BBB have made the jacket from GhostSkin which is either aesthetically pleasing or not, depending on personal taste. The material is very thin to touch making it extremely light. It's breathable, which is a must for any rain jacket.
I put it to the test on some local hilly routes. The armpits and back have very breathable panels that do allow sweat vapour out. I did build up a sweat but found I dried out quickly because it wasn't trapped in.
The jacket is designed to have an anatomic fit and I did find it very close, but left enough room for an extra layer should you need it. I feel it was good in the temperatures I was riding in (twelve degrees) but as it's so thin, it might not be your first choice over winter. It's much more suited to autumn/spring.
The drop tail is a decent length and stays put. With a smooth, fleece-lined collar, it's very warm and stops unwanted drafts. The zip is a YKK, so very sleek and smooth with a zipper flap to stop any irritation. It has a rear pouch that can be used for your phone etc when wearing, but also doubles as a pack away store for the jacket itself. It also has a decent amount of reflective detail which helps visibility on those darker days.
The downsides to the jacket are the noise and feel. The fabric makes it rustle with every movement, which is more an annoyance than a performance issue. The GhostSkin feels a bit like plastic which isn't necessarily what you want.
Great little pack-away jacket for the price tag; like Marmite, people will either love it or hate it
road.cc test report
Make and model: BBB Rainshield Womens Jacket
Tell us what the product 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?
The jacket is designed as a lightweight rain jacket and aimed at road cyclists. The manufacturers say it's "Lightweight wind- and waterproof". I have to agree that it lives up to it's claims and it's a good emergency rain layer.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Lightweight wind- and waterproof womens jacket made of GhostSkin material.
Soft and warm fleece collar lining.
Fine mesh fabric underneath the arms for optimum breath ability.
Full-length lockable YKK-zipper with inner front zipper flap to reduce drafts and neck irritation.
Silicone gripper in the hem.
Back pocket/pouch system with YKK-zipper: can be folded into a small package.
Anatomic panel designed for women for a comfortable fit.
Reflective accents on the front and the back for extra visibility.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
The jacket is well made but noisy fabric.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
A very lightweight jacket.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
The jacket kept me warm and dry when it was supposed to.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
I liked the breathability of the jacket. It has some well placed vents.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
I disliked the noise factor and feel of the fabric.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? No
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
The jacket really is down to personal taste. It works very well for its purpose, but design and feel make it very individual.
Age: 34 Height: 158cms Weight: 61kg
I usually ride: Giant defy My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance...
This is why I question the utility of shared-use paths; you're constantly dodging flamethrower-dogs and their operators. Mind you, they're...
It does seem a bit ridiculous having an outright ban on cycles at all times, yet permit holders can drive down there whenever they like and...
Well, yes, that's kinda my point. I think stating that "Norway is socialist" is a questionable perspective. I'd say it was a Nordic social...
The Be Calm section - 100% ...
Now, if we're talking gravel bikes, that's a whole different story. Gimme, gimme, gimme! Apologies for the Facebook link....
The police are operationally independent, in fact the regional Police and Crime Commissioners have to swear in their oath of office that they will...
"'Right", said Fred, "we'll 'ave to get a move on…"
Thanks for the review. I like that Orbea have included aero extras and wish more manufacturers would stick two fingers up at the UCI - at least in...
Excellent - I think I'll replace my emergency tube that is a real squeeze to get into the little Topeak bottle cage bag thingy....