The Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Wind Jacket II lives up to the Pro Team name with a race-focussed cut designed to keep the flapping of the jacket to a minimum.

Construction

It utilises a mix of fabric zones to provide quality windproofing as well as stretch for a comfortable yet close race fit. It is nice to see a large proportion of the nylon used in the production comes from recycled fibres.

There's a two-way zip for enhanced temperature regulation as well providing easier access to any jersey pockets under the jacket. Reflective detailing is also present on the left sleeve (EU and US buyers benefit most here), lower front, and across the middle of the lower back.

Sizes are XS to XXL, while there are five colours available for SS26.

Performance

I've been impressed by the jacket across a range of temperatures and conditions. Personally I struggle with a lot of post-PFAS waterproofs as I generate a lot of heat, and the lack of breathability means I soak from the inside out even in the rain. I personally prefer the wind proofing performance of a layer such as the Pro Team Lightweight Wind Jacket at the expense of waterproofing. I find I am able to keep a consistent temperature as I don’t get cold. Windchill is what generally results in water dampness making you colder. And this jacket is exceptionally good against wind chill.

I’ve been using this in 10˚-15˚C weather, with plenty of wind and rain. In those milder temperatures it breathes brilliantly meaning that you don’t boil in the bag. Meanwhile in cooler, wet conditions, the wind proofing is great and stops you cooling down.

I also am a huge fan of the race fit. It’s a bit on the short side in both body and sleeve lengths, so some jersey hem is often visible at the base of the jacket, but it’s not too bad. The big bonus is the lack of flapping and billowing around the waist and the shoulders. I can’t stand the sound of flapping when riding, and given this has been designed to focus on being a windproof layer for mountain descents, lack of billowing is a big plus in my books. It also helps aero performance, very on brand with the Pro Team range.

I like a wind jacket that can be stuffed very small, occupying half a pocket with some food in there too or tools. The Rapha Lightweight Wind Jacket does just that. I can pack it into a cargo short pocket, a half full jersey pocket, or into a top-tube bag with relative ease. This means that this has become my go-to layer to take with me on most rides; early starts on a warm day where there is fog and a bit of chill in the air is another ideal scenario for this jacket.

I am glad to see a two-way zip. It’s aids access to pockets under the jacket, and helps with temperature regulation. The zip locks well, and is easy to operate. With heavier winter gloves on it’s a bit small to grab, but otherwise it’s very good.

I like the colour range on offer. I’d have preferred the white option rather than this dark navy for visibility’s sake, but it’s a smart look that goes with most kit choices. There is also decent reflective detailing on the back and upper arms. Less so on the front, but Pro Team means they expect you to be hunched over in a race position. The arm reflective logos are at least visible from the front.

Value

There is of course one element where this jacket perhaps suffers a bit, and that is relative cost. I do appreciate that there is a good ratio of recycled materials in this jacket, but at £175 / $235, it is still quite a lot for a wind proof jacket. The Castelli Aria Shell jacket though is equally packable, but costs £120 / $160. The Assos Mille GT Wind Jacket S11 is also cheaper at £135 / $185.

From personal experience, the Castelli Aria Shell is even more packable, the Assos less so, but both billow a little more and the Castelli lacks a two-way zip. The PNS Mechanism Stowaway jacket is also the same price, but features a DWR coating making it a little better suited for more inclement weather, but I don’t know yet if this affects breathability. The latest Mechanism Shell Waterproof is certainly more breathable than a lot of more recent PFAS free waterproof DWRs.

It does mean that the Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Wind Jacket is potentially not the best value for money. But then if you prize packability, thermal regulation, and also a jacket that fits like an aero jersey, then this jacket performs brilliantly across all those aspects where so far I have yet to find a jacket that can. They tend to compromise in one of those areas.

Conclusion

The Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Wind Jacket II has become one of my favourite garments, and my go-to stash jacket for pretty much any ride. It packs down small, is highly windproof, yet very breathable. It keeps your temperature more regulated in both colder wet conditions thanks to less windchill, but also not too warm for foggy summer starts or windy downhills.

It’s not cheap, and maybe not the best value, but it is my favourite jacket to wear especially for rides where speed is a focus. The lack of material flapping and thermal regulation are key reasons for why I love this jacket so much.

Keeping the pedals turning through the winter months can require serious protection if riding is going to be enjoyable. The options are lots of layers, or a ‘winter jacket’ like the Santini Power Shield Pro All-weather Jacket. It protects against wind, rain and cold without the need to don multiple layers, acting as a ‘one stop shop’ for all your winter needs.

There are pros and cons of both approaches, but there is a lot to be said for the simple option. However, that does then place a heavy onus on the jacket to perform - it must fit well and offer insulation and water/wind resistance if not outright waterproof, but the most important element for me is that it must breathe sufficiently and not retain moisture on the inside.

Construction

Polartec’s Power Shield Pro fabric is extremely interesting, especially in a post-PFAS world. It is windproof, waterproof, breathable and stretchy, all whilst being made from plants. Well, at least, the membrane part of the fabric is made from 48% “bio-based materials”, providing a waterproof performance of 20,000mm of static head without the use of environmentally harmful PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance). All the jacket’s seams are taped, so it is fully waterproof.

Perhaps even more importantly, the breathability stat for Power Shield Pro is 20,000g/m2/24hrs, which is pretty decent for a waterproof material and even more so for a tough, softshell-style jacket rather than a flimsy waterproof.

Fabric aside, the cut, fit, and details of the jacket are very similar to those of Santini’s Windbloc Thermo Jacket, which I wore alongside it over the winter. The size large fitted me well, with room enough for a warm base layer underneath and plenty of length in the body and sleeves. There was probably slightly more room in this Power Shield Pro piece though, mainly because it lacked the bulky fleece inside, as the material just has a light grid pattern rather than any additional insulation. Santini offers a suggested usage range of 0°C to 10°C, but, as ever, this is very dependent on what is worn underneath it.

The Power Shield Pro fabric is pretty stretchy too, despite the membrane, with plenty of give for comfort and movement, whilst the double-ended front zip is water-resistant, with a large placket behind it for added weatherproofing. The collar is a good height, but lacks any soft-touch lining.

One final welcome area where this jacket differs from the Windbloc Thermo is the inclusion of a rear pocket with a waterproof zip, albeit on the left side rather than the more usual right-hand side.

Otherwise, the three large rear pockets, single-shoulder branding and reflective details are all as you’d expect and there is a small internal patch with details of a climb in the Bergamasque Alps called Il Selvino - for added inspiration and motivation I guess.

The Power Shield Pro All-weather Jacket is a unisex product available in Black, Beige, Green and Purple, in XXS to XXXXL.

The ride

Perhaps the biggest compliment (and uninformed confession on my part) is that for the first ride or two, I didn’t realise that the Power Shield Pro was waterproof. That is to say that I wore it on cool, breezy days when temperatures were above freezing, and I didn’t suffer unduly from moisture inside the jacket. When it dawned on me that the jacket was made of waterproof fabric with taped seams, I was even more impressed by its performance. Compared with the more insulated but not waterproof Windbloc Thermo, the Power Shield Pro was far more breathable. On the other hand, the Velocio Alpha Air Jacket and Castelli Espresso Air Jacket are even more breathable, albeit neither of them is waterproof.

On solo hilly rides when I could regulate my pace, there was virtually no dampness inside at all, and even on higher tempo group rides, the fabric’s ability to move moisture away from the skin was very good. I know that the Power Shield Pro is much less warm, but it does seem odd that the waterproof jacket is more breathable than Santini's windproof one!

Santini’s temperature rating of 0°C to 10°C doesn’t seem too far out, but at the lower end, I’d need a couple of layers underneath or to know that I was going to be working hard. This isn’t a jacket that you could take off and put in a pocket when not in use on warmer days either, so once you’ve left the house, you are committed to wearing it all ride long.

After a good few washes, the external DWR treatment is still working well, with water beading up and rolling straight off, and although I have yet to ride it in serious rain, it is nice to know that you don’t necessarily have to carry an additional waterproof jacket if showers are in the forecast.

The only real criticism I have of the jacket is the available colours; the black and green are a bit dark for road safety during the winter months, and I can’t see the beige/cream option staying very clean-looking for long on a grimy day. The purple is probably the best choice, but it looks a bit old-fashioned to my eyes - maybe I spent too long drooling over anodised bike parts back in the day. I have also noticed a couple of picks/pulls in the soft outer fabric, but I can’t yet ascertain whether that is a one-off from me catching something or indicative of a vulnerability.

The size large was a good fit on me at 186cm/73kg, with room enough underneath for a toasty winter baselayer and even a light midlayer. The stretch meant that pocket access and movement on the bike was unrestricted (or at least as unrestricted as winter kit ever allows) whilst the body and sleeve length provided ample coverage and protection.

I can’t speak to its suitability for women in terms of its cut, but not producing a women’s specific version of such a useful jacket seems a bit of a shame.

I’ve referenced the Windbloc Thermo a few times above, and ideally, what I’d love to see is an amalgamation of the two products - a waterproof, breathable jacket with a few strategic areas of Alpha insulation. That would be a formidable winter jacket indeed.

Value and conclusion

It's a pricey product, there is no doubt about that, but £250 is arguably less than you would need to spend on a good waterproof jacket plus insulating layers. It is also a nice, simple solution to riding in a wide variety of weather conditions and temperatures, negating the need for too much pre-ride cogitating and clothing faff. Whether you prefer this approach to a more adaptable layering system is up to you.

The breathability, which in my opinion is the most important aspect of clothing performance, was impressive for this type of top, and gives it a high degree of versatility - it wasn’t just a jacket that I wore if I thought I might get wet, I was more than happy to wear it on cold, dry days too and it was nice not always to feel the need to stuff an additional waterproof in my pocket every ride.

5 stars it is then, reflecting its fit, performance and wide operating parameters. I'd like the colours to better suit UK winter conditions and a women’s-specific fit version, though.

If you aim to avoid the easy charms of Zwift, or just prefer year-round riding outside, then a dedicated winter jacket is essential if you want to avoid the inconvenience of multiple layers. Ideally, such a piece will be warm, breathable and comfortable as well as offering at least a degree of wind and water resistance.

One of Santini’s entrants in this category is the Windbloc Thermo Jacket, and with a suggested temperature rating of -8°C and +5°C, they are clearly confident that their product is, at the very least, going to be extremely warm.

Sewn inside the jacket is a motivational label with a few paragraphs detailing ‘Il Selvino’, a 10km climb in the Bergamo region, which tops out at about 1,000m. Perhaps the Windbloc Thermo has been designed for a winter ascent?

Construction

Burly is the word that springs to mind on first acquaintance with the Windbloc Thermo Jacket. The combination of fleece-lined Polartec Windbloc and the additional Polartec Alpha insulation gives the jacket a comforting, impenetrable feel that is possibly better suited to Arctic winter conditions than braving a bit of slightly chilly UK drizzle.

The entire jacket is made from Windbloc, without deviation, whilst the super warm Alpha fabric has been strategically deployed on the chest and around the collar. Polartec Alpha is a superb insulation which is light, packable and very warm, but perhaps its key attribute is its breathability as the fabric used is very open and ‘fluffy’.

The usual three rear pockets are all present and correct, but the Santini blurb also mentions a fourth hidden pocket, and I have to admit it took me far longer to find it than it should have done. I reckon if you weren’t specifically looking for it, you could own this jacket for years without knowing that it even existed. For the record, it’s an additional section in the right rear pocket made of very light mesh with a little flap over it. I would have much preferred an external zipped pocket.

A double-ended zip with substantial zipper garages allows for extra ventilation, and there are three reflective strips - two on the rear pockets and one on the left shoulder with Santini branding.

Available in XS to XXXXL for men in Green, Blue and Black, and XXS to XXXL for women in Green and Black.

The ride

I had to wait a little while after first receiving the jacket before I could wear it, as it simply wasn’t cold enough to consider going out in it. Although I’m not likely to be anywhere near my road bike at -8°C, I did get a number of rides in with the mercury at or below zero eventually, and still found it a bit too warm once I got up to temperature.

Or at least, I found it to be too sweaty.

For the first 15 minutes, it felt great, brushing off frigid winds and icy temperatures with no problem, making me feel invincible. But, without fail, after that, the moisture started to build up inside on my baselayer and not long after I was slightly damp and chilly - especially if there was any kind of stoppage for mechanicals or cafes. I invariably arrived home and stripped off the jacket and damp undergarment straight away, in stark contrast to the Velocio Alpha Air that I was using alongside the Windbloc Thermo, which was far more breathable.

Even Santini’s own waterproof Power Shield Pro All-weather Jacket was better in terms of breathability.

In Santini’s defence, I will say that, living where I do in a particularly hilly part of the country, all my rides require a certain degree of effort, even when I’d prefer to take it easy; however, Windbloc has never been a particularly breathable fabric and a jacket made using 100% Windbloc is always going to struggle to move enough moisture outwards for optimal comfort during exercise.

Other than the breathability issues, I loved the fit and feel of the jacket. The size large fitted me well at 186cm and 73kg, with enough room for a winter base layer but not much more, with good length sleeves ensuring no annoying wrist gap. Furthermore, despite the Windbloc fabric’s robust feel, it had some stretch in it too, so the jacket never felt overly restrictive or cumbersome.

I am a big fan of keeping my neck warm, and the high, Alpha-lined collar offered plenty of protection against wind chill, almost negating the need for my beloved neck gaiter. The pockets were at a nice height and easy to access too, even trussed up in winter garb, and the overall bombproof feel genuinely encouraged me out in weather that might otherwise have had me heading to Watopia.

Whilst I like the dark green of the test jacket, and I’m sure that the alternative blue and black options are equally nice, it does seem crazy only to offer very dark colours in a piece that by design will mainly be used in less than ideal weather conditions. Granted, in Italy perhaps cold does not necessarily equal dank and gloomy, but in the UK it usually does, so a brighter option would be useful.

Value and Conclusion

I was disappointed by the performance of Windbloc Thermo, not least because it felt so nice to wear and ride in up until the point that the fabric couldn’t cope with the moisture transfer.

I struggle to think of a scenario where it would be the best product to wear; maybe if you had a flat, non-strenuous commute or never exerted yourself whilst riding? But then would you really be likely to spend £200 on a jacket for riding in below-zero temperatures?

Maybe I sweat more than I think, or perhaps the weather wasn't really cold enough for the Windbloc Thermo, but it didn't perform as I would have liked.

Ultimately, I think it is a garment that has been superseded by products that use more appropriate fabrics, like the Castelli Espresso Air jacket. Blocking out all cold winds and providing excellent insulation is only really worthwhile if you don’t get wet from your own sweat, otherwise you are just shifting the problem from external to internal factors.

It is a hard one to give a rating to; on the one hand, the fit, look, feel and spec sheet are 5 star, but, in my use case at least, the performance is lacking, and certainly lagging behind the best products that I have used. Eventually, I settled on 3.5 stars, with the proviso that it isn’t recommended for any scenario that is going to see you sweating for any extended period of time. If you want fantastic weather protection and cosy warmth, then it may well be the warmest cycling jacket I’ve ever worn, perfect for descending Il Selvino, but not ideal for the tough ascent, unfortunately.

The name Velocio might not be as familiar to some of you as cycling stalwarts like Castelli and Assos, and the New England brand might have only been around since 2013, but it has made a good name for itself in the premium apparel sector. Named after French cyclist Paul de Vivie, who wrote under the name Velocio, the American brand was acquired by SRAM in 2022, but has remained a largely separate entity in terms of brand image and marketing.

Its comprehensive range covers road, gravel, mountain and lifestyle with a characteristically muted colour palette and designs that concentrate on fit and fabrics rather than buzzwords and over-complication. Velocio is also part of the 1% for the Planet partnership, members of which donate 1% of annual sales to designated environmental groups.

Velocio’s Alpha Air is available in a whopping 8 sizes, from XS to XXXXL for men and XXS to XXXL for women, but Black or Plum Truffle are the only colours for either gender.

Construction

The Alpha Air owes more to outdoor clothing than it does to more traditional cycling apparel. Although Velocio don’t use these terms, the Alpha Air is effectively a combination of a fleece-lined Pertex windshell on the front and a Powerstretch jacket on the back; lined windproof garments have long been a mainstay of walking and mountaineering gear, going right back to the original Buffalo designs. Now though, the lining to the wind-resistant material is Polartec Alpha, a very warm, light and compressible high-loft fleece that is particularly breathable and is a far cry from the basic designs of its distant precursors.

The arms also follow this pattern, and are half Alpha-lined windproof and half jersey-weight fleece (as Velocio calls it). The collar is high and close-fitting with a cosy Alpha lining, and there are three decent-sized rear pockets made from the lightweight windproof material. There is no sign of a zipped security pocket - a pet peeve of mine - but in this instance, I can grant Velocio a little bit of leeway as I imagine that neither material would take a zip very easily.

The full-length front zip is double-ended, useful for toilet breaks, ventilation and if anything is stored in jersey pockets beneath the jacket.

Weight is noticeable by its absence; the Alpha Air in size medium weighs just 254g, compared with, for example, 405g for the Santini Windbloc Thermo Jacket or 353g for Castelli’s Espresso Air.

And frankly, that is about that. It is a fairly simple design that relies heavily on the quality of the fabrics and the fit.

The ride

I’ll confess, I was a little underwhelmed when I first unboxed the Alpha Air; its lack of weight gave it an almost flimsy feel compared with the burliness of something like Castelli’s Espresso Air Jacket or Van Rysel’s RCR-R Pro 4 Season jacket, and I was sceptical about Velocio’s -4°C temperature rating claim.

The medium fitted me very well, and in line with most other brands’ jackets, but it didn’t really look or feel like a particularly protective outer layer, so I was cautious about when to use it to start with. A short ride here, a little gravel loop there, in conditions that weren’t too arctic.

However, it passed every successive test with flying colours and so I eventually committed to a 100km gravel ride with a maximum forecast temperature of -3°C. With just a long-sleeved base layer underneath and the occasional addition of a gilet when stationary, the Alpha air kept me warm from frigid dawn to baltic dusk.

The next cold blast of Arctic air saw me deploy it for a 90km road ride, and again, it performed flawlessly, defying my initial misgivings about it.

The more I ride in different jackets of varying brands, fabrics and purposes, the more I am convinced that breathability is by far and away the key metric that defines a garment's performance. All the insulation and/or weather protection is worthless if your sweat chills you from the inside out; this is the Alpha Air’s pièce de résistance. It is phenomenally breathable.

Those large fleece panels, of course, let plenty of moist air out through them, but so do the front-facing, Alpha-lined sections. In fact, I don’t think that these areas are even 100% windproof, but it doesn’t matter. They block enough breeze that, even in at -6°C (plus windchill), I never felt cold, and my base layer (and skin) remained perfectly dry. After most rides, I strip off my damp layers as soon as I enter the house, but with the Alpha Air, I was perfectly comfortable to make my coffee and poached eggs without feeling an urgent need to disrobe first.

There is no discernible DWR treatment on the outer, and even light mist wets the jacket, but because its breathability is so good, it also makes a perfect mid-layer to wear under a waterproof. Thus, rather than putting off when to put on an extra layer in the wet because you know that the boil-in-a-bag feeling is only minutes away, I was perfectly happy to put my Squall Shell or Shakedry over the Alpha Air.

It’s a versatile piece too, with an aesthetic that is perhaps slightly more gravel than road race and it would work very well for bikepacking, I think. Its warmth and moisture management capabilities make it ideal for cold starts and cool weather days, whilst its low weight means that it would be easy to pack away when not needed, albeit not in a jersey pocket.

Value and conclusion

Truly exceptional performance, versatility and great fit make it pretty simple to give the Alpha Air 5 stars, even at £192 / $259. It is not something to wear on its own when raining, but it is easy to add a waterproof over the top when required.

For high-exertion rides, its breathability and moisture management were simply superb, keeping me warm and, crucially, dry at all times. In damp conditions, you would need to carry a waterproof layer as well, but there aren’t many winter riders when I feel confident enough to leave the house without one anyway.

Identifiable by its innovative two-layer construction, Castelli’s first Alpha Jacket was launched in 2014. Over the years, there have been tweaks to the design. In late 2025, Castelli launched the Alpha 150 jacket - available in both men’s and women’s versions - describing it as ‘the ultimate winter cycling jacket’. It's featured in our winter guides regularly over the years.

CONSTRUCTION

Castelli’s exclusive Polartec® AirCore™ fabric, used for the outer shell of the Alpha 150, is engineered for maximum air permeabilty. The electrospun membrane is designed to aid the beading of water on the fabric surface - this is a mechanical beading. A PFAS-free DWR fabric treatment adds further water repellency.

Remarkably thin for a winter jacket, and similar to many of our favourite waterproof jackets, the fabric has plenty of stretch in all directions. A two-way zip on the outer layer adds an element of self-control to the air flow reaching the jacket’s inner layer…

The sewn-in gilet, made with Polartec® Alpha insulation, is designed to provide lightweight warmth while simultaneously enhancing moisture management.

The three rear pockets are well positioned. Dropping them a few millimetres might benefit riders with less flexibility, but I’ve experienced far worse designs and never found accessing the contents too challenging.

There is a very easy-to-access zipped valuables pocket on the left-hand side. It’s brilliantly placed for fuss-free access to a house key at the end of a ride when energy levels are low. The bottom of this pocket is almost in line with the bottom of the zip, so if you forget to close it, items can easily escape - speaking from experience! On that occasion, access (infuriatingly, to my house) was anything but fuss-free.

The cuffs are a unique design. While they look sleek, I didn’t find they added any meaningful functionality. None of my gloves integrated neatly with the layering - if that’s the intention - instead sitting either fully over or fully under the cuff. After riding in heavy rain, the cuffs also remain damp post-shower, even though the rest of the jersey dries quickly.

The fit is exactly as expected. I typically wear a medium, and the medium tested fits perfectly. There’s generous length in both the arms and body, a well-considered on-bike cut, and sufficient room for a heavier base layer if needed. I’d recommend sticking with your usual size for this jacket.

The jacket is available in sizes XS through XL and comes in three colour options: Black, Hibiscus, and Bordeaux (as shown in the photos).

THE RIDE

The jacket landed on my doorstep in early January - just in time for the wettest, most miserable start to a year on record. The first few rides were in mixed conditions, with intermittent showers and temperatures hovering between 6℃/43°F and 9℃/48°F. Castelli gives a performance window of -2°C/28°F to 10°C/50°F. I’d say this is well-judged, give or take a degree or two depending on your personal internal thermostat.

From the outset, the jacket impressed, with temperature regulation really standing out. After a few tempo efforts, there were visible signs of moisture on the inside of the outer shell, yet the inner Polartec layer was bone dry - it’s a magical mid-layer.

My base layer wasn’t entirely free of dampness, but very few jackets I’ve tested manage moisture as well as the Alpha 150. The option to unzip the outer was appreciated; the inner Polartec gilet banishes the usual rush of cold air against a warm torso. The upper zipper toggle is easy to grab with gloved hands, the lower less so, but it’s still useful to let air reach the abdomen.

A brief cold snap allowed me to test the jacket in much lower temperatures - think 2℃/35°F to 5°C/41°F. For something so lightweight, it performs exceptionally well. Moisture build-up remains minimal, and there’s no noticeable chill when riding into cold winds or descending at speed. Stopping to change an inner tube on a very cold day was a breeze - no rapid cooling and subsequent shivering.

Short, very light showers were initially no problem for the jacket; water beaded and rolled off, as did road spray. Anything more prolonged dampened the outer, though the inner remained relatively dry. Thankfully, the thin outer doesn’t feel weighty when wet. It’s exceptionally fast-drying too - with the exception of the cuffs, as previously mentioned.

January’s weather deteriorated - continual rain, heavy at times. Every single ride during the second half of the month (and into February) was in the rain, on filthy roads. The outer soon stopped repelling rain, instead absorbing it from the moment the first few drops hit it. Considering the 4 out of 5 waterproof rating on Castelli’s website I was surprised how quickly performance deteriorated. With such conditions, the jacket was laundered several times a week. In short, the PFAS-free, water-soluble DWR was being exposed to far too much water - it eventually dissolved.

I’ve treated the jacket with some Nikwax spray-on reviver, it’s now repelling as well as it did on day one. In this PFAS-free era, it is impossible to buy a jacket that doesn’t need regular reviving if you ride in rainy weather. This needs highlighting on companies’ websites so that consumers aren’t misled by ratings. Nikwax’s profits should be booming. For a jacket in the price range of the Alpha 150, I think Castelli could include a free bottle of reviver upon purchase of the jacket. The need to use it will naturally correlate to how often you ride in the rain and wash the jacket.

VALUE AND CONCLUSION

With an RRP of £360/US$420, the Alpha 150 sits firmly in the ‘premium jacket bracket’. If you feel prices are getting a little out of hand, look at Q36.5’s Dottore Termica Light Mediterranea Jacket, with a comparable double-layer construction, which retails for £450/US$600. At the time of writing, the Alpha 150 is available direct from Castelli for a more palatable £252/US$294.

Other comparable options include Rapha’s Pro Team Shadow Winter Jacket at £325/US$435, though the stated temperature range is fairly conservative - -2°C/28°F to 5°C/41°F - so it arguably doesn’t represent the same level of value as Castelli’s. Assos’ Dyora R Habu Winter Jacket is another premium contender, claiming similar protection in temperatures from 2°C/26°F to 11°C/52°F, and priced at £335/US$450.

Of course, stepping away from premium brands opens up more affordable alternatives. For example, Lusso’s £160 Perform Winter Jacket, or one of Van Rysel’s winter jackets options which all come in under £80.

Given the substantial discount available at the time of writing, the Alpha 150 stands out as strong value among premium offerings. That said, I still feel the waterproof rating is somewhat exaggerated. This is worth bearing in mind if you’re considering a purchase - it will only become a concern if you regularly ride in sustained rain. In such conditions, I’d recommend adding a fully waterproof outer layer, along with a suitable reproofing treatment such as Nikwax (no doubt other brands will follow, if they haven’t already).

The perfect waterproof jacket doesn’t exist.

Ideally, I want a garment that is very light but tough, packs down small but fits perfectly, breathes superbly but doesn't let any water in, is aero and non-flappy in the summer but fits over multiple winter layers and doesn’t cost the earth. As no one seems to have invented a miracle jacket that fits all these criteria, I confess to owning, erm, more than one waterproof cycling jacket.

If anyone ought to know how to make a good waterproof jacket, though, it’s Lusso. Based in Manchester in the north of England, it’s a city with a reputation for rain and grey skies, necessitating good clothing for anyone who wants to ride year-round.

It was good to see that the jacket (and the Paragon Deep Winter Bib Tights) arrived in packaging made from UK-sourced, 100% FSC certified spruce (paper) rather than plastic, and also worth noting that Lusso offers repair services for all of its products in a bid to extend their serviceable lifespan.

Construction

The Perform HardRain Jacket sits at the more robust end of the spectrum, though it still weighs only 258g on my digital scales for a size medium.

It’s made from eVent, a 3-layer membrane fabric that has always had an excellent reputation for breathability (even to the extent that some users felt that it was colder to wear than Gore-Tex, for example). There is also a slight stretch to the jacket, ensuring it won’t restrict movement.

Lusso claims that the fabric has a hydrostatic head of 15,000mm (the height in millimetres of the column of water that it can withstand without leaking), which is pretty good for a relatively lightweight material.

The front of the jacket features a 2-way YKK AquaGuard zip with a zip garage at the top, whilst the collar is a decent height for protection and has a nice soft lining for comfort, along with an external hanging loop. There are a few perforated holes under the arms for ventilation, though that goes against the jacket’s waterproof nature, really.

The lower hem has Lusso-branded embossed elastic, the wrists have a simple elastic closure and there is a phone-sized zipped pocket on the rear right-hand side. The branding on the rear and the chest is reflective.

Black and Cobalt are the other two colour choices, alongside this orange option, all available in 2XS to 4XL. Lusso says that it is a unisex product.

The ride

The fit of the Perform HardRain is quite different to many Euro products, and quite deliberately so, according to Lusso, aimed as it is at the British market. Although the review jacket was my usual size medium, there was far more room in it than I’d expect from Castelli or Santini, for example. In part, this will be to leave plenty of scope for layering up underneath it, and also, I guess, to leave more room for both male and female anatomies, as it is a unisex piece.

The Perform HardRain looks like it has a very long drop tail, but in fact, what it has is a very short front. The rear of the jacket didn’t cover any more of my bum than any other jacket, whilst at the front, the jacket didn’t fully cover my under-layer so my jersey poked out the bottom. To be fair, I don’t possess a Lusso jersey, so they may well be cut to work perfectly with the HardRain, but the cold-weather jerseys I do own are longer at the front than the Lusso waterproof.

For me, at 73kg and 186cm, the overall fit was not perfect - too wide and too short, but I suspect that there will be many riders for whom the fit is great, and certainly much better than that of many traditional European cycling brands.

Much more to my liking was the jacket’s performance on the road. Hydrostatic head is one thing, but I find breathability a much more important factor when judging a waterproof jacket’s capabilities and the HardRain was impressive in this respect. Whereas I usually avoid wearing a waterproof jacket if at all possible, I wore the HardRain on some rides when it wasn’t even raining to take advantage of its hi-viz colour, and never felt like I was suffering in terms of breathability, even on the many local hills.

Couple that with its reasonably robust nature, and it is a jacket that could easily be worn from start to finish of a ride, not just when the heavens open - ideal for hardier riders than me who will still embark on a ride when it’s already lashing down.

