The Oxford Hardy 2.0 is a cool looking wax jacket that’s practical and rugged at the same time

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The Oxford Hardy 2.0 is, as the name suggests, the second version of this waxed textile retro jacket from the UK bike kit firm. The new version gets a bit of a styling upgrade but the biggest change is a move from A to AA CE certification.

As wax jackets go, the Hardy is quite a sporty option (not something you’d normally say about a garment with diamond stitching) as it has a short and arms-forward cut. It would be ideal for a sporty Norton, Triumph or BMW roadster but I’ve been wearing it on the 2025 Indian 101 Scout and it’s perfectly comfortable on that, too.

The outer fabric is a water-resistant blend of waxed cotton and polyester (50/50) that allows lighter showers to bead and roll off. In heavier downpours, this layer eventually ‘wets out’ but there’s also a fixed waterproof liner underneath. I’m yet to whip the removable thermal layer out and test the jacket’s ventilation in hot weather but I’ll report back as the season progresses.

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Is the Oxford Hardy 2.0 comfortable? – 4 stars

The Hardy 2.0 needs a little breaking in, which is something I normally associate with leather garments. It doesn’t take long to get started but the first hundred miles or so are quite stiff and rigid before the fabric starts to relax around you. Since that point it has just become more and more comfortable and I anticipate that in years to come it will feel like a comforting second skin.

But this isn’t why I’ve awarded four instead of a maximum five stars for comfort. I find the sleeve design very awkward to use with anything other than short gloves because there is so much thick fabric used in the webbing. I wear comparatively short heated gloves (Gerbing Xtreme XR) that are wired to the bike (so no batteries) and they have no hope of fitting inside the sleeves but also struggle to fit around the outside of the bulky jacket cuffs.

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The situation is made worse by the long elbow armour that extends most of the way down the forearm. I’ve worn a few different winter gloves and gauntlets and have had the same issue with them all. When the sun came out in early March, I got the chance to wear my short, retro, leather gloves (Gold Top Predator) and it was a real relief.

The level 2 shoulder and elbow armour is adjustable for position and is very comfortable.

It sounds like a small thing, but I really like the fleecy lining used in the main front pockets. It makes such a difference to cold, painful hands at a fuel or coffee stop to have that added layer of luxury.

How practical is this jacket? – 4 stars

The Hardy scores well here because of its waterproof design, removable thermal liner and ventilation – it’s far from a one-trick pony. There are plenty of retro style jackets that prioritise looking cool on a sunny pub ride and not much else – and don’t get me wrong, there’s a place for this in the market too – but the Hardy 2.0 takes things a little further.

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Is it the right jacket for a winter of riding? No. But I have been able to start wearing it far earlier in the season than I expected.

It’s got the two front pockets (the fleecy ones), two small breast pockets with popper-fastened flaps and a zip-closure pocket on the upper arm (I think this is mostly for aesthetic purposes) plus a Napoleon pocket inside the main zip and a larger inside pocket sewn onto the mesh liner that will come into play when the thermal liner is removed.

If it weren’t for the sleeves making it so tough to wear winter gloves, I’d have given the Hardy 2.0 five stars for practicality.

Is the Hardy 2.0 good looking? – 5 stars

This is an easy five stars to give: I think the Hardy 2.0 looks fantastic. From the diamond stitching on the shoulders to the fabric colour on this khaki version, I’m completely sold. I’ve also been given compliments on it from bikers and non-bikers alike, so I’m not the only person who thinks it.

Is the Oxford Hardy 2.0 a quality jacket? – 5 stars

It’s early days, but the build is sturdy and all of the zips and press studs feel rugged and strong. There are no bits of frayed or wonky stitching anywhere that I can find and it all feels substantial and well put together. Hardy, you might say.

I’ll be putting a lot more miles on this jacket in the coming months and I’ll update this review if anything comes to light.

Does it offer good protection? – 4 stars

There’s nothing wrong with a CE certification of AA in this market and plenty of similar garments (including the first Hardy) are only built to A. The shoulder and elbow armour is level 2 and feels reassuringly thick and cosseting, too.

I’ve knocked a star off because textile kit can attain AAA certification these days (Oxford’s own stuff often does) and because there is no back protector included. I’ve transferred one over from another jacket but you can buy one separately (the level 2 version is currently on offer at Sportsbike Shop).

Is the Oxford Hardy 2.0 good value for the money? – 5 stars

Even if you pay the RRP for a level 2 back protector, you’ll have spent a total of just under £280. Considering the looks, quality and protection on offer, coupled with the unexpectedly practical features, I think that’s a bargain.

It’s only £10 more than its predecessor, despite the step up in CE certification, and undercuts competition like the similarly spec’d Merlin Barton 2 (£329.99) and is only £70 more than the RST Brixton CE (£179.99) which only has level 1 shoulder and elbow armour and an A certification.

My verdict – 5 stars

The Oxford Hardy 2.0 isn’t perfect, but it’s really very good indeed. Its average score across the categories is 4.5 but since we don’t award half stars, I’m giving it 5. As a cool-looking jacket you can chuck on for a blast up the pub or even commute or tour in from spring to autumn, it’s a solid bit of kit.

I wasn’t expecting the added practicality you get and that really elevates the Hardy 2.0 beyond some other wax jacket options. Add to that an AA CE certification and the comfort levels and what we’ve got here is a jacket I’d happily spend my own money on.

It’s just a slight shame about the cuffs and the omission of a back protector.

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