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review

Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket

8
£99.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A very strong performance in terms of waterproofing and breathability, with reassuringly good high-vis features
Weight: 
484g
Contact: 

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The Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket brings together good breathability, strong waterproofing and windproofing, and very high levels of visibility into one well-made package.

As the nights have been closing in (and the clocks will have gone back by the time you read this), lights have made their way onto bars, full mudguards have appeared, and the amount of high vis on the roads has crept upwards. Perfect timing to get the Nightvision Evo 3 through the door for review.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Now one of the most important elements for any waterproof jacket is – surprise, surprise – the waterproofing, something that London weather over the first three weeks of the review didn't seem to like me testing. However, luckily for me, the weather over the last week has been terrible. I've never been so happy to see dark grey clouds.

Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket - riding.jpg

I'm happy to report that waterproofing on the jacket is certainly up to scratch. Even though it seemed like London had been saving up every drop of rain for me, the jacket kept me dry throughout. The company claims a 15,000mm waterproof rating and this seems to be accurate (15-20k means it should stand up to heavy rain).

Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket - shoulders.jpg

On the other side of the coin is breathability, because we all know how unpleasant it is to be drenched more by your own sweat than rain. Here the jacket again has a 15k breathability rating, and there wasn't really a build up of moisture at all. This is helped by the 'Pit and Yoke Draft Venting', which is essentially a netting inside the jacket that keeps the the outer fabric away from the skin/jersey. There is also a full length zip and vents beneath the arms, which means you can adjust airflow if needed.

Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket - inside.jpg

One of the most noticeable elements of this jacket is the high vis on the front, down the arms, across the chest, and at the bottom of the back. These light up like a beacon when light hits them, which is very impressive and means you feel really safe in the knowledge that you can be seen by other road users.

Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket - reflective 1.jpg

In addition to this there is also a light at the bottom of the back which you turn on/off by holding it down. It has three settings, either fast/slow flashing or solid, and gives off a decent amount of light, making it a useful emergency alternative or addition to a regular rear unit.

Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket - reflective 2.jpg

The jacket also has some nice design features, such as the large rear pocket which is useful for gels and smaller items that you can get to without needing to reach your jersey pockets underneath. In addition to this, there are two front pockets on either side of your hips and a chest pocket, each one large enough for a wallet, phone or keys. There are also a couple of drawstrings to help tighten the jacket around specific areas, with one around the neck to keep neck drips to a minimum and another around the base.

Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket - pocket 1.jpg

Fit is towards the casual side and I found it as comfortable when sitting up as in the drops. There isn't really any excessive material around the jacket, but it's certainly more commuter jacket than performance focused. It's not something you can pack away in a jersey pocket and is relatively bulky, which slightly limits its use from a performance perspective.

> Buyer's Guide: 20 of the best waterproof cycling jackets

The jacket comes with an RRP of £99.99, which for a breathable, waterproof jacket that will protect you from pretty much whatever British weather will throw at you is a decent price. Endura's Luminite DL is a tenner less but breathability is more of an issue (rated 10k not 15k), while dhb's Flashlight Force offers the same kind of breathability and higher waterproof ratings but is another £20. Another to consider might be Altura's more racy cut (and listed under 'Road' rather than 'Urban' on its website) NV2 Jacket; it's the same price, £99.99, with the same 15k waterproof and breathable ratings, but a slimmer fit. A full review is imminent.

Overall I liked this jacket. It kept me dry, kept the wind off, and didn't boil me alive. For more performance-orientated riding its NV2 sibling might be a better choice, but for more casual riding and commuting, given the positives that it offers both in terms of design and performance, it's a strong offering.

Verdict

A very strong performance in terms of waterproofing and breathability, with reassuringly good high-vis features

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the jacket is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

A wet/foul weather jacket that is not only water and windproof, but also has a strong high-vis element.

Altura says: "The Altura Nightvision Evo 3 Waterproof Jacket is a top choice for cyclists who ride no matter what the weather."

I would broadly agree with this, although perhaps more suited to commuting.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?

Altura lists:

Altura Shield™ EVO fabric technology - protection from wind and water & superior levels of breathability in a soft touch 2 Layer fabric

Waterproof/ Breathability rating: 15k/15k

Altura Darkproof® technology - superior retroreflectivity

ErgoFit™ 3D patterning - engineered for a more comfortable riding position

Altura Darkproof® technology - superior retroreflectivity

NV360™ performance - 360 degree reflectivity for maximum dark light visibility

Integrated I-Lume® rear flashing light - maximum dark light visibility

Pit and Yoke Draft Venting for increased breathability

Thermosuede inner collar for added comfort and warmth

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Well made with strong stitching and a nice choice of materials and design features.

Rate the jacket for performance:
 
8/10

Performed really well, keeping out the wind and rain while not boiling me inside.

Rate the jacket for durability:
 
7/10

Seems well made and likely to last a long time.

Rate the jacket for waterproofing, based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
7/10

Has a 15K rating, which seems about right.

Rate the jacket for breathability, based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
7/10

Has a 15K rating, which seems about right.

Rate the jacket for fit:
 
8/10

Fits nicely, certainly on the more casual side, but that's no bad thing.

Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
8/10

The medium I tried fitted as I would expect.

Rate the jacket for weight:
 
6/10

It is fairly hefty thanks to the inner lining, more suited to commuting or more casual rides.

Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
8/10

Really comfortable and with the breathability combined with ventilation options, it's nice to wear.

Rate the jacket for value:
 
5/10

About where I would expect it to be.

How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Easy: goes through a 30-degree wash with no issue.

Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed well; kept everything out while providing a decent degree of breathability.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

The high-vis element is really impressive; you genuinely light up like a beacon when caught in car headlights.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

It isn't the most lightweight jacket I've every used.

Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes

Would you consider buying the jacket? Yes

Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

A really waterproof and comfortable jacket. Its size and weight mean it's a little less able for performance riding, but that's not what it's designed for.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 29  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: Mercian King of Mercia or Cinelli Gazzetta  My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

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6 comments

Avatar
DavidLeslie | 6 years ago
0 likes

Listing the nearest competitors in the review and noting the differences is really useful. Thanks.

Avatar
BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
0 likes

And thus the stratospheric price increases of basic cycling kit goes on and on....

Avatar
Simon E replied to BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
1 like
BarryBianchi wrote:

And thus the stratospheric price increases of basic cycling kit goes on and on....

£100 for a decent jacket isn't so dreadful IMHO. It will probably be available for £60 or so online in a few months.

While punters happily pay £100+ for a short-sleeve jersey or £150 for a moulded polystyrene hat when ones half the price do the same job then the companies will continue to charge those prices. It's the same for outdoor clothing.

Avatar
Chuck replied to BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
0 likes
BarryBianchi wrote:

And thus the stratospheric price increases of basic cycling kit goes on and on....

Is this basic though? It's not like you can't get cheaper waterproof jackets. Anyone who feels £100 is too much still has plenty to choose from.

Avatar
Ratfink | 6 years ago
1 like

Size tested: Blue

Is this an old imperial measurement?

Avatar
Tass Whitby replied to Ratfink | 6 years ago
1 like

Ratfink wrote:

Size tested: Blue

Is this an old imperial measurement?

Smartarse. Medium. Amended. (But you did make me laugh.)

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