Jackets

The way the weather has been going as far as 2013 is going an easily stowable jacket like the RH+ Acquaria Pocket Jacket is pretty much a must on most rides at the moment.

With a name like Acquaria you'd expect the Pocket Jacket from Italian clothing specialists RH+ to offer some type of water resistance but it is actually designed as a windproof.

If you're planning any early morning excursions or even a late evening spin, the temperatures are still cool enough to require a little more cover, and that's where the Lusso Carbon Thermal Jacket comes in.

You never actually want to HAVE to buy a waterproof cycling jacket do you? So it's always nice when you can do so without spending a squillion pounds in the process. The dhb Ladies EQ2.5 Waterproof Jacket promises a female specific, lightweight, fully waterproof jacket designed with cyclists in mind for a very reasonable price, so does it deliver on that fairly substantial promise?

Sugoi’s Hydrolite jacket is a useful windproof/showerproof top for slinging in your pocket on days when the weather and temperature are likely to be changeable.

The jacket is made from polyester with a polyurethane laminate over the top and it’s pretty stretchy so it doesn’t feel restrictive when you stretch out on the bike.

The dhb Minima S Jacket is, as its name suggests, a minimalist waterproof jacket designed to survive the nastiest downpours whilst still being packable enough to fit into a jersey pocket.

Sportful's Hot Pack Ultralight is an incredibly light jacket, just 50g, that is fully windproof and water resistant. It can be rolled up into it's own integrated bag and will disappear inside a jersey pocket. With jackets like this we're running out of excuses to cancel the ride when the weather is looking iffy.

The Power jacket from Northwave is a winter jacket with wind proofing and pocket vents for when the day warms up. It's an effective piece of kit for winter and cold spring or autumn rides that's well worth considering if you can find it at the right price.

Designed to be a fully waterproof but stretchy and breathable alternative to traditional shell jackets, this Craft Ladies Performance Bike Stretch Jacket is made from a mid-weight pliable soft shell fabric and is intended to be more comfortable and less noisy to wear than its hard shell equivalents.

A coat strictly for those who don't want to look like they are wearing cycling kit, this Water off a Ducks Back Livia Cycle Coat isn't a standard short cut waterproof shell or hi viz zip up affair, it's a long, belted Macintosh style coat.

As such, our photos don't really do it justice, since I didn't dress as I would have to wear such a coat in real life, not was I actually photographed on a laid back café cruiser pedaling in a relaxed and stylish manner. So, please bear in mind it probably doesn't look 'at home' on me!

Sportful's Survival Jacket is, as the name suggests, designed for when you need a jacket that is going to allow you to survive just about the worst weather you could possibly imagine riding in. It's a lot of money, but protection of this sort doesn't come cheap. And it's packed with the sort of details and features that make it a standout jacket.