The SCOTT Vikos jacket is high performing waterproof hooded jacket, in a cycle-specific fit that will keep the worst of the autumn rain at bay.

Described by SCOTT as ‘athletic’, the Vikos jacket is definitely on the performance side of fitted. It has a feminine cut, and the size large jacket fit my curvy size 12 body fine, even across the boobs, which is something I’d been concerned about before trying it on.

This size on me also left enough room for a few clothing layers underneath, important when going into the colder weather. If you are towards the upper end of a clothing size, I’d recommend going up a size if you do want to fit layers underneath.

The back hem of the jacket hangs lower than the front to give your rear end some protection from rain. As I’m relatively tall (5’8) I’d have liked this to be just an inch longer, as I found it a little short when leaning forward onto the handlebars, but this won’t be a problem for everyone, and wasn’t a major issue for me.

The sleeves on the Vikos jacket are pleasingly long, reaching easily to mid palm when reaching forward to the handlebars while on the bike. To keep them snug and secure around the wrist there’s a neat, low profile Velcro pull-tab, rather than an elasticated cuff. It sounds a simple thing, but I really liked this cuff – no rubbing, no excess fabric, and easy to use with gloves on.

The inside of the front of the collar area is lined with a soft, fleecy material, and the top of the zip itself is covered by a little flap of material when fully done up which prevented rubbing and chaffing around the neck and chin area.

The waterproof material has a fine lining bonded to it, which makes it feel soft where it’s in contact with the skin, and prevents that cold, clammy, plastic-y feeling you can get with some waterproofs. Although very lightweight for an MTB jacket, the material still feels robust enough to avoid worries of it easily ripping 

The jacket also packs up to a small size, and fitted easily and unobtrusively in the bottom of my rucksack when riding. It comes with a small bag, (about 15cm by 10cm when packed) made of the same waterproof material, to keep it stowed in. Incidentally, this bag also makes a great additional waterproof container for phones etc. in your bag if you’re riding in the rain – bonus!

One feature of the Vikos jacket worth looking at in a bit more detail is the hood. It fits snugly around the face, and the fit can be adjusted using the toggle pull-cords around the sides and back of the head. Once up, the fit is comfy, and the hood fits under a helmet nicely. The hood is integral to the jacket; there is no way of detaching it, and no place to stow it. Personally, I prefer to ride without a hood, so having nowhere to pack it away meant it tended to billow out behind me when I rode, but this won’t be a problem for most riders.

There’s only one pocket on this jacket; a chest pocket with a fully waterproof zip (as the main zip is) – it’s a handy spot to pop small items like a phone, card or money. Having it high keeps it from rubbing or knocking on your hips, but it does mean there’s not a lot of room to store stuff.

It’s also worth mentioning this if you plan to wear the jacket while commuting – the bright colour makes it a good choice for a multi-tasking winter option – you might find the hood obscures your vision when looking over your shoulder.

Waterproofing

Scott have used their proprietary waterproofing material DRYOsphere, which is waterproof, windproof and breathable to 10,000mm. The seams are fully taped to give you increased waterproof protection, and the front and pocket zips are waterproof.

Having worn this jacket in several downpours, including several of more than a couple of hours riding, I emerged dry and comfortable. The breathability was good, and I didn’t experience any build up of moisture on the inside of the jacket.

The jacket does provide good wind proofing and protection, but it did get quite warm when riding in the warmer weather at the end of the summer  – of course, in cooler temperatures this added protection would help keep you toasty.

VERDICT

At £189.99 this is at the pricy end of the waterproof jackets available, but it’s fit, performance and waterproofing lives up to the price tag. A jacket that will pack down small enough to pop in your bag just in case, and versatile enough to keep you riding through the wet weather, make this a good investment for the winter.

PROS

– Great waterproofing and breathability
– A number of colour options (Pictured in Green Flash, it’s also available at Black, Zaffre Blue, Iron Grey, Tibetan Red)
– Packs to a small size

CONS

– Sizing comes up small, so you may need to go up a size
– Hood isn’t packable
– Few pockets

PRICE: RRP £189.99
SIZE: XS to XL
MORE INFO: SCOTT
Available from: You can order the Vikos jacket through any SCOTT retailer. It’s also available from Sail And Ski

What SCOTT say about the Vikos jacket

Fit: Athletic
Features: Fully taped seams, Fixed adjustable hood, Packs into small bag
Fabric Composition: 100% Polyamide
Shell Fabric: Ultralight, waterproof, windproof, breathable 3 Layer
Jacket Weight: 300 gr
Shell Fabric: DRYOsphere 3L
Fixed adjustable hood
Packs into small bag
Chest pocket
Water-tight zippers