swrve Windbreaker £46

swrve is an urban clothing company hailing from Los Angeles that started life when its two founders couldn’t find any cycling shorts they were happy with. So they set out to make their own and, several years later, have a range that is slowly expanding to cover all the typical urban cyclist’s needs.

One such is the Windbreaker, a perfect accompaniment for cold windy days typical of this time of year. It uses a thin fabric that claims to be 100% windproof and water-resistant, and out in the wind the company’s claims at least stood up to the test, though it’s not nearly as windproof as some other jackets RCUK has tested recently. Under a light downpour the jacket holds up well, but as with most jackets designed to excel at stopping the wind and not the rain, you don’t want to be out in any prolonged downpours. Unless you want to get wet.

It does however score well on low overall bulk and weight, making it a good emergency shell that has be easily stashed inside a bag ready for when the wind turns. The cut is reasonably generous and is of the looser style, and there are stretchy panels on the back and armpits for better articulation. There’s the requisite long tail keeping water of your behind, the sleeves are on the long side and elastic cuffs keep matters in order around the wrists.

You don’t get a normal straight main zip with swrve, but a zip that curves its way from bottom to top. On the side are two zippered pockets which double up as air vents, with mesh liners.

Available in gold, grey and blue and sizes S, M and L.