The Altura Nightvision Storm Men’s Waterproof Jacket is a well-designed, well-executed weather-cheating option for commuting and general riding. And the styling, which is just the right side of technical, means it doesn’t look out of place if you’re wearing street clothes or even off the bike. It struggles a little in terms of breathability if you’re pushing the pace in milder weather, but for shorter commutes when you’re not in a hurry, it’s fine.
> Buy now: Altura Nightvision Storm Men’s Waterproof Jacket for £70 from Altura
Specification
The Altura Nightvision range is something of an institution among British cyclists and I still have a couple that are going strong a decade or so down the line. This version is made from a rugged polyester with the 10,000mm waterproofing and breathability figures typical for a jacket at this sort of price.
Internally, we have a laminated layer with taped seams to lock the elements out.
There’s also a ventilation panel across the shoulders and zippered pits to help you regulate your temperature, by allowing heat to escape and let cooler air in. The fleece-lined collar, adjustable cuffs and drawstring hem provide a tailored fit, while helping to keep the wind and rain out.
You can choose from a fluoro yellow, bright orange or our test navy blue, which I think looks fetching. All three employ extensive retro-reflective detailing, which brings the jacket alive under vehicle headlights and dark roads.
Its pockets are subtle, well-designed and proportioned. Round the back there’s a side-entry poacher’s pocket on the right-hand side, with the zipper hiding behind a storm flap and with a sensibly proportioned tag.
There’s also a chest – or Napoleon – pocket, which will comfortably swallow a larger smartphone, wallet, or camera. Again, it has a high-quality zipper with a sensibly proportioned tag, so you can access its contents mid-ride without having to remove your winter-weight gloves.
I do think it’s a shame that Altura has dispensed with the hip pockets for this model. These were perfect for your hands when you were mooching about off the bike, and though it’s not a deal breaker, it does mean it lacks a little of the versatility of the older jacket.
Sizing and fit
Altura has traditionally been a little on the generous side and this version of the Nightvision Storm is described as having a ‘relaxed’ cut. Think slightly looser to accommodate technical layers or even non-cycling clothing underneath, rather than ‘baggy’.
I tested a large, which gave a good, flattering fit for my 1.81m, 70kg frame. While on paper, medium might have hit the sweetest spot, I’m much broader across the shoulders than my stature and build might otherwise suggest.
The dropped tail offers excellent defence against spray and spatter, while the front is high enough so that you don’t catch it on the nose when you’re swiftly mounting or dismounting.
Weatherproofing
The jacket’s arrival handily coincided with some seriously stormy conditions – perfect for assessing the fabric’s water-repelling properties.
Out came the gravel bike, on went the waterproof booties and out to the waterlogged lanes we went. During a 90-minute ride in steady, persistent rain I remained perfectly dry, and the same was true for the pockets and their cargo.
Nothing whatsoever snuck its way inside, with the high collar, fleece lining and adjustable cuffs foiling the best efforts of the weather.
It was the same story when blustery crosswinds were thrown into the mix, and there’s something very satisfying about watching heavy rain bead up on the jacket’s surface and roll away, and to have icy winds thwarted.
And on extended rides up to three hours it continued to perform well – my tights and cap might have been soggy, but my upper body was completely dry.
On one ride I threw in some green lanes and forest trails, and I was impressed by how well the mucky stuff failed to adhere to the jacket’s surface.
Nightvision by name & nature
The jacket lives up to its Nightvision name too, with the retro-reflectives brilliant – both figuratively and literally – bringing the garment to life under vehicle and street lighting.
A neighbour following me commented this was particularly apparent when I was signalling, joining the flow of traffic or exiting roundabouts. These are all occasions when you really want to be seen.
One of the brighter jackets would have had the edge in very foggy conditions, but the combination of the blue jacket’s reflectives and my lights in their flashing modes meant I was suitably conspicuous.
Breathability
The Nightvision Storm’s breathability is good, if not on a par with the higher-spec Nightvision Typhoon I reviewed in 2020. The Storm is a little heavier, which might be a contributing factor.
My first few outings were ridden in temperatures around 5-8°C and I was able to cruise along very comfortably at 17mph with the armpit zips partly open. It felt typical of a jacket with a 10,000mm breathability rating, and the ventilation panels did a decent job.
Things did get a bit sweatier around the back when I was wearing a cycling-specific rucksack, though of course you could always carry kit on your bike rather than your back.
When things turned milder, around 11°C or so, I found myself warmer than I’d expected after riding for 50 minutes at a steady 18mph – something that didn’t happen when I wore the Typhoon in comparable conditions – but I probably wouldn’t want to commute longer than a 10-mile round trip in this.
Altura makes no claims about packability, and if conditions do take an unexpected turn towards milder or drier, we’re talking more pannier or bag than jersey pocket.
Care and durability
The jacket has seen a fair bit of action and to date, during which it shrugged off thorns and other foliage without issue.
If it does get wet, leave it unfolded to dry naturally. The washing instructions are the familiar 30°C machine wash with minimal detergent, before once again leaving it to dry naturally.
Value
The Nightvision’s £100 price is pretty competitive given the level of its spec and the quality of its design. But there is a lot of choice out there.
