This softshell oozes functional detail. Made from Gore’s stretchy windproof and water-resistant Windstopper fabric with a luxuriously fleecy backing, the Due is a pleasure to look at and ride in. Hidden zipped vents on either side of the chest and zips at the wrist let air in or keep it out, and there are big vertical vents on the back of each shoulder; we expected these to direct rain down our back as well as air, but in practice we stayed dry in all but driving rain.
How we tested the latest jackets
As well as cycling for hours in the coldest, wettest conditions we could find (and sitting on a turbo under a hose), we took all the jackets to the waterproof clothing experts at Foxwear to test the seams and material – specifically the chest area and shoulder seams, which bear the brunt of downpours.
Foxwear’s testing machine isolates a 10cm section of the jacket and subjects it to increasing water pressure. We continued until either the jacket leaked or the pressure reached 0.6 bar which, according to Foxwear, is ‘not far short of a tropical storm’. Foxwear should know: they've been making hi-vis, high performance rain jackets for professionals such as the police for years, and will soon be bringing out a bike jacket.