jacket Archives

There are any number of cycling jackets available with a decent amount of reflectives built in � would you even consider one without? � but the Proviz REFLECT360 Cycling Jacket really takes things to a whole other level.

Available in both men�s and women�s cuts this arguably isn�t the style of jacket you might train in for speed, but its on-bike uses � from commute to general ride-wear and even MTB or pre-race warmth � are undeniable and, because it�s constructed with a 100% reflective outer-shell it lights up like a beacon.

The REFLECT360 incorporates multiple vents with the underarm/side vents zippered for regulating temperature and when, zipped to the max, the jacket provides credible wind-stopping properties. There�s an inner mesh that holds the shell away from the body, preventing potential clamminess, and two generous, zipped, chest pockets for essentials in addition to a zipped lumbar pocket large enough for route details or maps.

Although initial impressions are of bulk, the 600g jacket feels less weighty on than we had imagined, and the level of comfort impressed. The collar is soft-lined, the cuffs Velcro adjusted with a numb-finger-friendly rubberised tab and the waist fitted left and right with bungee cords for fine-tuning. Even without the exceptional reflective abilities � like Tron on a bike � the REFLECT360 is a more than decent cycling jacket; factor the added safety value in and it quite literally shines.

The Proviz REFLECT360 Cycling Jacket retails at a not-unreasonable �79.99 � almost half the price of the similarly reflective, but obviously sleeveless, Nike Flash Gilet � which despite being largely targeted at runners has good application for bike safety too.

Further details and online purchase of the Proviz REFLECT360 Cycling Jacket at�provizsports.com

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Montane have long enjoyed an incredible reputation for ultra-light gear and the Featherlite Velo H2O Jacket is, Cyclo thinks, such an essential piece of kit that it should ship with every bike purchased. The weight � or perhaps lack of � is the first thing you will notice about the Velo; the medium size hefts in at a mere 150g (5.3oz) with the large adding but a few grams to that. So what? You might think � anyone can make a light jacket, it just won�t keep the weather on the outside! But here�s the thing: The Velo does. And some. The shell is made from FREEFLOW� H2O � which actually means a 43g/m� 30 denier nylon with a PU coating � that keeps all but the mightiest of downpours at bay, is incredibly wind resistant those steep, fast downhills, but remarkably breathable on the long slogs up. When things heat up there are also good rear vents incorporated and when things get really hot the whole jacket packs down into its own mini stuff-sac, barely the size of a tennis ball, for easy stowage.

Want more? Being Montane�s bike-specific model, the Velo is cut to fit the rider with a longer tail section than their other products, has fully taped seams for comfort and more than adequate 360� reflectives thanks to the incorporated 3M Scotchlite. The manufacturers recommend that to maintain the full water repellent properties that the Velo should be re-proofed every six months, for which they suggest Nikwax TX Direct widely available online.

The Montane Featherlite Velo H2O Jacket comes in three colour combinations � blue/silver, black/silver and yellow/silver, although the �silver� element in each combo is really just detailing. The jackets retail in the region of �80.00.