Fox Ora Jacket

FOX ORA JACKET

CW EVALUATIONS

Off-road outerwear

ENTER THIS IN THE BEEN THERE, Done That File: You’re up early for a day of trail riding. The morning is cool and you dress appropriately. But by noon, the mercury has risen, and you realize you’ve donned too much gear. Is your only option to suffer in the sweltering sun?

Not if you’re wearing the ORA Jacket from Fox Racing (15850 Concord Circle, Morgan Hill, CA 95037; 408/776-8633). A combination jacket, vest and fanny pack, the $199 blue/black ORA is equipped with removable sleeves and a zippered rear cargo pocket with a builtin waistbelt.

Fashioned from cordura nylon, the mesh-lined jacket (M-XXL sizes) is roomy enough for a chest protector, and features an adjustable, elasticized waist. Padded elbows and shoulders are reinforced with ballistic nylon, and zippered front vents flow lots of air. Velcro tabs at the cuffs and neck offer a broad range of adjustment, and easily accessible breast and handwarmer pockets accommodate smaller items.

Right out of the box, the ORA is a little stiff, but it loosens up after just a few wearings. The fleece-lined mandarin collar fits snugly but doesn’t chafe sensitive skin, and the fat front zipper and accompanying snaps won’t frustrate gloved hands.

But the most appealing aspect of the ORA is its ability to transition from jacket to vest to fanny pack. As temperatures rise, you can remove the sleeves and store them in the rear pocket. Or, you can take off the entire thing, stuff it in the pocket and wear it around your waist.

Fox doesn’t claim the ORA is waterproof, but it certainly holds its own in wet weather. We can’t recommend it as your only defense against an all-day downpour, but short showers didn’t present any problems.

Considering the ORA’s year-round versatility and its metamorphic abilities, it’s definitely a fanny pack, er, vest, er, jacket worth owning. □