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Jackets
Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket
Cyclodelic Edwardian women's jacket

Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket

6
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Dec 5, 2010

0
£250.00

VERDICT:

6
10
Good looking well featured designer waterproof jacket, but for that money- not perfect enough
Weight: 
600g
Contact: 
www.cyclodelic.co.uk
How we test

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Known for bringing a little street chic into cycling, women’s specific brand Cyclodelic specialize in lovingly made, carefully designed pieces of fashion that are functional too. The Edwardian Waterproof Jacket is a good example. Conceived to be a winter conditions waterproof that looks as good off the bike as on, it’s anything but ‘just another waterproof’.

Made from a soft to the touch peachskin like polyester microfibre fabric with PU coating, it’s also lined with cosy fleece. The shape of both the body and sleeves is innovative and unusual, to give an overall stylish effect. Even the use of contrasting metal YKK zips (in a gold finish with Red jacket or a choice of black or gold for Black jacket) has been carefully considered, as have the violet tinted reflective tabs.

Shape wise, the jacket is actually a little on the short side. Even for my none-too-tall 5ft 5 frame, the jacket barely covered me at the rear. For taller women this would be a problem. Across the shoulders is also a neat fit. Even the size large (which Cylodelic compare to a 14) I tried (larger than I would normally take) was not roomy at the shoulders, yet had plenty of length at the sleeve and was not tight at the hip.

Fit aside, the jacket was comfortable in use, although with the fleece lining it did run very warm, so would be best suited to super cold rides or a more sedate pace. There are no pit zips to mitigate this. Whilst the fabric did keep the rain out, the surface did wet out slightly, which has the psychological effect of making you worry about the rain getting in eventually, no matter how waterproof you know the fabric is. The high quality metal zips also take some bedding in, being quite stiff at the start, and not easily managed with one hand.

It’s an undeniably attractive jacket, and lovingly made in England, but for £250 it’s just not quite there yet.

Sizes available: Small (UK size 10), Medium (UK size 12) large (UK size 14)

Verdict

Good looking well featured designer waterproof jacket, but for that money- not perfect enough.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket

Size tested: L

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at women who want something a bit out of the ordinary. Style led but functional, specifically for female cyclists. Ideal for road cycling, commuting, running and hiking

Great looks and certainly different. Buyers are likely to be those buying designer clothing normally.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Outer: Medium weight hydrophillic PU coated peachskin polyester microfibre with teflon on the face. Soft, lightweight, breathable and quick drying.

Lining: 100% polyester microfibre fleece. This is a lightweight performance fleece, which because of the microfibre yarn results in a soft chamois-like finish.

Zips: Metal YKK Excella zip in a choice of gold or gun black.

Details: Contrasting violet reflective stripes have been positioned for maximum visibility on rear zips and at sides of the jacket.

Features:

• Easy reach rear cycling pockets

• Subtle heart stitch detail around pockets

• Glamorous signature kimono cut adds ease across back for a good fit whilst cycling

• Slim tailored fit at waist and hips

• Cut lower at the back

• Made in England

• Windproof, Waterproof and Breathable

• Extra long sleeves

• High collar

• Reflective piping at rear zip pockets and hips

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made, with excellent quality components. Zips are a little stiff and would probably need some bedding in. Hard to operate one handed.

Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10

Kept the rain out and the wearer warm, but a little over warm in all but the coldest conditions at low effort.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Seems well made and should last.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
5/10

Quite weighty due to the fleecy lining.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very comfortable on cold days, but overwarm for anything more energetic than moderate cycling.

Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

Poor value for money for an all purpose waterproof jacket, but probably average value taking into account its stylishness, cachet and designer status, and its wearability as a street jacket.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed adequately.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The shape of the sleeves. The fabric.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The short cut.

Narrowness of shoulders.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly. Would prefer it with some modifications.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Probably not.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

So nearly there with design and on/off bike wearability, but not quite close enough to warrant the £250 price tag.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

women's cycling jacket
waterproof jacket
Cyclodelic Edwardian Waterproof Jacket
Cyclodelic
Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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