On that note, should conditions change and the protection no longer be required, then the HardRain will, just about, fit into a jersey pocket. I do think that Lusso has missed a trick by not making the small, rear pocket a stash bag for the jacket, though. When I first examined the HardRain, I fully expected the pocket to have a double-sided zip and turn into a storage sack.

Fit aside, I really liked the high, soft collar and great arm length, which, coupled with the fabric’s relative ruggedness, gave a reassuring feel to the jacket.

Value and conclusion

As I began with, the perfect waterproof jacket doesn’t exist, but Lusso has nailed its colours to the mast here and created a very worthwhile, UK-centric piece. They haven’t chased grams or designed a product that will only fit pros with 5% body fat; rather, the HardRain offers an alternative that will work very well for plenty of real-world riders.

The fabric is impressive, the cut accommodating and the design well-suited to inclement weather riding. The only objective criticism of it that I have is that I wish it packed down into its pocket. Subjectively, the fit isn’t perfect on me, but I can’t mark it down for that, and I think that £180 is a reasonable price for it, given the protection and likely durability that it offers.

The original Castelli Gabba gained quite a reputation for being a piece of kit that was the envy of the pro peloton. During the infamous 2013 Milan San Remo that was nearly thwarted by freezing rain and snow, many non-Castelli sponsored teams were reaching for Gabba jackets, such was the balance of insulation, weather proofing, and a relative race fit it provided.

This evolution of the Gabba goes down a new path, with the new Gabba R standing for Race. This is no longer a multi-purpose jacket that is a jack-of-all-trades, but is now a no compromise race-pace waterproof jacket.

Construction

The Gabba R has been designed alongside the Soudal Quickstep team, who are sponsored by Castelli. However, it has already gained a reputation comparable with the original with several non-sponsored teams donning the Pro-only version which removes the Castelli logos should other teams wish to purchase these jackets and sticker them up with team sponsors. That in itself lends a good level of credibility to Castelli’s claims that this is the best racing waterproof available.

How Castelli has achieved this is a rather interesting process. Traditionally waterproofing has been based on water pressure resilience, or water column ratings. Anything over 10000mm pressure is deemed a good for dealing with rain. Hiking and skiing items where more pressure of water or moisture is experienced have ratings of 20k-30k. However, in development, Castelli found that rain has a pressure of only 800mm. Castelli has actually opted for just 5000mm water column rating for the Gabba R. This is because increasing the water proofing can reduce the breathability, and a garment designed for full-gas efforts needs to be breathable to avoid that boil-in-the-bag sensation that plagued waterproofs of old.

To keep you dry Castelli uses a brand new fabric designed with fabric innovator ITTTAI. This is exclusive to Castelli at present and features a high level of stretch without compromise to waterproofing while remaining breathable. Allowing stretch up to 100% the original dimension in either direction allows for a tight race fit that Castelli claims is faster than the BTW Aero jerseys that were top of the range at the time of the Gabba R release. The fabric itself is a ‘microporous polyurethane hydro-spun external membrane’ essentially meaning water is designed to not get in, but vapour is designed to escape.

Added to this are plenty of practical features. Three rear cargo pockets are used, meaning the Gabba R can be used as your primary external layer with easy access to storage, although these pockets do not feature the waterproof membrane.

A dropped hem is used to protect against road spray with reflective detailing added. The jacket is also highly packable so can be stored in a pocket for emergency use. A two-way zip allows for additional temperature regulation and access to pockets underneath the jacket. Additionally, while some seams are taped, the external facing ones to improve waterproofing, a few rear facing ones are left untaped so as to enhance breathability further.

Sizes start at XS and go up to 3XL. A somewhat reflective black is the only colour option for this fabric. There is also a long sleeve option available but the protection stops just after the elbow and the two-way zip is lost.

The Ride

There have been many occasions when I’ve been riding in foul weather, wearing a waterproof, and thinking to myself that I wish it just did not flap around so much. In a race, or faster paced group rides, if it’s been raining I have often considered forgoing a waterproof to avoid the billowing that often comes from the less snug fit. Enter, the Castelli Gabba R. The first waterproof garment that is designed for fast paced riding in the rain, with zero aero compromises, and according to Castelli’s testing, is actually faster than some race kit, with the odd caveat.

Now, Castelli does say that the Gabba R actually tested faster than the old BTW Aero jersey. The consideration here though, is that it was not mentioned if that was against the jersey alone, or with the Bolero base layer system that was essential to make that jersey test fast. Otherwise, the Gabba R is faster than any other smooth textured jersey, but likely behind a ribbed structure one like the newer Aero Race 8S. But, there’s potential for the Gabba R to fit over a jersey like that and benefit from the raised structures. This is conjecture, but is based on some fairly solid aerodynamic principles that some form of texturing the sleeves will be faster than purely smooth ones. Anyway, the Gabba R is almost certainly ‘faster’ than a non-race fit and flappy waterproof jacket.

But this jacket is not all about aero, it aims to be waterproof and actually protective.

As mentioned Castelli has now gone down the pathway that excessive water column ratings and maximum waterproofing is not needed for bike riding. Its argument is that thermal management is key to balancing moisture. Too great a waterproofing and the breathability suffers with current PFAS free materials. This is why DWR coatings are used, since they keep the breathability and prevent the waterproof membrane becoming saturated. If it does get saturated, the breathability disappears and you sweat inside the jacket creating a wet environment regardless. This is why a 5k mm column rating has been used for the Gabba R, whereas a lot of waterproofs use 15k or up.

Again, as mentioned, Castelli states that rain has a pressure of around 800mm, perhaps 2000mm in heavier rain. There is some truth to this, but riding at speed increases the pressure at which the water impacts, while skin tight garments mean there is no fabric deformation to reduce the relative impact pressure on the membrane. Additionally any buildup of water on the garment adds another layer of pressure and increases the chance of DWR saturation.

The Gabba does work quite well at shedding the water quickly. Combined with a lower waterproof rating, the breathability is actually very good. It’s not on the same level as old PFAS waterproof materials such as Shakedry, but it’s better than much of what is available today. It is however not as waterproof as the more heavy duty jackets. But I don’t think that actually matters. Most waterproofs I use I find get too stuffy, before even considering the flapping of materials. The Gabba R does not, and for high intensity events, even sub-10˚C and raining, I find I generate a lot of heat which makes a waterproof unbearable. In the Gabba R, I find the balance of breathability and water resistance makes it far more comfortable for higher intensity sessions.

It’s also an incredibly practical jacket. It can be packed down into a tiny bundle for stashing into pockets, and the short sleeve version has a two-way zip so you can tailor breathability a bit further. It also features pockets, so if a race is going to be wet from the start, you can stash the pockets with gels and food without the awkward attempt to access them via lifting a jacket up as you need to do when wearing a regular jersey with a rain cape.

I do however have some slight gripes. It’s a very dark colour, but in the short sleeve version you can wear high-vis underneath so the sleeves are visible, and the reflective detailing is effective. It also looks like a gimp suit, an opinion shared by a large number of people. But then we’re all dressed in skintight lycra to start with so that’s a very subjective critique.

I also have to say that it’s hard to recommend this jacket for training purposes, over more waterproof options with more insulation. The Gabba R has no insulation properties, which is great for racing as it is there to just prevent water enhanced wind chill, but not great for cold weather training. This is an unapologetic race garment, whereas the old Gabba was very great for training too, but not as specialised for racing.

Value and Conclusion

Race pace rain jerseys or jackets have come to the fore a little more in recent years. Indeed the previous Castelli Gabba, which was less waterproof, came in a short sleeved variant for racing in foul weather, as did the previous generation Rapha Shadow jersey. However the latest Shadow range forgoes a short sleeve variant in favour of more training focussed garments, with the gilet being the sole option chosen by sponsored teams for races if needed.

In terms of direct competition to the Gabba R (£299 / $320), the two main antagonists are the Sportful Fiandre Pro 2 SS jacket (£200), and the Assos Equipe R Thermo Rain jersey (£250 / $315). The Sportful is arguably the best value option being some £100 cheaper, but the weather protection is not as powerful and it lacks a two-way zip for temperature regulation. Assos has a slightly different approach as many of the features are the same, but the Thermo Rain jersey is far better insulated for cooler conditions, but lacks packability or aero features.

Perhaps the Assos Equipe RS Shell Jersey is an option, with waterproofing at the front, breathable at the rear, two way zip, aero sleeves, but no pockets. It’s an item that can be stashed in a pocket, adds protection, but isn’t stuffy.

I’d argue for racing and fast paced riding, the Gabba R performs better as long as the pace remains high. If you’re in a group in the rain and the pace varies from flat out to coasting, the Gabba R can get quite chilly, but it can be removed and pocketed. Of course you can also use it as an outer layer against the rain worn over more substantial or thermal layers. You’ll struggle to get it over a jacket though so tight is the fit, it is definitely a milder weather waterproof.

This then opens up the competition to other waterproof offerings. For heavier rain, easier paced rides, or cooler conditions, the Gabba R does not work as well as more dedicated waterproof jackets. But the Gabba R has been designed with a specific purpose, and that is to provide a race pace waterproof for fast riding. If you race UK road races, gravel events, or fast paced sportives/gran fondos, then the Gabba R might be the ideal companion. It allows for a good level of temperature regulation while riding at higher intensities, packs small, and provides good protection without compromising speed. It’s been built for a niche, but it is exceptional in that niche.

The Castelli Gabba R takes the jack-of-all-trades approach of the previous generation Gabba, and throws that out the window to become a specialist no-compromise high intensity performance focussed waterproof. It puts aero first and foremost, followed by weather protection, with a good focus on breathability. There is no insulation as the previous Gabba offered, and this Gabba R is far more niche and less versatile. But in this niche, it is truly exceptional, and still remains practical. For any high intensity fast paced rides where there’s a strong chance of rain, it’s near perfect. It’s not cheap, but if you value speed alongside protection, there’s not really anything else that performs like this.

The Rapha Pro Team Shadow Jacket represents the brand’s deep winter offering, using the latest rain resistant Shadow technology with greater levels of insulation than the rest of the Shadow range.

Construction

Chief among the features of this jacket is the Shadow tech. This utilises a lightweight, breathable and windproof microporous membrane with PFAS-free DWR treatment to repel light rain. Add to this the internally taped seams, and it promises to keep out most of the water in harsh conditions. This fabric has also been designed to allow for high levels of stretch and freedom of movement.

In the event that water does get in, the jacket features a grid fleece inner to allow for a circulation of air which is designed to assist breathability as well as providing an additional insulating layer. Rapha gives a usable temperature range of -2-5˚C for this jacket.

Being part of the Pro Team range, which fare well in our reviews usually, high intensity riding has been a key consideration in the design of this jacket. As intensity rises, as does heat build-up. The microporous membrane assists with some heat dissipation, while the two-way zip allows for more tailored breathability. A wide silicone gripper on the rear hem aims to keep everything in place while riding.

Three rear cargo pockets are used for stashing spares, phone and food, while a zip-up valuables pocket is useful for keys or cards. Multiple reflective details are situated across the pockets, sleeves, and upper arm.

Four colours are available, with sizes from XS-XXL.

The Ride

Fit wise, the jacket does a great job at balancing a close Pro Team fit, without being excessively tight so it can be worn over additional layers. It also remains easy to move around. The pockets are are not fitted overly high so as to remain accessible. One element that is missing, which is present on the far cheaper Core Jacket, are storm cuffs. The cuffs on the Shadow Jacket are good, with elastic under the wrists to fit securely over gloves. However, storm cuffs were a favourite feature of mine on the Core Winter Jacket, as they prevented cold air making its way up the sleeves with or without gloves. It’s a shame to see them excluded.

Weatherproofing is where this jacket really aims to excel, and the November weather has proven a perfect opportunity for me to test it out. Near freezing conditions and showery rain or heavy downpours have presented ideal chances to really see how this jacket performs.

The Shadow membrane works just as well as it does on the Shadow LS Jersey, beading water off the surface well in light to middling showers. When it comes to heavier rain it still takes a good while for the DWR to get saturated, and even then it still performs somewhat like a hardshell rather than a softshell.

This also results in full wind proofing regardless of the temperature. The flip side of this is that the jacket can get quite stuffy, even in temperatures as low as 6˚C. In fairness though, Rapha states this jacket is for use in -2-5˚C. Using it across the freezing weather we've had this January, the jacket has been exceptional in -6˚C to around 4˚C but above this point I was getting rather sweaty inside the jacket. A grid fleece interior does a superb job at providing insulation, but the airflow is a touch limited. As with the Shadow Jersey I found that sweat tended to pool down the cuffs. Interestingly though, this was the main indicator of overheating somewhat, as I didn’t actually feel ‘too hot’.

I am also a big fan of this bright blue colour option for the jacket, as paired with several reflective details across the arms and rear, it leads to solid visibility in winter conditions. Other features that hit the mark well are the zips. Although they don’t feature the longest tabs to grab, they are relatively chunky so easily accessible while wearing quite thick and heavy duty gloves. The two-way zip also goes a good way to assisting in improving breathability. Unzip the top zip for a huge inlet of cool air but some fabric billowing. Unzip the lower zip to open up a bit of an exhaust at the rear with less fabric flapping at speed. A zip up valuables pocket is also a great addition for stashing keys, while the main pockets themselves are hugely spacious so you can load up on food and gear for winter epics.

Value and Conclusion

£325 is not cheap for a winter jacket, making the Pro Team Shadow Jacket a high end offering. It is of course a fraction of the price of the insane Assos Johdah Ultraz S11 jacket at £630 / $810, while the Q36.5 Dottore Termico Light is a hefty £450 / $600 but has a huge usable temperature range.

The most similarly performing jackets from my testing to the Rapha Shadow have been the PNS Mechanism Deep Winter jacket, and the Castelli Alpha 150. The PNS offering however is £390 / $530, with incredibly similar performance, but a less ideal fit. Meanwhile the Castelli is £360 / $420 but has potentially a higher usable temperature range but reduced weatherproofing capacity. Either way, I’d argue the Rapha Pro Team Shadow Jacket is relatively good value when it comes to designer brand Halo offerings.

Of course there are other options that represent far better value. At present I maintain that the Rapha Core Winter Jacket is one of the best performing jackets at just £140 / $200 representing hugely impressive value, arguably better than the Shadow jacket as you can also get a waterproof and the Core jacket for the same price as the Shadow.

For properly foul weather winter rides with single figure temperatures, the Rapha Pro Team Shadow Jacket is an incredible performer. Even with frosty conditions and hammering rain, the Shadow jacket does a great job at keeping you warm, even if a bit sweaty inside. Add to this the two-way zip, large pockets, and good visibility, and it’s a very good jacket to use.

It even represents decent value compared to some other designer brand offerings, but it suffers when it comes to value compared to the likes of Rapha’s own Core Winter Jacket. So high is the performance of that jacket yet so low is the cost. I’d also argue that the Shadow Jersey represents a more versatile option, as a thick base layer with that can cope with most single figure temperatures as well as low teens.

Van Rysel, Decathlon’s in-house cycling brand, is known for offering products with great performance and excellent value.

However, they also sponsor the Decathlon CMA CGM WorldTour team and Van Rysel Roubaix UCI Continental team, so they need to offer the pros top-tier clothing as well.

This is where the RCR-R PRO Wind/Rain 4-season road cycling jacket (and the RCR-R PRO Ultralight Rain waterproof road cycling jacket) come in, providing Decathlon’s teams with high-performance training jackets.

The RCR-R PRO Wind/Rain jacket (I am not typing the whole name every time!) is one of a growing class of the best winter jackets that purports to circumvent more traditional layering systems and provide an all-in-one solution to riding in windy or damp conditions. Started by Castelli’s Gabba, many brands now offer a similar style of jacket, such as Gobik’s Envy or Santini’s Windbloc Thermo, with varying degrees of emphasis on warmth, waterproofness and breathability.

Black is currently the only colour option in the RCR-R Pro, with sizes from S to 2XL, and no women’s version as yet.

Construction

Van Rysel has used two main membrane fabrics for the RCR-R PRO Wind/Rain jacket, both of which have been supplied by Polartec: a thin, very stretchy material over the arms and back with a slightly thicker, less stretchy fabric on the shoulders and front of the jacket. Both are windproof and water-resistant.

There is a third material used for the cuffs and droptail that feels like a cross between Lycra and Neoprene.

Critical seams are taped, which is to say those that are most important as they will bear the brunt of the rain - across the front and shoulders, but the rest of the seams are simply stitched. This means that the jacket won’t stand up to heavy or prolonged rain. Van Rysel says that is where the RCR-R PRO Ultralight Rain Jacket comes in.

The sculpted collar is nice and high, whilst the arm panels are articulated for a better fit. The front of the RCR-R PRO Wind/Rain jacket features a burly-feeling, placket-backed YKK zip which can be undone from the bottom for venting, and there is some large, reflective Van Rysel branding on the chest, back and hem of the jacket. The droptail also has a wide band of silicone to help grip and keep it in place.

There are only two rear pockets, but this is no bad thing as each of them is wider and deeper than normal, and therefore easier to access with gloves on and more accommodating to bulky winter necessities. Unfortunately, there is no security pocket, so your keys and credit card will have to take their chances amongst the gels, tools and spare layers.

The ride

Despite Decathlon's references to ‘insulation’ and Polartec PrimaLoft, the RCR-R PRO Wind/Rain jacket is quite a light garment. Don’t expect plush fleece inside it or even a brushed feel to it.

It weighs just 262g, which, for a tough-feeling, membraned garment with some taped seams and plenty of stretch, is pretty good. It is much more along the lines of a Gabba or Perfetto product; as the design brief said ‘designed for professional riders’ - sub-text: ‘not intended for zone 1 pootles between coffee shops.

This character is carried over into the fit, as it is pretty unforgiving. The size medium was definitely close-fitting with room underneath it for a base layer and not much more. Coupled with the lack of insulation in the jacket itself, you can see that it is intended for riders who generate their own heat through effort rather than as cosy cold-weather protection.

I wore the jacket through December and January, but felt like I had to pick my days and my rides to use it. Van Rysel suggests that it can be worn between 5°C and 18°C, and although I did venture out in it at the lower end of that range, it was for harder rides when keeping warm would be less of an issue. I can’t imagine anyone wearing it at the upper end of that scale, though.

Van Rysel claims that the fabrics have a ‘5.4 RET’ (Resistance to Evaporating Heat Transfer), which should mean very good breathability, but I didn’t always find this to be the case.

Breathability is hard to assess with any degree of accuracy in real-world riding, and is always going to be subjective, but, in back-to-back rides with the excellent Castelli Espresso Air Jacket, I felt that the inside of the RCR (and my base layer) was damper than that of the Espresso. On the other hand, the Castelli does not have any taped seams, and neither does it claim to offer much in the way of wet-weather protection. Make of that what you will.

Breathability aside, the RCR was a fantastic jacket to wear. Fit was certainly snug (especially post-Christmas…), but it never felt claustrophobic or restraining. I really liked the long bum flap, which did an excellent job of staying in place and the burly zip, tough fabrics and tailored fit gave a nice, secure, locked-in feeling when wearing it - it certainly felt ‘pro’.

I am also a fan of shifting to two large pockets on winter jackets when there is more to carry and access can be more awkward. However, the close fit of the jacket, slightly high placement, and my less-than-flexible shoulders did make access on the move a bit harder for me than I would have liked.

Black is cool-looking, slimming and sometimes the sole option in some fabrics, but on the kind of days when this jacket is most likely to be used, a bit more visibility would be very welcome. I took to wearing an old, bright yellow Assos gilet over it sometimes, especially if riding on my own in gloomy conditions.

Value and conclusion

Given that Van Rysel is known for its great value products, and that the Castelli Espresso Air jacket is £250, the Santini Windbloc Thermo is £200, and the Perfetto Air is £250, how much do you think the RCR-R PRO Wind/Rain jacket is? £100? £150?

Nope, it is £280, making it £200 more expensive than the next highest-priced product in the Van Rysel jacket range (although its sister product, the RCR-R PRO Ultralight Rain Waterproof Road Cycling Jacket, is £300).

This poses somewhat of a problem, as it needs to be judged more critically than if it were £100, for example, and I don’t think the fabrics quite stack up against the best available at its price point. Castelli’s Ristretto fabric and Polartec’s own Powershield Pro fabrics are, in my experience, considerably more breathable, which, for a jacket designed for hard, year-round training rather than coffee rides, is a key element.

Granted, the RCR might be a bit more weather-resistant, maybe, and the cut is certainly excellent (if unforgiving), but for £280 I think that it should offer pro-level breathability too.

I really liked wearing and riding in the RCR, but I think that with a different fabric, it could have been so much better, and with such an un-Van Rysel-like price tag, I feel that the performance is a little bit below that of other benchmark products.

The previous Assos Equipe RS Johdah jacket (the S9 Targa) set a new standard for the best winter cycling jackets, and also a new price threshold at £635. This updated version, as S11 states the next generation of Equipe range from Assos, drops the price fractionally to £630 / $810, and builds on the copious amounts of proprietary technology that made the S9 such a force.

Construction

Chief among the updated technologies on this jacket is the DIAMOND range of materials. DIAMOND Medium is a softshell fabric used across the front panels and the sleeves to provide insulation and weather protection, with a diamond shaped insulation material underneath. Assos claims this improves aerodynamics with a compressive element to the fabric while remaining elastic for ease pf movement. This is part of the AEPD 11 racingFit designed to provide 360˚compression and stability.

ZigZaggy foam is used on the upper arm with a textured exterior, named due to the exterior pattern, which is designed to provide stormproof protection, while OSMOS Heavy is used on the rear for protection and breathability in the less exposed areas.

Inside, the double layer intraBooster gilet returns, with an off-centre zip designed to keep insulation around the neck and chest even with the main body of the jacket un-zipped. New for the S11 is LITHIUM Medium, which Assos states is an insulating layer with a grid construction that promotes extreme breathability.

Again focusing on breathability, the valveTec diffusors are back, designed to increase airflow down from the shoulders and the chest when in a more aggressive riding position and also aimed to help dissipate moisture vapor.

At the rear, there is a reflective stripe up the centre running onto the pockets. These are zeroSeam pockets, so sit nicely flush with the rest of the jacket, while long-term STABILIZER V11 keeps those pockets supported even when heavily packed.

Sizes range from XS to 2XL, while just the blackseries black colourway is available.

The Ride

The jacket is an interesting mix of something that has a quite high ride-pace focus yet is still designed for deep winter riding. It’s slightly surprising that Assos’ pinnacle of winter riding technologies have been implemented into the Equipe racing line rather than the Mille training and comfort line. But there might be some specific reasons as to why this is.

One of my key issues with winter cycling jackets is that although they insulate you and keep you warm, they often lack a level of breathability that means you sweat quite a lot. This can lead to the pooling of sweat in the sleeves - lovely I know - but also a lot of moisture than accelerates cooling once you slow down and your intensity drops. There have been many instances when I’ve come out of the café on a winter rides and found myself freezing cold as a result.

This is where the most counterintuitive aspect of the Johdah comes into play, the impressive levels of breathability, and perhaps why this fits into the Equipe line better than the Mille. While the front of the jacket is heavily insulated, the rear features a large panel of far more breathable material. This allows for the expulsion of excess body heat off the back without negatively impacting weather proofing. It works well to prevent sweat build-up in the jacket, while the shoulder valves bring in a bit more airflow into the jacket, more effectively than the Spring/Fall S11 jacket, even though the placement appears identical.

There’s another clever breathability feature, which is the gilet design. The gilet looks a bit silly, sitting just above the naval with a higher neckline. In reality this design means there isn’t too much heat buildup on the body of the jacket, and also less pressure around the waist. Although the gilet adds some insulation (more on that later) it also allows for the jacket to be unzipped from the top while still giving a good level of protection to your core and neck.

It makes temperature regulation a lot less jarring than when you unzip a jacket to be met with a blast of cold air to your neck and chest. It provides just the right level of coverage to deliver optimal insulation, breathability, and comfort, setting a precedence that this jacket continues to maintain of being refined in every detail.

Of course the other benefit of this gilet is the insulation, and that’s what this jacket has been designed to really flourish in. Testing this up in the Derby Dales and Peak District - notorious for wind, cold, and rain in December - I really put this jacket through its paces.

The 'Diamond' fabric is exceptionally good at providing reasonably supple insulation with weather proofing exterior features. Riding with groups who neglected the use of mudguards and experiencing wet roads and cold showers of rain, the jacket did not buckle in its defence against the elements. It’s certainly a thick material that is not as supple as a jersey, but it is not as stiff as other similarly weather proofed garments I’ve tested.

The tight-ish sleeve cuffs can make this jacket a little tricky to put on, but those cuffs prevent air finding its way up the sleeves. The more heavily fleeced upper of the arms, which tend to be most exposed to the elements when in a tucked racing position, are equally weather resistant thanks to Diamond fabric zones. I can’t say with confidence that this offers any aero benefit as Assos claims, but the small texturing of the sleeves is often faster than smooth fabrics. The main component of this jacket that will assist in aerodynamics is the AEPD 11 pro spec fit. It’s not tight or restricting in any way, but there is also not a single panel of material that has excess or loose elements to it, while the main materials all offer a good level of flexibility to maintain a close fit.

The neckline is another key area where this jacket performs brilliantly. More often than not with cycling jackets, I don’t do the front zip up fully, as it tends to be constrictive on my neck. With the Johdah, Assos has added enough give in the material that it never feels constrictive or uncomfortable, which quite frankly is near unheard of for me with winter jackets.

This partly forgives the jacket for the exclusion of a two-way zip. Normally I would say this is an essential part of a winter jacket, mainly for temperature regulation. However, so good is the fit, breathability, and accessibility of this jacket, that a two-way zip is not required. Part of that accessibility are the rear pockets.

They are cavernous in their size, being both deep and wide enough to pack thoroughly with food, spares, tools, while the STABILIZER component of the pockets mean they remain firmly in place even when out of the saddle with them stuffed full. This forgoes the need for a bar bag, and even your saddle bag could be removed should you wish. It’s yet another small detail as to why this jacket is perhaps a little more race focussed, without any compromise to easy riding performance or all-day comfort.

I certainly feel comfortable putting this jacket on for a steady all-day slog on the bike. But I also feel comfortable putting this on for temperatures between 0-10˚C for a bit of a smash fest on the bike with steep climbs and rapid descents. It can get the slightest bit chilly when stopping for extended periods in colder weather, but so too will any garment. This jacket hasn’t been designed for standing still, it’s been designed for riding, training, even racing in cold, wet, or miserable weather. I only wish there were more reflective features or colour options, but riding with a set of the best bike lights is more effective than reflective panels for visibility so I won’t mark that too harshly.

It is, annoyingly the best winter jacket that I’ve ever used. And I’ll explain just why this is such an annoying fact in the next section.

Value and Conclusion

As much as this is an exceptional jacket, it does cost £630/ $810. It’s a £5 drop in price from the previous S9 version, and features refined tech and fabrics that make it even better than that version, but it is still an astronomical cost for a single item of kit.

Even the Q36.5 Dottore Mediterranea at £450 / $600 represents good value by comparison. The Rapha Pro Team Shadow Jacket is equally at home in cold and foul weather for £375 / $435. While the Sportful Fiandre Shift is a third of the price at £210 / $279.

The problem though is that the Q36.5 is not quite as insulated or refined in its fit, while the Rapha is nowhere near as breathable or suitable for warmer conditions, and the Sportful is not as equipped for properly cold or wet conditions. The fact of the matter is the Assos Johdah Jacket is simply the best winter jacket that money can buy. It’s the best combination of breathability, insulation, fit, and features.

But for that staggering price of £630 / $810, there isn’t really a justification to call this jacket good value.

I did not want to like this jacket as much as I did, but the Assos Equipe RS Johdah Ultraz S11 Jacket, to give it it’s full name, is mightily impressive and I struggle to find any downsides to it. Yes the black only colour is not ideal for visibility, but I always ride with a light. And a two-way zip could add versatility, but it isn’t actually needed on this jacket, so great is the balance of insulation, breathability, and fit.

The glaring issue however is the price tag. It is obscene, and I don’t think can ever truly be justified. This is undoubtedly the best winter jacket I’ve ever used, but I wouldn’t buy one unless I won the lottery. It’s a winter jacket for the very wealthy, but I can’t wait for the trickle down features to hit more of the lower end range of Assos winter gear, as it has already started doing.

Castelli’s Do.Di.Ci Women’s Jacket was designed to fill a gap that the brand identified in its line-up. It’s a lightweight, shoulder-season layer specifically for performance-orientated riders wanting to purposefully train outdoors in dry, mild-to-cool weather.

It’s been 15 years since Castelli’s infamous Gabba Jacket first appeared on the pro scene. Granted, it took a few years - three to be exact - for the Gabba to be recognised as a pioneering piece of wet weather performance clothing. For Castelli fans, it became a must-have piece of kit.

The latest iteration, the Gabba RoS 2, isn’t for everyone. Its styling is divisive, and the absence of PFAS means it doesn’t perform quite like the original. Add to this the fact that many pros and amateurs now train indoors when the weather turns, and the Gabba feels increasingly like old news.

Castelli, not one to sit back when it comes to innovation and progress, has responded with the Do.Di.Ci Jacket. The question is: will Castelli fans put it on the same pedestal as the Gabba?

Construction

With a four-year-old size medium Castelli jacket in my wardrobe still getting regular use, I almost requested the same size of the Do.Di.Ci for testing. Wisdom prevailed - I checked the size chart. A word of warning: Castelli’s sizing is shifting, so be sure to check before buying. I’m pictured wearing a size large - it’s a good fit with room for a substantial base layer. If you want a very snug fit, consider sizing down. I'd say I could have sized down and not regretted it.

