HYBRID JACKETS

Advances in fabric technology have created materials that are more breathable than ever, even when insulating or providing weather protection. Lighter, stretchier and more packable, they’ve also led to changes in bike style – a bike jacket no longer has to look like, well, a bike jacket. There’s a huge range that can not only be worn across a range of conditions, but off the bike or for a range of other outdoor activities too. Why buy two jackets when one will do both jobs?

The assumption that you always need a full-on waterproof as part of your kit is now being challenged. If you’re riding on exposed terrain and will be out all day, then you need to be equipped for the worst weather. But for most of us, a jacket that keeps all but the heaviest rain off yet is highly breathable and stops you getting drenched in sweat will be a better, more comfortable option.

Before lightweight, more advanced insulation was developed, cold weather meant pairing an outer shell for wind and rain protection with a chunky midlayer to keep you warm. Now, all-in-one jackets that repel water but breathe so well you don’t need to shed layers when you hit the climbs are the norm. Fabrics that have performed well in our testing include Gore-Tex Infinium, designed to combine a high level of weather protection with optimum breathability; Polartec Alpha, which aims to give warmth without making you overheat; and PrimaLoft, which brings warmth without being heavy. The consistent feature is that they all combine a protective benefit with maximum breathability, because the ability to regulate temperature is what provides