Velocio Trail Access Hardshell jacket review

The Velocio Trail Access Hardshell jacket is designed for the toughest conditions and is Velocio's most technical piece of outerwear.

With claims like that, it’s no wonder it comes with a lofty price tag of £297 / $389 / €346.

For that price, I’d expect it not only to handle downpours but clean and maintain my bike – and open my beer at the end of a long day too.

At the very least, I want to stay dry when it rains, and I don’t want to be boiled from the inside out when working hard on a climb.

The Trail Access Hardshell puts up one hell of a fight during the grimmest winter rides, despite its relatively lightweight construction.

It has proven itself to be tough throughout testing, making it a jacket I use more than any other.

There’s room for improvement, though.

Velocio Trail Access Hardshell jacket specifications and details

When Velocio released the Trail Access Hardshell jacket, I pictured a tough, heavy jacket made from a stiff fabric, designed to be totally impenetrable, but perhaps not the most appealing to wear when putting the miles in.

What arrived was very different. It’s tough and well-made, but the Pertex Shield Air three-layer fabric (with DWR coating) feels far lighter and stretchier than expected. It’s neither as thick nor as rigid as the ‘Hardshell’ moniker might suggest.

This also means it should pack down a little smaller when not in use.

The fabric in question boasts a waterproof rating of 10,000mm and breathability rating of 30,000g/m2.

When it comes to sizes, there are loads to choose from, ranging from XS through to 4XL, so pretty much all shapes and sizes should be covered. There’s also a women’s version available.

Velocio has included four zipped pockets. There are two on the front of the jacket, both equipped with laser-cut ventilation inside, one offset pocket at the rear and one internal pocket with routing for cycling headphones.

There’s an over-the-helmet hood, complete with a stiffened peak to help it hold its shape. Drawcords enable you to cinch up the fit of the hood, too.

Another drawcord is provided at the rear of the hem. This doesn’t wrap around the entire circumference of the hem, but is designed to gather in the dropped rear of the jacket, leaving the front as is.

The main zip is a two-way affair to help with dumping heat should you need to.

Velocio has used soft, elasticated panels on the underside of the cuffs to ensure a comfortable, close fit.

Velocio Trail Access Hardshell jacket performance

With nine sizes to choose from, there’s plenty of opportunity to get the fit you want.

I opted for my usual size small and wasn’t disappointed. It’s not as fitted or tailored as some mountain bike jackets (I could have opted for the XS if I wanted a closer fit), but I never found the Trail Access jacket to be overly baggy or cumbersome.

There’s decent length in the sleeves and body, too. I made use of the drawcord at the rear to cinch in the dropped rear hem for a closer fit. This helped protect my lower back from mud and spray flying up off the rear wheel.

Work hard in this jacket and it’s surprising how well it deals with heat build-up. It may lack the underarm venting of some similarly priced jackets, but thanks to the fabric and two-way zip on the front, I never felt close to overheating, even on damp, mild days in the hills.

That said, the main zip and rear-pocket zip have got stiffer and stickier to use over time. This meant, at times, I needed to stop riding to unzip the jacket.

All things considered, it’s an easy jacket to live with when really getting your heart rate up.

At speed, the hood can be a little flappy, but I found cinching in the drawcords helped to tame it.

And then came the rain…

When the rain comes, the Trail Access jacket brushes off lighter showers with ease. If the weather takes a turn and the rain gets heavier, it’s impressive how well it’ll handle the worsening conditions.

In torrential downpours, considering the relatively lightweight make-up of the jacket, it does a sterling job of keeping you dry. Spend hour after hour in monsoon-like conditions and the material will start to wet out, and you’ll get damp underneath.

That’s no major surprise, especially when you’re working hard and sweating.

My only real irritation here is the elasticated panel used around the cuff. Because this is made from a different fabric from the rest of the jacket, it soaks up water and takes longer to dry out.

I found water could also leak from these small panels and run down my arms.

But that’s the only real gripe here, aside from the hefty price tag.

If you’re stuck out in prolonged downpours, slipping the hood up and over the helmet helps to keep warmth in.

This is bolstered by the tall, protective collar, which is sturdy enough to hold its shape and helps to block out the elements.

A question many will ask is just how robust the Trail Access Hardshell jacket is, especially considering the cost.

Surprisingly, it handled a hefty crash at the bike park without tearing to shreds.

Finally, should you want to whip it off when the rain stops and stow it away, it can be packed down fairly tightly and carried with ease, though you’ll either need a sizeable hip pack or at least a small backpack to stash it.

We’re not talking a pocket-sized, lightweight, flimsy emergency shell here, but nor is it a hefty jacket that you’d have no hope of carrying comfortably. It sits somewhere in the middle.

Velocio Trail Access Hardshell jacket bottom line

Although expensive, the Velocio Trail Hardshell jacket has proven to be more robust and durable than its lightweight fabric might suggest.

It’s also very capable when it comes to keeping out the weather and well-ventilated (for a full-on waterproof jacket) when working hard.

The zips get a little sticky after prolonged use and the elastic panels on the cuffs soak up water, but otherwise it’s a great jacket that works very well.