Oxford Hardy 2.0 review | AA-rated wax-cotton motorcycle jacket

Date reviewed: December 2025 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £249.99 (RRP) | oxfordriderwear.com

The Oxford Hardy 2.0 on review here is a classic-style motorcycle jacket at a very good price with some decent features that will likely put it on many riders’ shopping lists.

I’ve been wearing it for several months on a variety of bikes including my 2019 BMW R1250GS, 1999 Kawasaki ZX-6R and 2001 Honda VFR800, as well as a Triumph Scrambler 400XC to find out if it’s worth the money…

Pros & Cons

Construction and fit

Available in black or khaki brown and made of a 50/50 mix of waxed cotton and polyester, the Oxford Hardy 2.0 has a wonderfully subtle, classic style to it that should make it work on most bikes.

Oxford typically has fairly generous and realistic UK sizing, and while my size Large is okay on me, it is on the more snug side. I need to lose some weight, but the Oxford Hinterland 2.0 I have on review, for instance, is a little more forgiving than the Hardy. I wouldn’t swap it for an XL, but as with any kit do try it on for yourself.

On the plus side, a snug (but comfortable and unrestrictive) fit is a benefit for safety…

Protection & Certification

Rated AA for abrasion resistance AND seam strength AND tear resistance, the Oxford Hardy sits in the middle of the EN17092 safety standard of A, AA and the current highest of AAA. There’s very little AAA-rated textile kit on the market, and with so much choice at AA it seems daft to wear anything that only manages to achieve the lowest Level A.

The Hardy 2.0 comes with soft and extremely comfortable Level 2 Smoothways protectors at the shoulders and elbows, which both conform to the larger Type B size template, and are certified ‘T-‘. Meaning they’ve been tested to remain effective at -10°C. There’s no adjustment available for the position of the armour, but it sits and stays in exactly the right place on me.

There’s a pocket for a back-protector, but you don’t get one included with the Hardy 2.0 so budget an extra £29.99 for the Level 2 version, or £21.99 for the Level 1 if you don’t already have a suitable one or an airbag.

A neat extra touch is the subtle dark grey reflective piping across the back that really pops when it catches the light. It’d have been great to see this on the sides of the arms too.

From April 21 2018, all new motorcycle clothing is deemed to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To meet this legislation, it must be tested to a recognised standard. For more information on the new laws, click here.

Pockets

The two zipped pockets at the waist are the ones I use most on the Oxford Hardy 2.0, and they’re large enough to take my Google Pixel 7 Pro. There’s another pair at the chest and a bicep pocket on the left arm, though while not overly small these seem more cosmetic than valuable.

There’s a zipped Nelson pocket on the inside over the left of the chest, which is again big enough for my phone, though at least part of this pocket blocks the left vent.

Lower down over the left of the waist is also a good-sized pocket with a Velcro fastening that’ll just about take a pair of lightweight summer gloves when you’re off the bike, or a bottle of water (though not with the Velcro fastened). If you have the thermal liner installed this pocket is covered, and there’s not one on the liner.

Fastening

The metal zips used throughout the Oxford Hardy 2.0 are in keeping with the style of the jacket, and it’s great to see a flap over the front to protect your bike’s paintwork.

A short connecting zip at the rear allows the jacket to be attached to compatible jeans to help prevent it pulling up in a slide (and to keep drafts out), so it’s a shame that the pair of loops that are designed to clip around your belt are so ineffective. The way they’re designed seems to make it particularly easy for them to pop open even when bending over, so they’re unlikely to be of much benefit in a crash.

To be fair, I rarely use these straps on any jacket, but it’s worth noting if you rely on them.

Adjustment

There’s no adjustment on the Oxford Hardy 2.0 beyond a choice of two popper points on the neck and hem, but I haven’t felt any need for it. While snug, the expansion areas at the shoulders ay the rear do a good job of keeping this snug yet comfortable when riding, while still looking good when unzipped and walking around off the bike.

