Santini Skin Windbreaker £74.99

Although billed as a windbreaker, the Santini Skin jacket has enough water resistance to cope with showery rides, with the front and back panels repelling water. These parts do not stretch, so to ensure a close fit, the Skin has stretchy Lycra panels down its sides and along the underside of the arms.

It’s a compromise, since the Lycra is not waterproof and will wet out. In more prolonged rain you’ll end up getting wet, although breathability is enhanced too, so you’re unlikely to end up sweaty. The front and rear panels are very windproof, so windchill is not an issue even if your clothing does get damp.

The Skin jacket is long enough that there’s plenty of overlap with shorts and it has a long tail. The collar is high and close enough that water doesn’t seep downwards too easily, although there’s no built-in stretch. There’s a full zip, so you can increase airflow if you do warm up. The bottom seam and the cuffs are edged with reflective tape.

With ultralight jackets, windflap can be a problem. The Skin isn’t too prone to this though, as the Lycra panels keep the fit close, without being constrictive.

The red with grey colourway looks attractive and Santini edges the bottom seam and the cuffs with reflective tape, enhancing low light visibility. The jacket is also available in yellow and grey and all-black and in five sizes in the UK, although Santini makes a total of eight sizes from XS to 4XL.

Although it doesn’t come with a stuff sack, the Santini Skin jacket is very compact and will easily fit into a pocket when not worn.