Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket review

A great waterproof jacket for apocalyptic conditions

planet x hydrosphere waterproof jacket
Cycling Weekly Verdict

The Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket does a great job of keeping you dry in really bad conditions, which is impressive when you consider the great value pricetag

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Great value

  • +

    Very waterproof

  • +

    Fairly breathable

  • +

    Decent fit

  • +

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Details could be finished better

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

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.

>>> Buyer's guide to waterproof cycling jackets (video)

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.

planet x hydrosphere waterproof jacket 2

It's hard to argue with the Planet X Hydrosphere waterproof jacket's waterproof credentials

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.

>>> How to dress for wet weather cycling

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.

Watch: buyer's guide to waterproof jackets

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.

>>> Better than the Castelli Gabba? Wet weather racing jackets on test

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.

planet x hydrosphere waterproof jacket velcro cuffs

The cuffs have a bit of a budget feel about them

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.

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

Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.