The British brand’s autumn/winter 2026 range includes three waterproof shells and new spray trousers, with ventilation a key part of the pitch to muddy trail riders.
Altura has introduced new waterproof MTB jackets for autumn/winter 2026, with the £100 Esker and £160 Ridge heading its off-road collection. Both use three-layer fabrics and taped seams, but the Ridge brings higher claimed waterproofing and breathability figures, plus a different approach to getting air through the front of the jacket.
For UK MTB and eMTB riders, that makes the comparison more interesting than price alone. Keeping rain out is only half the job when a slow climb leaves you hot and the descent immediately turns cold. How easily you can adjust ventilation matters too.
Altura waterproof MTB jackets: the range at a glance
| Jacket | UK RRP | Claimed waterproofing / breathability | Main feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esker Waterproof | £100 | 10K / 10K | Relaxed fit and integrated ventilation |
| Ridge Lite Waterproof | £120 | 15K / 15K | Packs into its chest pocket |
| Ridge Waterproof | £160 | 20K / 20K | Front mesh ventilation panel and pit zips |
These are Altura’s published ratings and recommended prices. We have not yet tested the new jackets, so the figures should be read as specifications rather than a verdict on their performance.
Esker: a three-layer shell for £100
The Esker is the least expensive of the three, combining 10K/10K fabric with fully taped seams, an adjustable helmet-compatible hood and a relaxed cut. Altura lists underarm vents and a front zip popper system for controlling airflow, alongside deep hand pockets.
At £100, the specification gives riders a reason to consider it alongside other waterproof MTB jackets. The questions for a trail test are how well that ventilation works during sustained effort, whether the hood follows your head and how the fit behaves when you reach forward over the bars.
Ridge: higher ratings and extra airflow control
The £160 Ridge uses a three-layer fabric rated at 20K/20K, with taped seams and a front mesh gaiter ventilation system backed up by pit zips. The mesh panel allows airflow through the front while keeping the jacket held together, rather than leaving it fully open.
Altura positions the Ridge for longer days in the hills. Both the Ridge and Esker come in men’s and women’s versions, with adjustable hoods and large front pockets. Whether the Ridge justifies its £60 premium will depend on comfort and weather protection on the trail, as well as those higher fabric ratings.
What do 10K/10K and 20K/20K mean?
The first number describes the fabric’s resistance to water pressure; 10K means a 10,000mm water-column rating. The second describes moisture-vapour transfer, commonly expressed in grams per square metre over 24 hours. It is a breathability figure, not a windproof rating.
Higher figures do not automatically mean a jacket feels better to ride in, and breathability results depend on the test method. Cut, vents and layers all matter. Our guide to waterproof MTB clothing ratings explains how to interpret the numbers.
Ridge Lite and spray trousers fill out the range
Between the two headline jackets sits the £120 Ridge Lite. It uses a three-layer 15K/15K fabric and packs into its chest pocket, giving it an obvious role for rides where a shell spends some time in your bag.
The £100 Ridge Spray Trousers take a different approach to weather protection. A waterproof rear tackles wheel spray, while stretchy front panels are water-repellent. They should therefore be distinguished from fully waterproof MTB trousers when choosing kit for prolonged rain. Altura describes a unisex fit with room through the upper thigh, a slimmer lower leg and waist adjustment.
The collection also includes Esker zip-off cargo trousers and a £60 Airstream long-sleeve jersey with a full zip and rear pockets. The jacket range is the main draw for wet-weather trail riding, though: three price points, three fabric ratings and a useful comparison to make once the rain sets in.
The autumn/winter 2026 collection is available through Altura.