Rivelo Women's Larkstone Jacket

The Rivelo Women's Larkstone Jacket oozes understated elegance, has some nifty features and does its job of weatherproofing you well. It's definitely one for the fashion-conscious rider. The cut is a slim fit, which is both flattering and prevents any billowing, and the Porelle Membrane fabric has a bit of stretch so it doesn't feel restrictive despite the close fit. It also has an attractive matt finish.

The Larkstone is very lightweight, being a single layer fabric with no lining, and it will fold down to fit in a jersey pocket should the sun come out. Despite its minimalism, this is a jacket designed for cold weather, as the cosy cuffs intimate. Wearing it on an unseasonably warm day in spring I overheated quickly. However, on cooler rides the breathability was on a par with most waterproof membranes. I always struggle with breathability and wasn't surprised to find some clamminess on the inside of the sleeves at the end of my 25-minute commute. The addition of some form of ventilation – pit zips, front mesh vents or ventilation holes – would be very welcome.

The nylon/elastane shell is windproof and, importantly, waterproof. During a prolonged heavy downpour initially the rain beaded well all over, although after 10 minutes or so it did appear to soak in to the fabric on the lower sleeves, where water tends to pool in the creases. The hydrophobic finish meant that once I got home and gave it a good shake, the exterior of the jacket was all but dry. Seams are taped internally throughout plus externally on the sleeves to prevent any water ingress.

As you'd expect the jacket has a dropped hem at the rear with a contrast horizontal red panel for daytime visibility. It is a good length and comes right down over your derriere, to protect your backside from road spray. The elasticated hem helps keep it in place, although silicone gripper might be more effective. The raglan sleeves are plenty long enough and feature a broad internal Lycra cuff, which feels nice and cosy and keeps the sleeves firmly in place. This is great for colder days and the outer cuff extends over glove cuffs, as long as they're not overly thick.

Another clever feature is the lower back vents which allow you to reach through to access the contents of your jersey pockets. The jacket also has its own spacious central rear pocket with a vertical reflective panel that's super bright. There are also two reflective tabs at the rear as well as a partially reflective logo on the shoulder and, interestingly, on the inner zip storm flap where it won't be seen if the zip is done up. A small pocket on the front right is just big enough for a couple of energy gels and keys, and has a waterproof zip.

The main zip, in a contrasting red, is also waterproof and has a big enough pull to easily operate when wearing winter gloves. A zip garage prevents any snagging on your neck. The collar is lined with a soft microfleece and has a distinctive notch at the back. Rivelo says this is for 'comfort and weather protection' but I failed to see how the notch enhances this. It was amply comfortable although my personal preference is for a higher cut collar, especially at the front of the neck where this was quite low. The absence of a drawcord means you can't cinch it in.

Aside from minor quibbles – I would prefer the jacket in a more visible colour and with more reflective detail, plus ventilation features to improve breathability – the Larkstone is a jacket with both style and substance.

Verdict

Minimalist, stylish waterproof jacket with a quality feel for cold weather rides