Life In The Saddle

The Gobik Polartec Long Sleeve Envy Jacket is a close-fitting outer layer made from Polartec's innovative NeoShell® fabric—the world's most breathable waterproof fabric. This is a winter cycling jacket that feels more like a long sleeve jersey, thanks to its stretch and performance cut; but it offers the protection of a deep winter outer shell. Polartec® NeoShell® was developed by the American brand to offer the optimal balance of waterproof protection and breathability that is sought-after in active wear. The fabric is used in hiking jackets, cycling jackets, and waterproof trousers with tremendous success, and this deployment in the Gobik Polartec Long Sleeve Jacket is a strong example of utilising the fabric well. The NeoShell® fabric provides a high stretch bonded three-layer covering, with taped seams to prevent water from seeping in. The high cut collar, lower cut rear hem and YKK® Vislon® AquaGuard® zipper all enhance the protection and coverage provided by the jack...

The Rapha Men's Core Rain Jacket II is an affordable and lightweight waterproof cycling jacket, designed to set the standard for everyday weather protection. Riding in wet and inclement weather does not have to be miserable; with the right kit, you can still enjoy your weekend ride even if the weather doesn't play ball. The original Rapha Core Rain Jacket was a staple outer layer for many cyclists—offering lightweight but fully waterproof protection. The new Version 2 is an evolved and adapted take on the award-winning original. Made from a lightweight (129 grams for size small) fully-waterproof fabric with taped seams, and featuring a YKK AquaGuard® zipper; this outer shell will hold off downpours that develop during your ride, but without causing you to overheat in mild but wet conditions. Packability is at the heart of the Core Rain Jacket, and the layer is designed to be stowable in a jersey pocket—so that it can be easily whipped out and donned to protect yourself from the...

Rab brand their Infinity Microlight as " the most protective version of the iconic Microlight".  Featuring an outer shell made from lightweight and breathable GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER®, it offers additional weather protection, while its 700FP 100% recycled down filling continues to provide the ultimate lightweight insulation. After using this jacket for the first time on the #NorthWestRoad bikepacking trip, it has fast become my favourite lightweight insulated jacket for cycling adventures. I have been a proud owner of a Rab Microlight Alpine jacket for many years, and the Infinity Microlight stays true to the Microlight's original purpose: an insulated jacket for year-round mountain use. The addition of the wind and weather resistance GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® outer fabric on the Infinity means that while still being super lightweight, this updated version has impressive weather protection to cope with light snow, drizzle, and shield you from windchill. ...

With the arrival of the wet months of autumn and winter, a waterproof cycling jacket is an indispensable layer. The new Chrome Industries Candlestick Coaches Jacket is a cycling inspired development on the classic coach jacket worn by team directors at sports fixtures around the world. The USA brand has taken the timeless style and produced a jacket with waterproof stretch fabric, taped seams, and other great cycling specific features. Much like other Chrome items I have tested in the past, this is a winner… The Colorado based Chrome Industries team produce apparel and luggage made to deal with decades of hard riding on the city streets. I have previously reviewed their bags, shorts, and boots on the blog; all of which continue to do me great service ( see my earlier Chrome reviews here ). The new Chrome Candlestick Coaches Jacket is a waterproof layer that looks at home both chilling at the bar or blasting down the bike path. Whereas a classic coach jacket is designed for ins...

Can you really fit your whole life into a seat-pack the size of a small rucksack? When you do, it calls for specialist lightweight kit; the Rapha Brevet Insulated Cycling Jacket features super-light Polartec insulation, and has a tiny pack-size—making it ideal for cooler temperatures on your bike explorations. Let us get straight to the point... this jacket is ludicrously lightweight; weighing in at just 74 grams for the Medium sample I have on test. That weight is thanks to a super-light weight Nylon windproof outer, and high level Polartec Alpha insulation; combined together, these create an impressively protective and insulating layer, with absolute minimal bulk.  Polartec Alpha is a unique market-leading insulation fibre, which provides both great breathability when you are working hard, as well as effective insulation when you are more sedate in your movements.  I used the jacket on my recent #XPDTN3Dolomites bikepacking trip , and for the early morning r...

In all honesty, I have barely taken this kit off since it arrived with me for testing. Vaude have done it again with the Vaude All Year Moab Mountain Biking Collection — they have produced a superb set of cycling kit, inspired by their heritage and knowledge in the outdoor sports market. This is innovative apparel, which performs both on the bike, and as practical everyday wear. Vaude All Year Moab Jacket The outfit starts with the Vaude All Year Moab Jacket — a lightweight multi-sport jacket, which is ideal for everything from winter walks to downhill MTB runs. The jacket is designed as a 'hybrid' piece of apparel — with strategically placed Primaloft® Eco Insulation on the front and shoulders providing warmth, and waterproof stretch inserts on back, hood and lower cuffs helping to shield you from the elements. The exceptional side of the All Year Moab Jacket comes from the details — features like the elasticated cuffs that seal out the wind; or the pit zips tha...

There are some products that you wonder how you ever did without... the RAB Microlight Alpine Insulated Down Jacket is one of them. For lightweight adventuring, it is an invaluable companion; mine has accompanied me on many of my biggest adventures to date. The beauty of down insulated jackets is how packable, lightweight, and warm they are: it is like having the cosiest hoodie in your wardrobe; but with a pack size not much larger than your fist, and weighing less than a small water bottle. These properties are what make them the ultimate insulating layer for lightweight adventuring. The RAB Microlight Alpine Jacket is the best example of a packable down jacket that I have come across to date. It features Pertex Quantum fabrics and 750FP Nikwax treated European Goose Down – to provide a robust and water-resistant design; far more so than many super lightweight down jackets I have used. Despite weighing less than 500 grams, the Microlight Alpine has an impressive number of buil...

The Sportful Fiandre Extreme Jacket is one of the most impressive pieces of cycling kit I have come across to date; the single layer Polartec Neoshell fabric creates an outer layer that is lightweight, yet extremely protective against the elements. I used the first iteration of the Sportful Fiandre Extreme Neoshell Jacket for the TorTour Cyclocross Winter Stage Race , last year in Switzerland. The jacket instantly impressed: I was riding at threshold effort, in wind and snow, and yet I never once overheated or felt cold. The superb temperature regulation is thanks to the innovative Polartec Neoshell fabric. This single membrane holds properties similar to neoprene, in that it is waterproof, insulating, and super stretchy; it is different from neoprene though, in that it is highly breathable, and much thinner in profile. The way that Sportful has used the Neoshell fabric in the Extreme Jacket – with taped seams and a YKK waterproof zipper, make for an impressive jacket: a shieldin...

April showers… a time when a super-protective, hard-wearing waterproof is a must, for those that want to go out and play in the elements. The new Swrve Keiu Anorak has fast become my go-to, always-packed waterproof, for this time of year. Simple, but incredibly effective - that sums up the design of the Swrve Keiu Anorak. It is a classic waterproof; designed to keep you dry both on and off the bike. As with other Swrve apparel that I've reviewed on the blog, it delivers. Shield+ waterproofing The Keiu anorak uses Teflon Shield+ waterproofing, with a fully taped seam construction. Seal out the elements, whilst allowing moisture to escape from within. I've worn this in wet but mild conditions - the most challenging for any waterproof fabric, and it has excelled. Superb fabric technology lies at the heart of Swrve products. The Keiu Anorak is no exception Clever cut Most waterproofs feature a full-length zip, but that can be uncomfortable when tucked down on a ...