Sleeve length is wonderfully generous - great for maintaining coverage in an extended position - while the body length is noticeably short. It’s a classic race-fit.

The fabric is uniform throughout. It’s very thin, stretchy and wholly unrestrictive. There’s nothing cosy about it when you put it on, but the simplicity works well for comfort and mobility. While it might seem pared back, it’s the fabric that is the USP for the jacket: “Exclusive Castelli Ristretto technology with engineered air permeability keeps most wind out, allowing in just enough to provide exceptional breathability - 12 times more than previous Castelli Perfetto jackets.”

Although the jacket’s silhouette is distinctly feminine, additional detailing is sparse. Aside from a single piece of reflective piping at the base of the pockets, there’s no zippered security pocket, no differentiated cuff materials, no underarm panels, no separate waistband… It’s all in the name of “comfort” and “speed.” Indeed, my memories of team-issued kit mirror the Do.Di.Ci: something designed for the purpose of a no-stop ride, with no unnecessary bells and whistles.

The pockets are seriously roomy - sufficient to fill up for self-sufficiency on training rides. I had no issues accessing them while riding - this is a real positive, as I often find pockets placed too high on shorter-bodied garments.

In case you happen to forget when to use the jacket, Castelli has added a description to the front of the garment. It’s not visible when you’re riding, so unless you stop at a café, it remains subtle. However, for me, it feels completely unnecessary. It simply led to strained eyes whenever I met a group, as everyone tried hard to make out what was written there.

The Do.Di.Ci comes in just two colours for women - the beautifully bold 'ultraviolet' that I have tested, and black. That's no choice if you like to buy clothing that increases your visibility on the road. The men's version comes in four colour ways. Sizes range from XS to XL.

The Ride

On my first few rides, I teamed the Do.Di.Ci with a thin, long-sleeve base layer… I immediately overheated. The best pairing - particularly in the 12–15°C range - is a minimal, sleeveless base layer, or even just a sports bra if you don't mind that. This combination kept my torso warm enough, while allowing the jacket’s breathability to shine. Even during more intense efforts, I could maintain a stable core temperature without having to unzip the jacket. This surprised me - I genuinely thought the high collar would be stifling in milder temperatures. So the fabric really is impressive when it comes to airflow. The only negative comes when stopping mid-ride, for example to repair a puncture or attend to a mechanical. I found that my arms felt the chill first, rapidly followed by my torso.

The fabric has a claimed air permeability of three cubic feet per minute - if you are not working, you really sense any wind chill. Indeed, when descending after an intense climbing effort, my arms were the first to feel cool. For the tech-hungry readers, air permeability is a measure of the amount of air (in cubic feet per minute per square foot, CFM) passing through fabric at a given pressure. Not many manufacturers publish this data but, in general, softshell jackets can vary between 1 and 10 CFM. Windproof layers tend to be made from fabrics with an air permeability of less than 1 CFM, though they may use vents or more permeable panels to make up for this.

Dropping towards and into single-digit temperatures, I found the Do.Di.Ci still held its own. I transitioned to a more substantial, fast-drying base layer though.

While we all have our own internal thermostats, you are sure to find a perfect window for the jacket, which can then be broadened with an apt base layer. For me, the Do.Di.Ci excelled in temperatures hovering around 10°C - offering breathability, good moisture management and zero bulk. Slightly higher temperatures, if you are training intensively, are arguably just as well suited to a short sleeved jersey and arm warmers - indeed there is a short sleeved version of the Do.Di.Ci, but only for men...

I was lucky to have a window of weather in November when it was dry and relatively mild, consequently, the jacket got plenty of use. However, this isn’t so typical; rainy, changeable weather is the standard for shoulder seasons. Being someone who doesn’t shy away from showers, I’d always be carrying a waterproof in the back pocket; the Do.Di.Ci didn’t cope with even the lightest of showers - it became clingy, and I became cold. It isn't the quickest to dry out either. Castelli don’t shy away from admitting that it’s exclusively a dry-weather jacket.

Value and conclusion

The £210/$280 Do.Di.Ci faces competition from mid-season, performance-focused long sleeve jerseys. At this price point, it’s easy to find options that offer more features - mixed fabrics, windproof panels or more functionality. For example, Assos’s £175/$210 Dyora R Spring Fall Jersey utilises various panels to help with breathability. Sportful’s £210/$250 Fiandre Shift Women's Jacket boasts water repellency, windproofing and a two-way zip.

If you are someone who only ventures out with intent when the skies aren’t threatening, it may make more sense to have substantial arm warmers and a supporting base layer with a short sleeve jersey than commit to long sleeves. This set-up certainly convinces me that there isn't a gap in my wardrobe.

Without doubt, the Do.Di.Ci is an exceptionally lightweight jacket with superior breathability that excels on performance-focused, dry rides. For sure, if you value minimalism, a race fit and the Castelli branding, you’ll love it. However, I personally struggle to justify the price tag given the extremely simple construction and stripped-back design that I've discussed, in addition to the fact that a short sleeve jersey and arm warmers may perform similarly.

While it may fill a gap in your wardrobe, it will also leave a noticeable hole in your wallet.

Of all the items of cycle clothing hanging up in your wardrobe, your winter jacket is going to be up there with the most expensive. After all, robust protection from the winter in the Northern Hemisphere does not come easy, or cheap.

For many of us, it's also a purchase designed to last, and so it is one that requires a bit of careful thought. What item offers the best balance of economics and weather protection? And when is the best time to buy?

Given that everything is pretty much full price at winter's outset, and that you're often left with odd sizes or nothing at all you wanted by the time it ends, that leaves one obvious choice: Cyber Monday cycling deals. Big reductions, and with the worst of the winter still to come.

That's the economic bit sorted. Now, in terms of excellent cold-weather protection – some are saying it's the best cold-weather protection – look no further than Castelli's Alpha Doppio jacket.

It walked away with a five-star best in test ranking in our Best Winter Jackets buying guide, in which it was said to be "incredibly warm for the low weight". We also pointed out that it wasn't cheap, but that part is now sorted thanks to this fantastic 30% deal on certain colours and sizes at Competitive Cyclist in the US.

Brits aren't quite so lucky, and while there are some super deals at outlets including Tredz, these are only for very small sizes. Hang on, though, because the women's version of the Alpha Doppio has great discounts on it in the UK – check out the accompanying deal.

The Alpha Doppio is a softshell jacket weighing in at a scant 395g, and uses Polartec's Alpha Direct insulation, which our tester found comfortable and warm all the way down to 4 °C / 39°F without a baselayer.

Despite its softshell designation, we also rated the waterproofing as excellent, so you can confidently wear this out even when showers threaten. It even as the RoS designation (Rain or Shine) to prove it.

As well as its out-and-out cold-weather protection, our tester also appreciated how well the jacket paired with gloves, thanks to a double cuff design and the extra material around the back of the collar, preventing draughts from creeping in when hunkered over the bars.

It's worth noting that, like a lot of Italian-made kit, Castelli tends to come up on the smaller size, so unless you're a super-slender racing snake, it's worth sizing up by at least one level from your usual (non-Italian) clothing choices.

Gobik is a relatively new brand, founded in 2010 in southeastern Spain. They don’t have quite the same kind of exposure in the UK as more familiar clothing brands like Castelli or Assos, but with sponsorship deals to supply WorldTour teams Ineos Grenadiers and Movistar, it is likely to be increasingly visible.

The Gobik clothing range is pretty comprehensive, with summer and winter options available for men and women. The Envy 2.0 jersey/jacket is from the ‘Cold Unity’ collection, and is intended for riding in cooler weather (which, as far as the local riders in Spain seem to be concerned, is anything less than about 25° from what I have witnessed!). In truth though, the Envy 2.0 is rated by Gobik for use in temperatures of between 5° and 15°.

Although the Envy could just about be carried in a jersey pocket as a spare layer, this is not really what it is about. It is designed to be worn for the duration of your ride, with enough water and wind protection to negate the need for any additional layers in all but the worst weather. In short, it is Gobik’s answer to Castelli’s venerable Gabba Jersey.

Construction

Polartec Power Shield Pro is the headline fabric, featuring a PFAS-free windproof and waterproof membrane paired with soft outer and inner fabrics. Apparently, the membrane uses ‘molecular diffusion’ rather than micropores for breathability, with the advantage of this technology being that the material can’t get clogged up with rain, dirt or sweat. However, it is important to note that although Gobik says that the material is waterproof, only the shoulder seams are taped, so there are still plenty of potential ingress points for heavy rain.

Although the vast majority of the Envy is made using Power Shield Pro, there is a small area under each armpit made without the membrane for a bit of extra breathability.

The front features a YKK Vision Aquaguard unit, which provides important front protection against wind and rain. Beneath the rear pockets is a long neoprene panel with a silicone gripper to ward off rear wheel road spray. The collar is nice and deep with slight sculpting around the nape of the neck.

As you’d expect, there are three rear pockets, but unfortunately, no zipped security pocket, which is a real shame. Mesh sections at the bottom of the pockets allow water to drain out if you are unlucky enough to get caught out in torrential conditions. There are a couple of reflective details, but nothing that would make me feel like leaving my lights at home on a dull winter day.

A special mention should go to the rather cool chest badge and logo, which is almost holographic depending on the light and viewing angle. Not that this increases performance, but it does look nice.

There are four colours for men in sizes 2XS to 2XL, and the same is true for women, with a short-sleeved version in black also available. Gobik gives the weight of a medium as 230g, my size medium tipped the scales at 241g.

The ride

On first acquaintance, my thought was that I would have to ask Gobik for a larger size as the medium (my usual cycling jersey size) was pretty damn snug, but after a few moments and a bit of mental recalibration, I decided that it probably was the right size. The Envy is not designed to be worn over much more than a long-sleeved base layer, and you shouldn’t think of it as a jacket; rather, it is a cool-weather jersey.

Once on, the Envy is very snug but is so well cut that whilst riding, I had no issues at all with fit or feeling restricted. In fact, it just made most of my other winter options feel rather clunky and baggy. The fabric is lovely and soft, with no hint of the stiffness, bulk, or rustling that some outerwear has, and there is plenty of stretch to accommodate the jacket’s svelte fit.

Another issue with many products that claim to be windproof and water-resistant is that breathability is sacrificed, meaning that you have to make your peace with being damp on the inside, albeit protected from rain and wind chill. However, with the Envy, this was not the case.

I wore the jersey on tough chaingangs, hill efforts and long rides in the lumpy Peak District, frequently checking the inside of it expecting condensation and a damp base layer, but the Envy defied expectations and remained far drier than it had any right to be. The only evidence of my suffering was the collar, where the double-thickness fabric sometimes held moisture. Very impressive.

I’m not brave enough, or trusting enough in the UK weather, to embark on autumn rides without a lightweight waterproof jacket tucked away in my pocket, but with the Envy, my Castelli Squall Shell stayed in its bag in the light rain that I’ve encountered so far. I suspect that as long as you kept moving and making an effort, the Envy would feel comfortable in heavier rain too, but would quickly become quite chilly in the event of a mechanical or prolonged descent.

Of the three pockets, the central one is the widest at 11.5cm, with the outer two measuring 10cm. None of them felt overly large or accommodating, but they were just about adequate for autumn necessities. The lack of a secure, zipped pocket is a real shame - I do like to know that my house keys are going to be easy to find when I roll up the drive at the end of a cold ride.

Conclusion and value

Overall, I really liked the Gobik Envy 2.0. The second-skin fit felt fast and purposeful without ever impeding movement, whilst the material’s breathability exceeded my expectations and kept me dry even when working hard. As a performance piece, it was great, although I will probably need something a little warmer in the depths of winter.

Its asking price of €190 is pretty reasonable; for instance, Castelli’s Perfetto/Gabba products are now significantly over £200 and there are plenty of bog-standard, lightweight, short-sleeved summer jerseys available around this price as well, so Gobik ticks the value box too.

The Dottore Termico Light Mediterranea Jacket has been designed to fit halfway between Q36.5’s Dottore Termico heavy duty winter jacket, and the hybrid line of clothing. Q36.5 gives a usable temperature range of 2-12˚C, quite a wide operating window for a dual-layered jacket. As with most of its garments, it features a host of proprietary technology, all purposefully designed and positioned with the goal of maintaining an ideal internal body temperature.

Construction

Starting from the outside in, the external facing panels of the jacket on the chest, arms, shoulders, and back are all made up of a microporous membrane with 5000m water column rating. This is now a more common waterproof rating used in cycling gear as it provides protection in showers, but allows for greater breathability in the PFC free era of garments. This membrane is bonded to an ultralight nylon face which does not saturate with water and dries out very quickly.

On the internal facing of this material is the new Ultralight Air Insulation. This is found across the front and rear of the body from chest/scapula and up, as well as the front facing portion of the arms. It's far lighter than the previous Air Insulation, and bonded rather than stitched, eliminating the air layer that previously existed, while the small fibred fleece traps air allowing for movement of airflow as well as additional insulation. Other internal areas feature a more standard brushed facing with silver thread designed to trap heat but also provide an antimicrobial element.

Inside of the jacket, there is an additional layer: an ultralight graphene threaded Clima vest. Clima is Q36.5’s super lightweight temperature evacuating line of kit, aimed for high summer. Here it provides an extra layer of coverage and air insulation, but allows for fast cooling when climbing, for example, where airflow decreases and effort/heat increases. The use of graphene is due to it being a super conductor for heat, so transfer across temperature gradients is faster. In this instance, as the body overheats, it should expel that heat faster once the jacket is opened up to the cooler external temperature.

Another feature of this jacket is the large amount of venting present. This jacket has been designed for a range of intensities, and as the intensity increases, so does the amount of heat we generate. By integrating vents both on the front as well as the rear, there is the option for this excess heat to dissipate, without creating openings that will allow cooler air in. This is further aided by a central panel on the rear, which is a far lighter and thinner fleece material, again aimed to extract excessive heat rather than create a boil-in-the-bag sensation that can be found with single material weather-resistant garments.

Finally, all cuffs are bonded on the sleeves and neck, with a soft touch material so as to provide comfort. The rear hem also features a broad reflective material as well as being slightly elastic to aid fit, with smaller reflective detailing on the front and sleeves. The external element of the jacket has a two-way zip, while the internal vest has a single zip. Finally three large cargo pockets adorn the rear, with a zip-up valuables pocket as well.

Sizes range from XS to XXL, while just the black colourway is available.

The ride

The Q36.5 Termico Light Mediterranea Jacket frankly is what most people actually need out of a winter cycling jacket. The recommended temperature range of 2-12˚C is about spot on for most of the ridable winter conditions here in the UK; colder and the roads start to get treacherously icy while any milder makes it LS jersey and gilet weather.

Combining both a well-insulated jacket with an internal gilet system is nothing new. Back in 2014 Castelli came out with the Alpha jacket, which combined a standard jacket with a separate inner gilet to provide two layers in one jacket. Nowadays this is a far more common design featured in high end jackets like the Castelli Alpha, the Assos Equipe RS Johdah S11 jacket, and of course the Q36.5 Dottore Termico jacket range.

What is slightly novel about the Mediterranea is that this inner gilet is significantly less heavy duty with no immediate fleecing or insulating properties. In fact it uses the same Clima material that Q36.5 uses in the lightest of jerseys designed for the hottest conditions. Clima uses graphene yarns as part of the construction, but in this case it is almost better suited in my opinion than on the jersey. The clever thing about graphene is that it is a super conductor, and it works this way with heat transfer. Just think about an oven that is on, you put your hand in and it’s warm, but tolerable. You tough a metal tray in there and you burn yourself, due to metal being a better conductor of heat. The idea with graphene is that it transfers heat across a gradient. In the summer jerseys, it takes body heat and transfers it to the external surround under the principle that externally is cooler than a body at 36.5˚C.

However there is a flaw in this if the weather is hotter than your body temperature, which is not uncommon in high summer on the continent. This is where it works very well for winter riding. When you keep the jacket zipped up, there is a warm insulating layer of air which means that the gilet has no impact on temperature. The jacket itself keeps you nice and warm. However, if you start to get too warm, you unzip either from the top or bottom of the jacket to expose the gilet. At this point there is a big temperature gradient of a hot body and a cool surround, so you can shed excess heat very quickly.

In low-teen degrees Celsius this is fantastic; when climbing at lower speeds as you can cool down very effectively. The jacket does feature front and rear ventilation sections, but in reality I didn’t find these provided much in the way of heat extraction. There is some at higher speeds, but at that point I was not really in need of cooling. At the rear of the jacket the material used is also a bit thinner and a touch more breathable. As an overall design feature this is great, as the front of the jacket faces the brunt of the elements, whereas the rear is reasonably protected outside of the worst rain.

At the front of the jacket is where most of the weather proofing magic occurs. On the shoulders, chest, and on top of the arms there is a very light fleece fibred material inside of the jacket. This is not as heavy duty as the standard Dottore Termino, but more substantial than the Dottore Hybrid line. It’s placement is exactly where it is needed to prevent the ingress of cold air, while the underside of the arms where I often get too hot, is a far lighter material. All of this area uses a 5000m water column rating waterproof membrane externally, which in light to standard showers is highly effective at beading water off the fabric. In heavier rain, the insulation properties mean that frankly you don’t exactly cool down. The benefit here is that the waterproofing does not result in a lack of breathability as can often happen in the post-PFAS era of waterproofing.

There are other very practical features in addition to all of this. The zips themselves are proprietary, and work brilliantly. They open or close easily and use a pull string to help when wearing gloves. The inner zip for the gilet is not quite as easy to use but that’s because the gilet does not stay in place as easily as the rest of the jacket.

Sleeve cuffs and neck hem are all soft touch and stay very secure while the neck is not at all constricting thanks to the construction there. A large reflective panel at the rear hem is another nice feature but overall I do think the jacket lacks reflective detailing especially considering it comes only in black.

The pockets are effective, large and well positioned for easy access while the upper flaps do keep items secure without being tough to access. A zip-up valuables pocket is present and as ever appreciated for keys.

Value & conclusion

At £450/$600/€450, the Mediterranea is definitely on the more expensive side of the pricing spectrum. The 2025 Castelli Alpha 150 uses similar construction and principles and comes in at £380, while Rapha’s new Shadow Jacket is £325 but far less versatile featuring no internal gilet system. Assos has the excessively priced Equipe Johdah Ultraz at an eyewatering £630 though, making the Mediterranea look almost reasonable.

There are of course plenty of better value options, while a thermal jersey and a gilet can provide a similar level of protection for often a cheaper price. The attraction of the Mediterranea however is just how effective it is at expelling excess heat, almost more so than just exposing your skin to the elements.

Another reason for the increased price is the inclusion of almost entirely proprietary materials and components. Even simple elements like the zips are better than any YKK offerings I’ve used which are the industry standard. While for those who are conscious of their environmental impact within cycling, the fact that all materials and labour is done within 350km of the factory and recycled fibres are used does boost the environmentally conscious credentials. This comes often with increased cost of labour and a less competitive pricing field for fabrics, but in the current climate for those who can afford to do so it does make sense to spend on something that takes these factors into account.

It also a very good jacket for most ridable winter cycling conditions. Many of us will resort to the indoors once the heavens open properly or the temperatures drop below 0˚C, so for conditions outside of that the Mediterranea is really good. But I can’t call it good value.

The Dottore Termico Light Mediterranea Jacket is a very interesting piece of kit. It is the first winter cycling jacket that feels appropriate for the entire range of conditions that I feel comfortable riding in during the winter. At 12˚C many jackets are far too warm, while below 0˚C frankly I’m riding inside or off-road where lower speeds decrease ventilation.

A host of clever fabrics result in a brilliantly comfortable and effective jacket with all the useful features I could ask for. Add to that the company has a host of environmentally conscious elements to production which is always a nice touch.

The problem is the price, it is very high, and likely too high for most of us. Still, it's a truly great jacket, and for those who can afford to spend that on an item, I have no qualms recommending they do so on this one. For those looking for better value, a good base layer, thermal jersey, and rain proof gilet from Van Rysel will be cheaper and still pretty effective.

Assos describes this jacket as the ultimate shoulder-season racing jacket, those months of September-October and March-April generally. Warmth and breathability have both been enhanced, while weight is dropped and the fit is more aggressive, something we see in several of the best winter cycling jackets. The Equipe RS is made up of a heap of different proprietary fabrics and technologies with names ranging from sensible to rather outlandish.

Construction

Chief among these fabrics is the combination of ADAMANT and Sens Air Plus; ADAMANT is the inner-layer of material which provides the soft insulation material against the body, while Sens Air Plus is the outer membrane which has been designed to be breathable and durable. This is the grey material used across the front, shoulders, and outer rear panels.

The ADAMANT inner layer features many small diamond shield shaped protrusions which allow for a degree of airflow internally. It’s a lighter version of the new DIAMOND Medium fabric used in the Johdah Ultraz line. It's constructed in what’s called twinDeck, essentially meaning two separate layers for the internal and external materials so there is air between them.

On the sleeves, VIPER fabric is used. This is lighter, and features a diamond pattern designed to improve aerodynamics while being lightweight on insulation and heavy on breathability. The cuffs, and indeed all hems, are turned and stitched to provide a soft and seamless look. In pursuit of this breathable insulation, the rear central panel of the jacket is actually fully meshed and see-through. This is with the view that as we cycle we experience the elements face on, so the rear can be more open to allow for excess heat to escape without compromising insulation, especially at speed.

Further insulation enhancements are the valveTec diffusors: two small inlets on the shoulders that only let cool air in once you take a very aggressive head down position on the bike. Otherwise they allow for a small amount of excess heat to escape. These diffusors are also reflective with two additional reflective stripes on the rear pockets; the pockets use STABILIZATOR V11, a combination of fabric fit and structure designed to reduce the amount of ‘bounce’ that can be experienced when riding out of the saddle with full pockets.

This is all nicely contained in what Assos calls the AEPD 11 fit. It is the World Tour fit the company uses to envelop the body in 360˚ compression and stability, keeping everything in place essentially. Sizes range from XS to 2XL, while just this grey and black colourway are available.

The ride

I'm a fan of Assos’ modular approach, with its array of different panels all with a different area of focus. It's vastly different to some kit manufactures who tend to apply a single fabric type across the entirety of the garment, rather than specific materials for specific regions. This latest S11, moving up from S9 and skipping 10 as is the Equipe naming convention, improves the aesthetics though, as the panels blend more seamlessly into each other rather than looking a little bit like a patchwork jacket.

Testing this jacket across the autumn months, it certainly abides by the design brief, being ideal for fast paced rides in cooler weather, while providing enough breathability for changing conditions. Using two separate layers at the front makes it incredibly comfortable and well insulated for conditions that dip below 10˚C. A layer of air between the two acts as an additional insulator even with a relatively thin material on both ends, while the outer provides a good level of windproofing across your core area. The sleeves don’t have the same insulation properties, but frankly they don’t need to, and I never had any issues of getting cold from about 8˚C upwards.

However, this is a dry-weather jacket. There is no water repellence on the outer layer, and although the two layers on the body do mean even when wet there is decent insulation, the sleeves do get cold as the thinner fabric does not stop the enhanced windchill effect on wet material. This is becoming more of a common trend though in transitional season jackets designed for higher paced riding. The reason being, a high focus on breathability, an area in which this jacket excels.

The mesh panel at the rear is quite extensive, exposing much of the back and allowing for an immense amount of excess heat to escape. As stated, this is a race-pace jacket, so even though the mesh means when stopping you cool down quickly, it’s not a jacket designed for stop-start riding or going casually in cooler weather. Adding to this breathability further are the diffuser valves. These are somewhat hit and miss as they only accept airflow once you are fully hunched over on the bike. Back in my racing days this would be a regular occurrence, less so now frankly as my stems are not slammed like they once were. I also personally like the lighter material on the sleeves for breathability purposes, and in the weather this jacket is designed for, it is a good compromise.

The lack of a two-way zip generally is something that I bemoan in jackets like this. They increase versatility and offer a way to increase hot air exhausted out the rear while limiting the amount the material can 'flap about'. But again, this is a race garment, and unzipping from the top or the bottom has a varying impact on speed and aerodynamics. So good is the breathability at the rear that I did not find the need to unzip the jacket at all, save for some double digit gradient climbs, at which point I was going so slow that aerodynamic gains seemed limited. Combined with the race fit, the lack of two-way zip seems to make sense in this scenario, even if I prefer it for the ventilation options is allows. What does baffle me however is the fact the previous edition of this jacket did feature a two-way zip, so although I don't necessarily miss the absence, it seems odd not to carry this feature over.

That race fit works a dream. Whether I was hunched over getting low to the bars, or sitting more upright, the jacket never bunched or pulled and allowed for a wide range of fit options. Some more race focussed garments can almost pull you into a race position, but the Equipe RS doesn’t force you to choose, instead adapting to where you want to be. It’s far more comfortable than some options I have experienced, including some Assos Equipe jackets of old.

The pockets are large and accommodate a heap of items. The STABILIZATOR V11, a silly name, admittedly does just what it sets out to do and stabilises the rear of the jacket so there are no sensations of pocket contents jumping around when bobbing out of the saddle. As always, I like a zip-up valuables pocket for keys or cards; it’s ideal and prevents them coming out in the event of tugging a packed up waterproof out of a pocket with smaller contents in tow. But this is a minor gripe.

Something I really appreciate are the sleeves, or rather the texturing specifically. I can’t say how aerodynamic this will be or at what speeds it will perform best. But a general rule of thumb is that a sleeve with texture will be faster than a smooth sleeve. This is due to reducing the turbulence behind the arm, and is a similar principle to why we see World Tour riders wearing kit with ridges on the sleeves. It’s both functional and performance focussed, which is exactly what this jacket should be. Interestingly the previous version of this jacket used more traditional aero fabric texturing, but sacrificed a bit of insulation for that purpose. I think for the temperatures this jacket is designed for, it's a good overall decision to beef up the insulation while maintaining some form of texturing.

Value & conclusion

The closest competitor to the Equipe RS S11 is probably the Castelli Do.Di.Ci. Both are designed for the Autumn or Spring conditions, and both are designed for fast paced riding conditions where speed and breathability are key. Castelli undercuts Assos significantly here at £250 /$280, with the same single-way zip, cargo pockets, long sleeved, and focussing very highly on ventilation.

Where the two differ is that Castelli uses a single material for the whole jacket, the very breathable and fast drying Ristretto fabric. Meanwhile Assos uses a huge range of materials with different purposes. The Do.Di.Ci. is actually faster drying when it gets wet, which is useful, but is not designed for as cool a temperature as the Equipe RS. Additionally the Equipe RS is for a slightly cooler temperature range. Where the Assos jacket wins big is the sleeve texturing, which was my main gripe with the Do.Di.Ci. not using any aero materials on there.

While £305 / $390 is a lot of money, given the wide use of different materials, greater research and development costs to make these, and higher manufacturing costs to create the garments, that somewhat explains the higher price. Of course there are better value options, indeed the Assos Equipe RS S11 jersey is cheaper and features many similarities, but just not quite the same level of performance focus and less insulation.

For actual race pace rides, it’s actually hard to find fault with this jacket. Zero water proofing does mean it’s a dry weather garment only, and breathability means in cold weather you will not want to stop riding for fear of cooling down a lot. However, it is designed for fast paced riding and speed performance. In those regards, it performs brilliantly. But there’s also an element of how often will you need that. In the UK road race season for example, I can see this being good for early season events from January to March, but outside of that and above 15˚C it would be too warm. Local fast paced group rides also don’t run until the clocks change and the weather becomes more of a short sleeve affair.

It's a great jacket for what it does, but for most of us this might be a somewhat limited window. We’re not World Tour pros racing in European wind and rain spending hours in the bunch with single figure body fat percentages where insulation in races is very important. That still won’t stop me from wearing this on cooler solo jaunts just for the sake of hopefully having an increased average speed compared potentially to other jackets though.

The Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall Jacket S11 has been designed as a race pace jacket that prioritises breathability and performance, while providing impressively good levels of insulation alongside this. Aero textures sleeves are a performance highlight, as is the highly breathable rear of the jacket. Fit is also exceptional, but there is a distinct lack of water resistance, limiting the effective use somewhat. It is brilliant as a cool weather fast paced riding jacket, but it is a slightly niche market. Being usable in warmer conditions might enhance true versatility, or being a bit water resistant. It’s also not cheap at £305 /$390, but is a brilliant amalgamation of clever technologies and fabrics that make for a jacket that is great as what it has been designed to do.

The Sportful Fiandre Shift sits in Sportful’s Fiandre line of cooler and wetter weather race pace kits, with the Shift part of the name showing that it is aimed towards more mild and drier conditions than perhaps is typical of the best winter cycling jackets.

Construction

This latest Fiandre line makes use of the brand new Polartec AirCore technology, designed in partnership with Sportful granting them exclusive use of the material, alongside Castelli, for the next few years within the cycling industry. This material is an interesting one as it has been designed primarily to improve breathability and air permeability. This material is PFAS free, as brands look to remove forever chemicals and improve brand sustainability.

Part of the problem of water resistance is that it's often to the detriment of breathability; the internal sweat and moisture build-up can lead to moisture seepage outside and to your overall temperature loss. AirCore is a nano-fibre membrane with an MVTR >35,000 g/sq m/24hrs; anything above 30,000 is deemed incredibly breathable.

A DWR is then applied externally so it remains both showerproof and windproof, with the external protection remaining permeable to air internally, allowing excess out but not letting cold in, in theory.

