Adidas Rompighiaccio Jacket

If you want to stay warm on the bike, the new Adidas Rompighiaccio is a good choice. It's not offensively priced, and offers comparable performance to many more expensive cycling jackets.

Adidas isn't likely to be the first name that crosses your mind when going through the choices for cycle clothing, but it has history – supplying shoes to Eddy Merckx back in the day. And with some of the clothing that has passed through the office in the past year, it's clearly trying to stake a claim in this increasingly crowded market.

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The Rompighiaccio is the latest addition to the growing range. There's a lot going for this jacket, with good fit, features and comfort that ensure it can hold its head high against more established rivals. It delivers everything you'd expect in a winter jacket. The only real quirk is the odd and unpronounceable name. It's Italian for an icebreaker ship, apparently.

So what is it about this jacket that I like? Well, to start with, the Climaheat material provides decent insulation against the cold. It's a hollow fibre design and is meant to trap warm air, so providing a protective barrier against the cold air. It really seems to work.

Wearing it over just a short-sleeve merino baselayer, I was able to head out in sub-zero temperatures and the jacket prevented me from getting unpleasantly cold during a few hours in the saddle. It compares favourably with the Assos iJ.shaqUno jacket I reviewed recently, but the Assos just edges out the Adidas jacket in lower temperatures. Their names are equally unpronounceable.

The fabric offers good breathability too. Short and high-tempo rides were conducted with minimal heat buildup or excessive sweat. The inside of the jacket is nice and soft against the skin. The fit is good – a medium is an actual medium; if you want a really racy fit, you might want to go down a size, otherwise most people will find the fit and shape just right.

Adidas gets a nod for the details that help to ensure it's a jacket that never puts a foot wrong. There's the tall collar and dropped tail, and neat double cuffs provide a comfortable seal around the wrist.

A silicone waist liner stops the jacket sliding up your back, and a few reflective accents help you stand out. It's a pretty stylish looking jacket and got a few appreciate nods from riding friends.

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

It also has three rear pockets, but they're not arranged in the usual fashion. There are two open main pockets and one side zipped pocket. I prefer a traditional three-pocket arrangement, but I had no issue transporting all the essentials I need for a training ride in the available pocket space.

Overall it's a well designed, comfortable and warm winter jacket at a pretty reasonable price.

Verdict

Comfortable and warm winter jacket at a reasonable price