Jitsie Hopper Core Jacket

• 2-layer PU-coated fabric (95% polyester / 5% spandex) for lightweight waterproof performance
• 180g/m² micro-stretch polyester for flexibility and comfort
• 20.000mm waterproof rating
• 8.000g/m²/24h breathability
• DWR finish to repel surface water
• fully taped seams for complete waterproof integrity
• Raglan sleeves for improved movement and reduced exposed seams
• front chest vent + rear exhaust vents for controlled airflow
• packable design — folds into its own pocket
• premium YKK zippers with integrated pulls
• upper arm scorecard pocket for digital scorecards
• chest scorecard pocket for fast access
• two side pockets for tools or essentials
• extended rear drop tail to block water and mud

The Hopper Core jacket is Jitsie’s premium rain jacket, engineered for trials riders who expect top performance in all weather conditions. Built from high-quality micro-stretch polyester, it delivers exceptional waterproofing, reliable breathability and rider-focused functionality — all in a lightweight 180g/m² design that moves freely through every section.

The jacket uses a 2-layer PU-coated fabric (95% polyester / 5% spandex). The outer fabric provides durability and stretch for unrestricted movement, while the inner PU coating delivers the jacket’s waterproof performance. This construction keeps the Hopper Core lightweight, flexible and comfortable, with a smooth internal feel and good packability — ideal for active, year-round trials riding.

With a 20.000mm waterproof rating, the fabric withstands sustained heavy rain before water penetrates. Its 8.000 g/m²/24h breathability ensures heat and internal moisture can escape, keeping you comfortable rather than clammy. A DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish causes water to bead off the surface, preventing saturation and maintaining comfort.

We went with these high specifications for a simple reason: bad weather should never ruin a day of riding. Regardless of the price, a rain jacket must keep you dry and comfortable for as long as possible. That mindset shaped every detail of the Hopper Core jacket — top-tier fabrics, smart construction and a focus on performance specifically for trials.

To further improve weather resistance and mobility, the jacket uses Raglan-style sleeves. A Raglan sleeve extends diagonally from the collar to the underarm rather than using a traditional shoulder seam. This reduces seams in the most exposed area — the shoulders — where rain tends to hit first. Fewer seams mean fewer weak points, better waterproofing and a smoother, more flexible fit for riding.

Ventilation is built where riders need it most. A front chest vent brings cooling air in when you start to heat up, while discreet rear vents allow warm air to escape, preventing overheating in long sections or training sessions. The neck cuff is shaped to strike the ideal balance: snug enough to stop water running in from the helmet, yet relaxed enough not to restrict breathing, head movement or comfort.

When conditions improve, the jacket is packable, folding into its own pocket for compact storage in a backpack, gear bag or van.

All zippers are premium YKK, chosen for their smooth, reliable operation in wet and muddy conditions. The minimalist integrated pulls keep the jacket sleek and distraction-free — nothing flapping around while you ride.

The Hopper Core Jacket also features multiple, rider-focused pockets:

• a small scorecard pocket on the upper left arm, designed for digital scorecards. Scanners read through the fabric without removing the card at the end of a section.

• a second scorecard pocket on the left chest, positioned so you can pull the clutch with your left hand and access the card with your right — fast and ergonomic during events.

• two side pockets, sized slightly larger without letting items move around inside. Ideal for small tools, snacks or essentials on longer rides.

For extra protection in harsh conditions, the jacket includes an extended rear drop tail, cut longer at the back to stop mud and water from entering the top of your pants — a small detail that makes a big difference in wet terrain.

Waterproofness describes how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before it starts to leak. This is measured using the hydrostatic head test, where a column of water is placed on top of the material. The height of that column — measured in millimetres — becomes the fabric’s waterproof rating.

A rating of 20.000mm waterproof means the material can resist the pressure of a 20-metre column of water before any moisture begins to penetrate. This is a high-end level of waterproof performance, offering strong protection in heavy, sustained rain, wet and muddy conditions, and situations where water is pushed against the fabric, such as kneeling or leaning on wet surfaces.

