dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell jacket review

You don’t always need a full softshell jacket for riding in milder, drier winter conditions. But the windproofing is still a boon, keeping the cold breeze off your chest. The dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell mixes windproof front panels with more breathable, but insulated, fleece fabric in the rear for a good level of cold protection.

The lighter blue windproof fabric is used to make the entire frontal area of the dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell - including the majority of the arms, with just a narrow strip of non-windproof fleece fabric at the back of the arm. The front fabric provides a good level of protection from windchill.

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The dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell jacket has a fabric flap behind the zipper to avoid cold air getting in there. The collar is high, close fitting and fleece lined and made of the same windproof fabric.

Out of the wind, at the back, the dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell is made of a thick fleece material, which provides plenty of insulation. It also lets plenty of air circulate, so that if you start to get hot on your ride, you won’t end up too sweaty and I found there to be very little build up of dampness.

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dhb cuts the dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell with a long tail, so there’s good coverage when riding in a race position. There’s a deep elastic strip at the rear bottom hem, and a narrower silicone gripper at the front, which between them stop the jacket riding up and help prevent wind ingress, while the cuffs are also stretchy, close and draught resistant.

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At the back there are the usual three open pockets, which are deep. Their top hem is made of reflective tape, for extra visibility. The fourth, zipped valuables pocket is backed to prevent its contents from getting sweaty from your perspiration. But its outer surface is made of the standard fleece, so wheelspray and rain will get to its contents.

In fact, the whole of the back of the dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell jacket is susceptible to rain and spray. So it’s a good idea to use an AssSaver or mudguards to keep off water from wet roads, while if you’re expecting rain, a shell jacket would be a sensible precaution to bring along.

But for drier, cold rides where you expect to ride at higher intensities, the dhb Aeron Hybrid Softshell is a good option, providing all the protection you are likely to need in a more economical package than a full softshell.