Alpinestars Stella Neo Hoodie £279.99 ‘An urban classic’
Tested by Saffron Wilson for 10 months
For those taking on an urban commute in all weathers, the Stella Neo Waterproof Hoodie is well worth a look. Made from softshell, the jacket meets the lowest CE A rating for abrasion protection, making it suitable for riding around town. That said, its lightweight construction makes it airy and comfortable enough to wear off the bike as well. It comes equipped with Level 1 shoulder and elbow armour, with pockets for optional back protector and chest protector (sold separately). Without this additional armour, it is easy to squash the jacket into a pannier if you don’t want to wear it at the end of your ride.
The detachable hood means that you can stay dry off the bike as well as on it, and the thermal liner means that you can stay a touch warmer (or cooler) depending on how the weather is treating you. One word of wisdom from someone who didn’t think it through before the first ride – if you need do to a short dual carriageway hop wearing this jacket, make sure to remove the hood and tuck it in your pocket or else it will create a windsock which, in my case, proved to be a proper pain in the neck! But kudos where it’s due – the hood didn’t fly off by itself. Once I stopped and removed the hood, I found the Neo to be perfectly comfortable on the move, allowing plenty of movement in the arms and no tightness. I opted for a size up so I had room for jumpers should I need them, and found it to be pretty much spot on.
Although this wouldn’t be my go-to jacket for long touring days, as a summer commuting jacket that can handle the ups and downs of British weather, it’s a real winner. The waterproofing is remarkably good; I expected it to only withstand a light shower, but after being caught out in some rather heavy downpours I stayed dry.
After 5000 miles it looks as good as new, and the chunky zip is easy to use. So far there is no wear and tear on the stitching, and the elastic around the bottom of the jacket hasn’t stretched, but bear in mind I haven’t used that for every ride.
Quality Value eu.alpinestars.com
5245 miles ON TEST