The Lab: Dirtlej Dirtsuit Classic Edition Review

In the “The Lab” we present the latest products and put them through their paces for you. Some undergo long-term tests, while we check others out only briefly. This time we reveal how the Dirtlej Dirtsuit Classic Edition fared.

Those who like to ride their bike despite pouring rain and muddy trails but want to stay somewhat dry doing so and not catch pneumonia need reliable and durable rain gear. That’s exactly what the Dirtsuit Classic Edition by Dirtlej is made for. The one-piece suit effectively fends off rain, slush and mud, keeping your body dry. Unlike conventional rain gear, a one-piece suit doesn’t leave a gap between the jacket and pants to allow water or dirt to get in, only the wide-cut openings of the trouser legs will occasionally let water splash up inside.

The breathable outer material will keep you dry in even the most persistent and heavy rain showers thanks to its 10,000 mm hydrostatic head. Together with the taped seams and waterproof zippers, the Dirtsuit will keep your butt dry and chafe-free. Mesh on the inside of the suit prevents direct skin to hardshell contact, eliminating that annoying clammy feeling of sticking to the jacket.

Our tester Felix likes to ride without a backpack and has a space problem with the pockets of the Dirtsuit. Large multi tools or mobile phones in the small trouser pockets press uncomfortably on the groin area. The solution is the big breast pocket, which does at least have enough space for a phone. The hood, however, is cut sufficiently large and easily fits over an open-face helmet. If you then pull the big zipper up completely, the collar reaches up to the tip of the nose and provides excellent protection against wind and weather. The large ventilation openings under the arms and on the legs were strikingly simple to operate, and they didn’t jam once. Even on long climbs and on warmer days you can regulate the climate inside the suit very effectively.
The workmanship of the Dirtsuit made a solid first impression – an impression that we could only confirm after two muddy winters. All seams and zips are still in immaculate condition. Even after a few times in the washing machine (without detergent), the outer material is remains waterproof.

Conclusion

The Dirtsuit by Dirtlej had to prove itself over two muddy winters, and despite countless crashes it still kept dry. Dirt and water have little chance against it – with the Dirtsuit Classic Edition the weather is no longer a reason to stay indoors.

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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl