Velocio Alpha Zero jacket assessment: The final phrase in heat for winter driving

My schedule of testing one of the best winter biking jackets is coming to an in depth, however it’s undoubtedly ending on a excessive with a flurry of fantastic choices. I’ve lately completed reviewing the Assos Equipe R Habu winter jacket, and whereas it’s totally marvellous for many of the driving I do, I recognize that it doesn’t essentially tick the field for these of you who’re after the warmest setup attainable on the expense of all else. 

Luckily for you a brand new model of one in every of my favorite jackets this 12 months was launched, the Velocio Alpha Zero Jacket, and in my expertise it’s basically not possible to beat if you wish to keep heat above all different concerns. 

It’s not excellent, and it gained’t swimsuit everybody, but when your winter driving tends to be longer, zone 2 base miles relatively than shorter intense efforts then it may effectively be proper up your avenue. I’ve given it each barrels in climate I consider it was designed to deal with: very chilly, concurrently being damp, and it dealt with it with aplomb. Almost too effectively for me, however I’m fairly a hot-blooded particular person. 

Design and aesthetics

You can have any color you want, so long as it’s blue. 

I don’t really thoughts this, as 1) it’s a really good-looking blue that, usually, will go together with most choices, 2) it’s the identical blue as the ladies’s model, so no lilac or turquoise, and three) this reduces textile waste by unsold unpopular colors. It’s winter, it’s freezing, and there’s an opportunity of rain. Would you relatively have a alternative of color or a jacket that’s going to cease you from getting hypothermia? Thought so. 

The Velocio Alpha Zero is likely one of the most relaxed becoming I’ve come throughout, and whereas aero junkies could lament this, it has enormous advantages for layering methods as I’ll expound on shortly. The exterior is a stretchy, Polartech Power Shield material which purports to have 20k/20k waterproof and breathability figures, that are first rate numbers on paper however please don’t be fooled into pondering this can be a contender for one of the best waterproof biking jackets. There are not any taped seams, and whereas I discovered it performs effectively in damp climate I wouldn’t attain for it in precise wet situations. 

Inside the Alpha Zero the insulation is the sensible Alpha Direct excessive loft fleece. If you’ve not come throughout it earlier than it is basically tremendous fluffy fibres woven onto a particularly open mesh backer, to create loads of insulation due to all of the trapped air, while remaining considerably breathable.

This Alpha Direct insulation isn’t used on the whole lot of the jacket although, and solely options on the main edges: The two entrance panels, the forward-facing part of the sleeves, and likewise the whole lot of the collar to maintain the entire neck heat. The remainder of the jacket – the again panels, and the within of the arms – is uninsulated plain softshell materials.

You get your three normal rear pockets, elasticated and relatively roomy cuffs, and a two-way zipper coated nearly completely by a storm flap save for a brief part on the backside, presumably to permit simpler use of the decrease zip tab and assist really do it up initially within the first place.

Unlike do-it-all options just like the Assos Equipe R Habu, this can be a jacket that’s for layering up underneath. The cuffs can accommodate actually giant winter gloves inside them, and inside you’d be capable of match any jersey you want, plus a good mid-layer just like the Velocio Alpha Long sleeve, which is successfully simply one other layer of Alpha Direct however in jersey type.

Performance

While the Assos Equipe R jacket was comfy in a second pores and skin, supportive means, the Velocio Alpha Zero jacket is comfy as a result of it’s completely unrestrictive. The material has a satisfying stretch, and it’s obtained a match that screams massive, all-day miles within the chilly. The fleece lining is extraordinarily smooth, and particularly when it’s wrapped towards your neck it results in a particularly cosy feeling.

I’ve spent lengthy hours in fairly depressing climate on this jacket: bleak, misty, foggy, damp; the kind of climate that, when you get chilly, it’s practically not possible to heat up in. Happily the Alpha Zero saved me tremendous cosy, maybe too cosy. I beforehand was an enormous fan of the model’s Alpha Meino Air jacket, which had an much more cosy merino loft insulation, however with a thinner, extra breathable face material. This was extra comfy for me as a comparatively heat individual, however it didn’t carry out so effectively within the damp. 

The determination to make use of Polartech Power Shield because the face material means the breathability is decreased, and as such the heat has elevated, however until you’re very cold-blooded I wouldn’t advocate this as a jacket for doing intense rides in, it’s simply too toasty. 

Layering up correctly inside it, with winter base layer, a skinny merino jersey, and a fleecy mid-layer, I can’t consider situations that may exceed its capabilities within the scope of regular highway driving. Beyond the capabilities of this jacket, you’re taking a look at driving in a down jacket, at which level temperature regulation turns into a nightmare. 

My acid take a look at is whether or not I want gloves or not. If the jacket is holding me sufficiently heat I’ve typically no want for gloves, even all the way down to round zero levels. The Alpha Zero jacket undoubtedly handed this take a look at. 

If the temperature does climb, the looser match, together with the twin zips, encourages a better diploma of airflow than is feasible with extra form-fitting opponents. Even when I discovered issues a bit too sizzling, which for me was approaching 10ºC/50ºF, the twin zips have been adequate to cease me from red-lining. This is past the acknowledged temperature vary, and whereas I feel you’d have to actually get your layers proper to be comfy in -17ºC / 1ºF, I feel it might be attainable. 

The rear pockets are extraordinarily roomy, however they don’t really feel probably the most safe, with solely a skinny hem on the prime. I’d advise that, given this can go over a jersey, these are saved for belongings you need too hand (snacks, layers) and valuables ought to go inside. Even so, for the value, there’s really fairly a scarcity of extra options. No reflective particulars, further pockets, adjustment, valuables pocket. It is simply an excellent, very heat winter shell, so your storage options should come from inside. 

Value

I’m going to wager that for those who’re studying this then you may have struggled to remain heat within the chilly. With an RRP of $329/£258 it’s not as costly as some jackets I’ve examined, and as an funding in staying heat it’s not an unreasonable worth by any stretch. 

Do think about that, with a view to get the warmest setup although you in all probability want a succesful mid-layer, which goes so as to add some price. You could have already got one which works, however simply keep in mind that whereas I feel this can be a very cosy jacket certainly, it’s solely the warmest as a part of a complete system. 

I might additionally say that the dearth of extra options does knock it down a smidge by way of worth. When you may have jackets just like the Van Rysel Winter Road Cycling Jacket Endurance with 10 pockets (sure, ten) for underneath £70 it maybe isn’t an excessive amount of to ask for someplace protected to stash your keys and card on the very least. 

Verdict 

If you wrestle within the chilly, particularly for those who journey someplace chilly and damp, vulnerable to fog, mist, and drizzle for days on finish, then the Velocio Alpha Zero needs to be in your radar. As a closing layer in a super-warm layering system, I feel it’s in all probability unmatched in the intervening time, and whereas it lacks options, the truth that it’s so clearly an outer layer to be worn with a jersey (and mid-layer) beneath does make me forgive the dearth of additional particulars. 

If you’re doing shorter, more durable rides, or are notably eager on aerodynamics even within the winter months then look elsewhere, however for lengthy, slower days in single-digit temperatures with moisture within the air, it’s fabulous.