Pace Racewear Winteractive £159.99
Pace 01751 432929
www.pace-racing.co.uk

We’ve spent at least the last four or five winters more or less sewn into various Winteractives from November to March. The oldest one has lost it’s DWR waterproofing layer but it’s still weather resistant enough to mean we haven’t bothered to re-proof it.

Uncompromising Yorkshire square race bike and fork builders, make uncompromising performance clothing range. Nice baggy stuff too.

Lets be clear about this. The Winteractive is a performance jacket for performance shaped people. Even those with a gymnastic background and single figure body fat % will have to fight their way in and out of the smock style jacket (unless they undo the ultra long side zips). Once it’s on though elasticated waist drawstrings and slim cut mean no bagging, snagging or billowing, and there’s enough space for a thin / mid weight underlayer without hampering movement. Velcro tab cuffs are also wide enough for rolling up without causing arm pump, and the velcro or press stud overlapped fleece lined collar gives loads of adjustment from breezy to snug strangler.

We’ve been out Winteractiving in pretty much every condition from sub zero to sub aqua with only a thin base layer underneath and we’ve never been uncomfortable. In most conditions we just wear it bareback for rapid ventilation thrills. Soft water and windproof outer fabric is backed with thin fast wicking insulation and all the holes where you stick out can be tightly sealed against the elements. Close fit also means maximum insulation.

Two handwarmer pockets on the front, and a big bum pocket give plenty of secure stowage all zipped and stormflapped up for security and dryness.

The fabric (we seem to remember it’s something clever and Scandinavian) breathability and internal comfort is significantly helped by the liner. This wicks fast enough to prevent that dreaded sweat dribble down back and bum crack even flat out, but the great joy for climate control are the ultra long armpit to hem two way vent zips. Combined with the deep throat zip and adjustable draw cords which can be used to pull the vents open further and nothing lets stem out better.

Enough reflective piping to be safe, ripstop reinforcing on the shoulders to resist persistent Camelbak chafing and big zip tabs all round for easy glove pulling. Oh and the new ones don’t do that old lycra fuzzing trick on your thighs which was the only thing we ever criticised.

If the styling and fit is good for you then this is our undisputed favourite ever winter riding jacket. Once the clocks go back we very rarely wear anything else and normally regret it one way or the other if we do. We don’t know anyone who’s regretted spending the money on one.