Madison Flux Softshell Jacket - product review
It's no secret that I absolutely love Madison Clothing's technical mountain bike range.
Back in November 2015, I wrote a review for the Madison Flo DWR baggy shorts which I absolutely adore. They have a waterproof rear panel and DWR in the material, so unless it is absolutely filthy wet they keep me toasty warm and dry - and that's after testing them thoroughly in all conditions over the last year.
My other go-to piece of Madison kit is the Flux Superlight Softshell Jacket (which handily came in the same colour as the trim on my Flo shorts). I bought the jacket last winter but soon realised that it was a bit too thin to cope with the depths of the winter cold and rain here in the UK.
Because it's so lightweight and packs up small, it's great to throw in your backpack as an extra layer during the spring and autumn months - or for a damp summer day. I've worn it to death for much of the year and it's performed brilliantly. It will also cope with going through the washing machine (bonus).
The jacket is has tons of stretch, so it's comfortable to wear while moving around on my bike. It's also seam sealed, so does keep me dry - but I have to admit that it's not a jacket to choose when it's raining heavily. It also has a hood and although I've never used while riding my bike, it’s great for a cold cafe stop ;)
I can sometimes wear my Flux jacket in the cold by adding layers underneath, but if there's a biting wind I usually have to concede defeat and go for something a bit heavier.
The other thing I love about my Flux jacket is the colour. Orange (or Chilli Red) might not be everybody's choice but I love the fact that it's so bright and cheerful.
It makes me smile on a grey day, it's visible for car drivers (thumbs up Madison, it's a bright jacket rather than the usual black which manufacturers of bike kit seem to love) and it's great for pictures.
Retailing at around £100 to £120 it's not a budget price jacket, but for the amount of wear it gets, it's more than given me value for money. I'm looking forward to the spring when it will come back into it's own :)
Pictures courtesy of RideHolme Instagram feed.
