THE era of climate change and its mixed-up weather means separate summer and winter jackets are increasingly looking like anachronisms.
What would you give for one do-it-all jacket that can take the rain, cold and heat with equal aplomb, offer you loads of storage and some clever features besides, look good, be well-made and not break the bank?
Ow! Just pinched myself to check I wasn't daydreaming, and happily, I'm very much awake and looking at 10 jackets that do pretty much all of this. Welcome to our all-weather jacket showcase.
Our minimum criteria for selecting jackets for this showcase were that they be full-length and waterproof, with sufficient adjustability at the wrists to be able to wear gloves over or under, as these factors help minimise your vulnerability to rain and wind.
And last but not the least, we set a price cap of £200, which we think is a fair balance between investing in quality and not having to live on baked beans for the fortnight after purchase.
If you feel like you've been wearing a bin bag on your torso these last few wintry months, click the following link to see our ten choices in alphabetical order: best all weather motorcycle jackets.
Akito Desert
Akito Desert
AKITO has aimed its Desert textile jacket directly at the adventure market, but the result makes for a useful all-rounder.
With an outer shell made of 600D polyester outer shell, the Desert has abrasion resistant material at impact zones and Knox CE protection at the shoulders and elbows.
Other features include vents at the chest, back and sleeves, reflective striping, and a 3-in-1 liner system with a separate detachable waterproof liner and warm thermo-lining.
At the wrist, there is a velcro/zip combination for sealing up the jacket, and there is a short rear zip for attachment to suit trousers.
On the back of the jacket there is a large map pocket which is a neat touch. You also get four front pockets, one external mobile pocket, a Napoleon pocket and two large internal pockets. Enough for all but the kitchen sink, you'd think.
Price: £169.99
Armr Hirama
Armr Hirama
ARMR is a young company (founded last year), but if its budget textile jackets are anything to go by, it has made a confident start.
The Hirama is packed, nearly overflowing, with features. There's a multi-season liner system which allows two internal layers (a further waterproof inner layer and quilted thermal lining) to be zipped out of the waterproof exterior - which boasts CE approved shoulder and elbow armour and waterproof and breathable Drytek material - and a detachable neoprene face mask for added neck and face protection.
The Hirama is highly adjustable, with lots of external velcro straps to seal you like a bug in a rug, including a zip/velcro configuration at the wrist, and there's a short rear zip for attachment to a bottom half. It has two front external pockets, one internal mobile phone pocket and a Napoleon pocket for quick access.
Packed with vents, straps and removable functions, the Hirama has lots to be getting on with for your pleasingly slim wad of notes.
Price: £119.99
Hein Gericke York
Hein Gericke York
HEIN GERICKE'S York jacket is a sound piece of kit constructed from 600D polyester outer shell with a Sheltex membrane, as well as a detachable thermal lining. It has CE-certified protection at the reinforced shoulders and elbows, and PE foam back protection with the option to retrofit a Hiprotec CE back protector.
The York's wrist adjustment is in the form of a velcro/zip duo, and there are adjusters at the biceps, waist and bottom seam. It also features a crotch-strap to prevent the jacket from riding up.
It has two front pockets, an inner storage pocket and a Napoleon pocket, back and sleeve vents, and a full length zip for use with matching trousers.
Price: £199.99
Held 4-Touring
Held 4-Touring
HELD'S 4-Touring is a great-looking, high-quality all-weather jacket.
Constructed from AirGuard 500D polyester shell with Reissa waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane, with removable thermal lining, it features Knox CE certified armour at the shoulders and elbows and has space for a back protector to be slotted in. A healthy array of vents and adjustable straps cater for all conditions.
The 4-Touring has a tailored feel - snug and well-fitted - and the tapered sleeves have a zip/velcro combo at the wrist. The Held boasts a full internal zip for trouser attachment, one of only three jackets on the list to do so.
Storage-wise, it offers two front external pockets, an internal mobile phone pocket and another internal pocket.
