dhb Droxford Jacket

We tested dhb's Wickham eVent jacket last year and gave it high praise; dhb's Droxford uses the same cut but swaps the excellent eVent fabric for a more workmanlike 2.5 layer breathable, knocking £30 off the price in the process. The resulting shell is a versatile, no-frills outer layer that's good for commuting and training.

The cut of this jacket is slightly more generous than a race-fitted outer layer, which allows you to cram another layer inside for the cold snaps. It's not so large that it gets really flappy though, and the length of the arms and drop of tail is just about spot-on for the bike. The collar is high but not too tight, with a fleece lining. It stops draughts pretty well on its own and there's space for a Buff if it gets chilly. Finishing touches are pretty minimal: there's some reflective detailing, velcro cuffs and a drawstring waist but no vents or pockets: I would have liked a chest pocket for the commute. The Droxford is available in fluoro yellow as pictured, or in black with yellow piping.

The fabric itself is a mid-level breathable, and as such it works well but has its limitiations. It's pretty thin so you'll have to work hard to cook yourself, but it's not as breathable as the eVent fabric used in the Wickham outer layer. For £30 less, though, you wouldn't really expect it to be. It's very waterproof and windproof, no complaints there. The thin fabric means it's pretty packable, at a pinch it'll roll up into a jersey pocket or a large seatpack, so it's a good option if the weather's changeable.

Our sample has been through the wash a couple of times and survived very well. The rain doesn't run off quite so well now, so sooner or later it'll need a Nikwax treatment to help the water bead on the surface and keep the fabric breathable; that's to be expected though.

Verdict

Well-made breathable jacket that offers good performance and fit