B'Twin 700 Cycling Waterproof Jacket

If you're looking for a no-nonsense three-layer waterproof for cheaps then the b'Twin 700 Waterproof Cycling Jacket is just the ticket. It's properly waterproof, well made and with some neat features.

The jacket is constructed from a three-layer waterproof: that means a membrane sandwiched between a full inner and outer layer. That tends to me much more comfortable against the skin than a 2.5-layer fabric, which can be a bit clammy on the inside when things heat up. It's a decent weight, tough fabric with fully taped seams throughout.

The front zip is waterproof, as is the zip on the chest pocket. The pit zips, which allow extra ventilation for when you're working hard, aren't waterproofed but they're covered by a storm flap. The rear is dropped, though not drastically, and it's slightly elasticated to hold it in place. There are Lyrca storm cuffs for your arms (as well as a Velcro closure) and the one on the right arm even has a hole so your watch will poke through if you use a wrist-mounted computer of any kind.

For less than £60 the 700 does about as good a job of being waterproof and breathable as it's reasonable to expect. Certainly waterproofing isn't an issue in the main. I've been out for hours in the rain in this jacket and the fabric has shrugged off all conditions. Water beads well on the surface and while it does breathability is fairly good; you get the pit zips for extra ventilation if you start to cook. In common with other jackets that have lycra cuffs, I found that these tend to suck in water and transfer it to your sleeves if you're wearing a long-sleeved top underneath. I don't wear a watch but I stuck one on for the purposes of seeing whether the little hole works for looking. It does.

The shape of the jacket, and the size (I'm 99kg and 1.90m and comfortable in a Large) mean you'll need to size down if you're skinny and want a race cut, and if your position on the bike is fairly aggressive the drop at the back may be a bit short to cope. I don't have a particularly head-down position and I found it about right.

All in all there's very little not to like here. The The b'Twin 700 Waterproof Cycling Jacket does the job just fine, and it's cheap for a proper 3-layer waterproof. It's too heavy to be packable in a jersey pocket, but it's ideal for days when you know you're going to need it.

Verdict

Great buy for everything from wet commutes to the winter chaingang