Is dhb's new softshell the one jacket to rule them all?

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dhb’s mission with its Aeron All Winter Softshell is to shrink down your cluttered Lycra stash and carry you through the coldest season with a single cycling jacket in your wardrobe.

The result, as we’ve come to expect from dhb, is a competitively priced jacket that works well across a range of conditions.

The lightweight softshell material makes for a warm upper body, and is bolstered in the places where it’s needed most, across the chest and extremities, with a deeper, more luxuriant fleece.

There are three generously proportioned open rear pockets, plus an extra zipped pocket adjacent to these, almost on the flank of the right side, that can fit a credit card and keys.

The softshell itself has some flex but dhb has also used a stretchier (and more breathable) fabric under the arms.

A good winter cycling jacket is a valuable addition to any cyclist’s wardrobe.

Compared to a typical waterproof cycling jacket, winter jackets favour breathability and insulation over total protection from rainy weather.

This makes them a good choice for damp or cold riding conditions, where wearing a fully waterproof jacket would be uncomfortable or unnecessary.

Most will feature some kind of windproof membrane and will be treated with a durable water-repellent coating to shed off showers. Look out for fleece or fibre pile insulation if you run cold and want the cosiest jacket possible.

Our testers tried out 12 of the best winter cycling jackets on the market, racking up plenty of grimy autumn and winter miles in the Mendip Hills in the process.

The Aeron All Winter is a softshell jacket that will get you through most cold-weather rides, with the tacit admission that you’d have to be some sort of sadist – or reach for a proper waterproof – to head out on extended from-the-door wet rides at this time of year.

Your undemanding requirements are simply to stay warm and comfortable, not get too sweaty, fend off intermittent rain showers and keep that stiff north-easterly from piercing your bones. Not too much to ask for, is it?

Of course, you might get caught out in a brisk shower, but the jacket will do its damnedest to keep that out. To its credit, dhb has managed to tick all these boxes.

For tougher intervals when you’re working up a sweat, there are thinner, more breathable panels on your armpits that work well.

The jacket is close fitting, boosted by a silicone grip around the waist and tighter cuffs, but an easy stretchiness means it’s more warm embrace than unwanted bear hug.

Water resistance is admirably good and among the better performers at this price point, though as with any softshell jacket the emphasis is on ‘resistance’ – it won’t match the best waterproof cycling jackets out there.

In terms of visibility, the reflective details on the forearms and the top edge of the rear pockets are more token nods than comprehensive acknowledgments.

If this does concern you, then forget about this burgundy version and consider the jacket’s Fluro Green and Grenadine options.

Fit is precisely on point, too: medium means medium.

As usual with dhb, the Aeron All Winter Softshell is terrific value.

The mixed materials are all in in the right places, it has a selection of well-placed zipped pockets and its material fends off both rain showers and the chills admirably.

Best of all, I just can’t think of any obvious negatives.

Editor of Cycling Plus magazine

Former 220 features editor, Matt, is now editor of Cycling Plus magazine. During his 13 years on 220 Triathlon, he raced everything from super-sprint to Ironman, duathlons and off-road triathlons, and is the author of 'Triathlon!' from Aurum Press

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