Against the competition, the measure of cubic feet per minute (cfm) was used for air permeability measurements. AirCore hit 0.7, while Polartec NeoShell was rated 0.3, and GoreTex Windstopper 0.25. Polartec Bio waterproof was rated 0.

Interestingly the jacket has a waterproof column rating of just 5000mm, with most cycling jackets 10000mm or higher. But in research developing the membrane, it was determined that rain falling was only a pressure of 800mm; although when cycling at speed the effective impact pressure of rain will be higher than that.

The three cargo pockets at the rear feature an ‘object retention’ technology, which essentially is an internal flap of elastic material that is designed to make it easy to take items out but difficult for them to eject when you're riding over rougher surfaces. This jacket is also complimented by a two-way zip at the front for better temperature regulation.

Sizes come in S to 3XL, but limited to 2XL for women, and there are four colour options available for men and women.

The ride

The fit of the Fiandre Shift has remained pretty similar to the previous Fiandre 2 jacket. It’s quite similar to Castelli in terms of length of body and arms, but there is a little more room around the middle rather than the more form hugging fit. On my 190cm frame a size medium was true to size, while the arms are an ideal length for even shorter cuffed gloves, protecting the wrists nicely from cold air.

I figured a good way to test the breathability and moisture wicking would be using the Fiandre Shift in some unseasonably warm October weather. Indeed setting out in 18˚C with tights and a long sleeved base layer, I initially was dreading the ride to come. However, the Fiandre Shift, and assumedly the Polartec AirCore, did an exceptional job at dissipating excess heat and moisture from the inside. The two-way zip adds to this breathability allowing you to tailor how much air you get coming through the front, or how much of an exhaust you can open up at the base.

What I really appreciate though is that although this jacket can be comfortable in 18˚C, if you just layer a bit more heavily underneath it is also effective in around 8-12˚C as it has brilliant wind proofing and DWR coating externally for showers. It is certainly not a garment for wet weather, and Sportful makes no qualms about admitting to this. The Polartec AirCore tech is for dry weather, possibly a little showery, and allows you to expel internal moisture without a build-up that can lead to rapid cooling down when intensity drops. You can use this in the rain, just with an external shell, the same as most jerseys. However on its own the Fiandre Shift is an effective jersey/jacket for quite a wide range of temperatures and conditions.

Sportful gives a recommended temperature usage of 5-15˚C for this jacket, and I reckon that’s about right at the lower end if you have a base layer, but potentially conservative on the upper end.

I’m a big fan of the Bright Orange colour option, which is great for visibility. My only small gripe with this jacket is that it doesn’t feature much in the way of reflective detailing, but daytime lights and the dayglow orange colour are arguably more effective.

There also isn’t a zip-up valuables pocket at the rear, which is just something I generally like having, but is not essential. The main cargo pockets themselves are very effective being deep, wide, and secure even with a looser fit on the waist. I had no issues of the jacket twisting over time on rides even when pockets were loaded unevenly.

Value & conclusion

In recent years Sportful has come to represent quite good value in the cycling world while making use of the latest and greatest technologies. There are cheaper options, but they lack the performance and technologies. The Fiandre Shift is no different. The likes of the Castelli Do.Di.Ci is £250 / $280 and features much of the same fit and performance, but lacks the two-way zip and has no DWR. It’s more breathable but less versatile.

The most similar competitor to the Fiandre Shift is actually the Castelli Perfetto 3 jacket. This features zip vents at the side, but aside from that the same technology is used and many of the same features are present. However the Perfetto 3 is £280 / $320 compared to £210 / $250 for the Fiandre Shift.

However, £210 / $250 is still a lot for something that bridges the jersey and jacket line, but the Fiandre Shift performs so well across a wide range of temperatures and showery rain that you can tailor its use with different base layers. This makes for a cheaper total package than a lighter weight long sleeve jersey and a jacket, instead combined into one garment. It’s not cheap, but it represents very good value when you add up the performance it offers.

The Sportful Fiandre Shift is a mightily impressive piece of kit that can be used across a huge range of conditions. Dry weather riding from about 5-18˚C is manageable, with a thicker base layer perhaps for that lower end, but very comfortable at that upper level so effective is the breathability. The odd shower being thrown in or windy conditions do very little to take any temperature away from the body as the DWR treatment and wind proofing are fantastic. All the more impressive is that the Fiandre Shift has all of this performance and technology for a price that undercuts anything that performs anywhere close to as well as it does.

Until last year, Castelli had the do-it-all jack-of-all-trades, the Gabba jersey. But as of 2024, the Gabba was reinvented as the ultimate aero waterproof with the release of the Castelli Gabba R; designed solely for use in poor weather conditions it no longer has any insulation. This left something of a void when it came to a versatile all-rounder, with the the Perfetto RoS jacket more suited to cold weather training than racing. And so Castelli devised something new.

Construction

Enter the Do.Di.Ci, a catchy name I know, but there is a reason for it that I will get to.

Consumer research had showed that aside from the pros who were paid to ride in the rain, more and more amateurs ventured indoors when the weather turned wet. Add to that the removal of PFAS materials from manufacture meant that no longer was it possible to get kit that was genuinely waterproof, breathable, and resilient over the long-term. So Castelli decided to focus on making the best possible kit for cooler weather when it was not raining.

This started with the Ristretto fabric in the Espresso Air Jacket, and has seen the Polartec AirCore technology implemented into much of the brand's top end AW25 range. The Do.Di.Ci is named because the adapted Ristretto fabric used is apparently 12 times (dodici means 12 in Italian) more breathable than GoreTex Windstopper fabric, and twice as breathable as the version of Ristretto used in the Espresso Air Jacket. It doesn’t feature any water resistant elements, but is windproof with minimal insulation, designed for higher paced riding, and making it a little different than many of the best winter cycling jackets.

The Do.Di.Ci itself looks like a standard long sleeve jersey. The neck is raised for protection from the elements, while the sleeves are nicely long enough to cover the wrists. There are three large rear cargo pockets, while the rear hem features a reflective strip.

Sizes come in XS-3XL while there are four colour options for men and two for women.

The ride

Castelli appears to have updated its fit with the Do.Di.Ci jacket, with the sleeves extending down further compared to its other jackets and jerseys. This means your wrists are well covered while leaving enough give in the fabric to bunch them up slightly to allow for a touch more cooling.

The main body of the jacket maintains Castelli’s race focussed fit which is tight, but not constrictive, with a medium coming in true to size. In the pursuit of making this a more race day focussed item for cooler weather, the raised neck has a slight cut out on the rear so as to avoid fabric bunching when riding in a more bent over position. It manages this though without placing the rear pockets up to high so they are very easily accessible when riding. The front also avoids bunching thanks to a higher cut.

First and foremost, the design brief was breathability and air permeability. It’s an interesting focus for a cooler weather piece of kit, but there is a good reason for it. When exercising hard, we generate a good amount of heat, about 3-4 times as much as the energy we generate to move ourselves forwards. This heat means sweat, which means moisture. If this sits in the fabric, it causes more evaporative heat loss and greater temperature transfer. This results in a loss of warmth; something I’ve experienced when doing harder winter rides is generating a lot of heat and sweat, then finding that when I’m coasting downhill or stopping at junctions, I cool down very rapidly.

This is where the Do.Di.Ci is a real star. I will say that I run hot, so I often find I use kit at lower temperatures than it is recommended. Castelli recommends 8-15˚C for this jacket, which actually I would say is about right, possibly a little broader. The real test I found for this jacket was a mixed route in about 10˚C where I was climbing up steep inclines at low speed for high effort low air chill, and then descending in tree covered fast roads where windchill was high and effort low. I changed nothing about the jacket, keeping it zipped, and I kept a consistent and good temperature throughout. There was also no build-up of moisture on the jacket, with the moisture transfer working brilliantly.

Admittedly, this jacket is not the best for much colder weather, but equally you can just layer with a more substantial baselayer. The key is that the Do.Di.Ci has been designed for use in dry weather. If it rains, it will get colder, and honestly that’s a trade-off I can accept. This has not been designed for the rain, it is designed for dry but cool conditions, and it can tackle these at an impressive range of temperatures.

My only complaint is that I don’t think Castelli has leaned into the speed element of this jacket enough. It is more of a jersey than a jacket in terms of construction and feel, and whereas the Gabba R was found to be impressively fast and aerodynamic, the Do.Di.Ci misses out here. Given the arms are not an area for massive heat generation, I feel the Ristretto fabric could have been replaced with perhaps a thicker aero ribbed material similar to what is on the Castelli Aero Race 8S jersey, but not as thin. This would then make the Do.Di.Ci a genuine cool weather race day item, whereas at present for races I would opt for an aero jersey with arm warmers and base layer.

That said, it's breathable enough that when working at a high pace such as a race, even in the rain it would be effective from temperatures of around 5-15˚C I imagine, especially UK races where the pace never really tends to drop so you won’t have a chance to get cold.

Value & conclusion

At £250 / $280 the Do.Di.Ci is cheaper than the new Castelli Perfetto 3 which is £280 / $320, and the Rapha Shadow Jersey which is far more wet weather focussed but £275 / $365.

The Do.Di.Ci is far more comparable to long sleeve jerseys than jackets, and although others might have a less effective temperature range that doesn’t span such a broad range, they can be tailored with base layer choices and gilets. The Q36.5 Dottore Hybrid Que is the same price but features a two-way zip, great breathability, and is more weather proofed. However the race fit is admittedly not quite as good.

Equally, Sportful has the new Fiandre Shift jacket for £210 / $250 with Polartec AirCore and a two-way zip. And if you want an aero long-sleeved jersey, Rule28 makes a specific one for just £150.

It does mean that the Do.Di.Ci is certainly a premium item, and might not represent the best value for money. It is superb at what it does, but it needs a little more of an aero focus potentially to be the outright best at what it does.

The Castelli Do.Di.Ci jacket is genuinely a superb kit item for cooler dry conditions where the start of the ride may be single figure temperatures and the end of it might be mid to high teens. The breathability and moisture transfer is exceptional, keeping you at a consistent temperature throughout your rides. My only gripe is that at this price, it is not the best value, but the refined fit and performance are undoubtedly great.

To be the perfect though for fast paced rides or or races, it needs a bit more specific aerodynamic focus on the sleeves. Then it would be the ideal performance item for cool weather high speed riding. At present, it’s not 100% there yet. But in these mixed autumn temperatures, it remains one of my go-to items, which says a lot about the performance.

Somewhat surprisingly for a brand famous for pioneering waterproof and windproof membranes, Gorewear’s Spinshift Thermo Jacket doesn’t feature any kind of multilayer barrier technology whatsoever. Instead, it relies on a tightly-woven, smooth-faced fleece fabric to insulate the wearer from the harsh realities of cycling outdoors in the kind of weather that finds most prudent people staying indoors.

This is a jacket that behaves more like a versatile winter jersey. One that can handle temperatures down to about 2°C/35.6°F, spirited gusts of wind and a sprinkling of rain - all while remaining immensely breathable.

Construction

This is a fairly rudimentary garment in terms of construction, it’s the fabric technology that does all the heavy lifting. Most of the jacket is made from a single fabric, a relatively thick, stretchy fleece with a soft, brushed nap on the inner for insulation, and a smooth, densely woven outer face for protection against wind, rain and spray. The outer is also treated with a durable waterproof repellent (DWR) finish to bead water, which enhances water resistance and, because it stops the fabric from wetting out, aids breathability.

The deep collar is lined with a soft, lightweight fleece for comfort against the skin. Stitched into the collar is a thin strip of raw-cut elastane that acts as a seal. The raglan-style sleeves are anatomically pre-shaped at the elbow and feature fine raw-cut elastane cuffs. These are cut on the bias so that they seal effectively and comfortably at the wrist.

The single-way main front zipper secures over a chunky, internal placket, which should provide a good barrier against the wind.

Around the back are three large, gusseted pockets plus a smaller zip-fastened pouch for keys and small valuables. Below these runs a stretchy black hem with a silicone gripper on the internal face. A reflective Gorewear logo sits at the base of the centre pocket, and there are further thin reflective strips placed at the hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists in accordance with the Johansson experiment on motion perception.

All seams are simply but neatly overlocked with no taping.

My Spinshift Thermo Jacket was supplied in a very bright Neon Yellow, but it is also available in Black, Cargo Blue, Lab Graphite and Utility Green in male sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL.

The Ride

This jacket proved to be a staple throughout the winter and I’m looking forward to continuing wearing it during chilly spring mornings and evenings. The rideable ambient temperature during the winter months has ranged from about 0°C (32°F) to 7°C (44°F) with additional windchill always a predictable ride buddy.

Slipping the jacket on is much like dressing in a fleecy jersey but one with a touch more bulk and a little more weight. That bulk is mostly lofted air, which is a good thing, and the weight is pretty insignificant. My XL review sample – I’m 191cm (6’ 3”) and weigh 90kg (198lbs) tips the scales at 440g, which really isn’t bad for a thick winter jacket.

In my experience, Gorewear garments have historically tended to have a roomier fit than their European counterparts, so much so the brand has recently slimmed down many of its silhouettes. The Spinshift Thermo Jacket boasts a ‘jersey-like performance fit’, which I found slightly on the generous side, with some excess material gathering around the upper back, chest and collar bones. That said, I’m between sizes, so dropping down a size may sort this. As it is, the sleeve length is perfect for my build, so it’s not all bad - far from it.

The modest dropped tail always stayed in place, thanks to the silicone gripper, and I found the large pockets easy to access.

My favourite way of layering this jacket is with a long-sleeve Merino base layer and a packable jacket. On a calm day, with little wind chill to contend with, it’s feasible just to combine it with the base layer down to about 3°C (37.5°F). If the wind picks up or the sun drops, cue the packable jacket, an ensemble that will take me comfortably down to 0°C (32°F) provided I keep working (and the roads don’t become too icy).

Intense efforts in the jacket are a pleasure because it’s so breathable. Despite the tightly woven, wind-resistant face fabric, the omission of a membrane does enable some airflow, just enough to have a mild cooling effect. Sweat is transported out much more effectively too, either wicking via the brushed fleece inner or passing through as vapour.

Membrane technology is widely misunderstood - membranes may be breathable, but a garment with one is not nearly as breathable as one without. Unless you’re going out in the pouring rain, or standing relatively still for hours in the wind, they’re utterly pointless.

That’s not to say this jacket is perfect. A build-up of moisture is inevitable when exercising very hard in any insulated outerwear, and the Spinshift Thermo Jacket is no exception. It just happens to be a lot more comfortable than most.

As the temperatures start to pick up throughout spring, provided heavy rain isn’t in the forecast, I’ll ditch the packable jacket and swap the long-sleeved merino for a summer-weight mesh vest. That way, I should be able to extend its use for another month or two, especially for early-morning rides to the gym.

I probably wash my Spinshift Thermo Jacket every other ride, it really depends on the intensity. So far, after three months of use, it is holding up well, with no sign of the fleece deteriorating.

Value and conclusions

The Spinshift Thermo Jacket is an excellent cold-weather top that has made me re-think whether wind barrier membranes, such as Gore Windstopper are necessary or even desirable. Its tightly woven outer face is plenty wind resistant enough to stop any chill, yet open enough to enhance breathability and allow some airflow. This quality greatly reduces the chances of overheating and the chilling consequences of wetting out your base layer or jacket with sweat.

The substantial lofting on the inner face provides plenty of insulation and further aids breathability and sweat transfer. It’s a win-win.

At £159.99/$220 it’s an investment, but that price compares favourably with other fleece jackets, such as Gorewear’s own £179.99 C5 Windstopper Thermo Jacket and Castelli’s £225/$249.99 membraneless Espresso Air Jacket. Santini’s Ready to Ride fleece jacket, which does feature a membrane, is less expensive at £140/$120.

Rapha launched the first instalment of its Excess collection back in 2023. The intent was to use 100% surplus fabric, thus reducing waste and lessening the environmental impact of new garments. This initiative is part of a larger industry-wide effort to use more recycled materials, reduce emissions and generally make products more environmentally friendly.

In the case of the Excess collection, this repurposing effort also makes for rather unusual-looking clothing. The original Excess kit made a huge splash at the 2023 Giro d’Italia when Team EF Pro Cycling wore it, and Rapha has continued to expand the collection ever since.

Rapha’s newest Excess Gore-Tex jacket is similarly visually striking. It is available in three different colour options, all of which have asymmetrical contrasting panels, some with improbable colour combos.

Design and Construction

The Excess Pro Team Gore-Tex jacket uses a three-layer construction—this means that the waterproof Gore-Tex membrane is sandwiched between an inner and outer layer of material. In order to keep moisture moving through the membrane, the outer layer is treated with a DWR coating that helps water to bead up and roll off.

The jacket uses a two-way zipper that is also waterproof, which provides the ability to dump heat/moisture as needed. It does not have any additional pockets or vents.

Stretch panels are located around the shoulders, at the lower hem, and at the ends of the sleeves. These sections use a polyester/nylon/elastane mix that is slightly bunched up in a honeycomb pattern to allow for one direction of movement while keeping the Gore-Tex membrane intact.

One important thing of note: Due to newly enacted legislation in the State of California, clothing items made with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), like this jacket, are no longer permitted to be sold. As a result, Rapha is not selling this garment in the U.S. and has plans to retool the design. The product page on Rapha’s U.S. website states: “Please note - This product is currently being reworked and is unavailable for purchase in the US. Any orders placed will be cancelled.”

PFAS, also commonly referred to as forever chemicals, can be found in many common products. The State of California is among the first places to ban this group of chemicals in clothing, but the European Union is also considering similar legislation. The use of these garments is not believed to be harmful (per current science), rather it is simply the fact that these chemicals exist that is the issue. If you already own a waterproof/breathable jacket, it likely contains PFAS, and the best course of action, environmentally speaking, is to keep using it for as long as possible.

Specifications

• Name: Rapha Excess Men's Pro Team GORE-TEX Rain Jacket
• Size range: XS-XXL
• Weight: 175 grams (size Small)
• Price: £275 / $340 US
• Colours: Multicolour (This seems to be what Rapha uses for all three colour variations, and while all fit this description, one is mostly green/yellow, one is shades of blue, and one is orange, purple and dark green for some reason)

On the road

Technically speaking, the most groundbreaking part of this jacket is the built-in stretch panels. These make the jacket significantly more comfortable than most hard shell rain jackets, despite the race-oriented cut. And it is a very race-oriented cut—Rapha’s Pro Team range is designed for and used by the professional teams the company sponsors, and thus the fit is made for professional-sized bodies. Those seeking a more forgiving fit are advised to size up.

I was able to squeeze my 182 cm/68 kg frame into a size small for this test, but if I were to purchase this garment I would probably opt for a medium to allow for additional layers underneath. The stretch panels integrated into the design are truly excellent and make the jacket more comfortable than every other hard shell I’ve worn.

I am curious to see how well these elastane panels hold up long term, as the texture provides a lot of surface area for wear to develop via friction. Assuming they do hold up OK, a jacket made entirely out of this stretch material would be pretty nifty.

One of the most common complaints I hear about waterproof gear from other cyclists is the lack of brightly coloured options available on the market. From what I’ve found, most manufacturers are actually aware of this. Every year one will offer a new jacket in a bright colour, and it won’t sell as well as the blacks and grays, so they discontinue that one. Either the market for visibility is saturated, or nobody is actually choosing them off the rack when they head out the door to ride, despite their stated intentions.

The Excess Gore-Tex jacket couldn’t blend in if it tried.

The contrasting panels make for sharp lines that jump out at the eye, and the colour choices similarly help make it stand out. In addition, there are reflective bits on the front, rear and arms to aid in low light visibility.

Throughout my testing in generally chilly, but both wet and dry conditions, I found the jacket’s performance to be excellent. Gore-Tex is the gold standard for waterproof breathables, and while the issues with PFAS are apparent, it’s also clear to all how well these compounds do when used for particular applications.

With that said, I think it’s worth mentioning that Gore-Tex and other similar products are only truly breathable when the air outside is dry. In rainy or humid conditions, moisture won’t pass through the membrane—it requires a humidity difference between inside and outside. Thus, the vapour-permeable barrier works optimally when it’s cold and dry outside. In the rain, the outer shell will keep water out, but it will keep your sweat in, too.

I was impressed by the Excess jacket’s packability. It doesn’t get quite as small as a Shakedry garment, but it bunches up small enough to comfortably fit in a jersey pocket. Knowing that it can be readily stowed makes me much more likely to grab a particular jacket as I'm heading out for a ride, and this one hits the mark.

Value and conclusion

This is a performance jacket, with a race fit, designed for harsh conditions. Its visibility is an asset, though the colour options might not be everyone’s cup of tea. I have worn many other rain jackets, and this is the most comfortable (thanks to the stretchy bits) hard shell I’ve used. It’s not as comfortable as a Castelli Gabba-style softshell, but then it serves a different purpose.

Price-wise, it sits fairly high up on the scale, Assos’ offerings notwithstanding. Gore-Tex shells are pricey across the board, however, and the performance is top notch. I have a feeling that Rapha’s use of reclaimed materials won’t move the needle for many, especially given the PFAS situation, however the look will be popular with some riders. I’m a fan!

With the ban on PFC use in waterproof materials, the use of Shake-Dry technology in cycling waterproofs has been disallowed. This has resulted in the need for the best waterproof jackets to seek an alternative material to provide waterproofing and breathability. Le Col's Pro Lightweight model uses Pertex Shield in an attempt to achieve that hard-to-strike balance of keeping you dry while at the same time preventing you from overheating.

Construction

The Le Col Pro Lightweight Rain jacket is the brand's new race-fit fully waterproof jacket. Using Pertex Shield Technology, the fabric is fully waterproof yet breathable so to allow water vapour to escape.

This material also does away with the PFCs which are being banned in the EU, leading to most brands having to rethink their waterproof line-up materials. Internally the jacket also features fully taped seams, so there are no points in the construction where water can get in.

Le Col has also designed this jacket to be worn during fast-paced rides. Being part of its ‘Pro’ lineup, speed and aerodynamics have been a key consideration, so the fit of the garment has been designed to limit material flapping and allow for a close, snug fit.

Other additions include a high-visibility reflective strip up the rear of the jacket. Packability has been another key consideration, with the Pro Lightweight Rain jacket being able to be stowed neatly into a pocket for rides with changeable conditions. Available in three colour options, and sizes from XS to 3XL.

The ride

The Pertex Shield technology used in this and many other new PFC-free jackets is not as breathable as Shake-Dry. However, it is equal in its waterproofing and is one of the best PFC-free options around.

Certainly the Le Col Pro Lightweight Rain Jacket 'does what it says on the tin'. The Pertex Shield works in that it blocks droplets of a certain size from passing through the fabric, but allows smaller vapour molecules to pass through. What this means is that raindrops can’t get in, but sweat and excess heat can escape.

Thanks to the Pertex fabric and taped seams, I had no issues with water ingress with the Pro jacket; it works brilliantly as a waterproof layer. Breathability is also pretty decent, but when temperatures were a little warmer or I was climbing at low speeds and high effort levels, I did find it got a little stuffy.

Unfortunately, the jacket lacks a two-way zip, which is often a great way to increase breathability by essentially opening up a large exhaust port at the rear of the jacket while reducing fabric flapping up front. It’s a feature I really like in packable waterproofs, especially as it makes access to rear pockets far easier.

Fit-wise, the Pro jacket has some pros and a couple of cons. In the size medium tested, the coverage was superb. It’s both long enough at the back and not too long at the front for a more aggressive riding position. The sleeves are also long enough to cover the cuffs of your gloves, while the cuffs and hem are also elasticated to enhance the more race-focused fit. However, by making it easier to put on and take off while on the move, the jacket isn't 'fully fitted'. Being a hardshell, there is still some loose fabric around the shoulders and waist, but this could be, to some degree, down to the individual fit.

In terms of packability, it was very easy to get this into a jersey pocket as well as take it on and off while riding. It does lack some additional practical features, like the two-way zip, but it performs brilliantly as a packable waterproof.

Value & Conclusion

When it comes to value, the Le Col Lightweight Rain Jacket, priced at £180 / $235, is actually pretty reasonable compared to other Pertex Shield Technology waterproofs. Offerings from MAAP, PNS, POC and Rapha are more expensive, while some slightly cheaper options lack internal taping of seams or the breathability. However, the Le Col does lack a two-way zip, which is a great practical feature found on some pricier options.

Combining the brilliantly water and windproof Pertex Shield fabric with internally taped seams, the Le Col Pro Lightweight Rain Jacket is a superb waterproof. It’s easily packable into a jersey pocket and has some good reflective features. The fit is long enough on the sleeves and body, while it’s fairly close fitting for a waterproof, although not without some fabric flapping. All this performance also comes in at quite a good price when looking at similarly specced jackets on the market.

The Le Col ARC Lightweight Rain Jacket makes up part of the brand’s new gravel cycling ARC (Adaptable, Reliable, Capable) collection. The creation of this collection was headed by a female-led design team, something Le Col is very proud to point out.

Construction

The ARC Jacket uses the latest PFC-free Pertex® Shield weatherproof technology. In the wake of the banning of PFC waterproof materials such as Shake-Dry, Pertex has become one of the more commonly used alternatives in some of the best waterproof jackets for cycling. It is designed to be fully waterproof while remaining breathable and lightweight. The Pertex Shield is designed to prevent water ingress while allowing sweat and moisture to move out of the jacket. Waterproofing is further supported with internally taped seams.

Other features included are the use of a 2.5-layer Ripstop woven structure, designed to be more durable and scratch-resistant, perfect for gravel riding through areas with branches, bushes, or even coming off on gravel. Additional fabric is supplied for the repair of any rips in the material.

The jacket also utilises an adjustable hood, with a drawstring to tailor the size. This is designed to be able to be worn over a helmet, and thanks to the high zip, is designed to stay in place even in the wind. A dual zip is used to make access to rear pockets easier and cord adjustable hems allow a more tailored fit around the waist.

Further features include a mesh panel across the shoulders under a waterproof shroud, aimed to boost breathability without allowing water ingress. Pocket-wise, there are two hidden rainproof side pockets plus a zip front pocket that can also be used to stow valuables that need to be easily accessible. Sizes come in XS-3XL, with a men's and women’s specific model. Both are available in Grey or Olive Brown.

The ride

Given this has been designed as a gravel piece of kit, I’m going to forgive the more relaxed fit and flapping of material when used on the road. In terms of gravel fit, the ARC jacket is ideal for off-road use. The length is on the longer side, with the front not raised, making it optimal in a more relaxed riding position. The hem also features adjustable cords to tailor the fit around the hips. I also really like that the sleeves are long enough to provide good coverage, as well as featuring elasticated cuffs to limit the chances of cold air or moisture travelling up them.

The hood is another interesting feature, as it has been designed to be worn over a bike helmet without flying off as airspeed increases. To enable this, you have to put the hood over the helmet while the jacket is not fully zipped up. Once the hood is on and the jacket zipped up, it will stay in place, and a cord adjustment can be used to tailor the fit further. It’s impressively effective. The only issue is that the very top section of the zip can require two hands and some careful positioning.

The front two-way zip is great in every other respect, it certainly makes venting and access to pockets beneath the jacket very easy.

Obviously, the main point of this jacket is waterproofing. To that end, it's fantastic. The Pertex® Shield material is as waterproof as Shake-Dry in my experience, and with internally taped seams all across the jacket, the ARC jacket is brilliantly waterproof and windproof. In showers, misty conditions, and heavy rain, I’ve yet to have any water ingress through the fabric of seams. Even using it in snowy weather it still performed brilliantly.

Pertex Shield is not quite as breathable as Shake-Dry is, but now that older technology being phased out due to the EU ban on PFCs, it has established itself as one of the best waterproof materials that complies with these new regulations.

There are other features to this jacket that I really like too, focussed mainly on gravel use. Firstly, the material has been reinforced to be more rip-resistant. I love this feature, as I have an old Shake-Dry jacket that I managed to rip on a random overhanging branch while riding. The promise of more durability is a very useful gravel feature and one much appreciated on a £280 jacket. A patch of spare material is included too, just in case you rip some of the fabric during a crash.

For a hooded waterproof jacket with zip pockets, it’s incredibly lightweight and easily packed into a jersey pocket. There are additional pockets, with a zip pocket up front for storing essentials, and two low-profile pockets on the sides that are both easily accessible and waterproof. This makes for a very versatile jacket that performs brilliantly for gravel riding. It’s expensive, but you're investing in a jacked that should prove resilient long-term as well as practical both on and off the bike.

Value & conclusion

It's fair to say that £280 is a lot of money for a waterproof jacket, especially when compared to Le Col’s own road-going waterproof which is £100 cheaper with the same fabric technology. However, where the ARC Lightweight Rain Jacket makes up some of that value is in the large array of additional features and offerings.

The hood, fit, and pockets all add to its versatility and capabilities off the bike as well. Increased durability and repair patches should also boost longevity. The looser fit and flapping material does mean it wouldn’t be my first pick for a road ride at speed. However, for adventure riding, or filthy gravel weather, the protection, packability, and versatility are unrivalled from my testing of PFC-free jackets.

With the environmentally driven demise of Gore-Tex Shakedry products, cyclists have lost one of the best, most effective waterproof and hugely breathable fabrics available. It had some issues—high price, no stretch, low durability, and lack of colour choice—but many riders could overlook them for its incredible performance. I mention this by way of an introduction as it is inevitable that as brands introduce alternative performance rain jackets, they will be judged against the benchmark set by Shakedry.