Price: £199.99
Ixon Colorado
Ixon Colorado
IXON'S Colorado is a well-appointed offering towards the top-end of our budget. It features a removable zip-out thermal lining and Drymesh internal layer within a Pytech and Rivtech polyester outer shell, with CE approved back, elbow and shoulder protection.
It is adjustable at the biceps, waist and cuffs, where there is a popper closure system. In addition to the four front pockets on the chest and waist, the two large internal mesh pockets provide all-important storage for your valuables.
Price: £189.99
Rev-It Energy HV
Rev-It Energy HV
REV-IT'S Energy HV is a well-equipped hi-visibility option at a decent price. Liberally splashed with CE-approved neon-yellow hi-vis panels as well as reflective panels, you'll certainly stand out. (The jacket is also available in all-black.)
It features water- and wind-proof polyester 600D outer shell, with Knox CE protection at the shoulders and elbows. The jacket feels light but is well insulated with a Hydratex waterproof and breathable zip-out liner.
The fit is trim but it can be adjusted in the mid section while at the cuff, a simple velcro retainer allows the wearer to tighten it up. The adjustable collar allows a necktube.
The Energy has three pockets on the front of the jacket and two internal pockets on the liner, zippered ventilation, and a short rear connection zip for attachment to trousers.
Price: £159.99
Richa Rix
Richa Rix
RICHA'S Rix, with its Cordura outer shell and three layer zip-out configuration, and CE armour in the shoulders, arms and back, feels well-armoured and snug to wear.
Adjustment comes in the form of straps at the biceps, waist and bottom seam, and the wrists are sealed with a velcro/zip combination.
The Rix is well-appointed with two front pockets, one Napoleon pocket and internal storage for mobile phone and a further pocket; multiple vents throughout, and a short rear zip for attaching to a pair of trousers.
Price: £179.99
Stein Vulkan (heated)
Stein Vulkan (heated)
STEIN'S Vulkan jacket (no Spock jokes please) is the only heated jacket on our list, and a very creditable effort especially at this price. It plugs into your bike using the supplied battery connector cable, and an internal pocket neatly tucks it away when not in use.
Besides the removable heated Fabroc liner, it has a waterproof, breathable membrane. There are hi-vis panels all around and CE certified armour at the shoulders and elbows. The jacket is highly adjustable, with restrainers at two places along the sleeves, as well as a velcro/elastic seal at the wrist, with straps at the waist and at the bottom of the jacket. Rubberized buttons help avoid damage to your bike's paintwork.
For storage, there are two front external pockets, a rear pocket, two Napoleon pockets and mobile phone holder pocket internally on both the outer jacket and inner liner. Comprehensive!
Price: £199.99
Triumph Acton 2
Triumph Acton 2
TRIUMPH'S Acton 2 is a rugged, reasonably-priced jacket constructed from 600D Polycordura and Samtex water repellent materials. It has a removable quilted liner and removable CE-certified shoulder and elbow protectors, and ventilation is via 'Air-Flow-Tech' air flow panels.
Tough velcro straps around the waist allow the fit to be fine-tuned, and there are straps at the wrist as well. There are two external and two internal pockets, and a short rear zip conects to Triumph's matching Acton 2 trousers.
Price: £135.00
Weise Nevada
Weise Nevada
WEISE'S Nevada all-season jacket has a nylon outer shell with an Isotex waterproof, windproof and breathable lining, with zip-out 120g thermal quilted lining and CE-approved armour in the shoulders, elbows and back.
It features full-sleeve zip vents which open almost all the way to the armpit; adjustable straps and poppers at the waist, wrists (velcro/zip combo) and base, and a full zip for use with the bottom half of a suit.
Reflective panels enhance visibility in low-light conditions, while four external pockets, two front Napoleon pockets and one internal pocket provide ample room for all your bits and pieces.
Last but not the least, it's an understated yet attractive design, thanks to the touches of colour on the insides of the sleeves.
Price: £159.99