The sleeves have just a single popper, and while this jacket works great with a pair of short-cuff gloves, the lack of adjustment here can make it a little harder to get gauntlet gloves over the top. This really is a jacket you’d wear with short summer gloves, but check the fit if you intend to wear it with anything else.

Ventilation

Two zipped vents at the chest provide some ventilation on the Oxford Hardy 2.0, though how effective these are will depend on your bike. If it has a large fairing they won’t be able to scoop much air but on a naked or classic-style bike they’ll be more effective.

In hot weather the Hardy does tend to get a bit warmer than some others, but the comfort mesh liner means it doesn’t get sticky.

Despite the waterproof membrane the vents are direct-to-body (though the left one is slightly restricted by the Nelson pocket). I do think that this jacket would have been better without a waterproof membrane, though of course it’s rarely very hot in the UK so it could have ended up a little drafty without that wind-proofing in the cooler months. Still, I’d prefer to pop on a windproof layer if needs be.

While comfortable, the included armour doesn’t have any ventilation holes, though the optional back protector does have a few.

Warmth

As the days cool off the Oxford Hardy keeps you fairly snug, especially with the thermal liner installed, though I did find it pretty tight like this so check your sizing if you’re likely to use it.

Kit like this is something I tend to wear on sunnier days, but in Spring or Autumn the Oxford Hardy 2.0 can remain a good choice.

Liner

Apart from over the limb protectors and the top of the back protector, the Hardy 2.0 is lined with a fine, soft and comfortable mesh that feels good against the skin and reduces sweat in hotter weather.

Waterproofing

I’ve never really understood the point of short-cuff waterproof gloves, and longer ones might be an issue with this jacket as they’ll struggle to get over the sleeves or under them. Really though, despite the fixed waterproof drop-liner installed inside, the Oxford Hardy 2.0 isn’t a good jacket for wet weather. Water beads up on it well, and the drop liner helps but the vents go straight to the body so without any form of waterproof seal on the zips, these are the first entry point for rain. This isn’t an all-weather jacket for anything beyond a quick shower.

Cleaning

The Oxford Hardy 2.0 is not washable and the label states that it should only be brushed clean with a soft dry brush, so – much like leather – you can’t expect to sling it in the washing machine.

This could help it build up its own natural patina over time, and as with any reviews I’ll keep this updated if anything changes.

I found it harder than usual to get the armour out and back in, but as it’s not necessary when brushing it off that’s not an issue.

Three alternatives to the Oxford Hardy 2.0

Here are some othe classic-styled jackets you might be considering…

• Weise Chester, £279.99 | You read that right – £280 for a AAA-rated jacket with full armour at the shoulders, elbows and back. The armour’s only rated to Level 1, which is a shame, but this is a still a great price. We’ll have the review of this out very soon, and so far our only point to note is the exposed main zip. This shouldn’t be a problem on classic-style bikes where you don’t lay over the tank, but it’s worth being aware of. Full review of the Weise Chester coming soon.

• Spada Temper Trucker, £299.99 | I love this jacket – the fit, style and design touches have made it one of my favourites, and it’s a good price too. Level 2 Type B armour is included at the shoulders and elbows, and you also get a Level 2 full back protector as well. It can get hot in peak summer, especially with the sheepskin-style liner as there are no vents, but you can remove the collar if you want. Read the full review of the Spada Temper Trucker here.

• Goldtop '72 Easy Rider, £429.99 | Goldtop makes some beautiful AAA-rated leather jackets with a wide variety of classic styles on offer – this AAA-rated ’72 Easy Rider is just one of a huge range of beautiful options. Read the full review of the Goldtop '72 Easy Rider here.

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the jackets we’ve tested here  and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership.

Oxford Hardy 2.0 review: Verdict

Oxford has long been considered one of the more affordable motorcycle clothing brands, yet it’s consistently been releasing some of the best kit on the market across a range of styles for several years.
The Hardy 2.0 is a great design with some neat touches, though there are a few minor points that stop it being perfect. Still, it remains a great-looking jacket that I’ve been wearing a lot for several months and is certainly well worth trying on if you’re in the market for this style.

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