Howies Drizzler Active Blazer

Howies' Drizzler Active Blazer is a stylish cycling jacket that offers more practicality than you might expect, and at a very reasonable price. Waterproofing and reflectivity are nonexistent, though, so it's one for smart folk on dry days only.

• Pros: Style on and off bike, decent windproofing, ride fit and comfort, good value
• Cons: Not water resistant, no reflective elements, crumpling

Want to look civilian-smart but need to ride a bike? Despite commuter clothing manufacturers' claims, most kit that's been designed with cycling in mind tends to stand out from the norm. But with the Drizzler Blazer, Howies might have just cracked it with a jacket that looks semi-smart off the bike, but works surprisingly well on it.

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Build quality

With a full retail price of £69, it's hard not to be impressed by the build quality. A lot of smart commuting kit tends to carry a premium, but despite its relatively humble price, the Drizzler is really well put together.

Howies says it's made from 'clever Japanese fabric' (in reality, 85% recycled polyester, 15% Spandex), which actually feels like thick Lycra. It's a little bit disconcerting to handle a suit-style jacket made of Lycra-style material – it feels more like a woman's tailored suit than a man's – but seams are beautifully made and there's even a split tail flap, like a proper, smart jacket. Very simply, three buttons do up the front.

For a lightweight garment, there's a surprising number of pockets, although I'd suggest not all of them are useful all the time. For example, the three front pockets are all open, so are of limited practical use on the bike. Two internal buttoned pockets with mesh lining are better…

…but it's the two almost hidden inside zipped pockets that are safest for valuables.

In many respects, rather than compare it to other cycling kit, it's a little more like something from an outdoor brand such as Rohan.

Because of the fabric's stretch, fit both on and off the bike is very good. In the saddle, the sleeves are long enough to not ride up. Meanwhile, the rear flaps sit nicely over your bottom. It does cling to the body a bit, but that's fine because it moves with you as you manhandle the bike. One downside, though, is that it easily becomes a little crumpled-looking in places.

Performance

With so much to recommend it off the bike, I was concerned the Drizzler might be a question of style over substance. However, it proves to be surprisingly windproof. Although the Drizzler is not insulated in any way, these windproofing qualities are effective enough to keep the chill away and the up-turnable collar and buttoned strap closure help to provide unexpectedly complete protection. I've been using it in early winter with nothing more than a long sleeve underlayer and a non-cycling T-shirt.

It's not perfect, though. Because the sleeves are like normal, non-cycling sleeves, there's no elasticated cuff to stop the breeze getting to your wrists. And there's a distinct dearth of reflective elements – none at all, not even under the pop-up collar.

That name Drizzler is a bit of a misnomer, too. In wet and wintry conditions it's nowhere near as suitable as a dedicated all-weather jacket – it's definitely not rain resistant and, while it does dry quickly, whatever you're wearing underneath will also get soggy and probably stay that way.

For dry spring, summer and autumn days, it's not a bad final layer at all, though. Breathability is decent too, with no significant build-up of moisture in my experience. However, I should qualify that by saying I have been testing it while using the excellent Cycology 8 Days baselayer and the weather was cool.

Value and conclusion

Cycling-friendly suit jackets and blazers aren't exactly ten a penny, but there are some other classy commuting options around. Perhaps the garment I've tested that is most similar to the Drizzler is the Samvaer Overshirt, but that's not quite as smart and, at £195, a whole lot dearer. In comparison, the Drizzler looks a steal.

> Buyer's Guide: The best casual cycling kit for commuting

I do have one nagging question about the Drizzler, though: who would wear it? Obviously, if Alan Partridge ever got done for DUI, then this would be his kind of cycling garb (albeit with an embroidered chest pocket badge). For the saddle-born flash Harry about town, it'll also be an obvious fave. But if you wear a suit all day at work, you'd still be way more comfortable changing into something fresh after the commute in. That said, I really do like it and applaud Howies for making the Drizzler, especially at such a modest price.

If you're not sure you want or need a cycling-friendly blazer, then you probably don't. But if something about the Drizzler entices you, then Howies has made a fine product that really does combine off-bike style with on-bike performance.

Verdict

Stylish and quite practical jacket for surprisingly effective three-season use