Body armour is a bit like insurance – expensive and annoying, until you need it. At least the Recon Advance jacket won’t weigh you down, being lighter and more breathable than others we’ve tried. Plus, the fit is good, so the padding stays where you need it.
A nice touch is that the pads are removable, so you can customise the jacket to suit your needs. The elbow and shoulder armour is made from Astrotech, a smart foam, and the back protector is Koroyd, the same material used in Endura and Smith helmets.
There’s space for a hydration bladder, plus pockets for stashing items in. It’s slim enough that it goes mostly unnoticed when riding, but it’s good to have that protection when the shit hits the fan.
Pricing: £214.99
Distributor: www.hotlines-uk.com
Read Rob Weaver's full review of the SixSixOne Recon Advance jacket on BikeRadar
About MBUK's Most Wanted (2020)
For the January issue of Mountain Biking UK magazine we put together a glossy guide to our Most Wanted gear for 2020, containing some of the most incredible, highly desirable mountain bike kit on the market. It seemed a shame not to share it with our website users, so now we’re posting each category online too.
The selection process wasn’t easy. We were determined to pick products that genuinely stood out, so just narrowing down the categories was hard. Then our test team discussed the pros and cons of each bit of kit that had been shortlisted – and had some heated debates over which should make it in!
You can rest assured that all of our Most Wanted gear has been given this accolade for good reason. It’s either performed amazingly in our tests (in which case we’ve provided links to the original review) or, in the case of just-released kit, has wowed us on the trails during initial rides and shown huge potential.
Cast an eye over the gear and you’ll notice that a lot of it doesn’t come cheap. That’s because these are our Most Wanted products, and not necessarily the parts and accessories that represent the best value for money. We know that not all readers will be able to afford them, but think they’re worth showcasing. Firstly, because they show just how far MTB kit has come. But also because innovation and improvements at the top end of the market inevitably trickle down to lower price points within a couple of years, for the rest of us to enjoy.
