Altura All Roads Fleece

The Altura All Roads Fleece is a comfortable all-day jacket for cycling and bikepacking that works just as well when you're off the bike. It has handy features, a casual, stylish appearance and is practical for long days out and warm enough for colder rides. I dived straight in at the deep end, wearing the fleece on a bikepacking trip from South Wales to Blackpool – and found it a great addition to the winter wardrobe.

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Altura has designed the All Roads fleece for maximum versatility. And while its relaxed fit makes it harder to spot as a cycling-specific top, the back pocket and slightly tapered waist do give it away a little.

The body is made from a DWR (durable water repellent)-coated softshell, and with the High Loft fleece used for the upper section being naturally hydrophobic, the All Roads is a practical piece of clothing for changeable weather.

I come from Wales and I've put the fleece's water resistance to the test on multiple occasions and can say that even after washing it is still effective. But despite this weatherproofing and its warmth, the All Roads keeps good breathability too, and I didn't overheat even wearing it in rides up to around 15°C or so. You could also use it as part of a layering system when the temperature dips further.

Despite the fleece material on the shoulders I found that the jacket didn't pick up too much dirt, and what it did pick up came out in the wash – as did any odours. This is just as well, as I found that the jacket picked up smells a little quicker than most of my other jerseys and jackets. And in addition to responding well to washing, the All Roads is safe to tumble dry, so you don't need to worry about shrinkage or damaging the material.

The jacket has a couple of pockets that help it live up to its All Roads name, and which came in very handy on longer rides. The rear pocket has an inner mesh that divides it into two, with one, smaller, tighter pocket that was too small for my iPhone 12, though it did fit in the larger section.

There's also a 'Napoleon' chest pocket that was big enough for my phone, though if you do overfill it the pocket will sag.

Reflective details finish off a well-considered product and add a little peace of mind for gloomy days and night-time riding.

I chose a medium for this jacket and it came up true to size. It allowed a little room underneath it for layering, and with sizes ranging from small to XXXL there should a size for most of us. And you can choose from three generally muted colours too: navy mix, olive and blue.

The top is exceptionally comfortable thanks to the internal fleece lining. The length of the arms and body are good, which adds to its snug and cosy feel.

When the zip is done all the way up I did find it a little tight, though that's something I find pretty much across the board with winter cycling jackets.

One of the very few downsides is the size of the fleece when it's packed down. It's not that light but its 386g weight is understandable when you consider the fleecy material – but it does contribute to a bulk that makes stowing it a bit of a hassle. I found that it took up about half of my Tailfin Aeropack, so bear that in mind if a small size and maximum packability are important to you.

Value

While not cheap, the £90 RRP for Altura's All Roads fleece is towards the lower end of what you might expect to pay for high-quality winter wear. The Galibier Colombière is another good option for an all-round top that you can use for more than just cycling. Although they are different in style, they share a similar fit and both are warm, with the Galibier that Paul rated even more competitively priced at £68.82.

The Vulpine Men's Regent Mac also covers some of the same ground as the Altura – it's an effective jacket on and off the bike and with good resistance to the elements – but Vulpine's super-stylish top comes in at over £250.

Conclusion

I found the Altura All Roads Fleece a great piece of kit for bikepacking and all-round use. It's snug, warm and with good resistance to the elements when you're riding – it's also casual enough to use it when you're off the bike and reasonably priced.

Verdict

A comfortable and well-priced multi-purpose fleece that looks good and will keep you warm