Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket review

Think you need to spend the earth to stay dry on the bike when riding in wet weather? Think again. The Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket is a great piece of kits that will protect you from the elements without breaking the bank.

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According to the manufacturer, the Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket has 18,000-20,000mm waterproof rating, which means that if you put a 1in x 1in square tube over the fabric, you could fill it to a height of 18,000-20,000mm before water started to leak through.

In layman’s terms this means that the Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket will keep you dry through some pretty apocalyptic conditions, something which is helped by the taped seams which prevent water from leaking in inbetween the panels.

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Breathability is something that is also fairly good. Overheating is a frequent problem when wearing a waterproof jacket of this ilk, but Planet X has done a pretty decent job of stopping you getting too hot even when you’re working hard in the hills.

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The fit of the Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket is also nice, with the material coming with a three way stretch which makes it easy to fit layers underneath if you're riding in particularly cold conditions. However I did find it a little bit baggy on the chest, although not to the point where it generated too much windflap.

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There are only a couple of areas where it becomes possible to tell that this isn’t a super-expensive jacket, and where the finish is less than luxurious. Firstly there’s no fleece lining around the neck, so it can be a little be sweaty if you’re working hard and it’s sitting close to your skin, and the cuffs are tightened using a velcro strap, which makes the Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket more reminiscent of a commuter jacket than a road jacket.

However, it’s hard to argue with the price. That £99.99 RRP has currently been lowered to £49.99 on the Planet X website, which makes for a compelling prospect.

For more details visit the Planet X website (opens in new tab).