Oxford describe the Toronto 1.0 Dry2Dry as an adaptive adventure jacket with a shorter torso designed to reduce bulk around the mid-section for riders on sportier bikes. In practice, though, it feels much more like a touring jacket than a true all-round adventure option.
The fit is more tailored than I would expect from a go-anywhere adventure jacket, and to me the idea of a sportier riding position does not sit naturally with adventure riding.
Despite this, after 750 winter miles the Toronto 1.0 Dry2Dry proved itself to be a comfortable and capable jacket for touring and commuting, particularly in UK and northern European conditions.
Fit & comfort
The jacket fits well, and sizing is consistent with other jackets I have worn. I would normally expect a medium to be the right fit for me, and that was the case here.
There are hem and arm adjusters to help tailor the fit or make room for extra layers in colder weather, although there is no waist adjuster. Even so, I found the overall fit comfortable both on and off the bike. On longer journeys of more than 100 miles, including rides for Lincolnshire Blood Bikes Service, it remained easy to live with and never caused any irritation or discomfort.
Cold & wet weather performance
The Toronto uses a fixed waterproof liner and a removable thermal liner with full sleeves. The thermal liner is on the thin side and is not especially effective, but with the addition of some of my own thermal layers I was able to stay warm and comfortable in temperatures down to 3°C.
So while it can handle cold-weather riding, it is not a particularly warm jacket and benefits from thoughtful layering.
Photography: Jose Mas
My riding in the rain was fairly limited, and most of it was in light conditions, but the jacket performed well and kept me dry. Based on that experience, and the jacket’s specification, I would expect it to cope reasonably well in wetter weather too.
It also dried quickly once I got back indoors. It did not appear to absorb much water, and no puddles were left on the floor.
Hot weather performance
I did not use the jacket in hot conditions, so I cannot offer a first-hand verdict on how it performs above 20°C.
Ventilation is fairly basic, with two vents on the front panels but nothing on the arms and no rear exhaust vents. The collar fastening also cannot be hooked back to increase airflow around the neck.
In my view, the existing vents should provide some cooling in Northern Europe, but this is not a jacket I would choose for more southern touring, where sustained heat is likely.
Protection
The jacket carries an AA CE rating, which compares well with many other textile jackets and gives a solid baseline for road riding.
It comes fitted with CE Level 1 armour in the shoulders and elbows, and I added the optional back protector. The supplied armour and optional back protector were comfortable and unobtrusive in use.
The one notable omission is chest protection. There is no facility to fit chest armour, and that is something I have become used to having in motorcycle jackets. This omission is the only real concern I have in terms of the Toronto’s overall protection.
Pockets & practicality
Storage is simple but useful. There are two front pockets that Oxford describe as handwarmer pockets. Oxford do not state whether they are waterproof, but in the light rain I encountered the contents remained dry.
Because of the tailored fit, I found these front pockets less suitable for bulkier items such as a wallet, which showed as a noticeable bulge in the outline of the jacket.
Internally, there are two more pockets: a Napoleon pocket behind the storm flap, which showed no sign of leaking in the rain I experienced, and a large internal dump pocket that should remain dry as long as the jacket’s membrane is doing its job.
One practical feature that worked better than expected was the short connection zip for matching trousers. I assumed connecting it behind my back would be awkward, but when I used it with Oxford Calgary 2.0 trousers it was actually quite easy to fasten by feel.
The only practical drawback I found was an annoying draught at the small of my back when riding at speed. On warmer rides it was barely noticeable, but in colder weather it became a significant irritation. I never found a way to eliminate it, and because all the bikes I rode had upright riding positions, it did not seem to be caused by the jacket riding up. It may simply be a consequence of Oxford's shorter torso design and lack of overlap between jacket and trousers.
Durability
After 750 miles, the jacket still looks and feels good. There were no signs of damage or unusual wear, and no repairs or replacement parts were needed.
It has handled regular winter use without complaint and remains in good condition.
Final thoughts
The Oxford Toronto 1.0 Dry2Dry is a solid budget textile jacket that offers good value for riders who want something comfortable and practical for commuting or touring in UK and Northern European conditions.
It is not especially warm without additional layering, ventilation is limited and the lack of chest armour provision is disappointing. The lower-back draught is something riders may notice, particularly in colder weather.
Even so, it gets a lot right for the money. It remained comfortable over long distances, kept me dry in the rain I encountered and never became a burden to wear.
For riders looking for a sensibly priced textile jacket for everyday road use in mixed but generally cooler conditions, the Toronto 1.0 Dry2Dry makes a convincing case.
