Vulpine Women's Ultralight Quilted Thermal Jacket

Being one of nature's cold people, I was unprepared for the level of warmth provided by the Vulpine Ultralight Quilted Thermal Jacket. This jacket managed to stave off -3 °C mornings and left me opening the zip.

In surveys safety is singled out as one of the main reasons women cycle less than men. For me it's not that, it's comfort. I hate being cold, wet or generally uncomfortable when riding. Therefore, any clothing that gets me out for longer on my bike is A Good Thing.

Everything about this jacket has been designed for comfort. From the fleece lined pockets (mmm) and collar which both approximate a moleskin level of fine fleece comfort, to the eminently strokable outer layer. The where-you'd-find-them-on-a-non-cycling-jacket pockets have little leather pull tags, and there are additional pockets inside the chest and on the rear. The cuffs are soft and stretchy, though they're not at all water-resistant so you will need to pop some long gloves on over them if it is chucking it down outside.

The main material is silky smooth and I have been very worried about snagging it, though that worry has been unfounded as yet. Some of the threads on the quilting have snagged, but nothing that is noticable unless you are looking for them. The tougher shoulder material goes some way to offset any delicateness, as this gives additional protection from bag straps and the like.

It is an expensive jacket, but I've been wearing mine daily so the cost per wear is on the decrease. It's the gold standard Primaloft filling which really bumps up the price, but the trade off is a light as a feather slim jacket, as warm as anything you will find in the Ski section of Sports R Us.

You are also paying for the cut. I was pretty concerned about the Michelin Man effect with what is effectively a bike-specific quilted bomber jacket. I worried needlessly. The cut is excellent - figure-skimming and flattering, so even the XL jacket pulled off tasteful not tyre-like.

It has a slightly lower cut back, but this is not a jacket for speeding along in the drops: you'd overheat in seconds. This is a jacket for cycling to work in, then the pub, and then taking the dog for a once round the park in. Normal life, in fact, including being on a bike.

When dirty, the Ultralight can be thrown in the machine, unlike the down equivalents, and the quilting keeps all the Primaloft filling exactly where it is supposed to be. While it's not billed as a waterproof coat, taking it out of the wash shows just how quickly this jacket dries out again after a "30 degree, wash with similar colours" downpour. The cuffs stay wet longest; a quicker-drying fabric here would be nice.

The Ultralight comes in Charcoal grey (tested) and Dutch orange for those who prefer their clothing cheerier. Regular readers will know I love the grey. I would have expected a discreet reflective along the hem or zip, especially as this is a jacket for riding in poor conditions.

Verdict

Wear-it-everyday jacket that's also great to cycle in when it's cold