Group test: Commuter jackets
Commuting, whatever the season, is always best in dry weather. But as that’s not always possible, here are four jackets designed to make a wet commute more pleasant while also keeping you visible to traffic. These aren’t super-lightweight racing ‘capes’ but something a little more substantial for daily wear and slower speeds. They’d also be suitable for touring.
All of the tested jackets are waterproof and breathable to an extent. Ideally rain can’t get in while sweat can get out. However, with all jackets it’s possible to sweat faster than a fabric can cope with, especially on warmer days, when you’re pedalling hard or if you just happen to sweat a lot.
Caring for these jackets is straightforward; they’re all machine washable at 30 degrees. Apart from keeping them fresh, washing will help them breathe better as dirt and grime can block pores in the fabric. Don’t use fabric conditioner, however, as it messes with a jacket’s proofing and breathability.
Most jackets have a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating to help rain run off. This gradually wears away but you can reproof a jacket by washing it with Nikwax TX Direct Wash-In Waterproofer or similar.
1. Altura Nightvision Storm
Price: £100
Sizes: 8-18
Waterproofing & breathability: 10k/10k.
Available from: altura.co.uk
This comes in several colourways, with plenty of reflective detailing on the arms although not all the way across the back. While there is no hood, there is a cinch at the neck and the sleeve cuffs have Velcro for easy adjustment. There are two decent-sized hip pockets with zips, a zipped chest pocket that won’t take a phone, plus a rear pocket that will. There’s a vent across the back and some strangely short pit zips. The bottom of the jacket has a slightly dropped tail and another cinch. Fit was pretty true to size, with the arms a decent length for cycling. It feels substantial enough to last.
A durable jacket with vents, pockets and decent reflectivity.
2. BTwin Women’s City Cycling Night Visibility Rain Jacket
Price: £69.99
Sizes: 6-16/18
Waterproofing & breathability:15k/not quoted
Available from: decathlon.co.uk
I found this jacket very baggy. There is a waist cinch, but even using that it’s voluminous and it filled with wind while riding. There is a hood, with adjusters, which will fit under or over a helmet. Good-length pit zips help with ventilation, and there are two reasonably sized, zipped hip pockets. The reflective bands go round the hem, the waist and the wrists so visibility isn’t quite as good as the other jackets, but the key areas are covered. The wrists are loosely elasticated so let water creep up your arms more than the others on test.
Unusually loose cut but it’s good value and not too ‘bikey’.
3. Endura Women’s Xtract Jacket II
Price: £84.99
Sizes: XS-XXL
Waterproofing & breathability:5k/5k
Available from: endurasport.com
Sizing was an issue with this jacket – even the XXL came up snug on me. It’s an issue Endura is aware of and is tackling, and it’s worth noting that not all Endura jackets have this fit. This is the lightest jacket on test and it folds away into a handy stuff-sack. It has reflective detailing on the wrists, neck and tail rather than masses of hi-vis. There’s a tiny pocket in the rear that won’t fit a phone. The wrists are elasticated rather than adjustable, and the neckline is also slightly stretchy; water may seep in here after a while. A vent across the shoulders helps with air circulation.
A lightweight, very packable waterproof that sizes up small.
4. Madison Stellar FiftyFifty Reflective Women’s Waterproof Jacket
Price: £99.99
Sizes: 8-16
Waterproofing & breathability:10k/10k
Available from: freewheel.co.uk/
This is a really well-designed waterproof jacket for commuting. The fit is true to size and there are cinches on the hem and hood. The hood fits over or under a helmet, and there’s a strap to hold it neatly in place when not in use. The FiftyFifty name refers to the amount of hi-vis panelling – there are big blocks of reflective material where they are likely to be caught by headlights. It’s decently waterproof in use and feels robust. There are pit zips but no back vent, along with two decent-sized pockets on the hips. It is quite a warm jacket so it’s not ideal for summer.
Well made, weatherproof, super hi-vis and has a handy hood.
Verdict
Overall, the Madison Stellar FiftyFity is the best jacket here for commuting. It’s well thought out, and its features are useful and will keep you warm, dry and seen. If you know you won’t be using a hood, then the Altura Nightvision Storm is well worth considering. Both of these jackets feel like they will give years of service.
If it fits you, then the Endura Xtract II jacket is great as a lighter-weight option, especially for faster commuters. The BTwin is the cheapest jacket here, even before your Cycling UK discount, and it does the job well enough. If you’re happy with the way it hangs, it doesn’t scream ‘cycling jacket’ as much as the others.
Our test promise
At Cycling UK and Cycle magazine, we are proudly independent. There’s no pressure to please advertisers as we’re funded by our members. Our product reviews aren’t press releases; they’re written by experienced cyclists after thorough testing.
What to look for when choosing a commuter jacket
Rain protection
The figure in thousands of millimetres isn’t an amount of rainfall but the hydrostatic head – the water pressure it will withstand. The bigger the number, the more waterproof the fabric. At 5,000mm, the fabric should withstand persistent light rain. From 10,000mm and above, it should cope with heavy rain.
Breathability
Breathability is rated on the same kind of number scale (5,000, 10,000 and so on) as waterproofness. Here it refers to the grammes of water vapour that can pass through the fabric in 24 hours. A bigger number is better for breathability. Vents make a big difference, too.
Visibility
Bright colours help in daylight but in the dark you need plenty of reflectivity to make you stand out in a car’s headlights. It is possible these days to get a jacket that’s not hi-viz yellow yet still reflective, if you want something more sober.
Fit
Fit is crucial but can’t really be determined without you trying a garment on. Your reviewer is a slightly chunky, 5ft 6in middle-aged woman who usually fits a 16, so that is what size the test jackets came in. There are men’s versions of all four jackets.
Features
A hood helps keep rain out but it needs to fit either over or under a helmet, if worn, and ideally be adjustable so that peripheral vision is not lost. Pockets are always handy if they are in the right place. I’ve used the modern standard for pocket size: will my phone fit in?
