Triban Winter Jacket RC500

The Triban Men's Winter Jacket RC500 is definitely one for when the temperature drops as it keeps out wind and traps in warmth. It's not the most breathable jacket I've worn, but it works with minimal layering and you really can't beat the quality or attention to detail for the money.

• Pros: Loads of pockets; great windblocker; underarm vents work well
• Cons: Tail could be dropped a little further for full coverage; can get warm when working hard

I really like the styling of the new Triban jackets. The reflective stripes on one side of the chest and the opposing sleeve look cool (admittedly with us riding on the left it doesn't work that well for turning across traffic) and the overall finish is top notch.

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Being a softshell, the Triban offers plenty of windproofing, and though not fully waterproof it does offer a decent level of water repellency in light showers. It's very comfortable: the soft fabric feels very pleasant to wear, and while Triban isn't Decathlon's 'performance' range, the cut is still on the racy side, with just a little bit of extra room for those of us who aren't blessed with a pro's physique.

My body normally runs pretty warm, so underneath jackets I tend to only wear a baselayer rather than squeezing a jersey in as well, and this is definitely what I did with the RC500. When riding hard on the flat or grinding uphill you can heat up pretty quickly in this. While the long vents do a very good job of expelling some of the warmth, I could still be in a summer baselayer for temperatures well below 10°C, only switching to a long sleeved winter version as the mercury nudged freezing.

You don't need a jersey either, as the RC500 has everything you need in terms of storage: four pockets along the rear, consisting of two wide ones in place of the traditional three…

…and another two either side that are easy to reach and ideal for gels, bars and the like to save you stopping in the cold.

You also get a zipped valuables pocket at the rear, and another on the chest.

Other neat touches include a removable snood/neck warmer that buttons inside the collar to give extra protection…

…and the wrists are lined to sit inside your gloves while the outer goes over the top to stop any gaps and wind entering.

In the saddle I found there to be plenty of length in the arms when riding in the drops, and the front is short enough to not cause too much material bunching when crouched over.

The rear could do with being a touch longer for a bit more protection from the elements, but at least it covers all the way to the bottom of your back; that is my only real criticism.

If black isn't your thing then this RC500 is also available in Teal Blue.

Value

When it comes to value for money, the Triban scores well at just £54.99.

It's heavier, as in thicker, than most of the softshells we've tested recently, and will no doubt run to cooler temperatures than something like the £90 dhb Classic fit Softshell Roubaix jacket.

> Buyer's Guide: 23 of the best winter cycling jackets

Giving it a good run for its money, though, is the Galibier Mistral Foul Weather Jacket that Dave found to be excellent last year, and is still available for just over 70 quid. It is more waterproof than the Triban and offers a bit more in the way of breathability.

Overall, the RC500 works really well in single figure temperatures and will cope fine when things are sub-zero. Its breathability isn't perfect but there really is a lot to like here and at a decent price too.

Verdict

Not the most breathable softshell out there, but comes with plenty of neat touches and loads of pockets