rh+ Storm Jacket

The RH+ Storm jacket is a high-quality waterproof for keeping you dry – or at least reasonably dry – in the worst kind of weather.

Made from nylon, the Storm has a waterproof rating of 20,000mm, which is very high. It has a breathability rating of 15,000g/m2/24h which is similarly impressive.

The stats are all well and good but it's how the jacket performs in the real world that counts and the Storm really does keep the rain out. All the seams were well taped when the jacket arrived for testing and they've remained that way through a couple of months of use and a few trips through the washing machine, without any noticeable lifting or bubbling.

Even the most breathable waterproofs will get damp inside if you sweat lots – there's only so much moisture they can cope with – but the two zipped vents on the front really help on that score, letting plenty of air in without any flapping.

Those zips are waterproof with little cover ('garages' for clothing jargon lovers) at the top to stop the rain getting in there. The main front zip is waterproof too and it comes with a storm flap behind – belt and braces. It's offset slightly so the zip doesn't irritate you right under your chin, and a chinguard stops it from scratching.

The cut is great. RH+ call 'regular' but it's slim enough that it doesn't wave about too much as you ride. It's certainly more of a sporty shape for wearing over cycling clothing as opposed to everyday clothing when you're commuting. The back is long and does a good job of keeping road spray off your butt, and the arms are pre-shaped with a slight bend at the elbow to minimise bunching when you're in the saddle.

I found the neck about right for keeping out the rain without causing strangulation, although it's not adjustable so you might want to try before you buy to be on the safe side (it's 43cm/17in in diameter on our medium-sized review jacket).

Other features include reflective print on the back and a rubbery gripper inside the elasticated waist.

The only features I'm not particularly into are the elastic cuffs that are in no way waterproof. That's fine if you position them on the outside of waterproof gloves and they stay in place, but water can get transported inside if they come into contact with your jersey. The cuffs are actually grippy enough that they don't move much once you have them in place so it's not much of a problem, but I'd prefer standard waterproof cuffs.

When not in use the Storm jacket rolls up small enough to fit easily into a rear jersey pocket.

Verdict

High-quality jacket with good breathability, in a slim, sporty cut.