Madison Sportive Stratos Showerproof Jacket

Madison's Sportive Stratos Showerproof Jacket is one of those ultra-thin yet surprisingly rugged micro models designed to pack unobtrusively into jersey pockets, and to offer decent defence against rain and chill when required. It does the job very nicely too.

A penny shy of £50 isn't cheap for what is essentially a rip-stop polyester shell, though it is well made and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. This basically covers the original purchaser against manufacturing defects, not damage resultant from a nasty spill.

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Talking of which, I've bombed along bridlepaths with no signs of scarring despite some disconcerting scrapes with prickly foliage, so durability seems on par with some jackets costing twice as much.

The cut is precise, so there's no risk of it fluttering like a builder's tarp when it's blowing a gale, and our medium had just enough room for a baselayer and jersey-cum-jacket without feeling restrictive.

Elasticated hem and cuffs are nicely executed, preventing the tail from riding up after long periods hunkering low on the drops as well as stopping wet, gusty stuff from blowing inside.

Climate control is good, the fabric providing enough warmth to ward off chills – I'm talking milder days, not sub-zero – but still allowing moisture to escape pretty convincingly. It took about 40 minutes of riding at 18mph before the misty damp became apparent around the usual areas – armpits, chest and lower back – but this quickly dissipates.

Showerproofing isn't bad, though in terms of being genuinely dry, we are talking heavy, persistent drizzle. It'll hold out short, sharp deluges for around 15 minutes, and any dampness evaporates in around the same timescale. Personally, I find this preferable to old school "condom" jackets that kept Mother Nature out but left you sweating like the proverbial pig.

> Check out our guide to the best showerproof jackets here

Madison has opted for a design that folds into itself via the surprisingly roomy rear pocket, rather than a separate little bag. The bags are great, but invariably seem to get buried by my mother's spaniel or eaten by the washing machine, or otherwise vanish, so using the pocket perhaps makes more sense.

There's just enough room in this pocket for a spare tube, CO2 inflator, small mini pump, multi tool and even a banana, although given the thin fabric, they're better distributed in jersey pockets, otherwise they bound around annoyingly. The long elasticated zipper tag does make accessing it an absolute doddle even in gloved hands.

Generous reflective patterns on the rear keep you on the radar, and as well as our red version there are black and white options should you prefer.

Verdict

Versatile and well-designed micro-jacket jacket with few faults