Oxford Hinterland kit

[Cousin Jack]

As some of you may recall my previous waterproof kit wasn't. After much research and comparing I finally lashed out on some Oxford Hinterland kit, their top of the range stuff that got some good, almost rave, reviews in the bike press. After a few jaunts out in the kit here is a brief note of what's good and what's not.

Good things.

It is waterproof. and reasonably warm. Haven't tried its venting features yet, but the zips are waterproof.
It is fairly reasonable in price, not by any means cheap, but not the most expensive.
All the pockets are waterproof too, but see below.
It is comfortable.

Bad things.

The jacket has several inside pockets (good) but only 2 fairly small outside pockets and no big poachers pocket at the back
The trousers have 2 waterproof pockets, but they are sited so that you can't access them easily unless you are standing up. No nice convenient cargo pockets on the thighs.
The jacket liner zips in, but doesn't close separately, so you need to make sure it is snug as you do up the main zip.
The main jacket zip is a weedy thing, and fiddly to get started. A big chunky one would be much better
The trouser liners seem to ride up over the top of my boots.
The ankle closure is velcro rather than zip. Works ok, but on a naked bike it is sitting in all the shit. Time will tell.

Anyone else have this stuff?

[Supermofo]

Not got the Hinterland, I've got the Mondial in Black
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/433519

I really like it as a jacket, comfy, looks good, lots of pockets including ones the Hinterland is missing on the outside and back, really good/effective vents on the arms and chest, with 2 big exhaust vents on the back. The chest ones fold back so you get lots of air flow. I only paid £200 so seems a bit of a bargain now.

Bad points: It's only A rated which is all that was available at the time in textile jackets when I bought it. I have considered swapping for the Hinterland to get AA but I prefer the look of the Mondial so considering upgraded armour which might help?? The back protector pocket is a bit short and only fits the Oxford back protector, would prefer to use my longer D30 from my Furygan leather jacket. Cuffs are also pretty tight so really difficult to get my Spring/Autumn gloves under the cuff if you want to wear them that way, summer gloves are fine though.

Overall if it was AA it'd be perfect for the price IMO. I believe they are waterproof too, but I don't do wet stuff. I did go for it on the basis that if I was caught out I wouldn't get wet though so hopefully it is. Prior to the Mondial I'd never considered Oxford stuff, but the press seem to really rate it, reviews of punters are good and I like it.

[Cousin Jack]

Prior to the Mondial I'd never considered Oxford stuff, but the press seem to really rate it, reviews of punters are good and I like it.

I always wrote off Oxford as cheap and cheerful, but it seems to have improved it's range. Last suit I bought was superb in hot dry weather, with lots of vents. Unfortunately it was a zip-out liner thing, and when you are touring the last thing you want is liners. In they make it hot and sweaty, out and your waterproofness is near zero. Getting them in or out requires getting all your kit off, and about 20 mins of struggling to get it all hitched up. Not to be attempted at the roadside. That is when I discovered my oversuit was also pants and leaked like the proverbial sieve!

I

[v8-powered]

I had 2 of the Mondial jackets from SBS, both leaked and went back. Ended up with an Alpinestars Andes V3 which has been spot-on.

[Supermofo]

I had 2 of the Mondial jackets from SBS, both leaked and went back. Ended up with an Alpinestars Andes V3 which has been spot-on.

That's reassuring! I'll stick to riding in the dry as much as possible then.

[v8-powered]

I had 2 of the Mondial jackets from SBS, both leaked and went back. Ended up with an Alpinestars Andes V3 which has been spot-on.

That's reassuring! I'll stick to riding in the dry as much as possible then.

Maybe I was unlucky x2 but wasn't a good experience despite the reviews, perhaps a FWB jacket?

[Dodgy69]

I've never owned anything that will pass the wet motorway test. ☹

[v8-powered]

I've never owned anything that will pass the wet motorway test. ☹

I had a Hein Gericke Goretex 2-piece that was the dogs nuts, prior to that a Frank Thomas jacket from the retro years

[Dodgy69]

Tbh, I had been looking at the Oxford mondial that mofo mentions recently as I'm fancying a laminate jobby. My current textile has the separate waterproof zip in liner which i never really trust and usually chuck on a cheap waterproof overjacket, after ive already got soaked obviously.

