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review

Outeredge Sport Jacket

6
£49.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Capable entry-level jacket best suited to winter and early season riding
Weight: 
510g

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 Outeredge Sport jacket has stirred mixed, sometimes conflicting emotions. It certainly won't win any awards for originality and its wicking prowess feels distinctly pedestrian alongside more sophisticated technical wear but ours has proved comfortable enough on twelve mile commutes at a steady 17mph.

Essentially this is a cheap but surprisingly cheery rip stop polyester outer with taped seams (also available in inoffensive two-tone alternatives should safety yellow prove too uncouth) and a mesh liner. Theoretically at least, the liner contributes to efficient moisture transfer while protecting the shell from premature wear.

Usually anything in a nominal medium size dictates holding my breath while drawing the zipper closed and feeling distinctly constricted when assuming a semi aero crouch. The Outeredge Sport is one of those notable exceptions, offering ample room for winter layers but without billowing builder's tarp stylee on long, blustery descents. Its generous proportions haven't required drop tail deployment either, though is easily achieved single-handedly.

Rides of varying length, pace and temperature lead me to conclude it's broadly on par with similarly priced garments, though consistently riding 15 miles at 20mph left me distinctly clammy around the mid and lower back, in spite of the ventilation channel, pit zips and decent base/mid layers let alone rider-mounted luggage. Cooler outings with periodic crosswinds were relatively pleasant, boding well for the sort of temperatures you'd expect from November through to March.

A huge poacher's pocket will manage two huge tubes, wallet, midi pump, keys; banana etc, though it nudged me like a playful puppy when nearing capacity. Draw cords and Velcro closures at the hem, collar and cuffs respectively enable fine-tuning, preventing the elements from sneaking inside. Spanish inquisition-esque garden hose torture testing revealed some superficial penetration, though driving rain and gusty winds haven't taxed it, neither has speeding through overgrown singletrack.

Reflective piping and logo brings the outline to life 'Ready Brek' fashion after dusk when hit by vehicle lighting. Theis visibility aid is effective to around 100 metres in semi rural contexts, and the retina tickling day glow burns through rush hour gloom, registering on most folk's radar at 300 metres, less round town on account of competing illumination.

The fabric gets dirty with surprising haste, cultivating a faintly grimy patina within two weeks. Thankfully machine washing's no hassle, though you should stick to 30-degree settings, non-biological detergents and allow two hours at room temperature before heading out.

Verdict

Capable entry-level jacket best suited to winter and early season riding

road.cc test report

Make and model: Outeredge Sport Jacket

Size tested: Fluo Yellow Medium

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?

Simple entry level technical jacket for cooler conditions.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

"WIND WATERPROOF SPORT JACKET

WATERPROOF, BREATHABLE ANTI-RIP FABRIC

FULLY LINED INSIDE

FOLD UP REAR FLAP

ADJUSTABLE CUFFS

REFLECTIVE PIPING

ALL ZIPS WATER RESISTANT

FULL LENGTH ZIP WITH INTERNAL STORMFLAP

ALL STITCHED SEAMS FULLY SEALED

SIZES: S - XL"

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
6/10

Sturdy enough and pretty much what I've come to expect from lower end technical jackets.

Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10

More weather repellent than breathable.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
6/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
6/10

Reasonable, especially in cooler weather (10-13 degrees).

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Outeredge sport jacket is an entry level commuter/training jacket better suited to late autumn through to March typical temperatures. While generous, fit is better than I'd expected, allowing proper layering without annoying billowing in blustery conditions and the outer fabric appears genuinely waterproof. However, moisture management is decidedly pedestrian, resulting in pronounced, lingering clamminess.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good, weather repelling fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Poor breathability with sustained exertion, especially in milder weather.

Did you enjoy using the product? Pleasantly indifferent.

Would you consider buying the product? .No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly but in my experience spending a little bit more buys a much better jacket.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 39  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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