Designed for those cold yet dry winter days on the mountain bike, we found the Moab useful for a lot more besides. Our test crew ran in it, worked daily routines as outdoor instructors with it and much more with great success - this versatility is something to consider as it boosts the value you get from your purchase.
Targeting it towards the mountain bike end of the market has led Vaude to relax the fit slightly, giving plenty of room for manoeuvre or for extra layers underneath without feeling unduly cramped or restricted. Intelligently placed stretch panels help here too, resulting in a jacket that can be put to good use for any activity where flexibility is key. We like the elasticated cuff and hem seal, but one of our cuffs tore in use, making it feel a little fragile.
The wind and shower proof fabric is lined with a skim of Primaloft insulation over the chest and upper arms to protect the wearer from windchill, and we never felt cold when out on the trails. The rest of the jacket feels reassuringly heavy, including the hood which - unlike many other, lighter designs - lay flat when riding rather than inflating with the wind and causing a nuisance.
We find the under arms vents to be a great feature to prevent overheating, but the design seems a little clunky, with a thin baselayer on underneath the zip can easily be felt.
None of this detracts significantly from what is an otherwise solid, versatile outdoor jacket which has proven to be great for bike touring and mountain biking.