So, my query is, are laminated better than goretex type jackets with waterproof layer.

[Count Steer]

So, my query is, are laminated better than goretex type jackets with waterproof layer.

Between us, me and Mrs Pillion have had 3 laminated suits and they have been superb. No leaks at all. (With pop in the thermal liners as needed).

The real beauty is that they don't 'wet out' on the surface so, when you put them on the next day after being out in the rain they don't feel ugh. More or less shake dry. After a ride down to the LeMans area in the rain, out of a group of 20ish only 4 of us went out riding the next day and we all had laminated kit. The others couldn't bring themselves to put their gear on as it hadn't dried.

The other thing is if your gear does wet out while riding it chills you as the wind evaporates the water in the surface layer.

Wouldn't buy anything else for riding in colder, wetter weather. Worth every £.

[Dodgy69]

Yep, I've got an alpine star goretex and once it's wet, weighs about the same as the bike.

[Horse]

The other thing is if your gear does wet out while riding it chills you as the wind evaporates the water in the surface layer.

BMW used to sell an unlined oversuit to keep your heavy duty waterproof suit dry

[Count Steer]

The other thing is if your gear does wet out while riding it chills you as the wind evaporates the water in the surface layer.

BMW used to sell an unlined oversuit to keep your heavy duty waterproof suit dry

I had a 1-piece BMW oversuit for the spring/summer to put on over the airflow kit. It was fine, if a little bulky to pack. Loaned it to someone for a big trip.....

My first laminated suit was BMW branded...it err shrank.

The worst bit of kit had a removable 'goretex' liner. You didn't actually get wet, but it felt like you were. 'Orrible. + the outer used to get soggy.

[KungFooBob]

Got an email from SBS, it mentioned Hinterland, reminded me of this thread. It's on sale!

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... %3D.SK2Xaf

As long as you like blue.

[Cousin Jack]

Got an email from SBS, it mentioned Hinterland, reminded me of this thread. It's on sale!

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... %3D.SK2Xaf

As long as you like blue.

I bought a blue one a little while ago - at full price! Fucksticks!

[Supermofo]

Got an email from SBS, it mentioned Hinterland, reminded me of this thread. It's on sale!

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... %3D.SK2Xaf

As long as you like blue.

I bought a blue one a little while ago - at full price! Fucksticks!

hate that so bloody annoying

[Ssray]

I've had the hinterland jacket for a while,
eBay is quite often a source of these quite cheap, the person I bought mine from had loads of Oxford stuff for sale, mine was about half the new price

So far I really like it, it seems far too thin at first, but it's only really cold days that I need more than a thin fleece underneath it.

I would prefer a bit more collar room or a storm type collar

[Hot_Air]

I've had the hinterland jacket for a while,
eBay is quite often a source of these quite cheap, the person I bought mine from had loads of Oxford stuff for sale, mine was about half the new price

+1 for eBay for motorcycle clobber. I’ve bought all manner of high-quality gear for low prices, thanks to a little patience and using eBay alerts for what I’m after.

[Skub]

I've never owned anything that will pass the wet motorway test. ☹

Me neither,unless you put a cheap plastic waterproof over it all.

It ain't a thing for me now,but it's pretty shit when you spend good money to buy waterproof gear and it never is. Some things never change with bike gear.

[Cousin Jack]

I've never owned anything that will pass the wet motorway test. ☹

Me neither,unless you put a cheap plastic waterproof over it all.

It ain't a thing for me now,but it's pretty shit when you spend good money to buy waterproof gear and it never is. Some things never change with bike gear.

Let's be fair, 300 miles on a wet motorway is a VERY severe test. I doubt any fabric made can be completely waterproof for that, add in some seams and a bit of wear..... An oversuit takes the worst, it leaks a little, and the real kit takes care of the leaks.