Like this site? Help us to make it better.
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.
Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
The Rivelo Thorncombe Softshell Jacket is warm and versatile, with a removable insulating layer that means it works well across a wide temperature range. It'll also keep you dry on showery rides, though it's not the most breathable, and the shape and fit won't suit everyone.
The softshell jacket is primarily constructed of recycled polyester that boasts 10k water resistance and 20k breathability. I found the fabric soft inside and comfortable against the skin, although I did wear a jersey or baselayer underneath.
> Buy this online here
It coped easily with light rain – it's certainly good enough for the typical drizzle you'll encounter in Britain from autumn to spring – but for sustained heavy rain you'll want something that provides more protection.
Like many cycling jackets, the Thorncombe has a dropped hem at the rear designed to protect you from road spray, which it does, but it's quite extreme and in fact felt too large and flapped around. I would have preferred that the jacket was just a conventional length, or at least had the option to zip the flap away.
I was really impressed by how warm the jacket is. I used it on rides between 4 and 12°C with the insulation and it coped without a problem, though I did feel a little sweaty when putting in bigger efforts. The 'OCTA Active Insulation' is removable, attaching via internal poppers around the shoulders and chest.
Removing it turns the jacket into something more like a long sleeve jersey, increasing its scope to work in a wider range of temperatures. I'd say the insulation makes 3-4°C of difference, at best guess.
The jacket comes with the usual three rear pockets, plus a zipped side pocket. I found the two outer pockets at the rear a little too shallow – my iPhone 11 or mini-pump would stick out the top of the pocket and feel less secure than I'd like.
The main zip has very large – almost cumbersome – double Vislon zippers, meaning it can also be unzipped from the waist. I didn't find any need for this feature, as opening the bottom zip would only serve to enable the jacket to flap about in the wind.
The jacket is cut short at the front, roughly at belly button height, with the rear of the jacket being particularly long. The sleeves are of a good length, ensuring there are no gaps for cold air to pass between sleeves and gloves.
Rivelo claims the jacket has a 'slim performance fit' – and even suggests sizing up if you want to put layers on underneath – but it didn't feel like that on me, especially compared with other softshells I've worn. I tested the medium and found it loose around the chest, shoulders and arms; I would have preferred something a little tighter fitting. However, it must be said that my build is on the slim side, so it might suit those with broader shoulders a little better.
No complaints on the style side: Rivelo offers the jacket in two colourways, Red/Navy and Navy/Red. I think I prefer the look of the navy one, but the red I tested looks good paired with black bibs.
The retail price for the Thorncombe Softshell is £160, which seems expensive compared with some. The dhb Aeron All Winter Softshell Jacket, for example, which Paul rated highly, costs £130, and Iwein was particularly impressed with Stolen Goat's Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket, for £149.99.
> Spring cycling clothing guide: how to choose and use the best gear to ride through the most unpredictable season
You can spend more – Rapha's Pro Team Winter Jacket is £180, but Robin was impressed with how well it insulates and its breathability, and he also really liked the fit.
Overall, the Rivelo Thorncombe has some strong features, including the removable insulation which adds both warmth and versatility. If the cut suits you, it's one to consider – though you can buy similar for less.
A warm and versatile cycling jacket, but the fit might be looser than you're expecting
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
Make and model: Rivelo Thorncombe Softshell Jacket
Tell us what the jacket 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?
This softshell jacket is aimed at road cyclists looking for a jacket to keep you warm during the winter and early season. The unique feature of the jacket is the removable internal insulation, which offers good levels of warmth, and can be detached quickly to allow use as a long sleeved jersey. Rivelo note the jersey is intended to be worn like a jersey with a baselayer underneath and provides a slim fit. Although I found the fit to be loose, and would not advise sizing up any further.
Rivelo says: 'Fantastically versatile and lightweight softshell that's as comfortable as a jersey with the protection and performance of a jacket. The removable OCTA Active Insulation lining offers great flexibility when you're just not sure what the weather will do, snap it in for warmth and comfort and remove it once you've warmed up. The water-resistant outer fabric is made from recycled polyester with PFC free DWR, as part of our drive for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly range.
'This jacket has a slim performance fit and is designed be worn like a jersey with a baselayer or minimal layers underneath. If you plan to wear it as a jacket (over a jersey or lots of layers), we would recommend sizing up from your usual size.'
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?
100% Recycled Polyester main fabric, with 38% Recycled Polyester/45% Cationic Polyester/17% Elastane backing
10K water resistant protection & 20K breathability
PFC free DWR coating to aid water resistance performance
57% Recycled Polyester/43% Polyester removable OCTA Active Insulation lining - offers flexible warmth & comfort performance on the move, start with it in place and remove mid-ride as you warm up.
