Santini H2O Epic Jacket

This jacket doesn't offer the ultimate in waterproofing but it keeps you dry in most conditions and has the advantage of being hugely breathable. See it as an all-round jacket rather than as simply a rain jacket and it starts to justify its price tag.

The H2O is made from two different types of fabric. First, there are the black panels that are made from Nextec's Epic polyester. Rather than having a coating or laminate applied to the fabric, the individual fibres are encapsulated by silicone-based polymers. The idea is that it stays breathable, packable, and soft, and the protection lasts through the washing machine.

The white areas are AcquaZero, a new fabric that's exclusive to Santini for the next year. It's made from nylon and elastane so it's very stretchy and very breathable, and it feels like a soft thermo-roubaix with a fleecy inner face. AquaZero isn't as waterproof as a hard shell but it gets a Grade 4 water repellency rating in the international standards (Grade 1 being the lowest, and Grade 5 being the highest).

Okay, that's the theory; how does the Santini jacket perform out on the road?

The Nextec fabric is windproof and it has let no water through during some very, very wet rides - and it's still keeping the rain out after several washes in the machine. The AquaZero areas are less watertight although they'll keep out drizzle and light rain. For a fabric that's as breathable and stretchy as thermo-roubaix, it's pretty amazing. You think the water will just soak in, but it actually beads up and rolls off.

In heavy rain, water does eventually get through. The seams aren't taped so it can get in there, and it'll come through the AquaZero at higher pressures. The exact amount of time you have before getting wet depends on how hard it's raining, obviously, but we were surprised at how well the fabric performed. When it rained on and off for a few minutes at a time, we stayed perfectly dry. When it hosed down non-stop for 40 minutes, we got wet. But bear in mind that the AquaZero is used in areas that are less exposed to the rain - on the sides and the underside of the arms. The only exception to that is the area across the top of the shoulders, and that's where we noticed water getting in first during heavier rain.

So, if it's chucking down and you're going to be out for a long time, you're better off with a hard shell. And if you're a commuter, for example, and you have to ride at certain times come rain or shine, we wouldn't say that this is the best option.

But the H2O Epic jacket is a good choice when the weather is changeable or you're not sure what it's going to do. It's more comfortable than a hard shell because of the stretchy inserts and the breathability, so you don't feel the need to whip it off as soon as the rain stops. You can wear it whether or not it's raining on cold weather rides without getting ridiculously clammy. And when you do want to take it off, it'll roll small enough to fit into a rear pocket, just about.

Fabrics aside, the H2O Epic boasts some neat features that add to the performance. The zip, for example, is highly water resistant and it comes with a chinguard at the top and another fold of fabric at the bottom to prevent it scratching your Lycra. Elasticated inserts around the neck, cuffs and hem ensure a close fit and a zipped pocket in the lower back is big enough to take a pump, spare tube and the rest of your usual riding paraphernalia. There's quite a bit of reflective piping too, for riding at night.

Verdict

Not quite as waterproof as many good hard shells, but more comfortable thanks to increased stretchiness and breathability