A lightweight jacket is likely to be taken on a ride as an alternative to a gilet, when there’s a distinct chill in the air, steady rain is falling or you’re expecting a downpour.

Like a gilet, however, it should be light and small enough to stow in a jersey pocket to prevent that boil-in-the-bag feeling when, or if, the sun does come out.

Owing to their compact nature, many lightweight jackets are only water resistant, rather than fully waterproof, but many will still keep out persistent rain in all but the heaviest downpours.

Sportful’s Hotpack jacket weighs a scant 50g and offers a good fit, and a windproof and water resistant shell, while the Assos sJ.blitzFeder jacket is a premium alternative.

Like the Hotpack jacket, it’s water resistant and windproof, and the addition of mesh panels make it more breathable than most. Assos advertise it as a spring and autumn jacket but, with them being Swiss and us British, it’ll get plenty of use on inclement summer days too.