Stretch thermal jersey underarm panels aid freedom of movement and breathability
3 large pockets at rear with elasticated opening
Additional zipper pocket for valuables
Reflective panels at back pocket for added low light visibility
Dropped hem at rear to protect from road spray
Full length 2-way Vislon zip with zip garage & guard for protection
Webbing zip pullers for easy opening
Angled collar, lined in soft microfiber fabric, for comfort and weather protection
Articulated sleeve panelling, for an 'on-the-bike' fit
Soft gros grain ribbon back neck hanging loop
No scratchy labels - care label is sewn flat
It seems well made, and the main fabric of the jacket good quality. The articulated sleeve design provides a good sleeve length while holding the handlebar.
The jacket is nice and warm, especially with the insulation in place, if not the most breathable.
I used the jacket on a few winter and early spring rides, and no sign of any issues. The little road spray wiped off easily.
The waterproof rating of 10k indicates that the jacket can cope with short periods of rain. I would agree that it can cope will with light rain or drizzle. I wouldn't want to wear it in prolonged or heavy rain.
The breathability is rated as 20k, which should allow a reasonable amount of air to pass out of the jacket, but I found it got sweaty if I put in an effort or tackled a longer climb. The breathability is certainly enhanced when worn without the insulation.
Personally, I found the fit to be loose. As a 178cm, 69kg cyclist, the medium jacket did not provide the 'slim performance fit' as advertised by Rivelo.
Going by Rivelo's example of a cyclist of the same height and waist size as me, I tested a medium. The size of the jacket was correct – the length of the arms and torso were good – but see above for 'fit'.
The jacket weighs 377g, which compares well with the competition. Weight isn't a major factor for me as other performance characteristics are more important in a winter jacket, but Rapha and dhb offer similar softshell jackets that weigh around 390g.
Removing the insulation saves roughly 50g.
My only problem with comfort was the excessively long hem at the rear.
How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Similar to other cycling kit, it is machine washable at 30 degrees, and OK to tumble dry at a low temperature. It's also easy to wipe away splash from the road with a wet cloth.
Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose
The jacket's key purpose is to keep you warm and it offers light waterproofing, and performed well in these areas. However, it's not as breathable as some, and the 'performance fit' was looser than I'd expected.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket
I liked the warmth, and the removable insulation is a good feature, making the jacket versatile.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket
I didn't like the fit – I found it too loose around the chest, arms and shoulders. Two of the rear pockets were also too shallow for my phone and mini pump.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It's a little pricey: the dhb Aeron All Winter Softshell Jacket costs £130, while Stolen Goat's Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket is £149.99. Rapha's Pro Team Winter Jacket is more at £180, but Robin was impressed with how well it insulates and its breathability, and he also really liked the fit.
Did you enjoy using the jacket? No
Would you consider buying the jacket? No
Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Probably not.
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Rivelo Thorncombe Softshell Jacket has many positives, but for me there were also some negatives. The key characteristic of the jacket is to keep you warm, and it performs well in this area, but I prefer my cycling clothing to be closer fitting. I'm scoring it 6 for 'above average', factoring in that the price is also a little high, the pockets a little shallow, and the rear excessively long.
Age: 30 Height: 182cm Weight: 69kg
I usually ride: S-Works Tarmac My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, cyclo cross, club rides, Gravel on a CX bike
We’ve noticed you’re using an ad blocker. If you like road.cc, but you don’t like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as £1.99.
If you don’t want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
Nick hails from the west country and combines riding bikes with hitting balls with cricket bats and golf clubs. You'll find him riding a mix of road, cyclocross and XC MTB.
Why are you twisting my words? I referred to a desire to commit a crime, and yes, I claim that that is not a crime (except in fiction such as...
It's the famous Schrodinger's cyclist principle innit! A h, read other posts first Simon !
If you've got a smart trainer and you find it boring you're not doing it right. Literally something for everyone.
It's been a while since I've been window shopping, so I had to look it up. Wow. The Aethos hits the mark, a contemporary update on the general...
Ipswich seems quite a lively place for pranging your car or overturning it on a quick squizz through the other stories
hopefully it had deteriorated further!
That bus driver was really really bad what's that fine nothing would spend more on a holiday, Should have been a months wages....
If the Aluminum is thin enough to absorb buzz how long before it fatigues? Seems like a substance that never should have been used to build bilkes.
Reminds me of the story, a few years back, of locals, in Tower Hamlets, London, sick of drug dealers parking outside their houses every night and...
Comfortable jacket that performs well in a range of conditions, but some question marks over the fit
An excellent insulated cycling jacket that works for all kinds of adventures.
Super-warm jacket that might be useful for cold e-bike users, but the overall design has some cycling-specific flaws
Well built and very visible for town jaunts, but disappointing waterproofing limits its usefulness
Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc Tech, reviews: tech [at] road.cc Fantasy Cycling: game [at] road.cc Advertising, commercial: sales [at] road.cc View our media pack
Report an advert on road.cc
All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use.