The sizing info on the website – ‘Size M, 35-37in’ – is off the M was visibly baggy on me. Only the Lusso, which is more rainproof, did as good a job in the winter chill. As well as having plenty of polyester bulk, there’s a Gore Windstopper membrane sandwiched between fleecy inner and brushed outer. The Gore C5 Gore Windstopper: so good they named it twice? It is an excellent windproof. There are reflective accents on the arms and dropped rear tail. Sizing is tighter than average I only just fitted the Small.
Those water-resistant panels are equally good at keeping out windchill, while the jersey-style rear panel allows excess heat to escape better there. There’s no microporous membrane it’s a mix of polyester and elastane. There are water-resistant panels on the front, sides, and shoulders, but they’re not enough if it starts tipping down. Madison's Roadrace Apex is a good choice for rides that are cold but not especially wet. It’s very stretchy and the fit is good, close, and accurate, other than the overlong arms. There’s subtle (in daylight) reflectivity across the chest and upper arms, and more at the rear hem. The thermal fabric is treated for water repellency but it’s better at wicking sweat out than stopping rain coming in. But I always took, and often wore, a gilet as well. Cycling at a decent tempo, I found it warm enough with a base layer for higher single digit temperatures.
More jersey than jacket, as the name says, it’s a thinner and lighter top. The orange colour is loud and the long dropped-tail rear highly reflective. The size S fitted me (37in chest) perfectly. It’s so cosy that I wouldn’t expect to get much non-winter use from it. It’s heavier than the non-Extreme version, having a thermal lining, so it’s warmer. It’s the only softshell here that will stand up to proper rain – although, given the stitched seams, it’s not impermeable. Like that, it’s made in Britain from Windtex Storm Shield Fabric, a laminate with a waterproof (to 10,000mm) membrane in the middle. This is essentially a colder-weather version of the Lusso Aqua Repel. That’s primarily road cycling, including club riding, audax events, and training, but they’re also good for mountain biking. Softshells are best for cycling that involves pushing on rather than pottering, and where a hardshell waterproof would be too flappy or too hot. As such, it doesn’t matter that they’re designed to keep you comfortable rather than completely dry. You wear one over a baselayer, with bike kit. Unlike hardshell waterproof jackets, which function fine off the bike and can be worn over normal clothing, softshells are cycling specific. But like a jersey, they’re stretchy and tight-fitting rather than loose and crinkly, with elasticated pockets in the back.
#Lusso aqua extreme repel v2 jacket full#
They have a full front zip, a high neck, and reflective detailing. They’re windproof, or at least wind resistant, and either showerproof or rainproof, thanks to water-repellent fabric and/or a microporous membrane. Like a jacket, they’ll keep out the worst of the weather. Winter softshells blur the line between jacket and jersey.
Getting sponsorship to cycle for Cycling UK.
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