While arguably more of a mountain biking or gravel crossover jacket, the £99.99 Madison Roam Men’s 2-layer Waterproof Jacket also features 10,000mm waterproof and breathability ratings. It also has a hood, two hip pockets and a breast pocket, and in spite of the relaxed cut, it doesn’t billow like a builder’s tarp. However, it does lack the Altura’s reflective details.
Also from Madison, and a good option for shorter commutes if you’re on a budget, is its Stellar Ultra Reflective Men’s Waterproof Jacket that costs just £79.99. This is both bright and waterproof though breathability is limited and it only has a single pocket.
Spend more and you’ve got the likes of the Showers Pass Elements Jacket. It’s aimed more at mountain bikers but has impressive 15,000mm breathability and waterproofing ratings and it’s lighter too – though it’s £75 heavier on your wallet.
Want something lighter and more packable? The £99.99 Oxford Venture might fit the bill. I used one for a few years and found it offered a decent blend of waterproofing and breathability.
For more options at a wide range of prices, check out our best winter cycling jackets buyer’s guide.
Conclusion
The Altura Nightvision Storm is a well-designed technical jacket with definite charm and plus points. Its breathability could be better, but this tends to be most apparent on longer, faster-paced outings, and if you’re looking for a top for shorter, less intense rides, this isn’t an issue. The relaxed cut means you can layer up underneath and use it for walking as well as cycling, the navy colour hides grime well and the reflectives are excellent. It’s a shame that it doesn’t have hip pockets, though.
> Buy now: Altura Nightvision Storm Men’s Waterproof Jacket for £70 from Altura
Verdict
Good detailing and excellent waterproofing but the lack of hip pockets may limit its appeal
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Altura Nightvision Storm Men’s Waterproof Jacket
Size tested: Large
Tell us what the jacket is for and who it’s aimed at.
Altura says: “Durable waterproof protection, reflective detailing, breathable comfort, lightweight packability, and wind resistance for all-weather rides.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?
Fully waterproof including taped seams
10k/10k waterproof and breathability
Silver reflective print
Underarm and back vents
Two hand pockets, chest and back pockets
Fleece-lined collar
Relaxed fit
Solidly made throughout.
Generally very good, especially the weatherproofing, though it can struggle to keep pace in terms of breathability when you’re riding at a faster pace in milder weather. The absence of hip pockets also means that this version of the Nightvision jackets lacks the versatility of some of its predecessors. This is particularly the case if you were looking for a commuter jacket that you could also use for walking and general off-the-bike use.
It’s well made, the zippers feel sturdy, and the fabric shows no signs of wear despite riding through forest trails and bridlepaths.
No issues with waterproofing – highly weatherproof, even in heavy, sustained rainfall.
It’s pretty much on a par with other, similar jackets at around this price, although if I was riding at a relatively quick tempo it could become clammy. This is much less likely to be an issue for moderately paced riding and journeys under 10 miles or so, which will take in a lot of commuting trips.
Altura describes the fit as relaxed, which you shouldn’t interpret as meaning that it’s ‘baggy’. Instead, it’s a fit that accommodates cycling-specific and street clothes, extending its horizons to uses beyond cycling.
Altura’s size guide is very accurate. I can fall between sizes, and though the large was a good fit, it was arguably a little long in the arms for me.
The 498g weight for the large isn’t outlandish, though the extra weight over lighter, c300g waterproof jackets may help explain why it’s less breathable than some.
Generally good. The only exception when was when I was pushing harder on longer outings in milder temperatures, when it became a little clammy.
Just above average, given the specification and overall performance.
How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very straightforward and the navy colour helps to hide those spillages and everyday grime longer. Otherwise, pop it in the wash at 30°C with minimal detergent and allow it to dry naturally.
Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose
In cooler, very wet conditions, the Nightvision Storm’s qualities come into their own. The fabric, zippers, fleece-lined collar, and Velcro cuffs kept out heavy, persistent rain. Breathability is best thought of as middling to good rather than great in milder temperatures. The retro-reflective detailing is extremely effective, illuminated by vehicle headlights and street lighting but without looking out of place when you’re off the bike. I’m a little lost as to why Altura has disbanded the hip pockets, though, which would have added to the jacket’s versatility.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket
Very waterproof, subtle colour, deep breast and rear pockets, effective retro-reflectives.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket
The absence of hip pockets and middling breathability when you’re riding faster in milder conditions.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The Nightvision’s £100 price is pretty competitive given the level of its spec and the quality of its design.
For basically the same money, the Madison Roam also features 10K waterproof and breathability ratings, plus a hood, two hip pockets and a breast pocket, but it lacks the Altura’s reflective details. The same company’s Stellar Ultra Reflective Waterproof Jacket is cheaper at just £79.99, and is both bright and waterproof, but its breathability is limited and it only has a single pocket.
Spend more and you’ve got the likes of the Showers Pass Elements Jacket. It’s aimed more at mountain bikers but has impressive 15K breathability and waterproofing ratings and it’s lighter too – though £75 heavier on your wallet.
Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes, generally.
Would you consider buying the jacket? Possibly
Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Perhaps – for commuting and less intense riding.
Use this box to explain your overall score
Overall, the Altura Nightvision Storm is a good option for wet-weather commuting and general, less intense riding. Forgoing the hip pockets feels like a backward step, though, and its breathability isn’t as good as its slightly more expensive sibling.
About the tester
Age: 52 Height: 1m 81cm Weight: 70kg
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
