Howies Hewaddywaddy

The amusingly named Hewaddywaddy jacket from Welsh clothing brand Howies uses a lightweight Primaloft filling to provide great warmth against chilly cold mornings, without any bulk or risk of overheating. It's ideal for more casual cycling, mountain biking and off-the-bike excursions.

Howies has used the slim and lightweight Primaloft filling on the chest and top of the arms. It keeps the wind out and provides a nice level of insulation, ideal for spring weather rather than the depths of winter. The back panels aren't padded, which helps with breathability and also keeps the weight and bulk down to a minimum.

The shape is spot on, with a dropped tail that works well on the bike and doesn't look out of place off it. The neck is tall for when you need to hunker down against a chill wind, and an elasticated waistband keeps the jacket in check on the bike. A full-length YKK zipper deals with ventilation and is lined with reflective tape, which combines with reflective details on the hem, shoulders and collar to provide a boost in visibility.

I had to drop down to a size small to get a good fit around the torso, and the only wrinkle this caused is slightly too short sleeves. I'm only talking about a centimetre here, certainly not a deal breaker. I could just eat some more pies and fill out the size medium, I suppose.

It's a really useful jacket for shorter commutes on a fresh spring morning, and it packs up extremely small so you can stuff it in a bag if you don't need it for the ride home. It's not a performance jacket, but for leisurely cycling and touring, the low weight, wind protection and Primaloft insulation works a treat. It also looks pretty stylish off the bike as well, where it's been getting a lot of wear from me. And if you mountain bike, it's a good choice when the sun isn't shining.

> Check out our guide to the best casual cycle commuter wear

All in, it's a really smart looking jacket that, thanks to the slim and low weight Primaloft insulation, provides just the right level of warmth for spring riding, and it doesn't look out of place if doing other outdoor activities or sports, or even away from the bike – if you want to go for a little walk, perhaps, under the moon of love...

It comes in three colours and five sizes for men, and the women's Shewaddywaddy comes in one colour and five sizes.

Verdict

A comfortable and lightweight jacket ideal for commuting, touring and leisure cycling