Polaris RBS Pack Me Jacket

Really Bright Stuff, that's what the TLA* stands for in Polaris' hi-viz range and you're certainly going to get noticed with their Pack Me jacket on. It's a packable light weight windproof that's just right for this time of year.

As I write this, it's practically November and we're still looking at temperatures in the high teens down here in the south west making it a bit of clothing choice lottery especially if you're going to be out at various times of day.

One bit of kit that's been getting plenty of use though is this Pack Me jacket thanks to its windproof qualities keeping the morning chill at bay. The 100% polyester fabric is thin but is a good barrier against the wind and will stand up to a bit of light drizzle too.

Once things warm up it folds up easily to fit in a rear jersey pocket and being simple to get on and off it can easily be done on the fly. This makes the Pack Me ideal to take on rides when changes of temperature can become quite noticeable, going from day to evening for example.

There aren't any vents so the fabric's breathability can get overloaded if you are pushing on a bit. You aren't trying to keep rain out so you can always drop the zip a touch to get some air flow and regulate your temperature.

The fit is quite relaxed with the medium I tried fitting nicely around the chest and arms but a bit looser around the stomach area meaning it flaps about in the wind when you are in the drops. You get a dropped tail as well plus a nice high neck that keeps any drafts out, as do the elasticated cuffs. On the whole the cut is good on the bike and Polaris' size chart is pretty much spot on.

I'm not a huge fan of full on hi-viz yellow so the RBS looks good in my eyes with its colour choice and is more eye catching for it, the blue arms making the yellow front and rear panels stand out. There are reflectives dotted aroun all over the jacket to offer some visibility after dark although I'd prefer some closer to the cuffs to help out with signalling.

The rear of the jacket has a zipped pocket for storage which is a decent size though you don't want to overload it as it'll sag due to the thinness of the polyester material.

Overall the RBS Pack Me jacket is well thought out and well made and warrants the £55 price tag. It's a good solution for changing light and temperature conditions thanks to the mix of hi-viz and reflectives plus the packability into a jersey pocket.

*Three Letter Acronym

Verdict

Versatile lightweight windproof for changeable conditions, well made and comfortable too