MAAP Alt_Road Lightweight Anorak

The MAAP Alt_Road Lightweight Anorak is ideal for relaxed road rides, gravel adventures or even riding around town. With a generous fit it's perfect for layering up, and it's impressively waterproof, but it's a very high price for a jacket that doesn't quite hit the mark everywhere. You can check out other options in our guide to the best winter cycling jackets.

I've been reviewing this anorak for a few months, and I've worn it a lot, especially on gravel rides and on the commute to the office. The relaxed fit makes it quick and easy to put on or take off, even when you've layered up underneath, and it doesn't look out of place when you're wandering around town or walking in the countryside.

> Buy now: MAAP Alt_Road Lightweight Anorak for £210.17 from Depor Village

As well as having a relaxed fit, the Alt_Road is more generous in its sizing than most. This one on test is a medium and even with my post-Christmas 'insulation' it's roomy, but the cut is slightly tailored so there isn't any excess material flapping around in the wind.

There is plenty of length in the arms so your wrists are never exposed, whether on the hoods or stretched out into the drops, while the tall zipped neck keeps breezes out.

If I'm being picky, a little more drop to the rear would be nice for coverage from spray from wet surfaces when riding.

The Alt_Road comes with a hood but it isn't detachable and can flap around in the wind a bit on rides. Being able to roll it up and secure it in place would be ideal, fastened with something light and unobtrusive.

Should you find yourself in conditions that require a hood, though, you will be thankful for the generous size as it will easily go over the top of a helmet, and you can cinch it in at the neck for a snug fit.

The Drytex material used in the jacket's construction has a 10k waterproof rating, and the seams are taped. I had an hour-long ride back from the office in very heavy rain and blustery winds and the MAAP's waterproof performance was very impressive.

Some water did get through the half-length zip (the front panel was seeing a lot of the rain as I was riding into a headwind), but otherwise I arrived home with my baselayer underneath completely bone dry.

The material itself doesn't really have any insulating properties, but because of its windproofing, cold breezes don't get through.

Breathability is okay, but there are no underarm zips or anything to help the flow of air should you need it.

MAAP recommends a sweetspot temperature of around 17°C on its website, but I'd say that's a bit high. Even with just a long-sleeved baselayer underneath I'd say you are looking at a max of up to around 12°C, 15°C at a push.

With a jersey on top of the baselayer, the Alt_Road will be fine down to freezing.

There are a couple of pockets should you want to stash any essentials: under the Velcro flap on the front there is a pouch big enough to store a large phone, snacks, map and so on; lower down you'll find a zipped opening either side, with a pocket that runs right the way through. I didn't use it that much, as any weight you put in there is going to be pulled down by gravity, but it is roomy.

The biggest stumbling block for many, though, will be the price.

I can't really knock the quality – it's very well put together throughout, and after three months of tough use carrying rucksacks, pulling bikes through hedges (I get lost a lot on the gravel bike) and hitting low branches, it is showing no signs of wear and tear at all.

It's not alone either – there are other jackets out there with similar price tags.

Specialized's collaboration with Fjällräven spawned the Raven anorak, which costs £265. It's a bit more 'hiking' jacket than true cycling top, but Lara was impressed with its performance.

And 7mesh's Copilot isn't far behind at £250. That even got a spot in our road.cc Recommends – Hollis thought it was excellent.

There are plenty of cheaper jackets that offer a similar performance, though.

Gore's Spirit Jacket differs from the MAAP in having a full zip, and the Infinium fabric doesn't offer the same levels of waterproofing, but it works incredibly well everywhere else according to Hollis's review.

Hollis was also very impressed with Chapeau's City Jacket, which is similar in terms of fit and performance to the Alt_Road, and it comes with a hood.

Both the Gore and the Chapeau jackets cost £149.99, so a saving of £120.

Conclusion

Overall, I like this MAAP anorak: the relaxed fit is ideal for its aims; its performance, particularly in wet weather, is impressive; and the manufacturing quality is also very good. It's a lot of money, though, and there are a few too many niggles that stop it being a great jacket – I'd expect it to have better breathability, some way of fixing the hood in place so it doesn't flap (or be able to remove it), and ideally a slightly longer tail. It's good, but should be great for £300.

Verdict

Impressively waterproof, and excellent quality for all kinds of riding, but it ain't cheap