential rain, it has remained completely watertight and the breathability, even on wet muggy days, has been excellent.

Fairly lightweight and not too bulky to stow, the three-layer Gore-Tex Active fabric has good flexibility while having a robust, durable feel, giving me confidence that it would cope with crashes and bramble bushes. A bonded lining prevents that clammy plastic feel that some less technical jackets present.

The fit is given as “Athletic” which is said to mean “slightly slimmer than regular”. I found it to be a well-tailored feminine cut, neat and streamlined without any bulk to get in the way. I am a standard size 12 and the medium fit me perfectly, with scope for up to four thin insulating layers beneath.

Rear protection is not overly generous, but the slightly dipped hem has elastic and a toggle to keep it snugly in place, keeping out draughts, wheel spray and flicking mud. The two large, laser-cut pockets with water resistant zips on the front of the jacket are lined with mesh and double up as vents. The sleeves are articulated and a good length for someone of average height when reaching forward. Low-profile Velcro tabs are easy to use fully gloved up, and combined with partly-elasticated cuffs provide a really secure seal at the wrist, without excess fabric to restrict movement. Also, should you feel the need to push up the sleeves to cool down, the stretch keeps them in place on the forearm. The collar is lined with super-soft fleecy material and the easy-pull zipper has a zip garage at the top to prevent any rubbing or chafing of the chin area.

A real selling point of this jacket for me is the integral hood; designed to fit snugly over the helmet, it does so perfectly and remains secure, even in gale force winds. Until I tested this jacket, I was not convinced that a helmet-compatible hood would be of any particular benefit; more likely a billowing encumbrance. I was wrong; I couldn’t believe how much extra body heat I retained when wearing it. Easy and convenient to pull on and off as required, without the need to remove my helmet, it can be rolled down neatly, sitting on the top of my pack when not in use.

In typical Scott fashion, this is a good-looking jacket that reflects the design standards that the brand is known for. The cost is substantial, but if you are looking for a high-quality, all-purpose, top of the range technical jacket then this is a sound investment that lives up to its price tag and will maximise your comfort levels when the weather turns nasty.