Castelli isn’t short of outerwear options, but their new Squall Shell Jacket looks like a potential replacement for how I use my original Shakedry waterproof, which is to say as a windproof/waterproof layer that I carry on every ride that the forecast is less than glorious for. It sits towards the lower end of their waterproof range price-wise, which is no bad thing as cycling gear gets ever more expensive. There are lots of options from other brands on the market too, so how does the Squall Shell stack up?

It is available for men in sizes XS to 3XL with three colour choices whilst women can choose between two colours in XS to XL.

Construction

The Squall is phenomenally light for a fully taped waterproof jacket, with my size large coming in at just 98g. It’s made from a stretch 2-layer fabric that is almost translucent and although it is fully waterproof I think that the clue is in the name - this is a jacket to carry and put on if caught in a shower rather than one to put on at the start of an all-day ride in the rain. Equally, the fabric is such that I wouldn’t envisage wearing it regularly while commuting and certainly not if carrying a backpack as it doesn’t scream durability - hardly surprising at sub 100g. Castelli gives it a temperature rating of +4°C to +18°C, but this is pretty arbitrary as it depends entirely on what you wear underneath it.

There are no pockets to compromise the waterproofness and the full-length front zip is water-resistant. Hem and sleeves are lightly elasticated, with a long ¾ length reflective strip down the centre of the back. The Castelli writing on the sleeve is also reflective but is unfortunately on the wrong side for UK or Australian users to help when signalling a right turn.

The Ride

First impressions are of the jacket’s weight, or lack of it to be precise. At less than 100g it would be a decent weight for a windproof, let alone a garment with taped seams and waterproof fabric. The gossamer-like fabric also makes it very easy to pack away in a pocket, so there is no excuse for not taking it with you, although no stow pocket or stash bag is supplied with it.

The fit of the Squall is excellent - Castelli says that it is ‘Regular’ fit, but it is pretty slim and close-fitting so it feels rather more racy than regular - the size large is perfect for me at 186cm/73kg. Despite its close fit, there is sufficient room in the shoulders and underarms to lean into an aggressive riding position, so credit to Castelli for a great cut - there is a surprising amount of stretch in the fabric, which means it can be worn over bulkier winter layers or a summer jersey just as easily.

It’s always very hard to accurately assess metrics like breathability and waterproofness as they depend so much on conditions at the time - all waterproof materials work on humidity gradients so will breathe much better when the external air is dry (such as in the Alps) rather than when it’s humid (like when it’s actually raining…). However, the Squall Shell was ‘fine’ in both departments. I know this sounds like damning with faint praise, but it isn’t meant to be, it’s a great jacket that I would happily carry and wear when necessary knowing that I will be warmer and drier with it on than without it.

That the jacket is waterproof is in no doubt; it isn’t too hard to make a waterproof fabric and all the seams are taped so any rain should be kept on the outside, whilst new at least. The DWR (durable water repellency) treatment causes the water to bead up on the outside nicely rather than wetting out the fabric (which is usually what causes any breathability issues, and which is why Shakedry was so exceptional in this regard as it had no ‘outer’ fabric), helping the jacket to breath better.

The Squall Shell material isn’t as breathable as Shakedry in my experience - some condensation built up inside when worn in more humid conditions or when working hard, but I am more than OK with that for its weight, price and how I’d use it - as a highly pocketable, waterproof/windproof layer that fits extremely well, the breathability is pretty good.

Value and conclusion

Waterproof cycling jackets are ten-a-penny, but genuinely breathable, well-fitting, packable waterproof jackets are a much rarer commodity, hence the wailing and gnashing of teeth (in my house anyway) at the demise of Shakedry. The Squall Shell jacket is not quite up to the outright performance of my beloved Gore-Tex, but it fits better, is lighter and packs down smaller. Oh, and it is less than half the price too, making it excellent value for money.

As a portable layer to don if it rains or to ward off the breeze on a chilly descent (or outside a cafe) it is hard to beat - it is pretty breathable and will keep most showers at bay quite happily. Used as such I think that it is brilliant, but don’t treat it as you would a heavier-duty jacket or expect it to keep you dry forever in monsoon conditions. For now though, the Squall Shell is my waterproof of choice.

Producing one of the best waterproof cycling jackets is not for the faint-hearted. Not only are there the demands of riders, who require ample breathability and water resistance, but legislation, banning PFAS fabrics in the USA and Europe, has challenged the way that manufacturers can achieve these qualities.

With the Guard Neos, Santini says it's created a credible, new gen, PFAS-free waterproof and breathable rain jacket using a plant-based alternative for additional eco kudos.

Construction

While many rain jacket brands searched for alternatives to the original Gore-tex fabrics that fell foul of the new legislation, Santini continued to build on its long-term relationship with Polartec.

Santini says that partnering with a smaller fabric house has allowed it to become more closely involved in the development of suitable alternatives to PFAS chemical-based fabrics. The end is a lightweight Polartec Neoshell.

Polartec says that Neoshell is made from a membrane of millions of nanofibers, which provides 20,000mm of water column resistance (double the industry standard) but also 99 percent wind protection. The NeoShell fabric has also been designed to allow for dynamic air exchange and a full range of motion, essential for cyclists.

Other features of the Guard Neos nod to its waterproof capabilities: the waterproof zips, the polyurethane-coated raw cut cuffs - which are stretchy to allow for easy removal on the bike - and a polyurethane-coated thermal rear panel that ensures your lower back is protected from rear wheel spray.

Should you find yourself in a torrential downpour, Santini has even hidden a helmet hood in the collar.

Elsewhere are fully taped seams and a single waterproof zip-secure rear pocket.

The ride

Autumn in the north of the UK has taken up the weather where summer left it - it is very damp and mild, a perfect testing ground for a rain jacket, but a little warm to test its deep winter credentials.

However, provided I layered up correctly, I was immediately struck with just how versatile this rain jacket is in varying temperatures of between 7°C / 44.6°F up to 15°C/59°.

Layering decisions are made easier due to the Guard Neos' close resemblance to a softshell jacket, with a soft, warm-to-the-touch inside layer that's comfortable enough against just a long-sleeved base layer on warmer days. The fit is slim, and the jacket isn't super stretchy, so I personally found it a little tight on my arms.

Something that I can't abhor with traditional rain jackets is the cold plasticky feel of some fabrics, especially in the wet, even when the inside is still dry. For me, that's an issue that the Castelli Idro 3 W Shakedry rain jacket suffered from. The Guard Neos showed no signs of this.

Living in the hills of South Manchester, my riding terrain undulates with long climbs and descents following each other in quick succession. This puts any rainwear to work immediately, requiring both breathability and windproofing to be top-notch, and the Guard Neos didn't disappoint.

I've been quickly sold on the jacket's excellent air exchange requirements on my regular rides. Even on cold and damp days, with no real rain, I've popped on the Guard Neos teamed with a thermal gilet on top.

The Guard Neos has shown itself to be a great barrier to water ingress. I have to admit to not having been out in torrential rain just yet, but in terms of drizzle and passing showers, the jacket has left me dry inside.

Santini rates this jacket at around the 20,000mm water column mark, and from my experience, it's proving a great water barrier. I'm interested in discovering the Guard Neos' performance on a foul wet day in the saddle. I'll update the review when the time comes.

Value and conclusion

The Santini Guard Neos is a brilliant jacket that proves useful in a range of conditions, not just the wettest days. The team behind the design has seemingly gathered all the best bits from other rain and softshell jackets on the market and scooped them into one garment.

In terms of criticisms, whilst the minimal rear pocket does make sense from a rain jacket perspective, I missed having the opportunity to simply grab a snack or carry spares.

What I wouldn't miss is the rain hood. I appreciate that this is highly practical, as it fits over your helmet and will prevent rain from dripping down your neck, but it's such a stark contrast to the performance feel of the rest of the jacket. I don't think I could ever see myself, or others for that matter, using it.

The elephant in the room is the price tag: £295/$305 (£320/$270 for the male version). I understand that this RRP is still just below the new Rapha Gore-Tex rain jacket, but these prices are becoming alarmingly high, and can't go unmentioned in a review.

It's a great jacket, which will no doubt be a great cycling wardrobe staple, you just have to really want to ride in the rain to justify the outlay.

Specification

• Fabric: Polartec Neoshell, thermosealed, thermowelded 20.000 mm water column
• Temperatures: 0°C to +10°C/32 to 50 °F
• Sizes: XXS - XXL
• Colours: Black, Pink
• Weight: 271g (size small)
• Gender: Female, Male

Castelli offers an extremely comprehensive and sometimes slightly confusing number of high-end cycling jackets, all of which offer windproofing, warmth and water resistance in varying ratios. The Espresso Air Jacket is one of the newest entrants into this line-up, and sits between the popular Raddioppia and Transition jackets (amongst others), with warmth and breathability high on its agenda. There is a whole range of 'Espresso' products available, with the stated aim being to be 'the first kit you reach for any time you go to ride and not pinning on a number' according to Castelli's Director of Brand Strategy, Steve Chapin.

The Espresso Air is intended for cold-weather rides, between 0-10°C according to Castelli, and uses their new Ristretto fabric to provide ‘unparalleled breathability, dryness, and warmth’. It could perhaps be described as tending slightly more towards a very warm winter jersey rather than a jacket, but either way, I’d say it is at the base miles and winter training end of the spectrum rather than being intended for bad-weather racing or intense efforts like the Gabba or Perfetto.

For men, the Espresso Air is available in four colours from XS to 3XL, and will feature in the women's range in 2025.

Construction

The Espresso Air is made almost entirely of fleece-lined Ristretto Warm fabric, which is membrane-free and hence very stretchy. It seemed to me to be completely windproof, but Castelli suggests 'the garment works to reduce airflow, not stop it, management'. So it will allow a slight amount of air through to aid breathability and moisture management.

Rich Mardle, UK Brand Manager for Castelli says: "The fabric is all new and built from a multi-layer process, brushed for thermal support. The outer layer is built to restrict airflow and enhance breathability well beyond the abilities of a membrane fabric."

The simple set-in sleeve design is fine, with plenty of extra fabric under the arms to accommodate the riding position while the collar is nice and high to protect against winter chill.

There are three open rear pockets which have a small inner lip, but, as with many of Castelli's jackets, there is no zipped security pocket. I don’t understand this decision as most of their lighter jerseys do offer a secure place to stash keys and cash. Particularly in winter, when pockets are more likely to be stuffed with spare layers and extra snacks, it would be very easy to accidentally pull out more than intended and lose some valuables when fumbling about with gloves on.

The full-length front zip is not two-way, which is fine as you will not likely need to reach up under it for anything while riding. However, it does lack a placket behind the zip (save for a short one in front of the neck), which I find a bit strange. This means that cold air can penetrate the zip and be felt on the chest - my old Raddioppia jacket similarly gets a bit chilly through the zip despite the windproof front. Below the pockets at the back is a slightly extended area without any fleece with a silicone gripper to prevent the jacket from riding up and the outer of the fabric has a PFAS-free DWR treatment to ward off showers and road spray.

There are three reflective patches; a narrow strip underneath the pockets and one on either shoulder. On an all-black jacket, this doesn't seem like enough to guarantee safety on a gloomy winter's day so the Vivid Orange colourway would be my preference instead of the other darker colours on offer.

The Ride

As winter hasn’t fully arrived yet, I haven’t worn it in freezing temperatures but have done plenty of autumn miles at the upper end of its suggested range on cool, 5-10°C type rides. I can’t fault its fit or comfort, with the stretchy Ristretto fabric making it noticeably easier to wear than jackets with a windproof membrane. In all honesty, I haven’t noticed it not being totally windproof yet either, but maybe sub-zero air would highlight this aspect of the jacket and, as mentioned above, I am a little concerned about the lack of protection behind the zip in very cold temperatures.

The amount of stretch means that you could probably size down and wear it as an against-the-skin layer; a kind of extreme long-sleeved jersey, but I chose the size Large to leave room for layering and make the jacket more versatile. Sizing is consistent with other Castelli jackets of this type, and the fit is suitably performance-orientated without being constrictive with plenty of length in the sleeves and body for me (186cm/73kg).

Breathability is a hard thing to assess objectively as conditions vary so much from ride to ride, but I would confidently say that the Ristretto Warm fabric is more breathable than Gore Windstopper. Furthermore, what was very noticeable was that even if the fabric did get a little overwhelmed when slogging up a hill or putting a big effort in, it was quick to purge the moisture when the pace slowed. Having a degree of air permeability meant rapid drying and good breathability throughout the garment but at no time did it feel drafty or cold.

Although the outer fabric has a water-repellency treatment, anything more than a shower requires a waterproof layer over the top. The trim fit of the jacket made it an excellent companion to the Castelli Squall Shell Jacket on the couple of occasions that I misjudged the weather forecast. Equally, paired with something like the Sorpasso RoS Wind Bib Tights, the Espresso Air was perfect for long, cool rides in dryer conditions.

Value and conclusion

The Espresso Air lives or dies by its Ristretto Warm fabric; fortunately, the material is very stretchy, warm and comfortable enabling it to fit very well and its breathability is equally impressive. Staying dry on the inside is key to staying warm in cold weather, and the stop/start nature of cycling with hills and descents makes it very difficult for any jacket to balance warmth and breathability. The Espresso Air makes a good fist of ensuring sufficient airflow to get rid of moisture during efforts whilst still retaining enough insulation when the tempo is slower.

Its cosy protection and form-fitting cut make it an easy choice on days that are too cold for a simple long-sleeved jersey. I guess that theoretically, Windstopper will provide better protection but at a significant cost in terms of breathability, and once you become damp next to your skin getting cold will quickly follow.

There are plenty of warm jacket options around its £225 price point, including about half a dozen from Castelli itself, so this is a very competitive area but I think that the Espresso Air’s high degree of stretch and comfort should put it on any winter jacket shortlist. Just make sure that its particular combination of warmth, breathability and windproofing is right for your usage as there may be other choices better suited to your riding.

The Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Thermal Jacket packs a lot of features and tech. The jacket is made from a three-layer fabric, with a Windtex Pro membrane and DWR treatment. However, this DWR treatment is more proficient than many, giving the Mechanism Jacket a waterproofing score of 10,000mm water column pressure. Most water-resistant jackets are around 5,000mm, while heavy-duty waterproofs and ski gear are typically 20,000mm. This jacket also features a high level of water vapour transfer, promising to make it highly breathable. Additional weatherproofing comes from the ultrasonic welded, internally taped seams.

The silhouette is race fit, in line with the entire Mechanism range of the PNS kit. Laser-cut hems and sleeves keep the profile looking slick, while the geometry of the jacket pulls you into a more aggressive riding position.

The cut of the jacket is shorter on the body, as has become the fashion recently, but with enough length on the arms. Practical features include a dual-zip to aid temperature regulation, as well as tabs on the lower zip and the zip on the valuables pocket to make them easier to operate with thick gloves on. At the rear, three large cargo pockets have small drainage holes at their bases to prevent water buildup in foul weather. Size-wise, the jacket comes in XXS to XXL with three colours available. The recommended operating temperature is -10 to 8˚C.

The ride

The PNS Mechanism Thermal Jacket is noticeably a fast-paced ride garment. The shoulders pull forwards to get you into that aggressive riding position, while the front is a fair bit shorter than the rear to avoid fabric bunching when you’re tucked over. When cycling, the fit is snug without being constrictive, and in the Medium size, it fits around my body and arms very well. The cuffs extend enough down my arms so that, with gloves on, there was no gap of bare skin visible. The collar achieves a great balance of being high enough to keep the neck warm without being so high as to constrict or get in the way.

My only gripe with the fit of the jacket was that, with the body being on the shorter side, the pockets are high and quite hard for me to reach. I have a long body, but I don’t often have this issue with jackets or jerseys. It’s worth considering if you do have a lanky frame, whereas riders with a shorter body will likely find the fit more ideal.

Staying with the pockets, they are nicely deep, and the holes at the base work well to avoid any water buildup of the sort that would occur in heavier rain because the DWR coating and taped seams do a brilliant job of beading and expelling water. I would rank this DWR performance above most soft-shell jackets I’ve used. Inside, the fleece grid material offers a huge amount of insulation – conditions above 10˚C were too warm for this jacket. Breathability is decent enough, but this jacket’s tour de force is keeping the elements out.

Practicality is another area where this jacket does well. Aside from the pockets sitting a little high, they are very deep for packing food, spares or clothing. I like the handy tabs on the zips for the valuables pocket and lower main front. Using the lower zip to adjust temperature control is really easy, and leads to less fabric flapping than opening the top zip, a design feature I rate.

Value and conclusion

There is, however, one glaring issue with the PNS Mechanism Thermal Jacket, and that’s the £390/$490 price tag. Most good quality winter jackets are generally in the £200-£300/$260-$290 mark, with the even more waterproof Santini Adapt Multi coming in at £240/$300, and the similarly race fit Assos Equipe R Habu winter jacket costing £335/$420. Their Equipe RS Johdah jacket is a frankly huge £635/$750, but that’s a bit of an outlier in the market. It’s pretty easy to get a good quality, good fitting insulated water-resistant jacket for at least £100/$130 cheaper than the PNS.

The fact is there are some very effective winter jackets available for significantly less money. The PNS Mechanism is certainly a brilliantly warm, weatherproofed, practical, stylish, great fitting jacket for fast-paced rides. But it is very expensive. Those who can afford it, and want the brand, style and performance, will not be disappointed, but if value for money is more important, there are plenty of alternatives.

Although the PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) ban that has affected USA and EU manufacturers has seen the demise of many waterproof fabrics and garments, including the much-lauded Gore-Tex Shakedry, there is still sufficient stock of some fabrics for Castelli to offer the Tempesta Lite with Gore-Tex Active Technology for the next few seasons.

In direct contrast to the Castelli Squall Shell which you carry in case you are unlucky with the weather, the Tempesta Lite is the kind of jacket that you put on at the start of a ride and take off if you get lucky with the weather. The branding on the jacket simply says ‘Gore-Tex’, but the swing tag says ‘Gore-Tex Active Technology’, which was the brand’s most breathable fabric before Shakedry, and one which I was a fan of.

There is only one colour option, light grey, for men or women, with men’s sizing from S to 3XL and the women’s version from XS to XL.

Construction

As mentioned, the fabric is Gore-Tex Active Technology, although the difference between the Tempesta Lite and my older Active-Shell jackets seems to be in the face fabric. The original garments had a standard face fabric that was fine when the DWR (durable water repellency) treatment was new, it suffered from wetting out when the treatment wore off which greatly affected breathability. However, this latest version seems to utilise a softer, almost hatched material with some stretch in one direction, but none in the other. Of course, all seams are taped and the YKK zip is water-resistant.

The cuffs are a little odd, with a tapered but elastic-less outer cuff and an inner gasket made from Lycra. Even more eye-catching is the rear of the jacket; there is a slit across the lower back so that you can reach into your jersey pockets and beneath this is a panel of black Gore-Tex Topo fabric. This material appears to serve two functions. Firstly, its horizontal stretch helps the fit of the jacket around the waist, and secondly, the stiffer material prevents the access slot from gaping open and allowing in water.

There are long reflective stripes down each arm and, curiously, inside the collar. Finally, it is fantastic that it isn’t black. The light grey isn’t reflective per se, but it has to be more visible than the regulation Shakedry black (except maybe in fog…).

Castelli claims that the jacket weighs 216g, but they are doing themselves a bit of a disservice here, my size large tipped the scales at a very impressive 169g. Packability is reasonable too - tightly rolled it would fit in most jersey pockets although there is no stuff bag or stow pocket so you need to find your own packing method.

The Ride

Despite its low weight, donning the Tempesta Lite certainly feels like you are putting on a waterproof jacket rather than a taped windproof. In part, this is due to the 3-ply nature of the fabric, which, despite its softness and flexibility still feels more substantial than some materials. It also sounds like a proper waterproof, with the rustling that I associate with getting properly togged up for a wet outing, and as the fabric isn’t particularly forgiving I could feel slight dragging when moving despite the super soft C-knit backer. All these factors help towards a feeling of protection and security that lighter jackets don’t provide.

Fit is personal, but I much preferred the cut of the Castelli Squall Shell that I tested recently to that of the Tempesta Lite. The lack of stretch in the Active Technology fabric means that the cut has to be a little more generous in places, to allow for comfort in the riding position, so the overall feel is of an endurance rather than race-orientated fit - think bike packing rather than wet-weather intervals.

I wasn’t sure what to do with the open sleeves of the Tempesta - force them into my gloves or let them flap about causing drag and sucking in air. The internal Lycra cuff helps a little, but I would much rather have had a simpler, single, elasticated cuff design; my older Active Shell products have normal cuffs so I’m not sure why Castelli has chosen this design for the Tempesta Lite. On the plus side though, the sleeves were plenty long enough even in a stretched-out position on the bike

I was also not particularly keen on the rear pocket access design. I understand the concept, but rooting about through a flap to locate a specific pocket and find a gel, all whilst probably wearing warm gloves seems over-complicated, unnecessary and difficult. I guess it would work more easily in the summer with just mitts on, but then I’d suggest you probably wouldn’t be wearing this jacket as summer shower protection. My preference would be for a two-way zip instead such as on the Espresso Vest which allows quick and easy access without fear of getting your hand caught behind your back in a potential monkey trap. I ended up pulling the rear of the jacket up over the pockets if I needed to access them.

Ultimately, however, the single most important question is a simple one; did the Tempesta Lite keep me dry, both from rain and from my sweat? The answer is yes, it was pretty impressive in its ability to shift my moisture outwards whilst preventing rain from penetrating the fabric. There was no wetting out of the outer, so breathability remained high even after a prolonged soaking and although I don’t think that it reaches Shakedry’s abilities, it is a very different product that could happily co-exist with the lighter fabric.

Value and conclusion

I’ve resisted mentioning the price until now, but I can put it off no longer. The Tempesta Lite has an RRP of £350. It is far from Castelli’s most expensive waterproof (the £450 Slicker Pro has that honour), but that is still a huge amount of cash for most people to spend on a jacket that they hope they won’t have to wear much.

The performance is excellent in terms of breathability and waterproofness in sustained wet conditions, but unless you consistently spend long periods in the rain Castelli and other brands have cheaper products that will perform adequately. Equally, I can’t imagine even the most well-heeled commuter happily spending that kind of cash on a daily wear jacket that is exposed to the worst road grime, spray and rain, so its market might be rather limited. As suggested above, the potential buyers might be bikepackers, audaxers and other long-distance riders for whom longer-term protection is a higher priority than race performance.

Its low weight and wet-weather abilities are impressive, but at £350 you’d expect nothing less.

Sometimes, after years - or decades - of innovation, it turns out the old ways are the best. Carradice, the 92-year-old cycling accessory purveyor from Lancashire, England knows a thing or two about that. The surge in popularity of bikepacking saddlepacks must have come with some bemusement, given that Carradice has been steadfastly producing them since the 1930s.

Could the same resurgence happen for the faithful rain cape? - (or rain poncho, as its moniker has now become). Let’s see how it stacks up…

Construction

The design is remarkably simple. Throwing on just a single piece of fabric, Carradice’s Duxback Rain Poncho provides protection for your torso, hands and upper thighs. To get similar protection from the rain with de rigueur kit from today, you’d be fumbling with four items of clothing (waterproof jacket and trousers, plus two gloves).

The fabric itself is waxed cotton, a timeless hardwearing staple of outdoor pursuits. Modern synthetic fabrics can boast a higher hydrostatic head (a measure of how waterproof the fabric is) and higher breathability ratings, but I think there’s a lot to be said for the use of natural fibres - plus after 20 years, I know which I’d put my money on lasting best.

The Duxback Rain Poncho does have a hood, but in practice I found that I couldn’t get it to work well with my helmet (to be fair, I’ve yet to come across a hood which does). Inside the poncho, there are some fabric loops, which help to keep the poncho in place when you’re on the bike - so that it doesn’t flap around as you’re riding along.

The ride

The first thing you notice when pulling on the rain poncho for the first time is the build quality. It feels a reassuringly robust and a heavy duty piece of kit. The cape does an excellent job at keeping your hands and thighs dry. It doesn’t protect your calves though, and even with mudguards you do end up getting a little mucky on the rainiest days. If you would prefer to stay as clean as possible, you would probably be better off with a jacket and waterproof trouser combo.

On the other hand, I really appreciated just being able to throw on this single layer - it made leaving the house and errands around town much more efficient. It fits over everything, so you can dress just as you’d like, only wearing the rain cape for the ride.

Stopping and starting at traffic lights or junctions is part and parcel of city riding, and unfortunately I found that the poncho wasn’t the easiest to use in these circumstances. I found the thumb loops a little difficult to use, especially with raising my arms for signaling.

Here is a bit of a sticking point - although there is a reflective strip on the back of the rain cape, the majority of the cape has that muted wax cotton look. Very attractive, but also not very stand-out on grey rainy days. With the flowing nature of the garment, I don’t think my signals were as obvious or visible as when wearing a brightly coloured jacket. If more of my riding was on segregated cycle paths, though, that wouldn’t be so much of a consideration.

Another issue I found is that the quarter length zip doesn’t let you dump a load of heat quickly in the case that you’ve overlayered. Fully unzipping a jacket, on the other hand, is a quick and highly effective action you can take whilst still riding.

That said, if you’re riding an ebike, which lets you keep your effort that much more measured, this is less of a problem. But for me on my analogue bike, I do have large fluctuations in the efforts I put out - particularly on the hills. So the limited degree to which I could regulate my temperature was more of an issue.

It’s also not possible to use a cycling backpack with Carradice’s rain poncho; there’s no sleeves to thread your arms through the backpack straps. Therefore the rain poncho works better for those who like to ride with bike panniers instead.

It’s also worth pointing out that you can’t see your cycling computer or front bike lights attached to the tops of your handlebars as the rain cape. I didn’t find it much of a problem that I couldn’t see my bike computer as I know my cycle commute to work off by heart, but it was frustrating having to attach my front bike light to the drops of my bars (as the light would be obscured on the tops of my bars). Some commuting bikes won’t have drop bars and so this would present a bigger problem.

Value and conclusion

Priced at £97, the Carradice Duxback Rain Poncho is a similar price to performance commuter cycling jackets that we’ve rated such as the Rapha Commuter Lightweight Jacket, and much cheaper than other options including Castelli’s Commuter Reflex Jacket (£200). The Rapha and Castelli options are much more versatile though; if you ride at the weekends occasionally as well as your commutes then you could use the Rapha and Castelli on those sorts of higher paced rides too.

Altura could be the first cycling brand to have produced a version of the US military M65 field jacket. It might not seem like the most obvious type of jacket to wear on the bike, but cycling in heavy traffic among Insta-checking drivers can feel like a warzone, so why not get suitably attired?

In any case, the style has already been appropriated by the waxed jacket brigade - Belstaff and Barbour - and other fashion brands, and it is very familiar, so why not turn it into a jacket that Altura says has a "classic cycling style with off-the-bike looks and on-the-bike features?"

We take a look at how it compares to the best commuter cycling jackets.

Altura Grid Field Jacket: construction

The Altura Grid Field Jacket is made in China from reasonably heavyweight cotton (the jacket weighs 695g), which the brand says is responsibly sourced. Like many of the best waterproof cycling jackets it has a DWR coating (durable water resistant) that Altura says “will help to keep the rain off in a shower.” There’s no lining - it’s a single layer of cotton.

The stand-up collar zips right to the chin and there’s a press-studded flap over the two-way zip all the way up. The pocket flaps also have press-studs, and if you want to cinch the cuffs in tighter there are press-studs there too.

Altura says the jacket has an “ergonomically engineered design [that] fits perfectly when active on the bike,” but the only evidence I can find of that is in the longer tail, which is designed to protect against spray from the rear wheel, and in the longer cuffs that don’t ride up when you’re reaching forward to the handlebars. 

It seems to be cut to fit in the ‘standing up’ position rather than bending over the bike, but since it’s designed for commuting you’re more likely to be riding a bike with an upright position anyway - or that’s the assumption.

The cycling features that can’t be disputed are the reflectives on the elbow patches, the back of the collar and the bottom of the rear hem.

The sizing is on the generous side - the size medium is for a 38-40in chest and 34-36in waist and Altura’s size guide is accurate. I’m 5ft 10in/178cm, I have a slightly smaller waist and chest than that and probably needed the size small, as you can end up with too much loose fabric at the rear (as I did).

Altura Grid Field Jacket: the ride

The Altura Grid Field Jacket is, as I mentioned, designed for more upright bikes rather than drop-bar ones - or for riding on the tops at least. Since the cotton has no stretch at all, this is non-negotiable. It feels a little restrictive over the shoulders/upper arms with corresponding bagging at the chest if you go too ‘Ganna’.

The other issue with a more bent-over position is that the capacious lower two pockets - if you put anything in them - can get in the way of your thighs when you’re pedalling. Which is why dedicated cycling jackets have pockets on the back rather than on the front.

However, the long cuffs worked well, covering the dreaded wrist gap, and I didn’t need to test the dropped tail because the bikes I ride in winter or bad weather always have mudguards (he says preachily).

In rain I found that after around 30 minutes water entered through the seams at the shoulders and also onto my upper back through the seams there. The DWR coating did its job of “helping” keep out the water but without taped seams the jacket can never be very effective in a downpour. Altura’s own website doesn’t claim it’s waterproof or even water resistant, but some retailer websites do.

As for warmth, I found that for winter I needed to add a couple of layers underneath - a regular T-shirt and sweatshirt - since it lacks any internal padding at all. That means having it a size bigger than Altura’s guide recommends, which does allow you to keep warm, but you sacrifice that smart tailored look.