To put this into perspective:

• 5.000mm: basic protection — suitable only for light rain.
• 10.000mm: mid-range — good for moderate rain and shorter showers.
• 20.000mm: high-performance waterproofing — ideal for harsh, prolonged wet conditions and pressure on the fabric.

For trials riding and most outdoor activities, 20.000mm is considered a premium waterproof rating, providing excellent all-round protection without compromising comfort or breathability.

Breathability indicates how effectively a jacket can let moisture vapour (sweat) escape, helping you stay dry and comfortable. The Hopper Core jacket has a breathability rating of 8.000g/m²/24h, which is a very practical level for trials riding, where the effort comes in short bursts rather than constant high-intensity output.

In real use, 8.000g/m²/24h provides more than enough moisture management to prevent that clammy feeling inside the jacket — especially compared with lower-rating fabrics often found in waterproof outerwear.

It’s also important to remember that breathability isn’t just about the fabric. The Hopper Core jacket includes strategic ventilation openings, allowing you to increase airflow quickly when you heat up. The combination of breathable material and rider-controlled vents ensures you remain comfortable across a wide range of temperatures and effort levels.

DWR (Durable Water Repellent) is a surface treatment applied to the outer fabric of a garment. Its purpose is to make water bead up and roll off instead of soaking into the material.

A DWR finish does not make a product fully waterproof, but it significantly improves water resistance and helps the fabric stay lighter, drier and more comfortable in wet or muddy conditions. It also prevents the outer layer from becoming saturated, which helps maintain the garment’s breathability.

The Hopper Core jacket is built from a 2-layer PU-coated fabric (95% polyester / 5% spandex), which combines flexibility, waterproofing and low weight:

• the outer fabric provides durability, stretch and freedom of movement
• the PU (polyurethane) coating on the inside delivers the waterproof performance

In a 2-layer construction, the coating is bonded directly to the inner side of the outer fabric. This offers several advantages:

• lightweight feel for enhanced mobility
• excellent stretch and flexibility thanks to the spandex blend
• soft and comfortable interior
• reliable waterproof performance from the PU coating
• packability, allowing the jacket to fold into its own pocket

Compared to a 3-layer softshell (like the Glow Core jacket), a 2-layer fabric is lighter and more flexible, making it ideal for year-round riding where movement and weight are more important than insulation.

The waterproof membrane inside the fabric lasts a long time, but the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating on the outer layer wears off with use. When this happens, the fabric can “wet out” — it looks soaked, even though the membrane underneath is still waterproof. This mainly affects comfort and breathability, not the actual waterproof rating.

How to keep your jacket waterproof?

• keep it clean: dirt and oils reduce both waterproofing and breathability
• use proper detergent: wash with cleaners made for technical waterproof fabrics
• re-activate the DWR: a gentle tumble dry or warm iron (if allowed) restores the coating
• re-proof when needed: if water stops beading on the surface, apply a DWR spray/wash
• avoid wash softeners: they damage the DWR and clog the membrane.

With basic care, the 20.000mm Hopper Core jacket will stay highly waterproof and comfortable for many seasons.

Even when a fabric is fully waterproof, water can still enter through the tiny needle holes created when panels are stitched together. To stop this, high-quality jackets use taped seams — a waterproof tape applied to the inside of each seam using heat and pressure.

Because all seams on the Hopper Core jacket are fully taped, every stitched panel is completely sealed. This prevents any water from seeping through the seams and ensures the jacket achieves its full 20.000mm waterproof performance, even in prolonged, heavy rain.

Fabric weight is measured in grams per square metre (g/m²) and indicates how heavy or dense the material is. A rating of 180g/m² means one square metre of the fabric weighs 180 grams.

In practical terms:

• below 150g/m²: very light, often thin and less durable
• 150–200g/m²: lightweight but durable — ideal for active outerwear
• 200g/m² and above: heavier, warmer and more robust

A 180 g/m² fabric hits the sweet spot for trials and active riding:
it’s light enough to stay flexible and comfortable, yet strong enough to handle abrasion, movement and variable weather conditions. It helps keep overall jacket weight low without sacrificing durability or protection.