Storck Windbreaker Jacket

The Storck Windbreaker Jacket is a very high quality windproof jacket that is surprisingly breathable and keeps a good amount of rain out when you get caught short.

I'd argue that all road cyclists need a good lightweight windproof shell that can easily be stowed away, and this is the time of year when such a jacket comes into its own. The temperature, hell the weather, is all over the place at the moment and knowing what to wear can be a nightmare. Even for more experienced cyclists.

One constant at this time of year is the wind. If inadequately dressed, that wind will cut straight through your clothing and any moisture on your body will just serve to transport all your heat away. And before long you'll get cold.

This is where a jacket like Storck's Windbreaker comes in. It's made from the German company's own AA+ fabric, a 95% nylon/polymid and 5% elastane material. As wind stopping materials go, it's up there with the best fabrics used by other clothing manufacturers.

It's clear from the other Storck clothing we've tested that they go in for the fitted cut. The Windbreaker was a generous but slim shape and easily goes over a bulky winter jacket with little concern. It's ergonomically shaped so it feels good on the bike and when you're moving around.

As is customary, it's a little lower in the waist around the back, so it doesn't ride up when you're on the drops. The waist is elasticated and the waist band is lined with some sticky silicone details, for good measure. There's also no annoying flapping in the wind that I've experienced with some windshells, and it's a very quiet jacket.

What I didn't expect was for it to be as breathable as it proved to be. The considerable downside to jackets of this nature is a serious compromise in breathability. You can often get so hot in a jacket that it's actually counter-productive. Not so with the Storck. With the rear of the arms and side panels lined with mesh fabric, there's enough ventilation to prevent you overheating. As evidence, I wore it for the duration of a 6 hour ride last weekend, over two long sleeve tops. It now comes with me on every ride.

The really nice thing about the jacket is the flexibility it gives you to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. It's ideal for the first hour of an early morning ride, or for squeezing in a training ride late into the evening. It also comes in useful if the weather takes a turn for the worse when you're miles from home. And when you aren't wearing it, you can roll it up really small and at 100g, it takes up little space in a rear pocket.

It coped admirably with the occasional short downpour, enough that you don't need to seek shelter. It's not a waterproof though, and if you're looking at a fully wet ride, you'll be wanting something more substantial.

It's not cheap, but as a serious windproof it really is very good. As ever though, there are cheaper, and there are more expensive, jackets available that do a similar job. Based on performance, the Storck is highly impressive, with a great fit, effectiveness in the wind and occasional rain, and a seriously low weight.

Verdict

Great fit and performance in wind and spotty rain for very little weight.