Altura says the Grid Field Jacket delivers the best of both worlds on and off the bike, and indeed I did find it great for walking the dog.

You can’t have too many pockets, as any dog person knows - one for a ball, another for the lead when it comes off, another for treats, another for poo bags (sorry) and so on - and the Altura jacket was perfect.

Additionally, when you’re not cycling and rain water isn’t hitting you at speed and being forced into the seams, the jacket performs better.

As for its looks, you can see what it looks like and can make up your own mind but my wife, who has impeccable taste (she married me, remember?), said she wasn’t too sure about the bright blue flashes.

What I would like to see is the Grid Field Jacket coming in another colour than just navy with bright blue flashes. Since it’s hardly high viz anyway, what about an earthy-tones option?

Altura Grid Field Jacket: value and conclusion

Prcied at £130, it’s not easy to find an equivalent jacket from other cycling brands to compare for value, but it’s certainly a lot cheaper than anything from Barbour or Belstaff. The Castelli Commuter Reflex is also much more expensive at  $239.99 / £280, but that’s fully waterproof and windproof. The Chrome Industries Storm Salute, at $190.00 / £189.00, is also waterproof.

The Altura Grid Field Jacket is nicely made, has a good quality feel about it, looks great as long as you get the right size for the right time of year and is not ridiculously expensive.

However, although it sounds strange to say this about a cycling jacket, it performs - and looks - better off the bike than on it.

On Castelli's waterproofing and windproofing scale, the Italian brand gives the Commuter Reflex Jacket a full five out of five rating. We'll be the judges of just how well the jacket stacks up, but it at least gives you an insight into the exactly what level Castelli is pitching the Commuter Reflex at.

It’s all about giving you the best protection possible while on inevitable grim that comes with regularly cycle commuting to work. Understanding that you want to turn up to the office looking stylish, the reflectivity Castelli has used is pretty subtle during the day, but really lights up at night in order to improve your visibility while cycling on the roads - it's this quality, and several others that we'll get into below, that make Castelli's offering one of the best commuter cycling jackets. 

Castelli Commuter Reflex jacket: construction

With the 20,000mm water column and 20,000 MVTR breathability rating the Castelli Commuter Reflex should be very waterproof and very breathable. For reference, MVTR stands for Moisture Vapour Transition Rate, and a score of 40,000 is the best possible, while 10,000 is considered very breathable. 

Water column refers to the pressure of water needed before the proofing is broken. So sitting down on wet grass in waterproof trousers is apparently 2,000mm. 5,000-10,000 is considered ideal for mountain hiking in foul weather, whereas 10,000-20,000 is considered enough for skiers and snowboarders. So the Castelli Commuter Reflex jacket is pretty good for its weatherproofing!

I went for a size large as my experience of Castelli clothing is that you generally need to size up a little – normally I’m a small, but I go for medium in Castelli. With this being a commuter jacket I thought the size large would be best for wearing over various different casual wear. 

However, I went too large and a medium would have fit me perfectly well. Long story short, if medium fits you in Castelli, get this jacket in medium and don’t size up as it comes in a more relaxed fit that suits the intended use of wearing over your day to day attire.

The sleeves are helpfully wide enough to be put on over any gloves, and feature a Velcro fastening cuff so that you won’t get any cold air rushing up your sleeve. 

The front zip is covered except for the bottom fifth or so, which is very useful as it makes getting the initial zipping up of the jacket easier when you’re in a rush, perhaps waiting at the lights. 

There is also a button up garter at the hem of the jacket to prevent the jacket flapping around when it’s unzipped. This also keeps the base nicely in place and with the front and rear of the jacket extending quite far down, any suit jacket or shirt you have on underneath will be protected by the elements even without the best bike mudguards.

The jacket has another nice addition which are the two zip pockets at the front. Most cycling kit will have pockets on the back, which makes sense for hunched over road bike positions, but for more upright commuting having these two front zip pockets is ideal for easy access to phone or keys.

The big star of the show in my opinion though is the reflectivity of the jacket. In daylight, it looks pretty casual, a little mundane even. But when a light is directed onto the jacket, it lights up in a dazzle of reflective dots and makes the wearer very visible.

Castelli Commuter Reflex jacket: the ride

I used the jacket in a variety of conditions and usually only for commuting into town and back. For longer rides or those doing faster training rides (30kph+ maybe), the jacket is quite a relaxed fit so will blow around a little. However, if I had opted for the medium this would have been less of an issue.

When the weather was a bit warmer, I did find that I got a little hot in the jacket. It doesn’t add insulation as such, but it prevents any wind chill from getting in. That said, when unzipped and using the garter, this does stop the jacket blowing around whilst also letting in some cool air. I also loosened off the sleeves to increase airflow.

In the rain, this jacket really does not let any water in at all, even in a howling gale with sideways rain.

As for visibility, the Fiery Red really is the perfect colour. The black and the blue are stylish, but I don’t think these stand out enough in daylight. The red colour is perfect for contrast against urban areas and also rural roads under tree cover. Then once people turn the lights on in their cars, the jacket really pops out thanks to the abstract patterning of the reflective dots.

It’s also very comfortable to wear. For commuting, you don’t want race fit and tight clothing. You simply want something that gives good coverage and can be worn over a variety of clothing. This is where this jacket does exactly what’s needed. It’s not the lightest jacket, but it really isn’t noticeable when wearing. 

That said, it’s not easy to pack away and you wouldn’t be able to stuff it into a pocket, whereas you could with a jacket made from GoreTex ShakeDry. Although visibility-wise, it is far better than the GoreTex which is mostly dark grey.

One thing I really wish this jacket had was a hood. I know that can be difficult to put over a helmet, but one with a drawstring would be ideal as you can get them so that you can turn your head without visibility being blocked. At this price, and as a commuter jacket, I do think this is something that should be included and is something that comes with jackets like the much cheaper Rapha Commuter Lightweight Jacket.

Castelli Commuter Reflex jacket: value and conclusion

There’s no getting around that in the UK this jacket is expensive at $239.99 / £280. There is the Altura Nightvision Electron jacket that we tested which is very good for visibility, and is a touch cheaper than the Castelli at $233.00 / £190.00

The Rapha Commuter Lightweight jacket, for example, is much cheaper at $115.00 / £85.00, although not as strongly weatherproofed and suffers when it comes to breathability. 

There are similar options from GoreTex that offer the same breathability, water and wind proofing, whilst also being more packable. But they are more race fit and less likely to fit nicely over clothing – and still come in at a premium price. 

In all, the Castelli Reflex Commuter Jacket is an expensive, but highly effective water and wind proof jacket that offers good breathability and thanks to its inability to let the winter weather in, also a good level of insulation. 

Reflectivity is incredible and in the Fiery Red colour day time visibility is also very good without looking garish. Aided by functional length, cuffs, and pockets, the only thing lacking for commuting is a hood. Aside from that this jacket does everything it could possibly need to.

Le Col is a British cycle clothing brand founded by former professional rider Yanto Barker and made in Italy. They have graced the UK scene partnering with the likes of Ribble and One Pro Cycling previously, whilst currently being partnered with top teams such as Le Col-Wahoo and now Bora-Hansgrohe. 

The British brand offers a range of stylish and highly functional kit and clothing for any cycling occasions, be it keeping cool indoors on the turbo, comfortable on long training rides or sportives, or being aerodynamic as possible in a fast-paced race environment. 

The Le Col Pro Jacket II is the brand's race-fitting option for heading out deep into winter and has proven itself to rank among the best winter cycling jackets.  

Le Col Pro Jacket II: construction

The Le Col Pro Jacket II is reassuringly substantial for a winter jacket and combines  breathable side panelling with its more heavy duty wind/water proofing fabrics on the front and back. 

The Polartec and Neoshell fabrics used offer great protection against the elements. Wind chill isn’t noticeable at all and – in an unscientific experiment of pouring water over my arm while wearing it – are waterproof rather than merely water resistant. Dynamic air exchange technology is implemented to allow good airflow and excess heat transfer across the jacket.

In a size small, the arm and body length are perfect on my 190cm frame. The cuffs of the sleeves are stretchy so that they don’t leave any looseness to allow cold air up your arms.

There are reflective panels on the back middle pocket and in the form of the Le Col logo on the back. There are also two large reflective strips on the arms which face forward and are ideal for indicating. The pockets themselves are deep and also not too high, so that they are easily accessible. The presence of a waterproof zip pocket is ideal as well for storing things you don’t want to rust or get wet. 

I am a fan of the Merlot colour and also the Cobalt that they offer, I’ve never been so keen on black for winter weather kit, even with high vis detailing. A bright yellow or orange colour would also be nice, such as the colours available in the Le Col Pro Rain and Wind jackets. 

Le Col Pro Jacket II: the ride

My first ride in this jacket was a dry but cold day, about four degrees with not much wind. The cuffs of the sleeves are great as they are tight enough so that the wind doesn’t go up them if there’s a gap between the sleeve end and your gloves. Even so, it's not it too tight nor restrictive. There's good length to the sleeves too - I'm 190cm tall and the size small was long enough in the arms.

The pockets on the rear are the right height that you can easily grab stuff out of them, and substantial enough to put extra kit, food, phone and repairs kit with room to spare. The waterproof zip pocket was also ideal for putting in a multi tool, money, and a headphone case – all things I didn’t want to get wet and fortunately remained dry throughout my rides.

The jacket feels warm straight away, even with just a sleeveless base layer underneath. When zipped up fully, it does feel quite substantial around the neck, I definitely preferred it a little unzipped for comfort. As it turned out, when pressing on at a solid Z2 pace, I also needed to unzip a bit so as not to get too warm. 

Overall, it was very comfortable over first ride, fit and temperature wise. I’d say even 0°C / 32°F with a more substantial base layer this would feel warm enough. It is also wind and waterproof, as was noticeable by how much colder the air felt as soon as I unzipped it even a little bit. Getting caught in showers, the jacket also let the water bead off effectively, and even when the rain hammered down, it didn’t penetrate the outer layers.

The fit of the jacket is definitely more race fit, but there was still a little bit of bunching up on the front when tucked over. The length at the back is more than ideal, though, and it doesn’t rise up. I think the jacket is likely too warm to race in for most occasions. But for getting the efforts in over the winter this jacket is great. It is breathable enough for the efforts and then warm enough so you don’t get cold during the cool down periods.

Le Col Pro Jacket II: value and conclusion

At $275.00 / £260.00 the Le Col Pro Jacket II is at the expensive end of the scale. The best comparable items are likely the Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 at $279.99 / £245.00 and the Rapha Pro Team Winter Jacket ($240.00 / £175.00) or Winter ($270.00 / £195.00) jackets. We also found the Endura Windchill Jacket II ($159.99 / £95.00) to be a great budget option but it lacks a waterproof pocket. The Assos Ultraz Winter Jacket Evo ($369.00 / £290.00) is more expensive but the windproof/waterproof Santini Vega Multi ($245.00 / £220.00) undercuts it as well. 

The Le Col jacket is clearly a pricey option, however it does remedy some of the flaws we found with several of the cheaper jackets. If stretchy cuffs, a waterproof pocket, a good fit, and great weather protection and insulation are what you want, then this does the job brilliantly. But there are cheaper alternatives.

A very effective winter jacket that offers great protection against the elements while keeping you warm and toasty. The fit is great and ideal for fast paced training, with the jacket offering reasonable ventilation for excess heat. It’s nice that along with reflective strips on the back, there are also reflective patches on the arms which face forward, ideal for approaching junctions and indicating in foul or dark weather conditions.

The only downfalls are the zip feeling a bit chunky against the neck when zipped all the way up, and the price being high compared to direct competitors. However the performance of the jacket is so great that this might be enough to sway people to make the investment. 

The Storm Salute Commute Jacket by US-based Chrome Industries is an all-purpose, waterproof coat made with city cyclists in mind. 

The jacket comes in a black or olive green colourway and boasts a breathable design to ensure comfort on the daily commute.  

At $190 / £189, the Storm Salute is priced at the steep end of the best commuter cycling jackets, but justifies the cost to an extent with its slick, tapered design. 

Chrome Storm Salute Commute Jacket: construction

The jacket has a 10k waterproof rating, which refers to its ability to withstand 10,000mm of water per square inch. This is more than adequate for sporadic showers and light drizzle, and also means it can hold out well in heavier rain. Every seam is exceptionally well sealed, making the jacket all but 100% waterproof.  

For any commuter who finds themselves short of pockets, the Storm Salute could be a game changer. There are two mesh hand pockets, a mobile phone-sized chest pocket and a spacious rear cargo compartment large enough for anything from your loose change to the weekly shop (okay, well maybe not quite, but it really is huge). 

One of the jacket’s selling points is its breathability, which comes from a large mesh vent at the top of the back and its lightweight polyester material. A two-way zip also allows you to introduce some air flow in warmer weather without the jacket ballooning around your chest. 

The fit is surprisingly trim, with tapering around the lower ribcage that gives the jacket a snug feel. The sleeves, too, are far from baggy and are fitted with elasticated cuffs, rather than Velcro. If you are between sizes and plan to wear a midlayer or jumper underneath, I’d suggest ordering the larger size. 

To stop you becoming sodden with road spray, there’s a slightly dropped back, although it doesn’t make up for the lack of a rear mudguard.

Chrome Storm Salute Commute Jacket: the ride

I was very impressed with the Storm Salute’s water resistance. My trial period coincided with a horrendous patch of British weather, and the jacket stood its ground well.

Likewise, the technical material meant raindrops collected like beads on the surface and could be brushed off after use. Though this doesn’t leave the jacket completely dry, it means it can soon be stashed away in a rucksack without fear of it soaking the other contents. 

I found the Storm Salute to be more breathable than other waterproof shell coats I’ve owned. I didn’t overheat quickly, even when wearing a jumper and a rucksack, and felt comfortable throughout my short journeys. 

My main gripe with the jacket is its stealthy colour, which makes it difficult to spot in low light conditions. I wore it while riding through the streets of London, and though I don’t think I had more close calls with vehicles, I certainly felt less confident that drivers could see me. In winter, when both the morning and evening commutes are likely to be in darkness, this is a worrying thought.  

The cuffs are reflective, as is a band across the back, but I’m not convinced they make up for the jacket’s dark tone.

Still, a benefit of the colour scheme is that it is very stylish and unlikely to clash with the rest of your outfit. I found myself wearing the jacket casually on afternoon pub trips and walks with my family. Not a single person questioned if I was wearing cycling-specific clothing, and one even went as far as to compliment my newfound fashion sense. 

With regards to storage, I personally had little need for the rear cargo pocket, which I imagine would mainly be useful for bikepacking trips, rather than commuting. 

Chrome Storm Salute Commute Jacket: value and conclusion

Overall this is a well-performing jacket. The material is soundly waterproof, making it a reliable option for the daily commute, as long as you don’t mind compromising visibility for style.

Although the Storm Salute is expensive with its price tag of $190.00 / £189.00, it's cheaper than other comparable jackets such as Castelli's Commuter Reflex ($239.99 / £280.00). Chrome's offering also comes with the added value of adapting to everyday settings, and can be worn outside of the 40 or so minutes you spend a day actually  travelling to and from work. If you see it as your go-to waterproof, then the price becomes much more reasonable. 

The Idro Pro 3 jacket is part of Castelli's Rosso Corsa line, which is the Italian brand's highest tier of design and function. It uses Gore-Tex Shakedry fabric for the main body and arms, allied with a Stretch Gore-Tex fabric for the body sides and under arm areas to create a close fitting yet unrestricted garment. There is a YKK Vision waterproof zipper to stop water ingress too.

Its essentially a greatest hits of all the best waterproof cycling jackets rolled into one.

Castelli Idro Pro 3 Jacket: construction

Gore-Tex ShakeDry has been available for a few years now and is still top of the pile with regard to water repellency allied with high breathability. It is a 2-layer ultralight waterproof breathable fabric and it is also very expensive! 

As it has no give, the Stretch inserts allow the jacket to still sit close to the body. A stretch panel measuring 12cm can easily expand to 17cm (without over stretching it) for example. Rather impressive.

The seams are fully taped, as you'd expect, and overall this feels like a really well made jacket. There are reflective trim sections all around the drop tail and cuffs, and whilst not massive they give some useful signals to following traffic at night.

There are two pockets (with drain holes!) on the rear of the jacket, and whilst not massive, they were useful to put a neck buff and skull cap in so that I didn't have to unzip to access the jersey pockets.

Castelli Idro Pro 3 Jacket: the ride

The cut is slim with a high front waist and a long drop tail. The sleeves are slim with contoured elbow sections and are nicely long. The cuffs are close fitting but with enough room to easily get a long cuffed glove underneath for extra weather protection and to create a good seal. 

When riding I felt the tightness in the jacket across my lower ribs as it stretched with my breathing. It wasn't a problem, though, just a bit different to what I'm used to. The jacket felt snug and you have a sense of purposefulness wearing it.

This isn't a rain jacket to top off a mutli-layered system on a bitterly cold day. You're likely to get a base layer, bib tights and a mid jacket/top underneath – but not much more. You could go up a size, but then you would lose the point of the cut being what it is. 

I found it warm enough with light layers underneath even on cool to chilly mornings. This is due to the highly windproof nature of the fabric along with the close cut keeping warm air close to the body, trapped in your under layers.

The zip is a chunky YKK Vision type which is also waterproof. It can be adjusted single handed easily and there is plenty of room for a high necked jacket underneath without the neck becoming too tight. The neck was a slightly looser fit than the Rapha Core II and dhb Aeron Lab jackets, yet I found no problem in the rain with it sealing nicely around my neck. There is a brushed lining to the collar which I liked, too.

The rain beads well on the surface and can easily be flicked off. Castelli claims that ShakeDry will shed rain better than any other fabric, and that feels right to me with my time with the jacket. 

I did find a small amount of condensation inside the jacket but I was quite hot after a fast ride and it was a high humidity day with moderate and constant drizzle too. There was no leak through or fabric drenching. Once the jacket was removed, shaken and hung up, it dried very quickly.

Castelli says that the jacket weighs 209 grams (no size stated), however I weighed the medium one as 181 grams. Whilst it does roll up small enough to fit in a jersey pocket it is a tight fit. Compared to the Rapha Core II – weighing 127 grams and which you barely feel rolled in a pocket – the Castelli is a slightly bulkier jacket. It fits into some jersey/jacket pockets better than others.

It is also only available in Black which, whilst cool, made me feel less visible to other road users, especially on night rides, as well as on rainy rides with lots of road spray. In this respect I preferred the Rapha Core II in Bright Orange. 

Castelli Idro Pro 3 Jacket: value and conclusion

At $449.99 / £410 RRP this is a serious investment and a serious show of intent. You are getting the best materials available currently and that doesn't come cheap. 

The Castelli Idro Pro 3 Jacket is a really focused design, to do one thing and excel at that purpose. It is a jacket that you would start a rainy ride wearing and expect to wear it for most or all of the day, and stay dry and comfortable during that time. Whilst it does roll up and is pocketable you'll need a jersey with larger pockets to accommodate it best. This makes it less of a 'just in case' jacket to my mind.

In comparison, the Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa looks a bit of a steal at $400 / £290 RRP – although I would say each is similarly uncompromising, just targeting different needs: the Assos RS Rain Jacket Targa is a little heavier and harder wearing. 

The Rapha Commuter Lightweight Jacket is designed to "keep you cool in a rush, and dry in a rain shower". Weighing in at a decent 226g (medium) it's easy to carry in a bag for all eventualities. Its looser cut is designed to be worn with a t-shirt or jumper, and the highly breathable fabric should prevent overheating - together all of these qualities make Rapha's offering one of the best commuter cycling jackets.

There are five colours in the range; Black, Dark Navy, Dark Purple, Lime Green & High-Vis Pink and six sizes from XS to XXL. There is a Lady's version available too, in sizes XXS to XL with Pale Blue and Mauve colour options in addition to the High-Vis Pink.

Rapha Commuter Lightweight Jacket: construction

The jacket is made from 100 per cent Polyester fabric that's windproof and water-resistant, with the seams taped to help slow any water ingress. This might seem a little like shutting the door after the horse has bolted – why go to the trouble of weatherproofing the seams if the fabric isn't an impermeable shield itself?

But, actually, this is a design that we're seeing more commonly – Castelli's highly regarded RoS jackets are another key example – and the results is really the best of both worlds.

As a rule, the more waterproof a fabric the less breathable it becomes. Throwing money at the problem can mitigate this to some extent – but not so much if the price point is held as a constant. 

The second point to make is that it really doesn't take much weatherproofing for the seams to become a greater weak point than the fabric itself. As a result, jackets that are nominally 'water-resistant' – but which have taped seams – offer a pretty stellar blend between breathability and rain-protection.

As for the rest of the jacket, there are two zipped hand pockets, either of which can become used as a stuff sack for the compact self storage of the garment. The double cuff design keeps the jacket more weathertight while still allowing a wider arm diameter for bulkier clothes. 

An integrated hood can be worn under a helmet or rolled back using a securing strap when not needed. Both the hood and the waist may be cinched to get a closer fit.

Rapha Commuter Lightweight Jacket: the ride

On test was a medium jacket in the High-Vis Pink colour option. The medium size fitted well with its relaxed cut and easily fitted over a t-shirt and fleece. Whilst the colour would not have been my usual choice I had many compliments about it and there is a lot to say for being visible in rush hour traffic! You can, of course, choose a more subdued colour if you'd prefer. 

I found the jacket to be plenty waterproof enough for short showers and very breathable. When worn with just a t-shirt the fabric didn't feel clammy against the skin, and I was able to wear my backpack comfortably without getting a sweaty back. 

The hood can be worn easily under a helmet, with it allowing you to turn your head from side-to-side to see properly. It does, of course, mask your hearing a little, but at least you have the choice whether to wear it or not. The hood front is cut to allow peripheral vision, which is great for cycling but you do get a wet face if you're walking as there isn't a peak! 

The lower back reflective panel is pretty large and is meant to sit underneath a commuting backpack to aid visibility in low light or night conditions.

The jacket can be kept compact using a pocket as a stuff sack, roughly 18cm x 15cm x 10 cm or it can be folded then rolled into its hood, again roughly 20cm x 10cm x 8cm, the latter size fitting well into an external backpack pocket (Camelbak Mule 22L). Ready for action!

When riding with the jacket there is a bit of arm flap, but as the fabric is quite soft it doesn't get noisy. It's what you'd expect from a looser cut of clothing. Also the zip-able pockets are a good size but they sit a little low when you cycle, so your leg gets knocked with the contents, they are however great when you're walking. 

But you've got a bag when you're commuting – haven't you?

Rapha Commuter Lightweight Jacket: value and conclusion

At $115 / £85 RRP this is a good value jacket, it's well made, very breathable, waterproof enough to deal with a shower and rolls up reasonable small. 

Comparison to the $260 / £190 Altura Nightvision Electron Jacket, for example, is tricky as they are really rather different items – despite both being commuter jackets. The Altura is a bulkier jacket, it won't roll up as small, it is about twice the price, but has the brilliant option of lighting up! 

If however you are mostly riding in the daytime you can be visible with the Pink or Yellow version or more discreet with the other remaining colours. Also you're more likely to keep it on you most of the time as it can be stashed away in a commuting bag until you need it. 

The Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa is the Swiss brand’s packable hardshell rain jacket. A versatile piece of kit, it can be used year round as a just-in-case extra layer against summer showers or paired with a thermal jersey for long steady slogs through persistent drizzle in the winter.

Although Assos has unquestionably earned its reputation for premium priced kit – an eye watering $550 / £395 set of bib tights is included within the winter range – this is typically balanced by the excellent fit and high quality fabrics which makes Assos kit some of the best for longevity on the market.

Plus, the cost of  $400 / £290 places the Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa at a price point which become significantly more crowded for the best waterproof cycling jackets in recent years. Although this is certainly still a sizeable sum – there are very good waterproof jackets available for les – against its direct competition, the Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa doesn’t stand out on price.

Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa: construction

This third iteration of Assos’ Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa is claimed to feature “a more durable black membrane” that’s sandwiched in the middle of the 3L Schloss Tex material - according to Assos, this is a touch more watertight, and also adds increased durability. 

The jacket also no longer includes rear pocket slots, as instead there’s a two-way zip that can also be opened from the bottom upwards, giving you access to the contents of your jersey pockets. 

Another highlight is the long reflective strip running up the back - this doesn’t feature any stitches and so there are no points for water ingress at the back.

Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa: the ride

The set-in sleeves of the Equipe RS deliver a fit that is close but not restrictive, thanks to the stretch of the fabric. The “Schloss Tex” is also very quiet, a relief after the rustle that accompanies the slightest movement of some rain jackets, plus there's very little in the way of windflap when riding.

When we reviewed the previous iteration of this jacket, we found the two-way zup a little tricky to operate smoothly with one hand – especially if your fingers were sweaty or gloved (i.e. in 90 per cent of cycling scenarios). 

Those issues have thankfully been resolved in this latest model, with the zipper simply gliding up and down its length, and being quite quick to fasten when first putting on the jacket. Being two-way, undoing the zip from the bottom provides bomb-proof access to your rear pockets and also helps with temperature regulation – without the jacket instantly resembling a parachut in form and function, as happens with a simple one-way zipper.

Instead of a wide, stretchy band around the wrist, the sleeves taper and simply finish, with a small sewn-in panel of (non-waterproof) soft, elastic fabric that doesn't seal them like a cuff would, allowing water in when they're facing forwards on the bike. 

Generally, I prefer to layer the sleeves of a rain jacket over my gloves, so that the water runs down and off, rather than opening up the possibility of the water dripping into my gloves. But with this cuff design, I found that going ‘cuffs over’ with my gloves was the better option for dryer wrists – not ideal, though. An elasticated sleeve cuff would be an improvement.

That said, the fit of the jacket is spot on, the waterproofing, comfort and breathability of the Schloss Tex fabric can’t be faulted: the Equipe RS can release the heat and sweat generated from a climbing session in the hills and then on the way back, when normal heart rate and power output are resumed, it’s possible for clammy clothing underneath to actually dry out as you’re riding, while maintaining a comfortable body temperature.

And the high-viz yet chic colour with a big reflective stripe up the back gets a big thumbs up from us.

As for its packability, this isn’t the sort of jacket that you can scrunch up and fit inside of a closed fist. But it does still fit inside a jersey pocket – and when tightly rolled it’s not even cumbersome. For me, I think it’s a perfect balance. The jacket’s material is robust and hardly shows any sign of wear. The longevity looks set to be much, much better than the more packable sort.

Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa: value and conclusion

Priced at $400 / £290 RRP, the Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa is certainly at the pricier end of jackets, but by no means is topping out the bracket – Castelli’s Idro Pro 3, for example costs a whopping $499.99 / £410. Some riders will prefer the extreme packability of Castelli’s offering, but others might see more value in a slightly bulkier jacket that is less prone to flapping and has a more robust feel to it.

At a more similar price point, Rapha’s Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket costs $360 / £265, but if you can afford it, I would very much recommend paying the extra for the Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa. Assos’ zip is significantly easier to operate and the jacket feels nicer against your skin. The elasticated cuffs of the Rapha Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket do admittedly perform a better job of weather-proofing – so it’s not all in the Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa’s favour, though.

In all, the Assos Equipe RS Rain Jacket Targa is a great model, with an excellent fit, great breathability and a durable feeling fabric. It is expensive, but you can certainly see where that money is going. The only criticism to make is that the cuffs let in water more easily than a more typical elasticated design.

The Rapha Core II is a waterproof jacket that can easily be rolled up to carry in a rear pocket, light enough so that you'll barely notice it there, yet snug enough that when you do wear it it'll keep the worst of the weather off you. It is available in six colours; Black, Navy, Green, Red, Dark Yellow and Bright Orange, and in six sizes from XS to XXL. There is also a Women's version available in either Black or Teal and in sizes XXS to XL. The price of $150 / £110 also includes free standard delivery in the US and UK from Rapha.

This jacket is a strong contender compared with others in our guide to the best packable waterproof jackets as it has many great features at a good price.

Rapha Core Rain Jacket II: construction

The jacket is made from a lightweight waterproof fabric with a hydrophobic membrane incorporating fully taped seams and an AquaGuard zip for waterproofing and wind resistance. The zip is offset at the neckline to alleviate irritation at the chin. There are four reflective stripes, a reflective logo and a white armband to help you stand out in low light conditions or on a night ride. There is an inner elasticated cuff to create a weatherproof seal at the wrists.

I weighed the jacket at 127g for a mens medium.

Rapha Core Rain Jacket II: the ride

My first impression of the jacket when it arrived was that is seemed quite bright (!), not surprising as it was the Bright Orange version. However there is a matt finish to the garment and over the testing period I've found that it feels rather classy for a highly visible jacket. I was testing a medium (my normal jacket size), the cut was great and it fitted very nicely.

So setting off wearing the jacket for a ride on a blustery day with squally rain I felt snug and prepared. The water beaded on the shell and jumped off with a flick of the arm. The dropped tail was cinched in to keep a secure fit and the offset zip was done up and off I went. 

On a fairly dismal day (weather-wise) I felt confident in my visibility level, which was reassuring. I was kept dry and warm during the ride with no rain running down my neck or up the sleeves. Although the dropped tail is fairly short it kept my behind dry. However I was using mudguards and didn't have to contend with rear wheel spray. Upon arriving home the jacket was given a shake to remove most of the still beading water and inspected for any leaks or damp ingress. There was none as far as I could tell and my clothing was dry underneath too. The nylon 2.5 and 3 layer fabric had done it's job well!

