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review
£150.00
VERDICT:
Waterproofing that works, a great fit and impressively breathable
Weight:
385g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
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I think I've found one of the best waterproof jackets on the market. Made right here in the UK, in Manchester, the Lusso Aqua Extreme Repel Jacket V2 keeps serious rain out without creating that boil in the bag sensation found with many others on the market. A huge amount of reflective detailing makes this jacket perfect for night rides too.
- Pros: Phenomenal waterproofing, reflective panel on the rear
- Cons: None
If you click back through the review section you can follow the evolution of the Aqua jacket, with the Repel version being tested in 2016 before things got Extreme in 2017. Well, for 2018 things have got even better with a full redesign.
First up is the material, Windtex Storm Shield, a waterproof membrane with an inner and outer fabric for protection from the elements.
When testing most kit there is always one ride that really defines a product, the one you always remember. Wearing the Aqua Extreme I had a round trip to the office for a bike swap to contend with which, with a little detour to get some miles in, would take just over three hours. Two and a half of which were in heavy rain and a temperature a few degrees above freezing.
Unlike many materials found on waterproof garments with various coatings, water doesn't bead off the Lusso, something that as soon as I started riding in the rain I was concerned about. The fabric quickly looks sodden and I was waiting for that feeling of the rain starting to seep though but it never came. The membrane clearly does its job very well indeed.
The return ride from the office was into a full-on headwind; the rain was coming down not necessarily hard but steady enough to soak my gloved hands, tights and shoes. I like a ride in extreme conditions but this was just downright miserable.
Even with the lack of taped seams, though, nothing was getting through. It was noticeable how dry my arms and back were.
I was warm too, while the rest of my body was taking a bit of a battering from the cold temperatures.
For such a waterproof jacket, the Aqua Extreme is surprisingly breathable. That ride home, even with the full-on effort into the wind, left me barely more than moist when I removed the jacket indoors.
> Survival tips for cycling in the rain
Lusso gives a temperature rating of 0°C to 16°C which I'd say is, for me anyway, optimistic at the top end. Maybe 10°C tops before I found it a bit overwhelmed.
Apart from the fabric, one of the key upgrades is the longer tail flap, much longer than you find on the majority of jackets. It really works, covering your bum right down to the saddle. When riding through a cold puddle you don't get that refreshing blast on your rear end and if you are riding without mudguards it makes a massive difference.
Like the Termico bibtights I recently tested, the Aqua Extreme uses the same reflective detailing woven into the back panel of the jacket. It's subtle during the day but really stands out in the dark in car headlights especially when paired with the reflective piping across the top of the pockets, the logos and that found beneath the storage.
The front isn't forgotten either, with reflective strips, shoulder detailing and cuffs using the same method as the rear panels.
The jacket also has a high neck to keep the weather out, plus the zip tucks into a neat garage to stop irritation.
Round the back you get four pockets, the traditional three plus an extra zipped valuables one to store keys, cash and the like. It isn't lined so if you're going to keep your phone in it, you might want to add a little extra protection.
The pockets are plenty deep enough and the fabric is taut enough to stop any sag or bouncing. I had no issues with anything escaping.
When it comes to the cut, the Aqua Extreme gets the thumbs up too. It's close to stop any flapping in the wind but you don't need to be race fit for it to look good on you. I suppose being designed and manufactured in Manchester guarantees a true British sizing.
When it comes to value, £150 is a big outlay for a single piece of clothing but to be honest we've seen windproof jackets for nearly that much, and it holds its own against other waterproofs I've tested. All of them have shown their limitations eventually, but the Lusso keeps on surprising.
Three and a half years ago I tested the POC Essential and it's still my go-to waterproof; it's immense but the Lusso knocks it into a cocked hat.
More recently we've tried out the Gore Power jacket, which looks to achieve a lot of what the Lusso does when it comes to waterproofing but for a higher price, although it is obviously packable whereas the Aqua Extreme isn't.
Overall, considering the quality, the cut and more importantly the waterproofing of the Lusso, I can't think of a better piece of clothing that I've tested in the wind or rain.
Verdict
Waterproofing that works, a great fit and impressively breathable
road.cc test report
Make and model: Lusso Mens Aqua Extreme Repel V2 Jacket
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the jacket is for
Lusso says, "The award winning Aqua Repel Jacket has been redesigned for 2018 with a new fabric which has improved breathability and water repellency. The Jacket also has a new thermal lining which has improved moisture transfer capabilities and we have added a 360° refelctive for added safety & security."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?
From Lusso:
Windtex Storm Shield Fabric which is a lightweight thermal, windproof, water repellent and waterproof.
Designed with 4-way stretch that fits and adapts perfectly to the body.
Breathability: >10,000gr/m2 x 24hr
Water Column: 10,000mm guaranteed
Temperature range 0°c to 16°c
* Full Front Zip
* Storm Flap
* Long Tail
* 4 Rear Pockets (1 Zipped)
* Reflective hem
* Reflective Strips on front and rear
* Available in Black and Italian Blue
* Made in Manchester, UK.
Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the jacket for performance:
10/10
Rate the jacket for durability:
9/10
Rate the jacket for waterproofing
10/10
Rate the jacket for breathability
9/10
Rate the jacket for fit:
9/10
Rate the jacket for sizing:
9/10
A realistic fit for the majority of cyclists.
Rate the jacket for weight:
8/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
9/10
Rate the jacket for value:
8/10
How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
A simple machine or hand wash at 30 degrees brings things up clean and tidy.
Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose
As a waterproof it can't be faulted.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket
Its performance against the elements.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket
Nothing.
