POC Fondo Splash Jacket

Like numerous others, the POC Fondo Splash jacket promises to keep you dry when the weather turns yet also allow you to stay cool thanks to good breathability. It's fair to say some do it far better than others – and thankfully POC has done a very good job here.

Breathability is excellent, thanks to a four-way stretch fabric that does a top job of keeping air circulating. This is enhanced by laser-cut holes under the arms, which expel excess heat superbly. It's not perfect – I found my arms got sweaty after a while of tempo work – but you can certainly feel the fabric doing its best to get rid of a lot of the excess moisture.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

I'm also pleased to report that the slim cut of the jacket is well proportioned too. In order for best wicking performance, it's usually best for garments to be relatively close to the skin. This also improves aero profiling, especially in windier conditions, a benefit I was very grateful for.

I tested a size large, and didn't notice any flapping of excess material even though I made use of the cinch at the hem to tighten it in a touch. Follow the chest sizing on the POC website, and you'll be fine.

As this is a 'Splash' jacket, it also needs to be able to deal with light rain showers – and does so without difficulty. Combined with a breeze, this can often be the downfall of a jacket that claims to be water resistant, but the Splash had no issues at all. POC doesn't say it's fully waterproof, but with a treatment of my Nikwax waterproofing wash, resistance levels were excellent. Should you be caught in a heavy shower, things won't get quite as soggy at you might expect.

> Check out our guide to the best waterproof jackets

I wouldn't describe the Splash as 'packable' in the same way a cape is (it weighs 224g), but it will just about fold away into a pocket if you find the sun does poke its head out. If your jerseys have small pockets, you'll struggle to fit it in.

The jacket also appears sturdy in the wash too. Sizing is maintained, as is the softness of the fabric. In the navy blue, I've noticed with some other garments you can get a spot of fading from time to time, but here there's no sign of that.

This is good news, because the Splash is a great looking jacket. The navy blue goes really well with lots of other branded kit, so no need to feel obliged to buy matching bibs or accessories, and the stylishly understated POC branding on the drop tail and arms is a nice touch. I was worried that mud flicked onto the rear of the jacket might ruin the aesthetic, but it washes out cleanly.

That branding is also reflective for added safety in low light, and on the sleeves is particularly useful because of the positioning on the rear. This means when you indicate for a turning, your arm is illuminated in car headlights, which shows good attention to detail by the guys at POC.

Other added details include semi-elasticated cuffs, which help to keep draughts at bay, flat taped seams for sleek looks and better water resistance, and a zip pocket at the back. The pocket, unfortunately, is a touch small – so if you keep your phone in a plastic case, it's unlikely to fit. I have an iPhone 5, which just fitted on its own, but if you have a phone with a larger screen, you're going to have to use your jersey pocket underneath. I used the pocket to hold a gel and set of keys instead, which it did with ease.

Overall, I'm impressed with this offering from POC. Although £135 is a lot for a jacket, you do get a lot of performance and functionality for your money. I'm disappointed that you only get the one slightly small pocket, but this is a small complaint.

Verdict

Excellent build quality, construction, style and functionality feature here, which for me justifies the price tag