Test: dirtlej has been around since 2014, starting with the idea of protecting the bike from scratches and dents caused by transport. This resulted in chic and functional bike protectors. But to protect not only the bike, but also the driver from the adversities that the sport gives, the dirtsuit was developed, which is now available in three different versions.
The Dirtley dirtsuit classic edition flew to our editorial office in a classy and sturdy package in a great decorative box. In this case, an unboxing video would have been quite short, cover off and done. The dirtsuit classic now shines bright green towards us and the first impression already promises a lot.
Dirtlej dirtsuit classic edition: High quality, robust and well thought out!
The first dry run consisted of a quality check. All seams are welded from the inside and thus keep the environmental influences away from the skin and body as best as possible. Despite a specified water column of 10.000mm, the dirtsuit classic edition is still very breathable, also with 10.000mvp. If it gets too warm under the one-piece suit, six additional ventilation openings ensure sufficient ventilation. Two are on the thighs, two more on the torso, and two more vents are under the armpits. All zips, including those on the vents and pockets, can be easily grabbed even with thicker gloves and are also completely waterproof. The reason for this are the very generous loops reinforced with plastic. The width of the helmet-compatible hood can be easily adjusted using an elastic band and can therefore be adapted to any helmet shape. Only an action cam mounted on the helmet would no longer find a place under the hood. For the most important things, the dirtsuit classic edition has two smaller pockets - in which there is just enough space for a smartphone - on the hips, and a slightly larger pocket on the chest.
All pockets are waterproof like the entire dirtsuit. The dirtsuit has a normal fit and the width can also be adjusted at the hips with Velcro fasteners. There is also enough space on the legs under the dirtsuit classic edition to accommodate even more massive knee pads. Also striking is the black and somewhat more stable-looking material on the inside of the legs, which are exposed to very high loads. All in all, the dirtlej dirtsuit classic edition is very good and well thought out in terms of material selection and workmanship, only a small opening in the breast pocket for a headphone cable could have been given to the bad weather suit.
Dirtlej dirtsuit classic edition: good fit with sufficient movement reserves!
The timing could not have been better, right at the start of the cold, wet and, above all, muddy season, to start this test. Bad and unstable weather is not long in coming, now it's time to get into the one-piece suit and off to the sports equipment. In the first uphill passages there was still no rain, so I rolled up the hood and stowed it in the neck, which was very comfortable. At an outside temperature of 3 degrees, the dirtsuit keeps you sufficiently warm only supported by merino underwear, even the ventilation openings on the chest were used. In the meantime it started raining, so out with the hood again, simply slipped it over the helmet and then fastened it. So the increasingly heavy rain, which was also whipped up by the wind, has little chance of getting in through the head. Once at the top, the knee pads were quickly put on, they found enough space under the wide leg. Saddle in and off to the descent. Here the dirsuit was tight enough not to be pulled in anywhere and still wide enough to ensure sufficient freedom of movement. The very elastic material above the buttocks contributes to this. The dirtlej dirtsuit was subjected to a real endurance test with mud, slush and freezing rain and passed it with flying colours.
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