On another dry but chilly morning ride I found that the jacket worked well as a windproof layer and allowed me to warm up pretty quickly. Generally speaking I haven't become overheated or damp and clammy wearing this garment so it seems that the breathability is excellent too. I was assured on a night ride, that both the white armband and 'Rapha' logo were nicely visible by a following rider.

There are a couple of things to note however. Firstly the zip is quite stiff to do up and you almost need to use both hands for this. I'm sure that it is the AquaGuard weatherproofing that is making it tight. 

Also, I found that I had to leave the zip down 1cm at the top as when cycling it became slightly tight. However in that position it was comfortable and didn't leak. I don't have a large neck and the other jackets on test allowed me slightly more room without rain ingress being a problem. The other thing to note is in regard to the double cuffs. They certainly fit very nicely but I found that when putting the jacket on during a shower that getting my wet mitts through the cuff was a bit of a fight. It's not a problem if everything is dry! Given these two issues I think that you definitely need to stop to don the jacket rather than putting it on whilst still riding.

Rapha Core Rain Jacket II: value and conclusion

At $150 / £110 RRP this is a good value jacket. Comparing it to the $234.00 / £180 dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight 2.0 jacket that I recently reviewed I'd have to say that, although there was much that I really liked about the dhb, I would have to choose the Rapha as it was properly waterproof. The Rapha is very lightweight and rolls up small so there's no excuse not to take it with you on a ride. 

Overall this is a really nice jacket at a reasonable price. It looks classy and fitted well. It is very breathable and really waterproof.

It wasn't so good if you need to keep riding and put it on, as the tight cuffs and zip are really two handed jobs. Certainly it's a brief roadside stop to put it on. You may want a longer dropped tail if you don't use mudguards in winter.

The Rapha Core Rain Jacket II kept me dry and snug from the rain and I really appreciated the feeling of being visible to other road users whilst in the low light and poor visibility conditions that I rode in.

The dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight 2.0 is a race fit waterproof jacket made from 100% nylon featuring taped seams and a DWR treatment. It weighs a light 153 grams (I measured it at 152g) for a medium (size on test) and rolls up small to easily fit in a rear pocket. 

Similar to the best packable waterproof jackets, there are a number of features help with fit and comfort such as a fine brushed fleece ling to the collar, a long dropped tail, as well as a double zip to adjust air flow without removing the garment. There is a peg hanging loop as well as two rear vents that also allow access to the rear jerseys pockets.

There are two colours; Sulphur Spring (think Fluro Yellow) and Atlantic Deep which is deep green/teal colour. The jacket is available in 6 sizes from XS to XXL.

dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight Waterproof Jacket 2.0: the ride

First impressions of this jacket were how great the Atlantic Deep colour was. It's a matt greeny-teal that I really liked. My immediate next thought after trying the jacket on was just how easily the zip did up – in their aim to keep out the water, some other jackets can end up being rather stiff, which can make on-the-fly adjustment a bit of a pain.

No problems with the Aeron Lab Ultralight, though. Out riding, I was able to make all the adjustments I needed single-handedly and the double zip allowed me to vent some heat from below while keeping the jacket tighter around my shoulders and experiencing less of a 'parachute' effect.

With the garment fully zipped up there was enough room to have a jersey collar underneath and it not be too tight, even when lent over while riding. I thought that the brushed inner collar was a nice touch too. 

There is a strange sensation, though, of the jacket being too tight across the chest between the shoulders, this is until you sit on your bike with your hands on the hoods, and then the cut makes sense. The tightness disappears. With this design there is less excess fabric and flap, keeping a more streamlined shape. 

The cuffs were a really great design, I thought. They are cut at an angle with more material sitting on the top of the hand and with less underneath to keep the palm free. In rain, it kept my hands drier than other designs. The sleeves feel quite long when standing in the jacket, but were a good length once riding.

There is a long dropped tail to keep the worst of the road spray off you and it stayed in place and fitted well. Also on the back, the two vents/pocket access slots overlapped by 25mm or so, which would reduce and running water from entering your clothes underneath. This seemed to work in the rain.

Generally speaking, this was a pretty 'quiet' jacket with a small amount of arm flap on faster or more blustery days. It was really breathable and remained comfortable even when the humidity hit 80 per cent. 

I did find one problem, though, in regards to the waterproofness, however. For the first 20 minutes the rain would bead on the garment, then the fabric appeared damp. Not necessarily a problem, but when I took the jacket off at the end of the ride I found what appeared to be damp patches primarily on and in front of my shoulders, as well as around the front of my hips. 

The inside of the arms also felt damp. I'm sure that it wasn't sweat as my back was dry and I wasn't getting overly hot on the ride. The first time that this happened I was riding in fairly heavy rain. When it happened on the next ride with heavy drizzle I figured something was up. It seemed that the main areas which were letting water through were in the airflow, hence the back staying fine. I wasn't soaked underneath but neither was I dry.

dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight Waterproof Jacket 2.0: value

At $234.00 / £180, the dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight Waterproof Jacket 2.0 is significantly cheaper than many top-end packable waterproof jackets, such as the Castelli Idro 3, which comes in at a whopping $449.99 / £320. On the other hand, the Idro 3 does provide extremely good protection from the rain and packs up even smaller – that said, the fit isn't as figure following and it does flap about much more.

A closer competitor is Endura with its Pro SL Shell Jacket II, which comes in at $232.89 / £152.99. Although still packable, it doesn't go quite as small as the dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight Waterproof Jacket 2.0 and it has a bit more excess material which can get caught in the wind. It is, however, fully waterproof – so a better option for sustained rain.

dhb Aeron Lab Ultralight Waterproof Jacket 2.0: conclusion

This is a tricky assessment as, overall, there was much to like about this jacket; the colour, the collar and for me the cuff cut was fantastic, along with its light weight and ability to roll up small and not feel like a lump in a rear pocket. However if it's a waterproof jacket – and not a water-resistant one – then it needs to be waterproof. 

If you want a highly breathable garment along with something to get you that last half hour home after the rain sets in, then perfect. If it's a start off in the rain kind of long ride then this would be less suitable, at least for me.

The Altura Electron is a waterproof and breathable Jacket with a relaxed everyday commuter cut. It has the features that you'd expect from a similarly purposed garment yet it costs £190. How much...?  

You could get an equivalent cycle-commuting jacket for around half that price but you be missing out on the Altura Electron's USP, which is that it has two strips of optic fibre from SCILIF (manufacturer of 'wearable active lighting technology') that run from the front of, and over your shoulder, and down to your waist. 

Altura's aim is to increase visibility in low light conditions and whilst it can't replace a rear light (primarily as that is a legal requirement) it should enhance how well other road users can see you, particularly on busy commutes.

Altura Nightvision Electron jacket: construction and features

The jacket is well made from a 10K-rated waterproof and breathable fabric and it has taped seams. It has a relaxed fit, a storable hood (which can be detached) and Velcro-adjustable cuffs. 

It also has a fleece-lined front and side panels, a zipped chest pocket as well as two zipped hand pockets. There is also a vent across the shoulders to aid breathability.

The lights

The SCILIF lighting system, I will say from the off, is (in the dark) really, really visible. Altura claims it can be seen from up to three kilometres away. I was unable to test it to that degree, but 50 metres across a dark country pub car park, and then a few hundred metres down the road it is completely and clearly visible.

I rode down my usual dark country lane route on a night ride with the jacket lit up on its high setting and I have to say that the care all the drivers took around me was astonishing. It's usually the mixed bag of careful to downright dangerous drivers. To be sure whether it was a freak occurrence or not I rode the same route a few nights later and the same considerate behaviour happened again! Wow.  

My conclusion is that whilst a quality bright rear light is great, this jacket gives bulk to the rider in an area of the body that is usually unseen by drivers unless full beam has been applied. If they have seen you (and maybe wonder, "What the hell is that...?!") you're more likely to be driven past with caution.  

With my driver's hat on, I see some commuters/riders who are all but invisible despite having a rear light. Often dark clothing and poor lighting don't help being seen. I say this as an observation. Personally I want cars to notice that I'm there...  

I didn't find that the visibility panels were that reflective, but arguably they didn't need to be with the SCILF lighting being the star of the show.

The system is powered from a small 250mAh rechargeable battery which weighs 75 grams. The USB-A plug is in the left-hand pocket, which has a neat shelf or sub-pocket. This will keep the battery separate from other stuff kept there but also it raises the battery height which lessens the 'things banging on your leg as you pedal' effect.  

Once attached, the lights are activated using a switch built into the pocket flap which cycles around high, low and flashing modes. A long click will turn it off. The battery is good for up to 50 hours of use, says Altura. This must be in the flashing mode. I found that using the high setting I was getting three hours of use from about a quarter of the battery so I'd say 10-12 hours on High seems likely.

The power pack is recharged using a USB-micro plug. I'd rather any new products were either A or C type for cable simplification purposes, but it's hardly a deal breaker. 

A bonus for commuters is that as long as you have your proprietary cable with you, you can also charge your phone from the power pack too. Handy.

The ride

The soft feel to the outer shell was a nice surprise as I was expecting the stiff cardboard feel of older waterproof commuting jackets, and this, along with the micro fleece inner panels, meant that the jacket was a nice balance between comfort and warmth.

The next thing to comment on is that when I put it on and asked my wife's opinion she said that it looked like a normal bloke's black jacket. It certainly blends into normal life very easily. Be it an office, on the high street, in a supermarket or a pub, no one will know how you arrived. Unless you are still wearing Lycra shorts of course... 

This jacket is for those of us who don't want to be 'Gilet Jaune' but still, at certain times, want to be seen clearly.

Sizing

I wondered whether given the relaxed sizing of the jacket it would flap noisily while riding, but it didn't at all. With regard to sizing I had a Medium on test which, despite not being as close a cut as I'd normally choose, fitted well. It allows an extra layer (or two) for winter use. The arms were a good length, especially when stretching onto drop bars.

The drop tail contains a solid tube to connect the battery to the lighting strips. I thought that this would be really uncomfortable whilst driving or sitting down. However this proved not to be the case as the tube sits in the gap between a seat back and base. However given it's a junction box for wires does it need to be solid...?

You can apparently wash the jacket but I couldn't find any instructions on the garment or its tags, or on the Altura website other than "the battery pack can be removed for washing so that you can keep your jacket looking as good as new". I would use a Tech Wash then a proofing wash to keep the fabric functioning well.

The hood

Although Altura state in their FAQs that the hood can't be removed, with my example it could. It's held by two pop studs and two tabs of Velcro. Whilst the hood is stowable in the collar I found it to be a bit bulky on what was otherwise a really close-fitting but comfortable collar. 

The micro fleece lining aided this. For me it was either hood out or off.  The hood definitely has some pros and cons in use. If one was to ride with the hood up, the peripheral vision is excellent and by adjusting the cords the peak sat well and it didn't blow off while riding. However, I usually ride with a helmet and it's not tall enough to go over a helmet (mountain bike style). It will fit under a helmet and allow reasonable head movement but I found that my hearing was rather muted.  

When using the jacket while walking I found that in driving rain, where I'd normally look down to shield my face and glasses, that the peak sat high and you got a wetter face than with a hill-walking jacket.

Altura Nightvision Electron jacket: conclusion

I'd say on the face of it £190 seems like a lot of money for 'just' a commuting jacket. Since it's fairly unique it's difficult to compare it against similar products for value. However, I think that if you break it down into three constituent parts you could categorise thus:

1) £100 jacket. Good value 80%

2) £20 powerpack. Good value 80%

3) £70 SCILIF optic fibre lighting. Fantastic value 100%

Given that the jacket can be used in many 'normal' life situations, in addition to cycling, gives it a much better £/use ratio compared to a cycling only jacket. I have certainly used it a lot over the past four months in cool five-degree damp conditions, full-on rain, 15-degree 80% humidity days through to lovely warm sunny days and am sure it can handle both warmer and cooler weathers easily. I have enjoyed its features and versatility a lot, but it is the SCILF lighting that has really impressed me. 

I look forward to seeing what other items of clothing Altura and SCILIF can come up with next, as this is an exciting technology.

The last time we saw the Castelli Idro, it was the second version of the brand's top waterproof jacket and it had just been given full marks having been ridden circa 1,000 miles from tail to tip of Great Britain in the wettest week of 2020. 

We're now on Castelli Idro 3 and, as any trilogy knows, the pressure is really on to ensure that it doesn't suffer from the third film curse and is more Toy Story and less Godfather. 

While it's not quite 1,000 miles, riding the Castelli Idro 3 W rain jacket over the winter and early spring in the Peak District will truly test any brand's claims of full water and windproof capabilities. 

Castelli Idro 3 W rain jacket: construction

The vast majority of the jacket is constructed using the Gore-Tex Shakedry material. And yes, it's the very same version as featured on the much respected Gore Shakedry jackets, and other versions of the Idro. 

To the uninitiated, Shakedry is a two-layer fabric that puts the water barrier on the outside. This differs from more traditional Gore-Tex 3L (three layer) fabric that sandwiches the waterproofing in between an outer textile and lining. 

With Shakedry, the water simply 'shakes' off the outer, without soaking an additional outer layer first. 

This laminated dual fabric also enables the Castelli Idro 3 W rain jacket to be exceptionally lightweight for a wind and waterproof piece of kit. The addition of the Gore-Tex Topo stretch panel on the lower back does add a few grams, with the small version that I tested tipping the scales at 115g compared to 109g for a size medium on the Castelli Idro 2. However, on the upside, the brand says that this will create a better fit for loaded rear pockets, or for anyone wanting a little more wriggle room round the middle without the bagging or flapping of a looser-cut design.

Elsewhere are taped seems, bonded raw-cut hems and cuffs, which also have an inner wrist gaiter for comfort, with a 7cm tall collar, reflective strips on the arms and across the lower back.

The ride

It's exceptionally hard not to sound like a total fangirl when reviewing pretty much anything Castelli, but they just keep hitting us with hit after hit. 

Ride credits of a working parent aren't always easy to come by, and the Castelli Idro 3 massively helps with the ability of making all ride conditions bearable, allowing me to seize every opportunity to get out on the bike. 

In the main, I've been layering it over the Castelli Alpha Ros jacket, finding the duo perfect for maintaining warmth and waterproofing. 

To sum up the time I've spent in the Castelli Idro 3 W rain jacket it has either needed to provide total protection on the exposed moorland tops against driving wind and rain, or high breathability from more dynamic riding. 

The jacket's performance against the former was superb, with Batfink shield of steel wings level of defence against the elements, which in the north west of the UK can be mostly in the form of horizontal rain. Admittedly I wasn't out for endless hours in poor weather: I'd say you would be good for a couple of hours, perhaps slightly less, without the inevitable water ingress. 

That alone, and its ability to bundle down small enough to shove in a back pocket, is enough for most cyclists. But there is one more trick up the Castelli Idro 3 W's sleeve: its breathability.  

Although Castelli doesn't highlight this as a feature, it's doing itself a disservice, as even when overlaid on the abovementioned thermal jacket, it balanced heat dissipation well. I certainly wasn't wringing sweat out my base layer at the end of some of the most challenging dynamic rides that I've tackled for a long time (read my review of the Stayer Groadinger UG if you really want to know exactly how dynamic).

But it's this requirement to deal with dynamism that actually found the Castelli Idro 3 W's Achilles heel. The brand is quick to shine a light on the new stretchy lower back of the jacket, which does make it easy to zip round full pockets, and stretch up to access them. What makes it almost impossible is the tightness of the arms, making bending them almost impossible. 

Even with a lightweight thermal jersey on, I'm concerned my biceps are going to burst a seam, like an overcooked sausage. At the other end of the arm, however, it's the opposite, with slightly too much fabric around my forearm. To give some perspective, my bicep measures a modest 31cm/12.2in in diameter, while the middle of my forearm is just 24cm/9.3in in diameter. Hardly the Förstemann of arms.

Without dismantling the jacket to get exacting fabric measurements, a crude layout and doubling the calculation gives me a 28cm/11in bicep an a 24 cm/9.3in forearm. While the numbers might not be 100% accurate, the sizing taper seems to be out.

A quick google and well researched Criticalbody.com, which cites its references to published papers, found evidence based on available research data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention during 2015-2018 that the average women's bicep is around 32cm/12.5in, with my age group of 40-49 measuring 35cm/13.11in.

Forearm circumference data gleaned from the same site, based on available data, is between 23 and 24cm/9.3 and 9.5in (left arm/right arm).

Doing the math, this would suggest that there should be around a 28% difference between the width of the fabric at the top of the arm and middle of the bottom as apposed to the 15% taper that the Castelli Idro 3 W provides.

The arms are also a little (around 3cm/1in) too long, which makes them only team perfectly with either very thin gloves that you can just about squeeze under the cuff, or short wrist gloves that allow you to roll the sleeves up inside around the wrist. Well, put that down to just my biological shortcomings, over the longcomings of the jacket, which FYI measures 65cm/25.5in from shoulder to hem of cuff.

Value and conclusion

The price of the Castelli Idro 3 W rain jacket is the proverbial elephant and arguably also a kick in it too.

No matter what currency you part with, you're looking at the best half of a smart turbo trainer that could keep you out of the weather all together and snug at home. But as well researched and known, the benefits of riding a bike outside are tenfold, and Zwift also doesn't have a teleportal.

It's certainly a considerable amount of money to spend on one piece of kit, but if you can make the sizing work for you, then cancel your online riding subscriptions
immediatamente as there really won't be any excuses not to get out and ride. 

For me, and the average female arm ratio owners, we're probably better off waiting for Castelli Idro 4 to land with hopefully more realistic arm sizing. Even if it were a hundred off the ticket price I could be tempted by the jacket performance to overlook the arm issue, but for the asking price, I think I'll pass.  

ArmaUrto’s Pro-Flect Performance Jacket is designed to offer impact and abrasion resistance via its carefully positioned inserts, should you be unfortunate enough to be involved in a crash.

The speeds it is possible to reach when cycling does make it quite surprising – when you stop and think about it – that the only form of protection most people wear is a helmet. Although to be fair, historically, there haven’t been many options out on the market.

But after suffering broken bones and various abrasions in a cycling accident, Chris Battin founded ArmaUrto with the intension of providing protective gear that can meet the demands of road cycling.

ArmaUrto Pro-Flect Performance Jacket: construction

As the element which sets this jacket apart, it makes sense to start with the pads. These are 4mm thick and are said to dissipate up to 80% of the impact energy imparted in a crash. They also meet the standard for an EN1621 rating, which is the system used for assessing the protection of motorcycle clothing.

To keep the weight down, and the breathability and flexibility up, just four inserts are used to cover the areas most likely to be injured in the event of a crash – the elbows and shoulders. These line up well with my own scars, so the placement seems pretty spot on. To increase visibility, reflective panels cover the pads.

The waterproof and windproof material used in the main body of the jacket has a good 4-way stretch to it, which has a far nicer feel than the restrictive and rustly fabrics used in some waterproof jackets.

In terms of the cut, it’s not second-skin tight, nor is it irritatingly flappy – it sits at a reasonable compromise between the two, with room for extra layers underneath but without it billowing in the wind.

The elasticated cuffs sit flush against the skin preventing any drafts, while a silcone gripper in the hem serves its function in keeping the rear of the jacket in place. I found the fleece-lined collar a little gappy, which on the one hand leaves space for a buff, but on the other means that you do have to wear a buff to keep the draughts out.

The three rear pockets are impressively large and quite supportive, allowing and encouraging you to fill them right up. A fourth zippered pocket is also included for keeping valuables in and this two is a good size, although it wasn’t large enough for my phone.

The ride

The Pro-Flect Performance Jacket did a great job at shielding me from the wind and the rain. Its breathability was respectable, it wasn’t quite on the same level as other jackets of a comparable price, but as the Pro-Flect also includes impact protection within its price, I think that’s acceptable.

Although in ArmaUrto’s Impact Pro Base Layer the protective inserts were noticeably bulky, in the Performance Jacket they are a lot less noticeable and are easy to forget about both on and off the bike.

That said, the bulk is noticeable when you try and pack the jacket down. As a consequence of the pads, the Pro-Flect Performance Jacket can’t be stowed away in a jersey pocket, should the weather take a turn for the better mid-ride.

Having to fully commit to wearing the jacket did mean I was reticent to use it on hard rides in changeable weather. Although I can cope well in the hot conditions, I really don’t like the feeling of overheating due to excess layers.

But I did find it had excellent application as a more sporty jacket for commuting and riding about town. In these cases, if got a bit hot, I could just knock back the pace or stop and stow the jacket away in a bag.

I felt visible with the large reflectives, and the generous rear pockets were really helpful for holding all my clutter without protest. I liked the slim but stretchy fit – in all it felt very smart and well put together.

Value

In terms of value, ArmaUrto Pro-Flect Performance Jacket finds itself in something of a league of its own. There aren’t many options out there for an outer shell with protective inserts.

The IXC Trigger Upper Body Protection Jacket comes in at £199.99 but is really designed for mountain biking rather than road riding as it is much more bulky than the Pro-Flect Performance Jacket. The IXC Trigger also isn’t designed with any form of weather protection in mind, so would need to be paired with a shell – which would be an additional cost if you don't already have one.

The Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket is a lightweight and packable windbreaker, designed to be paired up with a breathable fleecy jersey in chillier weather or over the top of a lightweight jersey to fend off chills on long descents and cool summer mornings.

Although perhaps best known for its helmets, the California-based company also has an extensive line in clothing and footwear.

Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket: construction

Two fabrics feature in this jacket: the main body is made from 100% Bluesign-approved Nylon (Bluesign is an independent sustainable manufacturing authority), while the back panel is 100% Polyester.

>>> Best waterproof cycling jackets: buyer's guide

The material of the main body is what does the heavy lifting on the technical side of things. It’s windproof, breathable, features two-way stretch and has a DWR coating to provide some water resistance.

The rear panel – a little more protected from the elements as it is – has the primary function of providing ventilation, dotted with perforations allowing hot and humid air to escape.

Both of these fabrics are very lightweight and low bulk, contributing to its sub 100g weight (in size medium) and small packdown size which fits easily into a jersey pocket – particularly when scrunched into its own integrated pouch.

Elasticated hems are present at the ends of the sleeves and around the bottom of the jacket in order to keep out the draughts and keep the fit close. The cut of this jacket is designed to be form fitting, not skintight, but leaving minimal material exposed to flapping in the wind. Reflective detailing helps to increase visibility in low light conditions.

Although there is a pocket for the jacket itself to be packed into, this isn’t intended to be accessible when riding. There are no rear pockets or access ports to get to your jersey pockets. There’s only one zip as well, so it can’t be unzipped from the bottom up to allow you to get to your jersey pockets.

If you’re used to a zipper mechanism being attached on the left hand side of a zip, you are in for a surprise here. Contrary to essentially all other clothes, the zipper mechanism is on the right here.

The ride

This paired up excellently with fleecy jerseys without any windproofing of their own. At the start of rides and in shady sections or long descents, the Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket took the chill off excellently, keeping a warm layer of air trapped against my body.

With its high levels of breathability, I didn’t have any feelings of clamminess as you might if using a rain jacket as a windshell. When the day warmed up, or I happened to hit a long climb exposed to the sun, the wind jacket was quick and easy to remove and stuff in a pocket. For cool spring days with large temperature variations, it was quite easy to get the layering right.

The DWR coating can fend off a little rain – with water beading nicely off the surface initially – but in a proper downpour, the material does get quickly overwhelmed leaving you soaked through.

It’s good to take if there’s a chance of showers, but if you know it’s going to be wet, this isn’t the jacket for you. It does dry quickly though, so if you do miscalculate, you won’t be left with a soggy jacket for long.

Fit-wise, the Chrono Expert Wind Jacket is pretty much spot on. It’s not totally skin-tight, there is a little bit of flapping, but it’s really very little and doesn’t cause any (much) aero anxiety. The two-way stretch really helps with this fit while not feeling restrictive.

I think this balance is ideal, as a completely form hugging jacket would be a lot harder to whip on and off, whereas with this jacket it’s quite easy to do even when riding.

One of the few downsides is that although the jacket has a packable pocket, it has no pockets of its own, nor access ports to your jersey pockets – be it by a second zip at the bottom or a cutout at the side of the jacket. At least one of these would have been very useful for accessing bits while out on a ride. As it is, it’s not too hard to hitch up the jacket around your chest to get access to your jersey pockets, but it’s a rather undignified solution.

The other issue is the zip. This really shouldn’t be a problem, it’s not something physically wrong with the jacket that can’t be fixed, like a bad fit would be. It’s just custom that zips are on the left and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to adapt to it being on the right. But it caused me so many issues with taking the jacket on and off: when you are doing something by muscle memory, being consciously aware does very little to help.

Value

Against the competition, the Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket stacks up pretty favourably. The Santini Scudo Windbreaker Jacket has exactly the same remit, being windproof, water resistant, lightweight and packing down small. But the downsides are a higher cost at £95 and the fact the fit slightly misses the mark.

The Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II does offer waterproofing, but it comes in a less packable package. It will fit in a jersey pocket, but not with any room left for anything else. Its fit is also flappier than the Giro’s and its breathability is not quite as good. It’s also more expensive at £78.

As the name would suggest, the Typhoon waterproof cycling jacket from Altura is very well suited to commuting in stormy conditions where waterproofing and visibility are paramount. 

Altura Nightvision Typhoon Jacket: construction and the ride

The jacket fully delivers on its promise of keeping the rain out. The use of taped seams, velcro wrist straps and a high collar mean it remains impenetrable to the wet if you’re caught in a downpour. A neat feature here is the easily detachable hood, which can be stowed away and forgotten about in the generous pocket space until you need it.

Just as effective as the waterproofing is the visibility, with the Typhoon serving as a more stylish alternative to your standard high vis jacket.

There are three bold colours to choose from (red, silver and fluorescent yellow) and the jacket features a large, highly reflective panel on the rear as well as reflective strips down the arms which I found to be confidence inspiring when indicating in traffic.

Where the Typhoon falls short is in its breathability. Despite vents on the back and under the arms, I found that I got very hot and clammy when riding at a faster pace. Despite the waterproof construction keeping me dry from the outside, condensation and sweat meant that I still finished my ride wet on several occasions.

This is a jacket more suited to keeping the rain and wind out during lower intensity rides, such as daily commutes. 

In terms of windproofing, the Typhoon does an excellent job of keeping the draught out. When riding in cold weather I found it was effective in protecting me from wind chill and, as aforementioned, keeping my body heat inside. 

However, I found that in extremely windy conditions, the ‘relaxed fit’ of the jacket caused an unpleasant amount of wind resistance. This was something I found improved on the higher end Altura Nightvision Hurricane Jacket, which comes with a closer fit.

Unfortunately, the range goes no lower than a size Small, so the baggy fit might be inevitable for smaller riders, however, if you’re usually a size Medium or above it might be worth trying the lower size. Alternatively, the Altura Hurricane jacket is far more fitted and suitable for riding in high winds, it also has the same degree of waterproofing, it is however £40 more expensive.

Altura Nightvision Typhoon Jacket: value

At £99.99, the Altura Typhoon jacket is good value for money, undercutting much of the competition on the more performance end of the scale. It isn't as breathable as more expensive jackets, but will meet the needs of those riding at a lower intensity, with the goal of getting from A to B. 

The Nightvision Hurricane waterproof cycling jacket sits at the top of Altura’s waterproof range, offering fantastic protection against wind and rain in more extreme circumstances.

This is a jacket designed to meet the needs of commuters, and we think it does just that - though its weatherproofing features do come at the cost of breathability, which we found lacking.

Altura Nightvision Hurricane Jacket: construction and the ride

The first thing that jumps out when looking at the Hurricane jacket is its stylish yet practical design. It features an intricate pattern of reflective geometric lines right the way down the arms and on the back which shimmer beautifully when lit. Added to this is a smattering of larger, highly reflective panels which ensure that you are seen by traffic at night, but remain understated when not in the course of headlights. The result is a jacket which looks great off the bike, also acting as an efficient visibility aid when riding.

There are two colours to choose from (navy or maroon) which unfortunately don’t offer as much visibility for daylight riding as the Typhoon jacket which comes in a range of bold colours (red, silver and fluorescent yellow).

The Hurricane hosts some fantastic features which kept me dry during what would have otherwise been some pretty miserable rides. It can be tightly sealed by velcro straps around the cuffs, a drawstring around the bottom of the jacket and the rear is also dropped to offer added protection against road spray.

At the top of the jacket there is an extremely high collar which is fleece-lined for added comfort and completely covered my neck when zipped up to the top, which made for a rather cosy riding experience. The only caveat to this high collar is that it did tend to flap around a lot when not zipped right up to the top which became a bit of a pain, the ability to button the collar down certainly wouldn’t have gone amiss. There is also an easily detachable hood which I just about managed to fit over the top of my helmet without it lifting the shoulders. 

In comparison to the Typhoon jacket, which I also tested, the Hurricane is far better suited to high winds, thanks to its closer fit. The fabric felt impenetrable to any breeze getting through, which was also helped by taped seams and the closure systems around the neck, arms and base which kept the jacket as a sealed unit.

As a smaller rider, I felt the fit would have been improved if there was an XS on offer, which doesn’t feel like too much to ask seeing as the size range tops out at a 3XL, and I would certainly recommend that you consider dropping a size as the jacket came up bigger than expected for me. 

Where the Hurricane really falls short is in its breathability, or lack thereof. It only features vents under the arms and not on the back of the jacket which could have helped alleviate this problem. Due to the design features which make this jacket so perfect for keeping the wind and the rain out, my body heat was very much kept inside which meant I was returning home extremely hot and sweaty after more intense rides.

