The Altura Nightvision Storm Waterproof jacket is great for commuting, offering huge amounts of visibility and weatherproofing, though you might want better breathability if you’re looking for a jacket for more intense activity.

The key to cycle commuting in winter is a decent jacket – one that keeps you dry, offers good breathability, and helps you be seen.

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In terms of waterproofing and windproofing, the Nightvision Storm works very well. It has a rating of 10 for waterproofing (and breathability), and I used it several times in very heavy rain without anything getting through.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – back.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – back (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

This is helped by drawstrings that enable you to tighten it around the neck and waist, and Velcro straps around the wrists to keep all water out.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – velcro.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – velcro (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Every seam is taped, including the zip, and water simply doesn’t get through at all.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – chest.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – chest (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Windproofing is also impressive, although the breathability – allowing the warm air you generate to escape through the fabric – could be better.

I found that after about 30 minutes of fairly intense riding there was quite a bit of heat build-up, though Altura has included zipped vents under the arms and a large vent running across the back under the shoulder blades to help.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – armpit vent.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – armpit vent (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

I’d say there’s enough breathability for most commuting scenarios, although you might want something a little more breathable for more intense sessions.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – vent.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – vent (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

As for visibility, the NV Storm is very good – when light hits it, the whole thing lights up like a beacon. Across the shoulder, sleeves, down either side of the body and around the neck, Altura has added high visibility dots, which means that it should be very, very difficult for drivers to miss you.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – reflective back.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – reflective back (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

These high visibility dots are on top of the fluoro yellow material of our test jacket, which is equally eye-catching, although it’s also available in more muted maroon or blue.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – reflective front.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – reflective front (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Elsewhere, Altura has added some good features to help with comfort and practicality, such as the soft fleece around the inside of the collar to make it more comfortable and warm on the skin, and plenty of pockets for storage: one on the chest, one on the back, and two hand pockets on the front.

2020 Altura Storm jacket – pockets.jpg
2020 Altura Storm jacket – pockets (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

With an RRP of £79.99 the Altura seems decent value: the Rapha Men’s Commuter Lightweight Jacket is 1p more but doesn’t offer the same weatherproofing, while the ETC Arid Verso, which is £6 more, also isn’t as waterproof and has a bit of an odd shape.

> Buyer’s Guide: 14 of the best high-vis cycling jackets

For £20 more you could upgrade to Altura’s Nightvision Typhoon, which has a higher waterproof/breathability rating of 15 – and a hood! If your commute is longer or you like to keep a fairly high pace, Shaun found it good for an hour and a half at 17-20mph.

> Cycle commuting: 14 hassles to avoid

Overall, I was impressed with the Nightvision Storm. It offers everything you need from a commuting jacket at a good price: it keeps the weather out, has good practical elements, and lights up like a beacon at night. Breathability could be better for more intense efforts, but for typical commuting at a steady pace I’d say it’s more than adequate.

Verdict

Great visibility, keeps the weather out effectively and breathes well enough for typical commutes

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Nightvision Storm Waterproof Jacket

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the jacket 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?

A commuting jacket designed to make sure you’re seen at night while keeping the weather off.

Altura says, ‘The Nightvision Storm Jacket has an injection of our unique reflective print design that has been used successfully in our Nightvision Commuter range. The ‘Silver Reflective’ print will illuminate key areas of the body increasing visibility whilst maintaining breathability and comfort. The waterproof fabric, taped seams and fleece lined collar will keep you dry and snug whilst a variety of storage pockets let you keep essentials close to hand.’

It puts in a strong performance as a commuting jacket, though you might want a little more breathability if using it for more intense activity.

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

Altura lists:

Silver reflective print

Fully waterproof including taped seams

10/10 Waterproof and breathability

Underarm and back vents

Two hand pockets, chest and back pockets

Fleece lined collar

Relaxed fit

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well made with every seam being taped, robust zip and strong stitching throughout.

Rate the jacket for performance:
 
8/10

Does everything you want from a commuting jacket: keeps out the weather, keeps you visible, and has decent breathability.

Rate the jacket for durability:
 
8/10

Early days, but good quality construction suggests it’s unlikely to need replacing any time soon.

Rate the jacket for waterproofing based on the manufacturer’s rating:
 
8/10

It kept me dry even in some very heavy downpours.

Rate the jacket for breathability based on the manufacturer’s rating:
 
7/10

Breathability is good enough for typical commutes and casual rides, but I would want something more breathable for a long weekend ride.

Rate the jacket for fit:
 
7/10

Fit is relaxed, as Altura describes it, without being overly baggy.

Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
8/10

The medium I tested fitted as I would expect it to.

Rate the jacket for weight:
 
6/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for value:
 
6/10

How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

I put this in a tech wash without issue.

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

It performed well: it is a good commuter jacket that keeps out rain and ensures you’re seen.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

The visibility: it lights up like a beacon.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

Breathability for more than a leisurely pace could be better, but for commuting it’s fine.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Rapha’s Men’s Commuter Lightweight Jacket is 1p more but does not offer the same weatherproofing. The ETC Arid Verso is £6 more, also doesn’t offer the same weatherproofing and has an odd fit. Altura’s slightly more weatherproof/breathable Typhoon sibling is £20 more.

Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes

Would you consider buying the jacket? Yes

Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It’s very good: it’s waterproof, high vis and breathable enough for typical commutes, and it’s good value.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 32  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: CAAD13  My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo

I’ve been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,