Altura Nightvision Typhoon Men's Waterproof Jacket Review: A Commuter's Companion with a Quirky Hood

Embrace the Ride, Defy the Rain: Your Commuter's Essential Waterproof Jacket.

Water Resistance and Airflow: A Balanced Approach to Weather Protection

The Altura Nightvision Typhoon jacket boasts a 10,000mm waterproof rating paired with an equivalent breathability score. This combination ensures effective protection against rain while allowing internal moisture to escape. The jacket's construction, featuring a PFC-free durable water repellent coating, demonstrated impressive resistance during a rigorous test ride in heavy rain, keeping the wearer dry for extended periods. This makes it a reliable choice for typical British weather conditions.

Ventilation Features: Keeping Cool on Your Commute

To enhance comfort during active use, the jacket incorporates strategically placed ventilation. Zippered underarm vents offer adjustable airflow, allowing the wearer to regulate body temperature. Additionally, mesh vents are located on the back, though their effectiveness can be reduced when wearing a backpack that presses against the flaps designed to shield them from rain. The material's substantial thickness indicates it's not intended for warm-weather use, prioritizing robust weather protection over packability for summer showers.

Visibility and Design: Staying Safe and Seen

The Nightvision Typhoon jacket is available in two color options: a high-visibility yellow and the 'electric blue' variant assessed in this review. Despite the slightly lower visibility of the blue, the jacket integrates subtle yet impactful reflective elements. These include prominent patches on the lower back and reflective detailing on the arms, enhancing rider visibility, especially when signaling turns, contributing to overall road safety.

Ergonomics and Sizing: Achieving the Optimal Fit

Altura describes the jacket's fit as 'relaxed multi-use.' However, some wearers might find it runs larger than expected. For individuals typically between sizes, opting for the smaller size is recommended to achieve a more suitable fit. The jacket provides ample arm length and a generous drop at the rear, ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection even when leaning forward on the handlebars during cycling. This design consideration is crucial for maintaining comfort and preventing exposure to the elements.

The Hood Dilemma: Functionality On and Off the Bike

A distinctive feature of this jacket is its detachable hood, designed to accommodate a helmet. While this is beneficial for helmeted cyclists, its voluminous size makes it impractical for use without a helmet, often obstructing the wearer's field of vision. Although drawstrings allow for adjustment, achieving a snug fit requires considerable tightening, and loosening them can be cumbersome. This design choice prioritizes helmet compatibility over versatile off-bike use, which might be a drawback for those seeking a truly multi-functional garment.

Storage and Pockets: Practicality for Daily Essentials

The jacket is equipped with practical storage solutions, featuring two spacious zippered pockets at the front and an additional, generously sized zippered chest pocket. These pockets provide secure and accessible storage for essential items, catering to the needs of commuters who carry small personal belongings during their rides.

Cost-Effectiveness and Market Comparison: Assessing the Jacket's Value

Priced at £130, the Nightvision Typhoon jacket sits in a competitive segment of the market. While offering good features, there are more affordable alternatives, such as Altura's own Nightvision Nevis at £80, which provides a lighter, more packable option. Other jackets like the Chapeau City Jacket (£149.99) and the Galibier Zephyr Adventure jacket (£78) also present varying blends of features, packability, and weather resistance, offering consumers a range of choices based on their budget and specific needs.

Concluding Thoughts: A Commuter's Jacket with Specific Use-Cases

The Altura Nightvision Typhoon Men's Waterproof Jacket is a strong contender for cyclists seeking robust waterproofing and decent breathability for their daily commutes. Its performance on the bike is commendable, particularly in wet conditions. However, the design of its oversized, helmet-specific hood limits its versatility for off-bike use. While it excels in its primary function as a cycling jacket, its claim as a 'multi-use' garment is somewhat undermined by this design aspect, making it best suited for riders who prioritize on-bike functionality with a helmet.