On the plus side however, it didn’t take long to warm up when riding in sub 10-degree temperatures and removable layers did help to counteract the feeling of clamminess on longer rides. I would suggest that this is a jacket best suited to lower intensity commutes and touring over harder efforts. 

Altura Nightvision Hurricane Jacket: value

Topping Altura’s waterproof jacket range at £139.99, the Hurricane certainly does house features which justify the leap from the Typhoon jacket which comes in at £99.99.

The Huub Aventus Winter Peaks jacket is part of a new cycling range from the British company that sponsors, with Wattbike, the UK’s most famously innovative track team. Huub says it is the result of a year-long project to find the best options for fabrics, fit, aero benefit and pattern design to deliver all-day comfort in the saddle. The jacket is also designed with the riders themselves: Huub Wattbike's Dan Bigham et al race on the road for Ribble Weldtite, with Huub as kit sponsor.

It certainly stands up against the Best winter jackets with an origin story like that, so it's hard not to have very high hopes indeed for the Aventus jacket. It's also competitively priced compared to winter jackets from more established brands like Assos, Castelli and Santini. I found it mostly hit the mark with its performance and the close fit is great, but for me there's still a short snagging list for Huub to deal with: I'm not convinced by the long tail flap, I'd like the zip reworking, and I wonder if using windproof fabric on the back as well as the front makes it a bit too warm for hard riding.

Huub Aventus Winter Peaks jacket: construction

Huub says the Aventus Winter Peaks jacket has a recommended temperature range of -2°C to 13°C. It refers to a waterproof membrane but doesn’t claim outright that the jacket is waterproof – just that it “keeps cold air out, keeping you warm and dry for maximum all day comfort in the coldest conditions."

It’s a softshell-type winter jacket that's mostly made from a patented fabric by eVent called DVstorm. This is very stretchy – I’ve never seen a winter jacket with this much stretch – and very light. The DVstorm fabric has a micro-herringbone patterned back that’s soft but not fleecy. The only part of the jacket where DVstorm isn’t used is under the arms, where there are triangular pieces of standard fleece-backed polyester.

The stretchiness means the Aventus can be very close fitting. Huub recommends sizing up by one size. I actually found the medium was perfect (I'm 178cm, 69kg). If you follow the accurate guide on the website – and want a snug fit – you shouldn’t need to size up.

The Aventus has the standard three rear pockets with a waterproof zipped one – these are nice and deep and don’t sag. There’s also the reflective trim at the back.

But probably what’s not quite standard is the weatherproof tail flap. For starters it looks a little odd since the rest of the jacket is so close fitting. More importantly, is it necessary? Am I am the only one who would rather see a flap at the bottom of a mudguard than at the bottom of a jacket? Unfortunately, it’s not possible to tuck it away invisibly since it actually emerges from the bottom hem, but it could probably be carefully excised if you really objected to it. Some riders less inclined towards mudguards may appreciate the tail flap of course.

Something else I would like to see tucked away is the front zip. It’s missing a top zip ‘garage', which means that it not only sits directly against the skin of the neck, but also looks untidy since the external flap (I believe this type is called a ‘lapped zipper’) doesn’t cover the puller. I’m getting a similar sausaging of the zip flap at the bottom. A better, more aesthetically pleasing – and probably more weatherproof – solution would be to put the flap behind the zip, as the Rapha Pro Team Winter and Santini Vega Multi jackets I’ve tested this year have done.

There are two more zips at the sides, which are not pockets but air intakes for extra ventilation.

Performance

My first ride in the Huub Aventus Winter Peaks was in 2°C that felt like 0°C due to a 7mph NW wind according to Strava. I wore a short-sleeved winter base layer underneath and was impressed with the way the fabric kept the wind out. The zip, despite its aesthetic shortcomings, sealed the top of the high neck really well and I was able to warm up and stay warm very easily. During this lockdown I’m often riding hard on my own on a Sunday morning for between an hour and two hours, which tests a jacket’s breathability more than a longer, slower club run would. I found the DVstorm fabric not quite as effective as Polartec Power Shield Pro or Gore Windstopper at releasing moisture/sweat/condensation in cold weather, and I wonder if the back of the jacket wouldn't be better off made from a lighter-weight, more breathable fabric, which would solve this.

However, I found the Aventus performed extremely well in milder, wetter weather at an easier pace. On a slower night ride at 10°C which started out drizzly and ended up light-rainy I found myself completely dry at the end, all raindrops having beaded off the fabric, and I had stayed at the perfect temperature throughout, again with just a short-sleeved base layer underneath. I also tested it in heavier rain and the fabric did wet out eventually, absorbing water, although I stayed warm enough. You'd need a waterproof hardshell over the top to stay perfectly dry, but as I've mentioned, Huub does not actually claim it's waterproof.

So, the Huub Aventus Winter Peaks jacket would excel on a typical British club run three seasons out of four, but if it was to strengthen its training game, which would also be logical considering its racing links, it would need a little more breathability.

Value

Huub could probably leverage its association with the much admired Huub Wattbike team to set a higher RRP, so it’s to its credit that the price is lower than Assos, Castelli and Santini. This also means reviewers can go easier on the Huub Aventis for not being quite at the level of those £200-plus jackets at the moment.

The Rapha Pro Team Winter Jacket is “a performance jacket for training and racing in cooler conditions, cut close for comfort at speed,” according to the British brand.

Rapha has carefully chosen the word “cooler” rather than “cold” because the Pro Team Winter Jacket is a little lighter than deep winter jackets such as the Assos Mille GT Ultraz Evo. Rapha says it’s to be layered up as second layer with a base layer underneath, or as a third layer with a base layer and jersey underneath.

In addition, Rapha doesn’t claim any water resistance or windproofing and the seams are not taped (although it does have a DWR coating).

However, not specialising in a particular type of extreme weather condition gives the Rapha jacket a greater versatility – it’s not unrealistic to say it could be worn three out of four seasons. In addition, the simpler construction and less technical spec means the Pro Team Winter jacket is very competitively priced, coming in comfortably under the £200 and undercutting the Assos Ultraz jacket (£290) as well as the windproof/waterproof Santini Vega Multi (£220).

Head over to our buyers guide dedicated to the best winter cycling jackets for lots of hints and tips on how to choose your ideal one, including our current favourites available to buy right now.  

Rapha Pro Team Winter Jacket: construction

The front and leading edges use a denser fabric for weather protection, while the back is stretchier and more open for breathability. Both fabrics are fleece backed.

Thanks to the DWR coating it does have a degree of water resistance, but for a proper downpour you’d need a shell over the top.

The cut is short at the front and skinny round the middle – a classic pro fit that’s flattering and also works really well to avoid bunching when in the drops. The sleeves have plenty of length with no danger of the dreaded cuff-glove gap. The cuffs themselves could do with a little more stretch if we were being really picky. I would like a slightly better seal at the glove/sleeve interface.

The three pockets at the rear are nice and deep, with the zipped Nelson pocket at the front a stylish touch and big enough for a regular-sized phone (the women's version doesn't have this).

The classic Rapha armband, lettering and ‘Forçats de la Route’ stripes are all reflective, and it also comes in purple or green if you’re not keen on the black.

I found the size medium was a perfect fit for me (178cm, 69kg) – in fact, it’s the best-fitting winter jacket I’ve worn this year. Even the neck sizing is great – nice and snug for keeping out the draughts without being too tight.

Rapha calls it a ‘race fit’ and it’s definitely designed to be close fitting.

Ride

I’ve been really impressed with everything about the Rapha Pro Team Winter Jacket. Following Rapha’s guidance and using it as a layer, it works very effectively. There’s enough insulation to trap in the heat at the beginning of a chilly ride but it’s breathable enough that it doesn’t get clammy once you warm up.

Rapha doesn’t specify a temperature range in its description, but I wore it with a long-sleeved base layer at -2°C with a windchill that made it feel like -5°C, according to Strava, and it was just warm enough. At the upper end, with a summer base layer I’d say 10°C or even slightly higher as long as you’re idling. So that’s a pretty broad temperature range. Probably the sweetspot is somewhere around 5°C or slightly higher.

The overall feel is of a high-quality garment, and although people are capable of making up their own minds, I would say it looks high quality too, and has the chic aesthetic Rapha is renowned for.

Build quality is also high – it’s very neatly stitched and feels robust enough to last a few seasons.

Value

In our recent jackets grouptest in Cycling Weekly magazine, the Rapha Pro Team Winter Jacket was the only one out of six jackets including Assos, Castelli, dhb, Giro, Santini to retail at under £200. Yes, it's still a premium product with a premium pricetag, but I wouldn’t hesitate to say it offers great value for money, both in terms of its own performance and compared to the price and performance of competitor jackets.

One of the two weather elements that can turn a good bike ride in to a miserable one is wind. On your back and it will give you free speed, but across or directly ahead can feel like the road has been turned to treacle. Add in the temperature drop of winter, and suddenly and wind will make it feel significantly colder on the bike which is why the Endura Windchill Jacket II was born.

Endura Windchill Jacket II jacket: construction

The Endura Windchill Jacket II has been specifically designed to act as a windproof shield, preventing heat loss, while transporting sweat away from your body for what Endura say is a comfortable warm micro climate.

It's a must have feature on the best winter cycling jackets  as keeping you warm is one thing, but ensuring that you don't over heat and build up sweat, which will eventually make you cold, is another.  

Constructed to provide 360degree wind protection, the Endura Windchill Jacket II has been made using a stretchy windproof polyester fabric that has a fleecy grid-backed inner to help stop cold air entering while trapping warm air, nature's best insulator, and helping moisture vapour escape.

Under both arms of the Endura Windchill Jacket II are large zipped vents to help aid temperature regulation and the whole thing is coated in a PFC-Free, non-toxic water repellent finish.

At the back are three rear pockets with an additional zip for keys, cash etc, there's also a chest zip pocket, large enough for a phone. The Endura Windchill Jacket II is finished off with reflective details which are positioned all round.

Endura Windchill Jacket II Fit

With the aim of being suitable for all bike riding disciplines, the Endura Windchill Jacket II doesn't feature any specific aero slipperiness or professional bike packing prowess, but a regular friendly fit.

When on this means that Endura Windchill Jacket II is slightly looser round the middle than the Assos Mille GT Ultraz Winter Jacket Evo, marking it out as less race focused, but it's also £200 cheaper. It's closer to its cycling sibling the Endura Pro SL HC Windproof jacket, but with a little more wriggle room (and without as many features).

Ride

At 466 grams (for a size medium), the Endura Windchill Jacket II  weighs around 100 grams less than the afore mentioned Assos winter jacket, alluding to its lack of bells and whistles gadgetry.

That said, even on a slow winter ride in the snow and ice with wind-chill hovering around zero degrees the Endura Windchill Jacket II was plenty warm enough with just a thermal base layer.

While the cuffs are a simple affair, they easily slot in to or over gloves, according to your preference, thanks to the 79 centimetre arm length, which prevents chilly wrist gaps.

The 20 centimetre difference, 60 to 80 centimetres, from front to rear of the Endura Windchill Jacket II enables the jacket to sit perfectly when riding, with no font bunching or rear gaps appearing.

All the rear pockets are a sensible size, with both zip secure ones large enough for a iPhone and its rugged case. Even when reasonably loaded up, the Endura Windchill Jacket II stayed put due to the extensive silicone hem detail. It would be idea to have one waterproof secure pocket though.

There's three colourways to choose from. The High Viz Yellow version of the Endura Windchill Jacket II offers extra visibility, but be warned, ensure you're riding with mudguards if you want to ensure that yellow still pops after the first ride.

 Value

Priced at a penny below £90, the Endura Windchill Jacket II is an excellent piece of kit. It might not have all the fancy technology offered by jackets higher up food chain, but it does a solid job of keeping you warm in winter, and is super practical, which is all most riders need.

The first time I wore Giro's Women's Chrono Pro Alpha jacket, it was not cold enough for the intended use. Within 10 minutes I was far too hot, and I spent most of the ride cursing my outfit choice. However, this was a mild autumn day, so I can only blame the experience on user error, and an eagerness to try a new jacket. Brought back out in the depths of winter, with the thermostat remaining stubbornly consistent between 1ºC and -1ºC, it's become my companion through the coldest December and January rides.

Giro Women's Chrono Pro Alpha jacket: construction

Giro has opted to build this jacket up using Polartec Windbloc fabric on the outside, with Polartec Alpha Direct Active Insulation on the inside along the chest and arms. The back panel forgoes the extra internal insulation, to allow for heat escape.

You'll often find Polartec on some of the best winter cycling jackets as an alternative to GORE or similar, so it's good to know it's a fabric well though of in the industry. 

This was not my first experience of the Alpha Direct Insulation fabric, so I knew what to expect: this magical fabric has an immense ability to take on the qualities of a hot water bottle cover, where the human inside is the (very warm and cosy) hot water bottle itself, seemingly radiating heat and warmth.

I could not speak more highly of Polartec's Alpha Direct Active Insulation (which is also made from 78% recycled polyester), and if you're looking for warmth and a high degree of breathability, this is where it's at. The Windbloc fabric over the top is treated with a DWR coating and is perhaps what limited the use of this jacket on warmer days – it's a dense material, it absolutely keeps out the windchill and the worst of the rain, too – but it's heavy-duty and paired with the inner, the combination is not made for temperatures over 5ºC in my experience.

At the back, Giro has embedded three 'expandable storage pockets'. A flap of fabric covers the top of each one, and there's an extra zipped compartment in the middle. Reflective strips bracket the pocket section, with a further reflective running down the centre of the rear.

The pockets may be expandable, allowing riders to fit plenty of snacks, but I did find that the flap covering the top of each made them very difficult to reach into when riding and wearing the kind of thick gloves that accompany such a jacket. Indeed, I typically stopped to gain entry – something to bear in mind if you're joining a faster paced club run (when they return).

The cuffs on this jacket are a favourite feature of mine. Giro has sewn a stretchy, close fit cuff in underneath where the more robust fabric ends, creating a dual layer that extends to ensure the wrists are well covered. This stretchy, windproof cuff includes a thumb hole, so you can be absolutely sure that the sleeves won't ride up and leave an exposed flash of skin.

I tested the size small, which fitted me well sizewise, though it was a little on the relaxed side (I'm 166cm and 57kg). However, I think Giro could have done a better job; the elasticated lower hem finishes off what is quite a boxy, androgenous fit. Admittedly I am shaped like a giant egg timer, so square fits don't tend to bode well for me. If you like a loose fit at the waist, then this could be a winner, but I'd prefer a more flexible band at the hips and a closer waist.

Visibility wise, I'm pleased that Giro has opted for a bright colour in the orange panels present on the model on test. This is accompanied by reflective flashes throughout, too. There is a black option, but given the choice I would always opt for a brighter colour.

The ride

Despite minor quibbles on the pockets and the fit, neither of these factors would be considered detractive enough to stop me donning this jacket come the deep winter. During the two week Christmas period where temperatures stayed stubbornly below 3ºC throughout, I wore this jacket on every ride when it wasn't in the washing basket.

Thanks to a particular penchant for muddy 'gravel' trails, it did get pretty grubby, but aside from depositing a thin layer of fluff in the machine on the first wash, it has fared well – instructions state to use a cold wash and a medium heat tumble dry, though I chose to spare it from the latter treatment, leaving it to air dry with all of my other kit.

Value

Value wise, the RRP on this item is £219.99, but Giro's own website lists a reduction down to £175.99. No, it's not cheap, but it is in line with competitors. The warmth on offer is in line with Castelli's more heavy duty Alpha RoS 2 W Jacket (as opposed to the Alpha RoS 2 W Light jacket), at £280 – so if you're looking for a deep-winter solution this could be it. However, bear in mind that the low temperatures this item is suited to may limit its use – those seeking a more value-orientated solution may be better off opting for a lighter weight jacket, layered up.

The Santini Vega Multi jacket is a winter jacket that's aimed more at filthy wet than freezing cold. Santini says it allows you to face the most challenging weather conditions and that's a pretty accurate description of what it does. It's made from waterproof Polartec Power Shield Pro and with its high collar and long tail flap it keeps out every last raindrop and basically leaves you with no excuses for not riding.

For deep winter we reviewed the Santini Vega Xtreme winter jacket a couple of years ago and included it in our Editor's Choice selection of the year's best products in 2018 – the Xtreme is aimed at temperatures from -8°C to 6°C while the Multi's range is 5°C to 15°C according to Santini.

We're hoping that this offering will also be one of the best winter cycling jackets coming from the same design team. 

Santini Vega Multi jacket: construction

Polartec Power Shield Pro is often compared to Gore's Windstopper, though Polartec claims Power Shield Pro was the first softshell to combine "breathable comfort with high-performance weather resistance." Rapha has also used Polartec Power Shield Pro – its Pro Team Softshell is made from it.

The fabric is a three-layer laminate, consisting of a 'hydrophobic' outer, a polyurethane breathable membrane and then a soft, grid-patterned inner. Inside the jacket, there's a label describing how Santini's Vega/Polartec clothing protected the Trek-Segafredo team at the start of the 2018 Milan-San Remo when they faced freezing, torrential rain. Castelli had its Milan-San Remo moment with the Gabba in 2010, so why shouldn't Santini have one too?

The cuffs and tail flap and central rear pocket are made from a Superoubaix fleece-lined polyurethane, designed to stop rain from getting in, while the collar is really high, effectively sealing you at the neck. The seams are taped ('thermowelded') as you'd expect.

The Vega Multi has Santini's 'slim' fit – tighter is 'sleek' and looser is 'classic' – and is reasonably close fitting but not figure hugging as such. I am 178cm and 69kg, so you can see from the pictures how the size M fits. I felt it could have been slightly tighter (if I was really desperate to be a bit more aero in winter) but at the same time I could have done with a bit of extra length in the sleeves, which were on the short side in the bike position compared to other size M Santini garments – about an inch shorter shorter than the sleeves of both the Santini Adapt jacket and the Santini Colore long-jersey (reviews upcoming). I measured the sleeves of the Vega at 53cm armpit to cuff; the other two were both closer to 56cm, which seems strange considering they're all from the same brand.

The Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric has plenty of stretch without being restrictive, so you could size down if you wanted to achieve a tighter fit, but if you have long arms you'll need to make sure you wear gloves with long cuffs, as I did. At least that will solve the perennial cuffs-over-or-cuffs-under predicament.

At the rear there are three average-sized pockets plus a zipped waterproof one, and – just as the hi viz-ists are tutting about another all-black cycling garment – a surprise massive orange GT stripe with a reflective middle.

Overall it has the look and feel of a high-quality garment, and is made in Italy too.

The ride

Santini says the Vega Multi jacket's temperature range is between 5°C and 15°C. Unless you're pedalling very lightly indeed, 15°C is way too warm for it. I found that it was even a bit too warm for riding above zone 2 at 10°C when it was not raining – even with just a short-sleeved base layer underneath the Polartec fabric was not quite breathable enough to let out built-up heat. Since it's windproof there's of course no cooling effect – but the ring puller on the zip does make it very easy to ventilate in the traditional way.

However, the Vega Multi jacket excels in the nasty conditions it's really designed for. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't get cold, wet and miserable wearing it. I forced myself out on days where I would normally have looked out of the window and decided it was perfect weather for Zwift, and I stayed dry, snug and not a little smug when uploading my rides to Strava.

I have worn it down to 5°C, again with just a short-sleeved base layer underneath, and stayed perfectly warm.

After a few wash cycles it hasn't lost any of its waterproofing – rain still beads off it, though I believe it is DWR coated so will need re-treating at some point in the future.

Value

The Santini Vega Multi jacket is not by any stretch of the imagination a bargain at north of £200, but it is line with similar jackets made from hi-tech fabrics plus it's very nicely made in Italy. The price is similar to that of the Castelli Alpha RoS Light, which might arguably get more use as it's not so bad-weather orientated, but the Santini is much lower priced than the £290 Assos Mille GT Ultraz, which is a full-blown winter jacket and which may be too hot for much of a UK winter.

However, the Santini Vega Multi jacket does very well what Santini has designed it to do, which is to allow you to face the most challenging weather conditions, and if that's what you plan to do then I would recommend it. Ideally, try it on first to make sure you're happy with the sleeve length.

Le Col is a British brand with a reputation for producing high-quality kit manufactured in Italy. This waterproof jacket is designed for racing and high intensity training, combining a form-hugging aerodynamic fit with a high level of breathability.

View now: Le Col Pro Rain Jacket at Le Col for £240 or Women's Pro Rain Jacket for £240

Construction

Utilising a 3-layer fabric, this jacket doesn’t pack down quite as small as others that opt for a 2.5-layer or single layer construction. However, it still fits comfortably within a jersey pocket, while the feel of the fabric is incredible for a waterproof. Even when pressed directly against your skin, there is none of that clammy, sticky sensation you might associate with more basic waterproofs. It also as a truly impressive amount of stretch, which allows the jacket to conform exactly to your body with no excess material to flap about in the wind.

It's a design feature that you would expect to see in the best waterproof cycling jackets, so the Le Col is in good company.   

The cuffs are very much on the tight side. On the one hand this does mean you won’t feel any drafts shooting up the sleeves, on the other it means the cuffs of your gloves have to go on the outside meaning water can drip from your arm and into your glove. It also means you have to take your gloves off to take off the jacket.

There are also no rear pockets and although there is a reflective logo near the top of the jacket, this isn’t really visible when hunkered in the drops. Happily though, when in that position, the long tail does provide ample protection and the high cut at the front prevents any bunching.

Rather than using a DWR coating, it’s the natural properties of the fabric that deliver the waterproofing. Essentially, the fibres of the jacket make a dense tangle that liquid water can’t pass through. Water vapour can pass through the tangle, which is what enables the fabric to still be breathable.

If, after a while, the jacket starts to lose its waterproofing qualities, that just means the tangled fibres have loosened up to the point that liquid water can now pass through. To tighten them back up, all you need to do is whack the jacket in the tumble dryer on a light setting and it’ll go back to its waterproofing ways.

If you're already wondering if this 'top' is for you, or maybe something warmer is a better option, then our buyers guide on the best winter cycling jackets will be a good page to visit to help you decide.

The Ride

I took this out in some horrid conditions, and it shrugged off the heaviest of downpours without a struggle. When the rain turned unexpectedly to hail, I have to say that the cushion of a thermal softshell would have provided superior impact protection, but that is going somewhat out of the remit of this jacket.

The zip with its large handle was smooth to operate, making on-the-fly adjustments an easy task. Regarding breathability, the jacket was phenomenal and essentially took the place of a windproof shell. I did quickly heat up when putting in some harder efforts, having to crack open the zip, but I wasn’t left with a clammy feeling inside.

The lack of a rear pocket was a bit of a shame, making some impromptu navigation a more fiddly affair, what with having to keep pulling up the long tail to access the jersey pockets. But as this is a performance-oriented jacket, rather than a more everyday item, the omission can’t really be criticised.

A point to note for female riders looking at the women's model - the Cycling Weekly tech team has put this through its paces, too. All of the above applies, aside from the fit - we found the women's version a bit generous in cut and would suggest sizing down.

Value

At £240 the Le Col Pro Rain Jacket is certainly among the pricier jackets, considerably more than the high performing Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Shadow Jacket at £195 . However, the fit is more form fitting on the Le Col Pro Rain Jacket, so you are at least getting an improvement in aerodynamics for your money.

The Le Col Jacket is cheaper than the Castelli’s Idro 2 jacket which retails for £260 and is constructed from Gore’s shakedry fabric.

This jacket really impressed, earning a full 10/10, but while the Idro 2 is lighter and packs down to a tiny size, the real strength of the Le Col jersey lies in the closeness of the fit.

Every year, Castelli sends the Cycling Weekly office a large box of new season winter kit to review. The size of the box seems to grow annually as the brand, whose scorpian logo is ever present on any British winter club run, allows its skews to multiply.

It's hard not to make any predictions, but with Castelli already making several entries over the years in to our hand picked choices of the best winter cycling jackets any delivery from the brand get's us pretty excited. 

Our box this year contained the heavyweight Castelli Alpha ROS, lightweight Castelli Beta ROS, and this: the Castelli Alpha ROS Light jacket. We're already into November, and so far I would suggest that if you're looking to get maximum wear from your investment, the Alpha ROS Light represents the best middle ground. The Gabbba and Perfetto are of course always going to be popular and are suited to harder efforts owing to the single layer construction.

Castelli Alpha ROS 2 Light women's jacket construction

The defining feature of the Alpha ROS 2 light jacket is its double layer make-up. On the inside, is an insulating ProSecco Strada lightweight fabric. Over the top,  and on the sleeves, there's an extra blanket of Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper 150 material.

The back of the jacket uses Nano Flex Xtra Dry material, with a focus on breathability and rain shedding thanks to a water-repellent finish. Each layer is fastened by its own independent YKK zip.

The wide lower hem was a real plus for me - the material here contains greater elasticity, creating a second-skin fit and ensuring the kit stays put when on the bike.

At the back, you'll find three rear pockets, with reflective details and laser cut drainage holes.

I've always felt drainage holes on pockets are a bit of a gimmick (have you ever found a pool in your pocket?) but then better to have than have not. There's an additional small zipped compartment at the hip.

The collar comes up high on the neck, and on this dark blue option, there's a little extra daylight visibility in the shape of a red strip.

Castelli Alpha ROS 2 light women's jacket: the ride

Pulling on the Alpha ROS light, the inner layer is soft and feels warm, whilst the outer rustles reassuringly belying its robust winter ready character.

The panel at the hem sits flush, in a race-fit style which makes it feel secure, whilst elsewhere the size small offered quite a bit more room than a summer Castelli garment might. It could be worth dropping down a size if you're on the border, but I liked this extra breathing room for zone two winter ambles.

I did find the sleeves quite baggy, this is something I've noted of other Castelli women's winter garments. However, the excellent weather protection on offer means I still reach for this jacket every time it comes out the wash.

I've worn the Alpha ROS Light on cool but sunny rides - at around the threshold of 15ºc - as well as on winter mornings - and in all cases it has provided me with ample warmth without overheating. My only weather protection gripe would be that paired with a short-sleeved base layer, I found the inside of the sleeves got a bit sweaty which did cool me down.

The water resistance is perfectly capable of combatting light drizzle, though of course, it will let the outdoors in if you're caught in a proper downpour.

The £225 price tag makes this a considered purchase. However, I do still have a Castelli Alpah ROS jacket from last season that's going strong after heavy use. I'd happily wear this jacket in most conditions between October and March, layering it up for the really cold days, and I'd expect it to last several years - so I'd see it as an investment piece, and a wise one at that.

Tucked away in the mountains of Switzerland, Assos know a thing or two about demanding conditions and the necessary clothing. Intended to be the “ultimate solution for the harshest winter conditions”, this jacket is the big brother to the Assos Mille GT winter jacket we’ve been previously impressed by.

If you're wondering what else we've been impressed by when it comes to the best winter cycling jackets  then it's worth heading over to the buyer's guide for all our handpicked favourites. 

In fact the same goes for the rest of winter cycling clothing and knowing what to wear and when is always worth a re-visit. 

Construction

The outer and inner layers of this jacket are distinct fabrics which have some degree of movement independent of each other. This, together with the impressive stretchiness, is a major contributing factor to the excellent fit. In no places does it feel baggy or restrictively tight.

Perhaps the best consequence of the two layer construction is that you are no longer faced with the age-old conundrum: Do the cuffs of your gloves go over your sleeves or do your sleeves go over the cuffs of your gloves? With this jacket, you can put the cuffs over the inner fabric, preventing drafts shooting up your arms, but have the outer fabric go over the top, stopping any rain from dripping down into your gloves.

But beyond just being cleverly paired, the fabrics are outstanding in their own right. The RX inner is luxuriously soft to the touch and provides instant warmth. On the outside, various NEOS fabrics are used dependant on the location, with hardier materials employed in the more exposed locations such as on the arms.

The breathability is outstanding, rated at 27,000 g/m2/24H, while the waterproofing is more than capable of fending off showers, being rated to a water column of at least 10,000mm. Although, for a heavy and sustained downpour, you would be better off going for a dedicated hard-shell.

The three rear pockets are generously sized with flaps at the top functioning as “lids” and intended to keep the contents of your pockets safe and secure. With regards to reflective detailing, there are two strips that run the height of the rear pockets.

The Ride

Such is the warmth of this jacket I felt no need for a even one of the best base layers—even when riding at a relaxed pace in temperatures bordering on sub-zero. On longer rides, the jacket remained comfortable with no seams causing niggles and it never felt restrictive in any way.

Putting in some harder efforts, I was boardering on overheating. Fortunately, the zip is easy to operate—even with cumbersome winter gloves—and the ensuing flood of cold air kept me comfortable.

The flaps on the rear pockets did allay any worries of my phone auto-ejecting on rough terrain, but, as a consequence, it did make extracting the phone rather more difficult. Although I had more confidence in my keys staying put than with ordinary pockets, the inclusion of a zipped pocket would have provided me with greater peace of mind.

Value

Although the Mille GT Ultraz Winter Jacket Evo is unquestionably expensive, this level of price tag isn’t unprecedented, with Castelli’s Double Espresso winter jacket also retailing for £290. However, there are more affordable jackets out there which offer comparable performance, such as Santini’s Vega Extreme (£239) and Sportful’s Fiandre Cabrio (£210), both of which were awarded 9/10 in their reviews.

In Assos' defence, it's kit is renowned for lasting for years - so purchasing a solid winter item from the range is generally considered a good investment, even if the initial outlay is a big one.

View deal at Wiggle for £290

View deal at Wiggle US for $337.50