Oxford Dakar Dry2Dry Air jacket and trousers review

Adventure-bike launches can be some of the hardest to pack riding kit for. One week, you're sweating your way across a desert under a cloudless sky, the next you're getting soaked by a passing shower despite the forecast insisting otherwise. 

With a busy spring and summer of launches on the cards, including rides on the BMW F450 GS, Kawasaki KLE500 and CFMoto 1000MT-X, I found myself looking for something that could cope with hot weather without completely caving in should a rain shower hit.

I opted for the matching Dakar Dry2Dry jacket and trousers combo, with the jacket listed as 'Sand' while the trousers are finished in 'Desert'. Quite why they're described differently remains a mystery to me, as they look identical in the flesh.

At £179.99 for the jacket and £159.99 for the trousers, the complete suit comes in at £339.98. That's not exactly pocket change, but it positions the outfit comfortably below many of the premium vented adventure options currently on the market from the big-name European brands.

Oxford Dakar Dry2Dry Air Jacket: Specs and features

The Dakar Dry2Dry Air jacket is a CE AA-rated textile adventure jacket designed primarily for warm-weather riding. The main chassis combines Oxford's HD-POLY construction with extensive mesh panels covering much of the body to maximise airflow.

Protection comes courtesy of CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow armour, while a pocket is included for an optional back protector. Areas more likely to encounter abrasion in a fall, including the shoulders and elbows, feature solid textile panels rather than mesh.

A removable Dry2Dry waterproof liner is included, allowing the jacket to be converted from a fully ventilated summer garment into something capable of dealing with changing weather conditions.

Oxford Dakar Dry2Dry Air Trousers: Specs and Features

The matching Dakar Dry2Dry Air trousers follow the same philosophy as the jacket, combining large mesh panels with a removable waterproof liner to create a riding trouser aimed squarely at warmer conditions.

The trousers are CE AA certified and come fitted with CE Level 1 knee and hip protectors as standard. Large mesh sections help airflow while ensuring impact zones remain protected by solid textile materials.

Oxford has also included removable braces, waist adjustment straps and expandable ankle openings designed to work with a variety of riding boots.

Jacket review

With a 40-inch chest and a preference for wearing an airbag vest underneath my riding gear, I opted for a medium jacket. The fit strikes a nice balance between snug and roomy, providing enough space for the additional layer without feeling baggy if I opt for fewer layers or while riding without my airbag.

The first thing that stands out is just how much of the jacket is ventilated. Apart from the shoulders, elbows, forearms and sections of the chest where protection and abrasion resistance take priority, almost everything else is mesh. That obviously pays dividends as soon as temperatures begin to rise.

The suit really came into its own during launch rides on the Kawasaki KLE500 and CFMoto 1000MT-X, where temperatures pushed comfortably beyond 30 degrees Celsius. In those conditions, the airflow was a godsend, and on the CFMoto event in particular, I think it genuinely saved me from getting a dose of heatstroke.

Just as impressive as the ventilation is the freedom of movement, whether schlepping up the motorway or picking my way through off-road sections, the jacket never feels restrictive, provides plenty of flexibility, and makes it easy to move around without feeling like I’m fighting against the jacket

Storage is fairly straightforward. Two handwarmer pockets provide enough space for the essentials, although they're only just large enough to accommodate my iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Napoleon pocket is more useful and comfortably swallows a phone and wallet together. The trade-off for the heavily ventilated rear panel is the absence of a large rear poacher’s pocket. Some riders may miss having somewhere to stash gloves or the Dry2Dry liner, although a bum bag or small tail pack easily solves that problem.

The only consistent irritation I encountered came from the collar. Oxford includes a handy tab, so it can be folded back and worn open, which is generally how I ride with it. Fastened up, I occasionally find it rubs against the underside of my chin and the back of my neck, which, especially in dusty conditions, becomes irritating.

As for weather protection, the included Dry2Dry liner performed better than expected. During several days of mixed British spring weather, where sunshine and light showers arrived in equal measure, it kept me dry enough without complaint. The liner is also easy enough to swap in and out that it can be done in a couple of minutes. That means that if I need to pull over and sort it at the side of the road, I’m not going to get soaked to the skin in the process. It's not something I'd choose for a long day of relentless rain, but it’s not meant to be. It’s a packable backup for changeable conditions, and when you look at it like that, it works perfectly.

Trousers review

For the Dakar Dry2Dry Air trousers, again, I chose a medium, although in hindsight I could probably have squeezed comfortably into a small. Fortunately, the generous Velcro waist adjusters allow enough fine-tuning that achieving a secure fit isn't difficult. Leg length is spot-on for my relatively short 30-inch inseam, while the zipped ankle openings easily accommodate a pair of chunky enduro riding boots without requiring a wrestling match when I get kitted up.

Like the jacket, comfort and freedom of movement are the standout qualities. Whether seated or standing, the trousers never feel restrictive, and there's enough flexibility built into the design to move around naturally on and off-road.

Ventilation performance is equally impressive. The large mesh sections allow plenty of air through, making a noticeable difference during hot weather. Paired with the jacket, the overall effect is vastly cooler and more comfortable in summer than a conventional textile suit.

The Dry2Dry liner delivers a similar level of weather protection to the jacket, proving capable of dealing with light and moderate showers without issue. It does take a bit more time to install the liner than it does with the jacket, but after around five minutes of faffing, you’ll be good to go. One thing to watch out for is the coloured tabs in the trouser legs, if you get those the wrong way around, you’ll be stuck trying to force your leg into a pair of trousers that simply won’t accept them - like I did the first time I resinstalled the liner…

If there's one area where the trousers fall slightly short, it's the pockets, which are just slightly too snug around my thighs to be useful for carrying very much. Anything stored in them has a tendency to dig into my thigh, and as a result, I rarely find myself using them for anything more than some receipts or loose change.

Verdict

There is not a huge amount to dislike about the Dakar Dry2Dry riding suit. It’s comfortable, offers brilliant ventilation and has enough adjustment that as long as you order a size that is 85 per cent right for you, the amount of adjusters on offer should be able to complete the fit for you.

Would it be nice to see Level 2 armour and a back protector as standard? Yes, but they are widely available as an upgrade who want it, and I usually have a set lying around that I can swap in if required.

As a fully vented riding suit, its standout feature is undoubtedly its duality, in that it can genuinely cope with everything a British summer can throw at you. As I sit here and write this, we have gone from bright sunshine to rain and back to sunshine again, all in the space of 15 minutes. That is precisely the kind of weather that this riding combo excels in.

Check out the jacket and trousers on the official website.