dhb Classic Rain Shell Jacket

The fit is decent and I had no issues with comfort. The cut is fairly relaxed too, so it should suit a wide range of riders. There is plenty to like about this jacket — the dropped
tail is a good size and the stuff pocket is really useful as it means you don’t have to awkwardly fumble under the jacket to find your jersey pockets.

The jacket also packs down to the size of a jersey pocket, quickly and easily. However, the zip isn’t perfect. It would be better with a toggle on it or something that is more accessible on the move.

Our testing suggested the waterproofing was very good and it is fair to assume that the DWR coating will diminish over time. Dhb also offers an eVent fabric jacket for £100, which is also well worth a look at.

The dhb Classic Rain Shell Jacket does what it says on the tin, at a price that would get you an arm and half a collar from some other brands...If what you want is a jacket that fits in a pocket and will keep you dry in a downpour, look no further...Waterproof fabrics have come on amazingly in the last few years, and now if a fabric doesn't have a hydrostatic head of 10,000mm and vapour transmission of 30,000ml per square meter per day, it's just rubbish. dhb have specced a no-brand fabric that meets this performance minimum, and have tape-sealed no fewer than twenty panels into a more-or-less snug fit on the bike; I'm a 37in chest / 33in waist, and it fitted near perfectly...The collar sits pleasingly high and stiff enough to keep water off the neck, and it's lightly brushed for comfort...and a few splashes of reflective trim on arms, chest, back and bum to highlight yourself on the road. The thick red stripe around the chest will do nicely for 'styling'...The arms end in elastic (no thumb loops, velcro, laser-cut gauntlety-bits or whatnot here), and they do the job. Even on pretty nippy descents the arms didn't balloon or ride up...There is a pocket in the jacket itself accessed by a vertical zip on the right, which is actually designed as a stuff sac for when the jacket's not needed...When worn the pocket easily swallows spares, food and phone, but the off-centre location might mean it would drag down to the right if loaded. The fabric's the same 2.5-layer waterproof as the rest but the zip is not waterproof, so don't think this is a safe place for an uncased mobile or electronic car keys...Sitting up and unzipping/unfurling the dhb shell from its stuff sac was easy, and it went on as the first few drops hit...All in all, for £50 you can't go wrong; if that's your budget you won't be disappointed. And if you're after a B-jacket for commuting or muddy bridleway bashing where the risk of errant branches tearing sleeves puts you off wearing the Wet Sunday Best, the dhb Classic Rain Shell Jacket is just the ticket...

For fifty quid the dhb Classic Rain Shell Jacket redefines what a mid-priced waterproof can be