Altura Podium Night Vision Waterproof Jacket

The Altura Podium Night Vision Waterproof Jacket is a bit of a gem: a slim-fitting jacket that provides very good waterproofing and packs down small enough to stow easily in a rear pocket.

When you think of Altura you probably think of commuter-type products, but the UK brand also has a full sports-orientated range these days, and the Podium waterproof jacket falls well within that category.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

First things first: how waterproof is it? Well, Altura says the fabrics it uses (mainly nylon with stretchy polyester panels) have a waterproof rating of 7,000mm. That means this jacket should be able to withstand moderate rain, and that has been my experience. Water doesn't get through in this type of condition. The zip isn't waterproof but it has a storm flap behind it that does a pretty good job of stopping water seeping through.

There was one gap of about 0.5cm in the seam taping around one of the shoulders of our review sample, and after several washes a small area of tape has puckered a tiny amount, but on the whole the taping is good and it looks like the Podium will continue keeping the rain out for a long time.

Of course, a bin bag would stop the rain if you didn't mind getting incredibly sweaty inside; breathability is equally important, and the Podium does well on that score. Altura says that it has a breathability rating of 20,000g, which is high. You don't get any vents here, other than the front zip – Altura has clearly tried to keep the bulk down – so your ability to control the internal atmosphere is limited in that way, but the Podium's fabrics do allow plenty of damp vapour to escape so you stay comfortable.

The thing I like most about the Podium is the cut. Altura calls it a 'performance fit' and I found it to be pretty close (that's not me in the photos). I really don't get on with big, bulky jackets – they flap about and water gets caught in the folds – but this one is slim in both the body and the arms. That could be uncomfortable but for the fact that Altura has included stretchy panels around the shoulders and the tops of the arms – the bits you're likely to bend.

The jacket is cut fairly short at the front so it doesn't ruck up when you bend forward on your bike, while the cuffs are made from a stretchy tape like you often find at the ends of shorts' legs, so you get a close and comfortable fit. They're not waterproof, though, so you need to position them carefully if you want to avoid getting damp wrists and hands.

I certainly found the sleeves long enough, and the same goes for the tail, which provides good protection from road spray if you're riding without mudguards.

The Podium folds easily into its own zipped rear pocket, and once packed down it takes up most of the space in a jersey pocket. 

I found it a really good option on days when there's the possibility of getting caught in showers. If you're going to get wall-to-wall rain on your ride you might want something a bit more hardcore and with vents you can adjust, but this is just the job for slinging in your pocket and bringing out as and when it's needed.

> Check out our guide to the best waterproof jackets here

Being a Night Vision product, this version of the Podium provides 360-degree reflectivity. If you want something more subtle, the Podium is available at the same price with less reflective print. Both options are available in more muted colours too.

Verdict

Ergonomic jacket that provides excellent protection from wet weather and packs down small