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review

Shutt VR Race Cape

6
£59.00

VERDICT:

6
10
Good value super-light option for the rain if you don't run hot, but not very breathable if you do
Weight: 
132g
Contact: 
www.shuttvr.com

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We've had plenty of Shutt's clothing in to test at road.cc and it's mostly been very good, but the Race Cape left me a bit cold. Not in the literal sense though, and that was kind of the problem.

As race capes go this is a pretty cheap one but it doesn't feel cheaply made, with nice detailing and a good fit. There's vents under the arms and at the rear, as well as reflective piping, and the main body of the cape is 'top of the range stretch fabric from Switzerland' which is a loose synthetic weave covered by a thin membrane. Despite its super-light construction the Shutt race cape has proved to be fairly hardy, and it's light and small enough that you can easily fit it into a pocket.

Some excursions in heavy rain confirmed that the race cape is indeed waterproof, so that's good. Shutt note that the mesh sections under the arms can let in water but I didn't have a problem with that. What I did have a problem with was the breathability, or lack thereof. It just doesn't let much moisture out, and on a warm, wet day you'll be pretty soggy from the inside if you go after it. I did a fixed-gear ride to Cheddar and back, a hilly 90km, with a merino long-sleeved base layer underneath and by the time i got back you could wring the sweat from the sleeves, literally.

It's the arms that seem to be the worst, with the vents and zipper allowing more air flow in the body. But it was just too hot for me, this one. I tend to use a 2.5 layer breathable jacket for wet rides; it's small enough to (just) fit in a pocket and regulates temperature better than the race cape did. If you don't run hot when you're riding it's worth a look as it's good value and very waterproof, and it's good for chilly mornings as you can stuff it in a pocket when the sun comes out.

Verdict

Good value super-light option for the rain if you don't run hot, but not very breathable if you do

road.cc test report

Make and model: Shutt VR Race Cape

Size tested: XL

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Set to become a firm favourite the Shutt Race Cape huge on features in an athletic cut for improved on the bike fit. Constructed from top of the range stretch fabric from Switzerland the lightweight fabric is waterproof, breathable and windproof. Featuring reflective trim and hem gripper, lycra cuffs, armpit mesh panels, soft polyester neck liner and small pack size means this jacket is great for year round wear. Note: Whilst the fabric is waterproof the jacket has armpit vents so is not 100% waterproof

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

No quibbles on that front, nicely made although one section of stitching came loose under the arm

Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10

I wasn't blown away by the performance to be honest. It's plenty waterproof but just not breathable enough for my liking

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Wearing well after a fair few outings

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

Super light and easy to stow

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
6/10

Doesn't chafe or scratch but you get hot pretty quickly

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Good value for what you get

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Okay. Wouldn't be my first choice

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Pack size, weight

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Breathability

Did you enjoy using the product? Not really

Would you consider buying the product? No, i'd go for a more breathable option

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly depending on what they want to do with it

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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2 comments

Avatar
AdamML | 13 years ago
0 likes

My personal recommendation would be the Montane Velocity DT. I've got one and use it whenever it's wet

http://www.montane.co.uk/products/men/shell/velocity-dt-jacket/246

Avatar
1961BikiE | 13 years ago
0 likes

I do run hot and sweaty and am looking for a summer jacket. Will probably need to be more toward the showerproof end than full on rain proof. Can anyone recommend one please?

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