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 fabric itself is waterproof but the jacket as a whole isn’t because the seams aren’t taped, so this isn’t the best choice if you’re likely to be out for a long time in heavy rain. On the other hand, it’s perfectly capable of coping with a shower and it will keep road spray off.

The polyurethane layer isn’t as breathable as some high-tech waterproof fabrics but ventilation panels underneath the arms allow steam to escape and you can let in more air through the full-length front zip. You can easily adjust the drawcord around the hem to allow more air in if you want to freshen up the atmosphere, although neither the elastic bound cuffs nor the micro-fleece lined neck are adjustable.

I’ve been using this more as a windproof than as a waterproof. It stops cold air really well and, as we all know, that makes a huge difference when you’re moving fast on a bike. But you can get windproofs that are both lighter and less bulky so the reason to buy this jacket would be for the extra protection from the rain… For that reason, the fact that it’s not fully waterproof is a bit of a letdown.

Still, if you look upon it as a windproof with the bonus of extra showerproofing rather than as a rain jacket that’s not completely waterproof, the Hydrolite jacket is a decent proposition.

Verdict

Lightweight and stretchy showerproof with plenty of comfort