dhb Aeron Rain Defence Polartec Jacket

dhb's Aeron Rain Defence Polartec Jacket is a sophisticated softshell garment, designed to offer defence against rain and chill without the slightly restrictive feel of traditional shell types. Five hundred early season miles in and I'm inclined to say it delivers in pretty much every respect. That said, you'll still want a waterproof micro jacket if heavy, persistent rain is forecast.

• Pros: Copes handsomely with the British climate
• Cons: Pockets require more precise loading

dhb labels it as a jacket, but for me it is one of the jersey-cum-jacket breed. I have run it with an outer shell when the temperature has fallen notably below the cited operating range, but I would struggle to fit a jersey and a baselayer beneath – something I would expect to do with a jacket.

> Buy this online here

Also, the extended tail is longer than a jersey's but shorter than a traditional two/three-layer laminate jacket.

The jacket's Polartec Power Shell Pro softshell fabric is engineered for temperatures between 8 and 14°C and to provide water resistance, warmth and, crucially, breathability.

In the main I've been mightily impressed. It really nails the design brief, and the British climate.

Performance

Climate control is remarkably good. Many polyester-based garments (the majority fabric here, though the underarms are 84% polyamide and 16% elastane) manage to deliver below the cited operating temperature, but I've felt completely temperate between 6 and 15°C, which is typical of temperature fluctuations during spring.

Even at the upper end, paired with a polyester baselayer, I've remained temperate and wicking has proved refreshingly good: a very faint glow struck around the armpits, chest and lower back, but nowhere near clammy.

Its windproofing capability suggests dhb has got the density bang on, too. Cold, blustery winds have been a constant during our test period. I could feel these tickling the outer layers but never penetrating, inducing a smug 'I'm all right Jack' inner smile.

As regards waterproofing, we are talking highly water-resistant: persistent showery rain just beads up, sitting on the surface, and it's much the same story with more moderate precipitation. Bargain on 90 minutes before you start noticing any faint dampness.

> Buyer's Guide: 21 of the best waterproof jackets

A break in the weather, coupled with a moderate breeze, will wick it dry in around 15 minutes.

With its slim design, the 'jacket' can be worn under an outer layer with relative ease: in more persistent, heavy rain I've reached for my B'Twin 900 Ultralight Showerproof jacket mainstay, and when the temperature has dipped to 3°C I've tucked it under a dhb Flashlight Force Waterproof Jacket as a mid-layer, to good effect.

Features and detailing

Features-wise, it's what I'd expect from this genre of garment. The tail is long enough to minimise the impact of spray and chill, while the silicone hem prevents it creeping up when hunkered low for long periods.

The pockets are generally well configured. There are four in total, although the middle 'pump' sleeve proved a little tricky to locate. The fourth is a zippered side-entry design for change/valuables. These pockets aren't waterproof in the sense of a shell jacket, but extended storm flaps help keep persistent, squally showers from working inside.

In the main, I like the pocket structure. Their depth and clingy elastics hold bottles, phones and other essentials securely, even when I've been exploring dirt roads, while keeping contents accessible.

The collar features a garage for the zipper tag, which is pretty standard these days, particularly at this end of the market, though a looped tag would have made adjusting the zip mid-ride that bit easier.

Fluoro green sleeves are a bold contrast to the navy-blue body, but they suit the early season brief perfectly. Stealth retro-reflective piping is strategically located, so you're easily picked up by vehicle headlights without being overly conspicuous.

Cut/sizing

The Aeron Rain Defence Polartec Jacket comes in gender-specific cuts, which is just as it should be (women's version here). It's a snug, figure-hugging but unrestrictive cut. These days, I'm medium by most brands' sizing charts and this felt tailor-made.

Being proportionally shorter in the torso, for me the jacket offered some additional protection to the lower back and vital organs. Sleeves and cuffs were spot on, finishing at the wrist and facilitating a generous, weather-cheating overlap with full-finger gloves.

I do a fair bit of mixed terrain riding and the fabric has held its own against brambles and other overgrown foliage common to bridleways. There's no need to 'baby' it when washing, either. Just ensure you've closed the zippers, then pop in with the normal load at 30-40 degrees with minimal detergent.

Value

The Aeron Rain Defence isn't the most expensive jacket we've tested, though it's not cheap; I'd say upper end of the mid-range.

It's £30 less than the Fat Lad At The Back Next Generation, but £50 more than the B'Twin 900, which looks to have a high spec for the money.

Conclusion

I've been seriously impressed by the performance offered by the Aeron Rain Defence. It's not cheap, and you'll still want a shell-type micro jacket when it's raining cats and dogs. Nonetheless, the it's been my go-to through a windy, wild and occasionally very damp March.

Verdict

Slightly pricey but extremely competent 'bridge' top for changeable conditions