Beneath the Alloy logo is a zippered vent that allows for airflow around the rider's body to circulate and exit at the back. The reflective logo is also a bonus for night riding.
Every off-road rider has certain pieces of riding equipment that are an essential addition to their gearbag. Your riding gear can be the most important factor in determining a good ride from a bad, or even if you go riding at all.
Depending on where you live, especially in the rainy and cold months that have descended upon us, the winter months bring a whole new set of challenges to off-roaders. After riding for years in Oregon rain and occasional snow with nothing more than layered jerseys, sweatshirts and rain jackets, I've finally added another item to my arsenal of nasty weather protection; the Alloy All Terrain Jacket.
I never really thought that I had the need for a riding jacket, but after experiencing what it's like having one, and then reverting back to my old ways, I've really come to appreciate the benefits offered by the Alloy AT. MCUSA got four of the black and grey All Terrain jackets for our trip to Baja, which was enough to outfit half of our crew. We wore them over the course of our week-long pre-run and through the night portions of the race, and everyone who was lucky enough to get one was sure glad that they did.
The waterproofed nylon shell wasn't really in high demand in the desert, but once we got home to the rainy Pacific Northwest, we were able to verify that it does indeed keep out the moisture. While down south, we did test the resilience of the material with a few spills, and the abrasion resistant ballistic nylon elbows incorporated into the pre-curved sleeves were plenty tough.
Now, nothing is 100% waterproof, but the AT will keep you dry for a long time nonetheless, even with wet bushes slapping your chest and a continuous rain on the shoulders.
The problem with wearing water-repelling clothing is that it
MCUSA outfitted four of our riders with the All Terrain jackets during our quest in the Baja 1000. They went everywhere with us and experienced all the different forms of riding hell. The jacket/vest option was one that we found especially useful in the varying temperatures of Mexico.
also keeps moisture in, jacking up your body temperature and making the rider sweat even more. That's where the moisture-wicking liner and armpit and back-panel vents come into play. Unfortunately, none of these features work exceptionally well. The liner is a mesh fabric that does an okay job at best, and the zippered openings help to a certain degree, but we were never really satisfied with their operation.
The best way to regulate temperature is to simply remove the sleeves, converting the All Terrain into a vest. A long pocket that stretches across the lower back portion makes sure the sleeves can be removed on the trail or taken along from the start to accommodate changing temps. As a vest, the AT keeps your core temperature up while allowing your arms to act as thermostats. The downside, of course, is that it leaves the arms unprotected against water. Warm, wet days can spell trouble for the Alloy jacket.
A double-layer storm flap is held tightly in place over the front zipper with Velcro and snaps, and does an admirable job of keeping wind and wetness out. The same goes for the adjustable cuffs, collar and waist, and a removable snowboard-style skirt holds the jacket tight to the body while keeping wind from flapping up at the bottom. Other features like security pockets with waterproof zippers, insulated hand pockets and a bungee key strap all add to the AT's versatility and comfort.
While not perfect, the Alloy All Terrain Jacket makes a very good addition to a rider's cool and cold weather inventory. Clean styling, great moisture protection, tough construction and a heap of useful features make the AT a well-designed outer layer.
