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review

dhb Turbulence Windproof Cycling Jacket

8
£44.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Very windproof, very breathable, great for chilly rides - and small enough to carry when the sun comes out
Weight: 
160g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Turbulence jacket from dhb (the in-house brand from on-line superstore Wiggle) is a lightweight windproof top that's an ideal outer layer for cycling on cold days, and it easily packs down small enough to stuff in your back pocket if the weather should turn balmy while you're out on your bike.

Right from the off, it's important to note that this is not a waterproof jacket. The Turbulence is designed to keep the wind out - and that's exactly what it does. But windproofing on its own is not enough. If you exert yourself when riding, you get hot, so you need breathability - and this jacket gives you that in spades.

This is because - perhaps obviously - the fabric itself is fully breathable. But there are also mesh panels under the arms to, plus an open flapped vent across the back of the jacket to further help airflow.

So this jacket's main job - keeping the wind off and letting the moisture escape - is done. Tick. But what about the other features?

Starting from the top, the collar is close fitting to keep out drafts, but not too tight to be uncomfortable. It's got a nice fleecy lining too. For night riding, there are some reflective strips across the shoulders and back.

The sleeves are plenty long enough, easily covering the arms when stretched out. The cuff are elasticated - no tabs or Velcro - and there's nothing wrong with that, but the elastic needs to be tighter. On a test ride I had to tuck the end of the sleeves inside my gloves to stop a big draught coming in - and I hardly have the daintiest of wrists.

The jacket is cut so the back is longer than the front, and it covers your rear-end nicely, although once again I found the elasticated hem a bit on the loose side. Being a bit tighter, or some more dabs of silicon gripper, would help keep the fabric snugly in place.

There's a zipped pocket at the rear of the jacket, plenty big enough for something like gloves, but anything heavier hangs uncomfortably low and bangs into the back of the saddle. There is another small pocket inside the main pocket, just big enough for a credit card or a few quid, or maybe a door key - but not a phone. All this is pretty academic anyway, as it's always easier to carry stuff in the pockets of the more substantial cycling jersey you'll be wearing underneath the windproof jacket - it's far more comfortable, and saves messing about transferring stuff if you take off the windproof layer.

The turbulence jacket is available in black or red, which may disappoint riders who prefer brighter colours - especially for winter riding.

When it comes to price, this jacket isn't an absolute bargain. You can certainly buy cheaper windproofs out there, although they may not have the venting features of the Turbulence, so at a recommended price of £45 (currently discounted to nearer £36 on the Wiggle website) it's pretty good value.

Verdict

Very windproof, very breathable, great for chilly rides - and small enough to carry when the sun comes out.

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Turbulence Windproof Cycling Jacket

Size tested: Red - M

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The wiggle website says this: 'The turbulence jacket is designed to be a lightweight slim-line jacket, which takes away cold breeze on fast, cooler, dry rides. A full-length zip baffle on the main zip prevents wind penetration. The close fleece lined collar provides a comfortable feeling around the neck and prevents unwanted intruding drafts. The durable yet very lightweight Nylon fabric is breathable and has mesh underarms to allow maximum airflow encouraging heat dissipation from the hottest body areas.'

This is all a fair claim.

The website also says: 'Generous sleeve length allows you to bend your arms with no gaps between glove and cuff. Flat and close elasticated cuffs give a tidy aesthetic and keep bulk and flapping fabric to an absolute minimum. Discretely branded elasticated hem will keep the jacket close around your backside.'

However, I found the elastic cuffs and hem a bit on the baggy side.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Construction seems very good. Stitching is generally tidy, although on our test model there were a few loose threads on the seam attaching the baffle, which might get caught in the zip. Nothing a pair of scissors couldn't sort out though.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Performance is potentially very good, with this jacket fully meeting its two key tasks - keeping the wind off and letting the moisture escape - but it's let down by the slightly baggy elastic on the cuffs and hem.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

At the end of the day, this jacket is made from thin Nylon, so it isn't going to survive a hammering. But if you look after it, it should last a good few seasons.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

This jacket has a light weight, making it very packable when not being worn.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

As mentioned in the review, this jacket isn't an absolute bargain. You can certainly buy cheaper windproofs out there, although they may not have the venting features of the Turbulence, so at a recommended price of £45 (currently discounted to nearer £36 on the Wiggle website) it's fair value.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

This is potentially a 9 out of 10 piece of kit - very windproof, very breathable, very packable - but it gets marked down slightly due to the baggy elastic on the cuffs and hem.

Some riders may also be disappointed that it isn't available in a brighter colour.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 50  Height: 5ft 10 / 178cm  Weight: 11 stone / 70kg

I usually ride: an old Marin Alp   My best bike is: an old Giant Cadex

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, mtb,

 

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