Leatt DBX 4.0 All-Mountain Jacket

(discontinued)

2021 Sand Colorway
Out of the Box Impressions 10/21/2020 (will update when the monsoons come). Added some pics below to show key features.

First let me preface by saying I have been reluctant to spend on a feature specific rain jacket for riding. My current jacket was a high end, lightweight, well vented camping brand that I bought in a size too big to go OVER my backpack. I hate running a rain jacket next to my skin b/c of no liner. I moved to a fanny pack last summer & it made my jacket far more comfortable. But in the winter, I got stock with a Camelbak again to carry knee pads, extra layer & supplies in case of emergency in the cold.
I've lusted after the Leatt DBX 4.0 jacket because of the extensive list of features but never pulled trigger. I WANTED to lay hands on it before buying but gave up.
My criteria for a rain jacket are simple. Lots of vents. Durable. Packable in a fanny pack.
Upon unwrapping this Swiss Army knife of a jacket, you realize immediately that it's HEAVY! Not heavy for a rain jacket. Heavy for a jacket.
Spotting the hood magnets, I realized, there aren't two, but THREE magnets built into the hood, adding a lot of steel to it.  If there is a flaw, it's that you cannot remove them.I can imagine some people wanting to pull 2 of the 3 out to ditch the "clips to the collar" function to dump weight & bulk.
There are 2 zippers on each front vent/pocket, doubling zipper weight. There is a zipper for a park pass on the sleeve as well.
Adding bulk (and a function not mentioned in the features or videos) is a strap on the inside at chest level with a button buckle. I think it may be to allow you to fully unzip it without the sides sliding into your armpits if wearing pack straps? Never seen this add on. Please chime in.  Also..it adds weight.
The pulls for the hood are stitched down to the jacket front rather than dangling. Very thoughtful.
All pull tabs are durable and heavty duty (read that as heavy).
Another bizarre detail...the full front zipper is on the opposite side (left hand) of any jacket I've ever owned.  Is that an Aussie thing?  
There is a waist cord to cinch it down, a hood cord to pull it back for better side vision, gripper material galore on the top of the visor, shoulders and elbows and different levels of perforated liner material internally that all add tremendous detail and comfort, including tightly woven lining in both rib vents/pockets and liner material to keep bugs out of the rear upper exhaust vent across the shoulder blades.  Tight mesh inside those 3 areas is a life saver if you've ever had pit zips with no liner or big vent holes. Bugs will eat you ALIVE.
There is also a silicone gripper strip on the bottom, inside tail to keep the jacket down on your back when in action.
As a personal preference, my only bummer is that it's too bulky to fit in a hip pack. But like I said, the Camelbak will be coming out for most rainy rides to stash all my winter backup gear and lights.  So weight & bulk shouldn't be issues except on hot days come summer when I don't want a full backpack on.
 
Very excited.
I am thoroughly impressed by the number of features stuffed into a single $150 4 way stretch mountain bike specific jacket. This thing gives you ZERO reasons to stay home in ugly weather.  You simply MUST GO RIDE if you own it.  No excuses.

With all that said, I am 100% looking forward to strapping this on and reporting back on function in the elements.  

Did I mention it looks stunning?