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Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket
Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket

Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket

8
by Andy Ward
UPDATED Tue, Feb 02, 2016 00:00

First Published Feb 1, 2016

3
£129.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A well made, high performance jacket at an excellent price
Weight: 
378g
Contact: 
www.lusso.bike
How we test

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The Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket combines a high level of water resistance with good design touches and an excellent fit due to the stretchiness of the material. It competes well with the Castelli Gabba 2 for around 35 quid less.

Given that Lusso products are handmade in Manchester, the company ought to be good at making rainwear. The Aqua Repel jacket is made from Windtex Storm Shield fabric, which Lusso claims is “lightweight thermal, windproof, water repellent and waterproof”. A guaranteed water column of 10,000mm suggests this jacket should cope with the worst that the notorious Mancunian climate can throw at it.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

So, how  does it perform? In showers, the answer is extremely well, with rain beading and running off the fabric impressively. In more persistent heavy rain the untaped seams do start to seep moisture, particularly on the shoulders, but it's not excessive – and certainly wasn't enough to have me running for cover, partly because the overall comfort of the jacket compensates for a touch of dampness.

Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket - riding

That comfort comes courtesy of the fabric's four-way stretch, which translates into an excellent snug fit that makes it not only extremely pleasant to wear but means no flapping on the bike. The jacket also has impressive breathability, and even on fast commutes there was no "boil-in-the-bag" effect.

Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket - under arm

The claimed windproofing really seems to work, with no cold draughts getting through. The fabric is quite thick, and on cool autumn (and potentially spring) mornings it provided sufficient warmth with just a thin baselayer or short-sleeve jersey underneath. On the few occasions this winter when the temperature has dropped towards freezing, I've used a thermal layer instead and that has kept the chill off.

> Check out our guide to the best winter cycling jackets here

Also helping to keep the weather out is a deep windflap behind the zip, a tall but comfortable collar and a long tail with a wide, reflective lower hem. Three deep rear pockets and an extra zipped one big enough for a smartphone complete a high quality package.

Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket - collar
Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket - back pocket

Overall, the Aqua Repel performs very well and has become my go-to jacket for cold, damp conditions.

Verdict

A well made, high performance jacket at an excellent price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket

Size tested: Medium, Blue

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?

Lusso calls this a rain jacket. It looks and feels a lot like Castelli's Gabba 2 and the quality of the jacket certainly bears comparison. The Windtex Storm Shield fabric is very stretchy and does a good job of repelling water and keeping wind out.

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

Windtex Storm Shield Fabric which is a lightweight thermal, windproof, water repellent and waterproof.

Designed with 4-way stretch that fits and adapts perfectly to the body.

Breathability: >10,000gr/m2 x 24hr

Water Column: 10,000mm guaranteed

* Full Front Zip

* Storm Flap

* Long Tail

* 4 Rear Pockets (1 Zipped)

* High Neck

* Reflective Strips on front and rear

* SC9 Hem Gripper

* Made in Manchester, UK.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

It performs really well in all but the foulest of weather.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10

The stretchy fabric means it doesn't restrict movement at all.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

I would say it outperforms its price tag.

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

It performed well in typical British autumn/winter riding conditions.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit, the comfort and the water resistance.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 46  Height: 182cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride: Genesis Day One Singlespeed  My best bike is: Souped-up Cannondale CAADX

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket 2016
Lusso Aqua Repel Jacket
Lusso 2016
lusso
Andy Ward

Andy Ward works his socks off for the NHS as a GP and teaching at Leicester Medical School. After a brief foray into road racing he decided it hurt less to fall off on mud and is now most likely to be found on his cyclocross bike. He recently surprised himself by completing the Three Peaks without breaking his bike or any limbs

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3 comments

Avatar
Curly | 8 years ago
0 likes

The Gabba is a great Jacket, But my Lusso Aqua Repel jacket just shades it for wet weather

performance and fit and breathabilty.

Was happy paying £116 to Merlin for the Jacket and service.

Avatar
tailwind10 | 8 years ago
0 likes

I actually tried to find one of these, even at the same price as a Gabba, but failed. It seems the proliferation of deals on Castelli undercut the £115 price point which you can find the Lusso at.

 

Avatar
hardgrit | 8 years ago
0 likes

I got one of these jackets in black direct from lusso on a half price deal.

I prefer this over my gabba primarliy because i can get everythig in my pocket on my commute.

Plus points:

Great fit (slim)

Deep pockets + one zipped (bigger than the gabba)

Water repelant

Wind proof

Only need my merino base layer or at worst vest plus long sleeve base.

Designed and made in Manchester

 

Minus points:

To compete with the bigger brands (castelli), Lusso could do with reducing the price, maybe to under £100. I luckily got mine half price.

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