Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to REVIEWS
review
Jackets
Howies Dyfi Active Shell jacket Howies Dyfi Active Shell jacket Howies Dyfi Active Shell jacket Howies Dyfi Active Shell jacket Howies Dyfi Active Shell jacket
Howies Dyfi Active Shell Jacket

Howies Dyfi Active Shell jacket

8
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Sep 17, 2013

3
£39.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Stylish jacket that's ideal for commuting, urban cycling and leisure riding.
Weight: 
205g
Contact: 
www.howies.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

The howies Dyfi Active Shell is a lightweight windproof shell with a good fit, nice details and smart looks, and all for a very reasonable price.

The Dyfi Active Shell is made from a recycled polyester ripstop fabric that manages to offer decent breathability - you can maintain a high workout level without fear of boiling in the bag. The simplicity of the jacket means there's no ventilation ports, but I found the full-length zip to provide more than enough ventilation when it did get a bit warm.

Howies have kept the design simple, with just the key details to make it a pleasant jacket to spend some time in. There fleece-lined collar is a nice touch, and the adjustable waist cord gives a good range of adjustability. The chest pocket is the only storage you get, and also doubles up as some place to roll the jacket away into when you're not wearing it.

It isn't waterproof, but a hydrophobic coating does ensure it's able to cope well with light rain showers, i've been caught in the odd downpour and it's managed to just about cope. That combination of wind and water resistance makes it ideal for changeable autumnal conditions, with the breathability sufficient for the current temperature ranges.

The fit isn't road-specific. Too relaxed for performance road cyclists, it can be a bit baggy on slim riders, and the tail doesn't drop that far. Away from the pressure of heart rate threshold training and aerodynamic concerns, the Dyfi is a comfortable jacket ideal for urban cycling and commuting. I've put it through its paces on my 55km commute into the road.cc office [show-off - Ed], where the fit and bright orange colour proved a good combination. A handful of reflective details helps you stand out too.

Verdict

Stylish jacket that's ideal for commuting, urban cycling and leisure riding.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Howies Dyfi Active Shell jacket

Size tested: Medium, Orange

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?

With recycled polyester ripstop body and breathable, four-way stretch arm panels. Reflective accents on cuff and tail. Adjustable waistband. Zipped chest pocket with headphone aperture. Elasticated cuffs. Fleece lined collar. Packs away into chest pocket.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Windproof and Breathable

- Lightweight; Medium 215g

- Hydrophobic coating shrugs off spray

- 4-way stretch panels

- Reflective cuff and hem

- Elasticated cuffs

- Drawcord hem

- Chest pocket with a clip for keys and headphone port

- Headphone loop on the inside collar

- Tricot lined collar for comfort and keeping breezes out

- Body: Recycled

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Top-notch construction and it's holding up fine after some heavy commuting.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

It isn't the most advanced fabric and the fit is a little on the baggy side for performance cyclists, but for urban cycling and commuting it works well, with a nice set of details and stylish finish. Nice colour options too.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

All good so far.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

The relaxed fit means it's very comfortable and the fabric is even fine against bare arms.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

At £39 it's pretty good value for money for a jacket that copes well in the wind and rain.

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

Very well, good breathability and wind resistance.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good value for money, looks great and lovely choice of colours.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The fit is a little on the baggy side, which limits it personally to commuting duties (and occasional mountain biking and cyclo-cross).

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

Howies Dyfi Active Shell Jacket
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

Add new comment

3 comments

Avatar
chokofingrz | 11 years ago
0 likes

I just got one of these, same colour as pictured, £30 in Wiggle sales. Nice fit and seems well-made. Definitely an autumn/spring garment. The only thing I might want for is an extra pocket or two.

Avatar
othello | 11 years ago
0 likes

Howies are doing quite the range of bike gear these days (seems to be a change in focus with the new owners). Interested to see how their softshell stacks up.

Avatar
swelbo | 11 years ago
0 likes

Agree. Just used mine now for the 55km 13km commute...

Latest Comments