Albion Rain Jacket review
I tested the Albion Rain Jacket, the London brand's first water resistant offering, through the bleak mid-winter
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eTtkMfHudiGH8RonoUeVG8-415-80.jpg)
The Albion Rain Jacket is perhaps better suited to on and off protection than prolonged wearing. However, it's nicely protective, beading water and winter muck and has a good looking design with a good overall, albeit racing orientated, fit.
-
+
High neck and good arm length
-
+
Good cuffs
-
+
Protective
-
-
Constricting fit
-
-
High back
-
-
Expensive
You can trust Cycling Weekly.
Having already established a range of jerseys and shorts, the Albion Rain Jacket sees the London brand break into new, water resistant territory.
It features a fully taped seam and the jacket body has three layers of waterproof and wind resistant construction. To touch, the jacket feels lightweight and doesn't feel bulky or heavy in your hands. In fact, one of its best features is its packability, and it easily fits into a rear pocket.
While it doesn't feel bulky when worn it does feel a bit constricting. That's due to the jacket's more race ready fit; it has a short front and a dropped rear end – although I still found the tail sit quite high on the lower back, reducing its protection. I also found it to be tight across the shoulders, quite similar to the Albion jersey I've also tested.
The fit on the arms, however, is spot on which is quite a challenge when you have arms as long as mine. The tight cuffs prevent them from sliding up and opening a gap between the sleeves and my gloves – the most frustrating of on bike wardrobe malfunctions.
Alongside the cuffs, the jacket has plenty of neat touches including an extended neck that, when partnered with a neck roll or buff works nicely to keep you warm. The jacket also uses a two-way zip that makes it much easier to access your jersey's rear pockets and doesn't require you to completely unzip the jacket.
I wore the Albion Rain Jacket daily over the recent festive break when I tried to cover as many kilometres as I could in the bleak Leicestershire winter. It wasn't quite howling rain (thank goodness) but the roads were wet and consistently covered in muck and other countryside debris.
The jacket provided good protection from road spray and muck and the light showers I rode through beaded nicely off the jacket's surface. I spent the majority of my rides in the jacket, never stopping to take it off, however, the aforementioned constrictive fit didn't make it the most comfortable for long rides or prolonged use. It also did get quite sweaty underneath the jacket but that's to be expected when using a water resistant jacket as a insulating layer rather than just a protective one.
The jacket costs £195, which is a lot of money, especially when brands are beginning to offer Gore-Tex Shakedry technology - which offers superior water resistance - for a little over £200. I tested the frankly dazzling orange colour which I really liked but if it's not your bag the jacket is also available in blue, charcoal and military olive.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Wout van Aert back on drop bars as he says he’s 'almost professional again' in Strava post
Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'Ride like you own the road' - Zoe Bäckstedt on Paris-Roubaix Femmes, her Grand Tour debut and her new Red Bull helmet
Bäckstedt recently landed sponsorship from the energy drink giants and joined the likes of Tom Pidcock, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Evie Richards as a Red Bull athlete
By Tom Thewlis Published