Ted Baker Jackybo Lightweight Jacket

The Jackybo Lightweight Jacket is part of Ted Baker's new Raising the Handlebars range of on-the-bike, off-the-bike clothing for casual commuters. It certainly looks the part, but needs a few tweaks to claim its place as a real contender.

In the words of Ted himself, the Raising the Handlebars range 'combines a stylish smart-casual look with bike-friendly detail'. We first saw the new range from Ted Baker in early September (road.cc/129622) and our first impressions were positive. It certainly looked the part and promised all the right things in terms of performance.

The first thing to note about the Jackybo jacket is it at a glance it doesn't look like a cycling jacket at all, it could easily be worn in a crowded pub or around the office without any of your pals knowing that your were wearing something that was cycling specific. It's only when looking a little closer that you start to notice the bike friendly features.

We tested a size 4 (basically a large) which was relaxed and roomy enough to wear a couple of layers underneath, but could have easily dropped down to a size 3 for a more fitted style. The cut isn't that of a typical cycling jacket so it looks baggy around the midriff area when riding, but this isn't really a problem for short commutes and means it doesn't look out of place off the bike.

Where the jacket falls down slightly are the sleeve,: they simply aren't long enough when riding in a stretched out position. I'm not talking hunkering down into an aero tuck here, I mean anything more than your standard Boris bike sit-up-and-beg.

In addition to this problem, the cuffs are also quite baggy. Riding down the hill into town on a fresh autumnal morning felt rather draughty. This seems to be something that could be easily solved by simply adding an extra button on to each of the cuffs. they currently feature a single button, but adding an extra one would give you the option of a more snug fit for chillier days.

The jacket shell is a made from 100% cotton which has been given a water resistant coating, and also features a taped zip which completes the jacket's water resistance.

The Jackybo performs well in light showers with the water visibly beading on the surface of the cotton, but wouldn't be up to the job for anything heavier or for longer rides in the wet. It's fully lined with lightweight polyester mesh featuring a geometric chainring pattern on a red background, and a contrasting blue version on the inside of the pockets and cuffs. It features a decent lined hood with drawstring adjustment and a flexible peak to keep the rain out of your eyes.

Fluctuating weather conditions and temperatures shouldn't be an issue as the jacket is designed for short hops rather than long periods on the bike. Nevertheless, there are hidden vents on the shoulder blade area to give that extra bit of ventilation should you heat up on a climb. The flaps hiding the vents also feature two 26cm reflective strips for extra visibility in gloomy conditions. These are far enough apart to still be seen when wearing a good sized rucksack.

As you'd expect from a high-end fashion brand like Ted Baker the attention to detail on the jacket is to a high standard. The buttons have a wheel-inspired spoke design and the button holes are all edged with a contrasting purple thread, which is a nice touch, especially for the design conscious.

The front of the jacket has four large panelled pockets with button fastenings to keep things safely stowed away, and there's a zipped inside pocket for extra security. The back is dropped slightly to keep you protected when reaching forward for the bars. There is a case for saying this could be a bit longer as the jacket is inclined to ride up slightly, but this would compromise its off-bike looks.

The hem of the jacket also features an elasticated drawstring similar to that found in the hood, although the leather toggles aren't quite up to the job of holding the tension. They loosen as your hips move with your pedalling motion. This seems like a case of form over function that could be pretty easily rectified with some more robust toggles.

The Jackybo is exclusively available from Wiggle and Ted Baker, and comes in at £175, which seems about the going rate for a jacket of this ilk. Opinion is split when it comes to shelling out on a jacket, but if you're buying from a top end high street fashion label then a top end price comes with the territory (see the comments below for the inevitable discussion on this topic). However, the fundamental problem of the sleeves and cuffs would make it hard to shell out my hard earned cash without those problems first being addressed.

Verdict

Good looking and well made casual commuting jacket, but a few flaws make it hard to justify the price