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
For its waterproofing and breathability I can't criticise the Aqua Extreme, plus the quality is great, as is the fit. It's exceptional. If I scored it 9 that would put it on par with the Poc and the previous iteration and it's better, so I'm going for full marks. There's nothing I can criticise it on.
About the tester
Age: 39
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.
With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.
He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.
Latest Comments
- imajez 2 hours 46 min ago
Nothing new about zebra [or light controlled] crossing on roundabouts. Sheffield has had them for decades, possibly since the 1970s.
- David9694 4 hours 16 min ago
Herefordshire man fined after throwing parking ticket...
- OnYerBike 5 hours 37 min ago
I'm sure that sort of thing will come sooner or later. But presumably a key ingredient (and why you'd turn to a big brand like Fizik) is knowing...
- muhasib 5 hours 41 min ago
"the cost to rebuild the M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange is £317 million. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. "
- mark1a 6 hours 5 min ago
I think they did, from memory back in the 70s/80s... haven't seen one for years though, our current milkman uses a standard van, albeit hybrid.
- kingleo 7 hours 20 min ago
I believe that straight forks that are used on carbon frames are more dangerous than the old steel forks because they are more rigid, the old steel...
- S.E. 7 hours 52 min ago
Yes, sleep apnea produces more CO... I'm not aware of any doping effect but what do I know....
- Gd29 10 hours 11 sec ago
That's true enough. But doesn't address my point that the chainset you get as a replacement will not physically fit chainrings from the chain set...
- brooksby 10 hours 30 min ago
In all fairness, it almost certainly NEVER happened…
Add new comment
10 comments
I have the Orange version of the Lusso Aqua Extreme Jacket and its been a god send this terrible winter weather we have been having, Good breathability and plenty thermal for me just with one base layer underneath. Well done Lusso and keep up the brillant work
Hi Curly,
its not clear from Lusso's website if the orange version has the same reflective back panel and cuffs.
Like the retroreflectives. But black? I refuse to wear anything that gives any opportunity to the blind driver to say "sorry mate, I didn't see you".
I've got a similar jacket that I use a lot in winter when it's dark. The black just lights up like a Christmas tree, it's way more visible than a "hi-viz".
Also - just use lights. I refuse to dress up like an accident in a paint factory, I just use a daybright light which stand out far more than coloured jackets.
Agreed. A lot of my stuff is black, however I don't cheap out on lights, and have spent good money on bright, top quality lights that are far more effective in letting drivers know where I am. The amount of commuters around dusk I see in fluro vests and bright jackets, yet have the weakest little lights and are actually harder to see than the rider in dark colours/black but who have bright lights are astounding. More education on lights and less lairy colours I say.
@Richard D,crazy-legs and sammutd88 - my experience does not mirror your comments. I have been observing the effect of clothing for a long time now and find fluro colours stand out particularly well in low light and dusk; orange is best, followed by yellow and red. Bright lights are good, of course, but even the best light can easily be obscured if a another vehicle gets between a driver and the rider or when other vehicles' lights are bright enough to prevent the driver noticing yours.
Pedestrians often wear black without getting run over every time they leave the house. I'm not a fan of black or muted tones that blend in with the surroundings but the argument that you need bright clothing and/or dazzling lights is being talked up too much as if it's some kind of necessity.
For every poster saying you should do it there are invariably responses saying that they're dressed in hi-viz and use more lights than a Christmas tree but they still got SMIDSY'd so don't get complacent thinking that your big-lumen lights mean you're safe.
By all means dress and use lights as you feel appropriate but it won't help to hector everyone else into doing the same.
So after all that, what about the qualities of this jacket?
Each to their own - I live in a CBD, and drive at dawn and dusk amongst many commuters, and can say as a "driver" that good lights catch my eye more than high viz clothing. Hence I choose to have good lights on my bike when I ride. However as I said - it's just an opinion, everyone has a different one and thats fine.
Observing but not really thinking clearly.
Reflectives are only passive but Lights are proactive.
If I was a driver at a T junction and pitch back you can wear any colour high vis without light and I wouldnt be able to see you coming perpedicular at me.
Want to be seen? Lights period.
Hi Stu,
Sounds like you had a great experience with the jacket, but there's one thing I can get my head around: you say that 'water doesn't bead off the Lusso... The fabric quickly looks sodden and I was waiting for that feeling of the rain starting to seep though but it never came. The membrane clearly does its job very well indeed.' Then you say 'For such a waterproof jacket, the Aqua Extreme is surprisingly breathable. That ride home, even with the full-on effort into the wind, left me barely more than moist when I removed the jacket indoors.'
This just does not make sense - moisture vapour cannot escape through the material if there is a layer of water in the way. If the water repellant treatment does not work, the jacket cannot breathe when wet.
Perhaps it was sufficiently cold you weren't sweating much?
I can see how it can be very breathable in dry weather, and very waterproof in the wet, but it needs to repel water to be breathable in really wet weather (which is what most of us are looking for in a waterproof jacket).
Am I missing something? Sounds like a great jacket and I'd love to be corrected...
Depending what fabric you are using the membrane is normally sandwiched between 2 or 3 layers of fabric. It may just be that the outer fabric doesn't have a DWR coating which is normally the thing meaning the water beads off the fabric and this is what the fabric is soaking into.
This will make the jacket slightly less breathable than if it was DWR coated but the coating does normally make a jacket less breathable as well.
Paramo are keen users of this in the walking/mountaneering scene where the fabric will get soaked but you should stay dry