VAUDE is a family-run company whose focus is to make environmentally friendly outdoor clothes. Born in the mountains, VAUDE are one of the few outdoor brands to keep social and environmental responsibility at its heart.

I have to say straight away – this jacket is absolutely fantastic. I have tested it in wind, snow, warm and freezing cold temperatures, on my mountain bike, walking the dog and running on the hills. Its USP truly is its versatility, which makes the £120 (RRP) price tag seem much more reasonable.

The Vaude Fisk Jacket has 2 front zip pockets, front zip, drawcord at the bottom, which can be adjusted through the pockets, adjustable cuffs and ventilation through the pockets. The hood can be rolled up really quickly and secured with a press stud, a great idea for keeping the hood out of the way on downhills.

Lightweight, wind proof, water repellent, breathable, stretchy material – all with the Green Shape guarantee and eco-standard bluesign® certification.

They claim that the Vaude Fisk Jacket’s extra dense construction makes it 100% windproof. What’s left of the wind is a pleasant, cool breath of fresh air offering unbeatable breathability. And they’re right. I went for a run in this jacket with a long sleeved running jersey underneath and it kept me surprisingly warm, even when it started to snow!

As the fabric is breathable I didn’t overheat either. To make sure it wasn’t a coincidence, I went out on a long MTB ride in the bitter cold wearing a long sleeved base layer and short sleeved jersey under the jacket. I would normally be taking a layer off for the long up hills only to put it back on again for the descents but now I was able to keep going as the jacket seemed to regulate my temperature. This jacket would be ideal for racing where you don’t have time to stop!

I tested a size 38 (equivalent to a UK 10), which was spot on for my tall, slim frame. The sleeves are nice and long, even when on the bike. Having a bit of give and stretch in the fabric is good too as it stopped the jacket from feeling constricting, allowing me a bit more movement.

For biking it would be nice for the Vaude Fisk Jacket to have a slightly longer back on the jacket to cover a bit more of the lower back – but that is only a minor point and I didn’t experience any ‘ride up’ whilst I was on my bike.

Available in green, blue and red.

Pros
– Versatility.
– High quality fabric that does exactly what it says it will!
– Good fit and sizing.
– Environmentally friendly.

Cons
– None.

Price: £58.18 (RRP £93.14), available from Bike Discount.