Altura Microlite Showerproof jacket

Altura's Microlite Showerproof jacket is designed to be packed down and carried for emergency use. It is a simple, single skin waterproof jacket more suited to light showers than prolonged downpours.

It is certainly light, and packs down to a size that easily fits into the back of a cycling jersey. I was using the medium size and there wasn't any room in the pocket for anything else, but that didn't strike me as unreasonable given I was carrying a jacket.

The jacket isn't loaded with a vast variety of features – it is simply cut, with a low collar and elasticated waist and wrists. The zipped pocket in the back is useful (easily large enough for a mini-pump, food, mobile phone and the like), and there are small reflective highlights to the front zip, rear pocket and chest.

The main front zip is quite small, with a toggle and zip cover at the collar. It's small enough to be fiddly with cold hands, but not impossible to use. At the wrists there are small thumb-loops, which are a nice touch, and work well without causing any discomfort.

The jacket is effective for a lightweight single membrane type, resisting light rain comfortably. Even heavier showers didn't seem to soak through to the arms and jersey beneath. It is moderately windproof, too, which is a help in inclement conditions, but it isn't a substitute for a proper waterproof in poor weather.

Being a simple lightweight jacket it's not designed with breathability in mind, but I didn't find it got too tropical inside the jacket – certainly better than other, similar jackets I've used. I did notice that on warmer days when I was already quite warmed up then it did become less pleasant, but I didn't think this was unexpected with a pack-down showerproof.

It works well at the job I'd expect it to do, though, and is a handy size when packed down. It doesn't seem to weigh much, or be terribly bulky when packed, and is effective when called upon. At £40 it's not bad value, and performs better than some of the more budget showerproofs I've used in the past.

It's available in three colours: black, red and yellow.

Verdict

Simple lightweight waterproof jacket that is effective at repelling light rain and some heavier showers