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Altura Grid Men’s Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie

8
£85.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Great commuter hoodie that looks good and performs well
Cosy and warm
Breathable
DWR coating
Nice fit
Good reflectivity
Sizes up a bit small
Slightly expensive
Weight: 
465g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie is a very good option for days between 5-14°C, provided there's no heavy rain forecast. It has a DWR coating but it'll only stand up to light showers – it can't compete with the best waterproof cycling jackets. It's aimed at commuters primarily, but would also work well on your local trails, too. It's very snug and warm, and the softshell material is very breathable – even when you're motoring it keeps you at the right temperature.

Altura's hoodie is designed to work well on or off the bike. I think it looks pretty smart, but upon seeing it my wife immediately commented how it looked like 'a tracksuit top from the 90s'. That's either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how much of the 90s you remember, I guess.

It comes in two colours – Carbon/Olive as well as the Blue/Grey on test – and is available in a wide range of sizes, from S-3XL. There's a decent amount of reflectivity for night-time riding, with strips around the lower arms, and a hefty one on the tail.

2022 Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie - back.jpg

You also get two zipped pockets for keeping your hands warm or stowing stuff.

2022 Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie - zipped pocket.jpg

Altura describes it as an 'urban softshell hoody and a cosy layer for when the temperature drops'. Cosy is definitely how I would describe it, because as soon as I pulled it over my head, that's how I felt. That feeling of being cosseted is accentuated by the thermal grid fleece on the inside, which is designed to trap warmth, but allow air to flow in.

2022 Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie - inside.jpg

There are no temperature management 'zones' that you might find on other garments, but the fabric works very well in terms of breathability. Even when riding hard I found I was able to maintain a good core temperature without sweating too much, and I felt very comfortable overall.

I did notice, however, that as soon as you stop, you get very hot – the hoodie definitely relies on cold air passing through the material to cool the core. On particularly bitter and windy days, that might prove to be too much, but you could easily use the jacket down to about 5°C without issue, provided you wear suitable thermal layers underneath. It felt comfortable up to about 14°C, which is where I would probably place its temperature ceiling.

The half zip allows you to control the temperature as you go, and it's reasonably easy to operate on the move.

2022 Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie - zip and drawstring.jpg

If the temperatures drop off the bike, the hood helps to keep you really snug and warm, and the collar keeps draughts out. Although you can adjust the hood for fit, there's no adjustability at the waist, though I didn't find it needed it, in my case.

Speaking of fit, the cut is quite slim, but as I've found with other Altura garments I've tested, it feels slightly undersized. I tested an XL, and probably could have gone up to an XXL for a bit more room; I'm usually a large in most garments. The sleeves could also be an extra cm for my liking, but then I do have very long arms.

2022 Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie - hem.jpg

The cut at the back is good, with decent coverage on your backside when you're in a riding position.

2022 Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie - tail detail.jpg

In terms of weather protection, the Altura hoodie does feature a DWR coating which I found was effective if the rain was light, but as soon as the droplets got a bit bigger and heavier, rain would start to pass through it. That's only to be expected of a garment without a proper membrane, though.

Value

In the casual hoodie category, there's not a huge amount to compare Altura's Grid jacket with.

Endura's Hummvee Hoodie is more at the casual end of the scale, but in his review Matt Lamy thought it offered some decent on-bike performance. It's a bit cheaper, by £20, but there's no DWR coating.

Admittedly, BTwin's Warm Reversible Urban Cycling Jacket is a jacket, not a hoodie, but yours truly thought it offered a similar performance, and it's only £49.99. You get better windproofing, but much less breathability. It wins hands down in the high-vis stakes, though.

Conclusion

Although it's perhaps a little on the expensive side for a hoodie, the Altura does perform very well – it's warm and breathable, and the DWR is a decent bit of backup in case the weather doesn't play ball. It's a great option for commuting, on or off the bike.

Verdict

Great commuter hoodie that looks good and performs well

road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Grid Men's Waterproof Half Zip Softshell Hoodie

Size tested: XL

Tell us what the jacket 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?

Altura says, "The Altura Grid Men's Cycling Softshell is an urban softshell hoody and a cosy layer for when the temperature drops. The DWR finish offers protection from any unexpected showers and thermal grid fabric traps the warmth to keep you snug whilst letting the air flow to prevent overheating. The adjustable hood and half zip style provide a laid back, casual feel with zipped hand pockets to keep belongings secure and easily to hand. Subtle reflectivity in key areas for signalling help to keep you visible on the road yet do not interfere with that on / off bike look making this a really versatile layering piece that is also great for outdoor activities."

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

Altura lists:

DWR coating to repel water

Thermal grid fleece traps warmth while letting air flow

Adjustable hood

1/2 zip style

Zipped hand pockets

Reflective print in key areas for signalling

Relaxed fit

100% Polyester

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
8/10

It seems very well made.

Rate the jacket for performance:
 
8/10

It's very good, especially in terms of breathability, and keeps you warm without feeling like you're wearing something too hefty.

Rate the jacket for durability:
 
8/10

Stains have washed out, and although it hasn't been subjected to anything more rigorous than commuting, it's standing up well.

Rate the jacket for waterproofing based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
7/10

The DWR repels water, as you would expect, but due to a lack of membrane it can only do so much.

Rate the jacket for breathability based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
8/10

Very good, though you might feel hot when you stop riding.

Rate the jacket for fit:
 
7/10

A decent cut, fairly slim, though there's room under for a couple of layers. Sleeves could be a smidgen longer, but it's not a deal breaker, and the tail is cut for cycling.

Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
6/10

Sizes up slightly small.

Rate the jacket for weight:
 
6/10

It's quite a weighty thing, but then you kind of expect that with a hoodie.

Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
9/10

Very comfy and snug – you'll want to grab this when it looks chilly outside.

Rate the jacket for value:
 
5/10

Fairly expensive for 'just' a hoodie, but then it offers a fair bit more performance than a regular hoodie.

How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

No issues at 30 degrees.

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

It's a cosy softshell hoodie that you'll want to wear whenever you're in need of a warm hug. The DWR coating is okay in very light rain, but you'll want to take a backup in case the weather is changeable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

Feels so snug.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

Nothing.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's slightly pricier than Endura's Hummvee Hoodie, which is £20 less and offers similar performance, albeit with more off-bike than on-bike focus. The BTwin Men's Warm Reversible Cycling Jacket is even cheaper at £50, but it's definitely more of a jacket than a hoodie.

Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes

Would you consider buying the jacket? Yes

Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

If you're looking for a casual commuting hoodie that works well on or off the bike, the Altura is a really good option. It performs well in all the key areas, and looks good too.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 39  Height: 6'4  Weight: 175lbs

I usually ride: Condor Italia RC custom build  My best bike is:

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: commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, mtb,

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