Written by David Guest

The Cannondale Performance Softshell Jacket is a well-fitted jacket with plenty of technical features in a package that can easily be worn off the bike without ridicule.

What they say: The Cannondale Performance Softshell Jacket offers you protection for winter riding or jetting around town.

What it is: The Performance Softshell jacket from Cannondale offers a perfect middle ground between a technical winter cycling jacket and a stylish cycling fashion item. The jacket is designed in the famous black and green of this American cycling giant but in a subtle and tasteful way that doesn’t scream ‘I’m a cyclist, look at me,’ to the untrained eye. But don’t let its well-styled good looks fool you, this jacket performs in cold weather.

It features what Cannondale calls an Arctic Barrier, which in real terms means it is very effective at killing wind chill and holding onto your body’s own heat. Another nice feature is the long cut of the cuffs, which stay in place on the back of your hand through a range of movement and don’t ride up. The rear of the jersey is also slightly longer to prevent revealing any gaps in your armour against the cold.

Good sized rear pockets and two side pockets are accompanied by a chest pocket that features a small hole for a headphone cable to escape through. We wouldn’t recommend headphones while riding, but this is a nice feature for when you wear it off the bike – a nice touch for commuters.

The only real stumbling block over this product is the price, however it is a premium brand the quality ensures it will last.

Who it’s good for: This jacket offers terrific performance and can be worn in a good range of weather. Also perfect for commuters as it looks just as good off the bike as on it.