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Oxford’s Dakar Dry2Dry Air jacket and trousers aim to marry heavy-duty protection with near-relentless ventilation. Priced at £179.99 for the jacket and £159.99 for the trousers (total £339.98), the suit targets riders who need a cool, adjustable outfit for hot days but still want a compact backup against sudden showers.
Design and core features
The suit is built around Oxford’s HD‑POLY chassis and extensive mesh panels that prioritise airflow across the torso and legs. It carries a removable Dry2Dry waterproof liner so the same garment can be used as a ventilated summer set or quickly converted for damp conditions.
Protection is provided by CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow armour in the jacket and CE Level 1 knee and hip protectors in the trousers. The set is marketed as CE AA-rated, and there is a pocket for an optional back protector in the jacket. Areas likely to contact the ground in a fall – shoulders, elbows and impact zones on the legs – use solid textile panels rather than mesh.
Jacket: fit, ventilation and usability
Fitting a medium on a 40‑inch chest, the reviewer found the jacket balanced between roomy and trim, allowing space for an airbag vest without feeling baggy. The standout attribute is the amount of open mesh: apart from reinforced impact zones, much of the jacket is ventilated, which makes a tangible difference once temperatures climb.
Movement remains unrestricted whether cruising on motorways or negotiating off‑road sections. Storage is functional but limited: two handwarmer pockets can just fit an iPhone 16 Pro Max, while the Napoleon pocket will hold a phone and wallet. The ventilated rear panel sacrifices a large poacher’s pocket, so riders who want to carry extras may need a small tail bag or bum bag.
One recurring irritation is the collar. When zipped up fully it can rub the chin and the back of the neck, an issue that becomes more noticeable in dusty conditions. The jacket’s Dry2Dry liner is quick to install and remove, and across mixed British spring weather it kept the wearer dry in light showers — useful as a short‑term protectant, though not intended for prolonged heavy rain.
Trousers: fit, ventilation and quirks
The trousers follow the same vent‑first philosophy. A medium provided a comfortable fit for a rider with a 30‑inch inseam, and the generous Velcro waist adjusters make fine‑tuning straightforward. Zipped, expandable ankle openings let the trousers slip easily over chunky enduro boots.
Large mesh panels deliver strong airflow and, paired with the jacket, produce a noticeably cooler ride in hot weather. The removable liner offers comparable light‑rain protection to the jacket, but it takes longer to install — roughly five minutes after a little practice. Installer confusion can occur if the coloured tabs on the liners are misaligned; the reviewer encountered this on first reassembly.
Pockets on the trousers are the weakest link. They sit close to the thighs and are too snug for carrying much more than receipts or small loose items, making them less useful for everyday storage on longer rides.
On the road
The suit was tested across launch events on the Kawasaki KLE500, BMW F450 GS and CFMoto 1000MT‑X. On days when temperatures exceeded 30°C, particularly at the CFMoto event, the reviewer felt the airflow significantly reduced heat stress and may have helped avoid heat‑related illness. The combination of ventilation and flexibility made the suit easy to live with on both long road miles and short off‑road stretches.
Value, trade‑offs and final considerations
At £339.98 for the set, the Dakar Dry2Dry Air sits below many premium European vented adventure options while delivering strong ventilation and a wide range of adjustment points. Key strengths are its breathability, freedom of movement and the practical duality provided by the removable liner.
- Pros: excellent ventilation, many fit adjustments, very flexible in motion.
- Cons: collar can chafe when closed, trouser pockets are tight; Level 2 armour and a back protector are not standard.
