• Montane Stormrider jacket
• £170
• www.montane.co.uk

Keen observers of the outdoor equipment scene will be familiar with Montane, but it’s not the best-known name in cycling kit. On the strength of the Stormrider jacket, though, we’d like to see it do more.

The Stormrider uses fabric-of-the-moment, eVent. More specifically, it uses eVent in its Lightweight and Super-Lightweight incarnations, with the relatively stouter fabric being used on the shoulders, back and outside of the sleeves. Water resistance is enhanced by the fully-taped seams, while a high (cosily fleece-lined) collar further keeps the elements at bay.

Montane has given the Stormrider a suitably bikey cut, with generously long (and pre-bent) arms and a sensible drop tail (long enough to be useful, not so long that you keep sitting on it or getting it hooked over the saddle when you stand up). The Velcro-adjustable cuffs are particularly well thought-out, with extra Velcro tabs to hold the adjusters in the fully-open position so they don’t flap about and enough capacity to accommodate even bulky winter gloves comfortably.

The main zip has a storm flap, secured by a press-stud at the hem and Velcro at the collar. A one-handed elasticated drawcord pulls in the hem for a snug fit and you get three pockets (two at the front, one at the back). The jacket is finished off with a smattering of 3M Scotchlite reflective dots and flashes.

In use it’s really very good indeed. The lightweight eVent fabric has a softer feel than earlier incarnations, the Stormrider is perfectly cut with room for warm layers beneath without getting stupidly baggy, it keeps the rain out as well as anything we’ve tried and is less sweaty. It’s light and rolls up small, too. The only real downside is the hefty price tag.

Ups and downs

Positives: Nigh-on faultless cut, construction and performance

Negatives: Expensive

Verdict

Fantastic jacket, but you’re going to have to be pretty serious about riding in the wet to justify the cost.

Ratings

Performance: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 5/5