Even after tearing through the woods of Southern Oregon, the Fox 360 degree pant and SFX jersey didn't tear or snag once. The pant never melted on the hot bike components either, which is a plus.
Fox may have some of the best gear in motocross, but how do the Fox 360 Pants and SFX Jersey combo handle the rumble and tumble riding styles of the unsponsored? We gave the gear to some of our staff for a month to see if the equipment really does cover all the angles.
An inspection of the materials revealed sturdy, durable construction on both the pant and the jersey. On the 360 degree motocross trousers the nylon/polyester blended material is double stitched for maximum strength while the rubber logos on the top of the thigh and knee provide added protection.
As soon as our testing group slipped into the 360 degree pants, Fox's attention to detail was as obvious as Bubba's skill on a 125. The articulated pre-curved legs and hips eliminates the material from binding and bunching up in the knee and groin area where, lets face it; we don't need any unnecessary bunching and binding. Kudos on that one.
Additionally the shin and knee area is roomy enough to accommodate burly shin guards. Likely the most impressive feature is the Fly-Cam closure, which takes the place of the traditional zipper/button combination. The Fox buckling system allows the rider to easily adjust the waist of the pants, and most importantly doesn't come unlatched during rough spills in the dirt. This means that when you decide to pull out a new trick in front of the ladies but miscalculate all the details of the intricate maneuver, you won't lose your pants along with your pride when you bite the dust.
The 360 degree pant passed our real world evaluation with flying colors, and all of the features functioned properly. We've tested gear in the past that came apart after a few days and even melted the first time out, but after a month of riding through manzanita and other thorny brushes, the gear didn't rip or snag once. The fabrics handled the riding conditions well, and the washing machine couldn't damper the pant's style either. After four or five washes they maintained their vibrant color. However, the white nylon areas on the pants have a tendency to stain easily and get progressively worse with each use.
The only other gripe we had with the pants is that the ankle cuffs felt a wee bit too big inside the Fox Forma Pro Stewarts. On several occasions we had to stop and adjust the cuff in our boots.
The SFX jersey also performed well during our month-long test. The SFX jersey separates itself from other jerseys with its extremely unobtrusive and light-weight polyester material. Like the pants, the jersey didn't fade with repeated washing. The micro cuffs, however, were a little annoying on the wrists and allowed the shirt to ride up the arms a bit. Maybe regular sized cuffs would be more comfortable.
Perhaps most importantly Fox's designs are killer, which means there's no lame gear here. And with seven different color combos to choose from, the Fox 360 Degree Pants and Jersey, which retail for $149.95 and $39.95, respectively, can help you look like the pros even if you can't ride like them. On a scale from 1 to 10, the Fox's 360 degree apparel gets a solid 8.5.
