Sugoi HOV womens jacket

I absolutely love this Sugoi HOV jacket. It looks and feels great, and performs really well on the bike too! HOV stands for Human Operated Vehicle and the line is aimed at the commuter market. It’s designed ‘to look as good in the office as it does on the bike’ and it really does: I confess I’ve worn this jacket more off the bike than on it, but I've had a load of compliments about my new gear!

The jacket has a non-technical style but is constructed from a technical fabric designed to be breathable and water resistant. It’s soft and flexible so despite being fitted, it stretches well over the shoulders when you’re reaching for the handle bars and indicating. Apparently the polyester fibres in the H3 fabric are 'infused with bamboo carbon that provides UV protection and anti-bacterial properties'. Sounds like space-aged stuff and it's hard to quantify the effect, but whatever it’s made of, I’m a fan: it performs really well.

The inside of the jacket has the look and feel of an expensive sports jacket with black and grey plaid design on the inside collar and patterned detailing on the cuffs. There are plenty of pockets and they’re well designed so that things don’t fall out of them whilst cycling. It’s perfect for autumn and spring, but not warm enough for the rigours of winter. It’s well tailored and fits nicely as well as being functional on the bike and it washes well at 30 degrees.

My only slight criticism is the amount of reflective detailing - it could do with more. I’m personally not a fan of wearing black on the bike at night and this jacket is too cool to wear with a high-visibility vest!!

Verdict

Excellent mix of technical performance and urban chic