MTB

On Test: Fox Women’s Demo DH Kit

The new downhill kit from Fox is beautiful and tough

This season has seen some of the most gorgeous women’s mountain bike kit to date, and there’s no end in sight.

Until recently, women’s kit has been far behind the times of fashion and style. Ill-fitting cuts, bland colour-ways and boxy boy shapes hung on our bodies with little femininity.

The women’s mountain bike industry has grown in numbers and in voice, and now big brands are beginning to hear our demands for more feminine cuts, colour-ways and harder wearing fabrics.

Fox have been in the urban sports industry since the 1970’s, producing high quality apparel for a variety of sports such as motocross and mountain biking. Supporting female riders such as Tahnée Seagrave, Fox have worked hard in their women’s department to kit out riders in quality and stylish gear.

Their new 2016 line of women’s XC, Enduro and Downhill kit is their best yet – it’s designed to get you looking good and feeling great. We tested out the new Demo DH kit on the dusty and dry South Wales trails.

Fox Women’s Demo DH kit

My first reaction to the Demo kit was: “Hell yeah!”. The bold neon red is more of a hot pink colour, but that doesn’t take away from the eye-catching combination with the mauve purple and grey panels.

Keeping in tradition to previous years, Fox has maintained the familiar camo print throughout the kit.

The v-neck long sleeve jersey is constructed from a super lightweight and highly breathable fabric. The loose fit allows air to circulate throughout, and on a hot muggy trail day, this jersey was ideal for keeping me cool and protected from the sun… and the midgies!

There’s ample room in the arms to fit elbow protection, and the soft cuffs make it easy to pull up the sleeves for comfort.

Colours: Miami Green and Neon Red

Sizes: Small – X.Large

Fox Head Demo DH Jersey available here for £40

The accompanying Demo shorts are just as stunning as the jersey, and constructed for the aggressive trail shredder.

With a feminine cut, these shorts are designed with RAP (rider attack position) construction to move with the body as you ride. The tough hard-wearing 600D polyester is durable and abrasion resistant, so no need to worry about those rogue chippings or stray branches. Even with a tumble off the bike, these shorts are thick and give you that extra bit of protection.

I personally love the fastening system: A zip and ratchet lock. The ratchet is easy to use, even with gloves on, and provides a secure and precise fitting system which doesn’t loosen during the ride.

The low profile side leg pocket is ideal for the essential phone and keys, and cash without causing any restriction whilst riding.

Colours: Miami Green and Neon Red

Sizes: Small – X.Large

Fox Head Demo DH Shorts available here for £75

Verdict

It’s hard not to love the new Fox Women’s Demo DH kit. It looks great on the bike, it’s fun and it’s designed to last even those gnarlist of runs.

The jersey is perfect for being so light and breathable, especially on hot sunny days, it provides suitable protection from the sun and annoying bug bits too.

My favourite feature is the fastening system on the Demo shorts. Strong, precise and easy to use, I didn’t find myself readjusting or faffing around with my shorts at any point.

A full Fox Demo dh kit is £115, which places it in the mid-high price category and though it may seems like a lot, the cost is justified by the technical construction of the shorts, the features and lucrative Fox brand.

It’s great to see women’s kit grow in variety. Offering more sizes, choice and designs, female shredders are finally able to find their own identity on the trails.