Lusso Giro Rain Jacket

The Lusso Giro Rain Jacket is actually one of the many shower-resistant, windproof jackets out there that have made themselves indispensable for UK road riders. But if you’re after a bona fide rain jacket for sodden days on Lakeland passes, you're probably looking on the wrong display rail.

What the Giro is good at is being a lightweight, packable, wind resistant, breathable shower jacket, and it achieves all that at half the price (or less) of swankier brands. If you don't want black, it's also available in yellow.

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Performance

Lusso, being based in Manchester, should know what rain is. It's a puzzle then, as to why it has chosen to describe the Giro as a "rain jacket" because I'm pretty sure it isn't. Ten minutes out on a sodden October day was enough to convince me of this. The fabric on the shoulders of my jersey was damp already. Whether this is because the water was seeping in through the untaped seams or getting down the neck, which can't be adjusted for tightness, is hard to say but the result is the same.

This is not to say that the Giro is a bad garment. It's actually really good. The ticket doesn't claim it to be waterproof but "highly water resistant". Water beads up nicely on the fabric, but that's only going to get you so far if it finds its way in somewhere else.

Weight

This is the most gossamer-like jacket I've ever had and you barely notice it, on or off. The low weight is achieved by a combination of using very thin polyester and keeping features to a minimum. It's essentially the zip, the fabric and some elastic at the cuffs and hem.

There are a few small concessions to luxury: the zipped rear pocket is useful when you are wearing the jacket and you stuff it into the pocket when you're not. The front zip has a baffle behind it which keeps the wind at bay and prevents the feel of a zip against your neck, which I hate. There are some reflective strips and patches (some of which may be obscured if you use a backpack for your commute). That's it.

Windproofing and breathability

"Several thin layers are better than one thick layer" the hiker's mantra goes, and this is true on the bike too, where the change from too hot to too cold can occur in an instant. On high-exertion efforts you can overheat, but – hey! Take the jacket off. Pull it on for the downhill and the Giro shrugs off the wind-chill. I kept the jacket on during a high-exertion ride in mildish conditions and found the dampness from condensation was tolerable.

>> Check out our guide to the best waterproof cycling jackets here 

Fit

I tested a medium jacket which fitted me well, with plenty of length even for my 6ft 2in form. The arms are long, too, which matters to me. On the bike, once reaching for the bar, it rucked up a little at the shoulders, pulling the long tail up with it to leave my backside a little exposed. I find this happens with other jackets too, some much worse than this. The cut isn't too baggy, which reduces flapping at the arms, and it was only on the fastest downhills that I was able to generate a bit of turbulence. The fabric is pleasantly quiet in use too.

Over a fleecy winter jersey, on dry to damp winter days, the Giro will make a good windproof outer shell, and in summer, as an emergency shower jacket or to keep the cold out on those early sportive starts, it's just the job. For all but biblical conditions, and for three-quarters of the year, it should be all you need. UK made too.

Verdict

Windproof, light and good value for money. Unless you want a winter waterproof or a prestige brand, why pay more?