Mountain biking in the winter is so much more bearable with some decent clobber, and a decent jacket to fend off the wind and rain is a must. This jacket from Scott meets all the requirements for a mountain bike winter jacket, and don’t worry, other colours are available.

It’s constructed from Gore’s popular Windstopper fabric along with a fleecy Super Roubaix fabric that combine, with smartly shaped panels, to produce a jacket that keeps the wind out and stop the chill from ruining a ride. A water repellent finish keeps most of the rain out, though it’s not a waterproof rain jacket, but for most wet and muddy rides it copes just fine.

A tall collar, dropped tail and hem lined with sticky silicone tape are just some of the nice details. Another is the elasticated double cuff that is not only comfortable but forms a tight seal around the wrist, preventing the weather sneaking up your arms. A zip garage (a folded section of fabric at the neck) keeps the camlock zip puller from irritating the neck. You get three pockets around the back, but it would be nice to get a zipped chest pocket as well please Mr Scott.

As well as keeping the wind and rain out, the jacket lets heat you generate through hard riding escape. The breathability is very good. Even so, Scott have included two small zipped ventilation ports located on the front side of the upper arms and large mesh panels across the top of the shoulders, to help regulate the temperature. I didn’t experience any horrible overheating in this jacket, even when layered up for the current cold weather and slogging up steep hills.

Scott claim a working temperature range of -1°C to +7°C, and my testing would certainly back up that claim. It’s been that cold recently and the jacket has been my go-to choice for all rides. Paired with a couple of layers – a short sleeve base layer and long sleeve mid layer is my favoured combination – the jacket provides all the insulation you need on the coldest night rides. Better still, it keeps you toasty even when hanging around at the top of the hill having a chat, principally because the breathability is sufficient to prevent the under layers from getting clammy with sweat build up.

The lime green colour is a bit lurid to say the least, but after a few weeks of wearing it the colour has grown on me. There’s a black colourway option if the green scares you. It did me when it first turned up. You get a load of reflective details around the front and back which is ideal for heading along the road to the trail on night rides, and makes it a good jacket for commuting as well.

Verdict

A really good winter jacket offering decent warmth, wind and rain protection and a good fit

More information: Scott AS Plus Premium jacket
Price: £134.99

What Scott says

Make this Windstopper® top layer jacket your best friend for rides on windy days. The ventilation zippers in the upper arms ensure body temperature control, while the reflective details on the front and back guarantee the best visibility. This jacket will keep you comfortable and protected regardless of the storm.