Lusso Stealth Thermal Cycling Jacket

Lusso is proud of its British designed and manufactured garments, and after wearing this Stealth Thermal Jacket for the last month or so, I think it has every right to be. It's comfortable, well cut and, above all, very warm – the perfect race-cut jacket for the cold months. Oh yeah, it's only 65 quid as well!

I have a long torso, which means some jackets and jerseys can be a little short in the body for me, especially those of Italian origin. It was great, then, to put the Stealth on, climb aboard the bike and still have my lower back perfectly covered without it affecting the rest of the fit. In fact it was spot on elsewhere too – arm length and neck height all finished exactly where I needed them to.

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The sleeves are cut close so you don't get any material flapping in the wind, and the long cuffs keep everything in position, even at full stretch. The material is thin, too, so it fits under a glove without bulking.

The main body offers a close fit as well, without being overly restrictive. You get room to move at the chest and midriff without it being baggy, but it's close enough for you to race or tackle those flatland Strava segments in. The front is cut shorter than the rear so you don't get any bunching when you're in the drops.

The Stealth is made from Thermal-Speed Pro, a fully synthetic fabric that seems to offer plenty of movement in all directions without being too clingy. It has a brushed back, which makes for a fleecy feel ideal for trapping body heat, though it is very breathable.

The mercury has been dropping here, and down to around 5°C I can get away comfortably with just a summer baselayer underneath. Below that, a merino long sleeve keeps things warm enough. On warmer days it'll cope up to the mid-teens before it starts getting overwhelmed.

For temperature control the full zip runs smoothly and comes with a rubber Lusso branded gripper, which helps when you're wearing chunky winter gloves. It's not massive, but a little extra girth gives you something to grasp.

At the collar you get a zip garage to stop any cold metal digging into your neck. It's needed, too, considering the Lycra neck comes up right under your chin for maximum draught exclusion.

> Check out our guide to winter cycling jackets here

The Stealth is available in black with red or blue highlights as well as this high-vis version. I really like the yellow – there's just enough of it to make you stand out without being overly in your face.

Overall, the Stealth is one of those wardrobe staples. You'll get a good three seasons use out of it with sensible layering, and while it isn't all shouty about technical fabrics it does a basic job very well. Essentially, it keeps you warm on the bike.

The value is great too: £64.99 for a jacket of this quality, cut and finish is almost unheard of, plus if you're concerned about where your products are manufactured, its 'made in the UK' label will mean a lot.

Verdict

Great fitting, high performing jacket that just gets on and does the job