The Trail Builder’s Rain Layer: Flylow Trailworks Rain Jacket Review

The Flylow Trailworks jacket is made for staying dry while working in the woods with extra layers.
By Matt Miller
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Cycling rain jackets often fall into one of two categories: slim fitting for movement and less drag or big and baggy for added layers. The Flylow Trailworks jacket is meant for the latter. Flylow’s Trailworks collection is geared toward the riders who like to get dirt under their fingernails too and this jacket is kind of like a Carrhart wet-weather layer for mountain bikers.

About the Flylow Trailworks jacket

The Flylow Trailworks is a full-zip, 2.5-layer rain jacket made from a 100% recycled polyester nylon fabric. The outside gets a DWR coating, waterproof zippers, hip pockets with vents to the inside, a hood with a cinch adjustment, and velcro cuffs.

The Trailworks comes in three colors and six sizes from XS-XXL, although they are all unisex. It’s suggested that women buy one size down from men.

In the rain

Putting my arms through the Trailworks’ sleeves, the first thing I noticed is how baggy the jacket is compared to other rain jackets I’ve tested. The length and fit is still spot on, but if you’ve worn a Carharrt sweater before, the Trailworks fits the same, and I assume has the same intent; to wear a good rain layer over a thicker base layer if needed.

You can tell off the bat that the Trailworks is made to fend off heavy pours and it does that well. I’ve worn the Trailworks through some good rain storms this spring and the rest of me might have been soaked, but I was pretty happy that my core was dry once I finally got under a roof. The jacket is comfortable to wear on long rides, but the 2.5-layer construction leaves a latex-y feeling against sweaty bare skin.

The venting is also wisely placed on this jacket with long zippers under the pits. The front hip pockets also open up into the jacket with a mesh barrier for more airflow. During variable weather, I’ve easily been able to stuff this jacket into a pack when the sun came out.

While the cut on this jacket may be different than a previous Flylow jacket we tested, it unfortunately uses unisex sizing too which was not a good fit. Sizing one down for some women may work, but the fit appears to be made for men and it is a straight cut jacket from the armpits down.

Pros and cons of the Flylow Trailworks rain jacket

Pros

  • Good price for a strong 2.5-layer rain jacket
  • Plenty of room for base layers
  • Packable
  • Good breathability and smart venting

Cons

  • Women’s/mens sizing not consistent
  • 2.5-layer means sweaty feeling on bare skin
  • Baggy without layers

Bottom line

The Flylow Trailworks rain jacket is a sturdy, light, breathable and relatively affordable 2.5-layer jacket for mountain bikers who want a roomy rain barrier.