As a leisurely cyclist, wearing cycling specific gear for my commute is a relatively new thing for me. I’m used to wearing a pair of leggings, a vest, a warm hoody and, my trusty North Face waterproof jacket.

Now that it’s getting colder and darker I was becoming less motivated to cycle to work. However, as my commute is my main exercise regime I was reluctant to give it up. I decided to get some proper winter cycling gear, including a warm cycling jacket and I’m delighted to say that the Sportful Bodyfit Pro Wind Stopper Women’s Jacket has really done the perfect job!

The product is a snug racing fit thermal jacket designed for good mobility and warmth on the bike. As is the case with the rest of the BodyFit range, it has a very close cut. That’s close, not tight. I’m a women’s size 12 in clothing and I tested a medium which has a really nice fit. There has been no excess material flapping in the wind, billowing up at the front of the jacket or creating pockets of cold air between my layers.

It has three rear pockets and a nifty silicone gripper at the bottom of the jacket which works well to stop it from riding up. A zipped pocket (for a mobile phone) would be a welcome addition, particularly as the jacket will normally be worn as an outer layer. The sleeves are long with double cuffs, which I particularly like, as they can be pulled down for a bit for extra warmth.

Although the jacket is not waterproof it does offer quite a bit of protection from the rain and to my surprise it dries very quickly too! It provides adequate protection form the wind and has kept me extremely warm throughout my 10 mile commute into central London. The jacket is breathable and the fleecy lining in the inside has great moisture wicking features- so far I have never arrived at my destination damp!

It’s difficult to fault the product. The Sportful Bodyfit Pro Wind Stopper is a snug fitting, comfortable jacket that shields you from the wind, keeps the warmth in and helps you to stay sweat free! If you aren’t using it for road cycling, I would go up a size as I find it’s better to have a roomy fit with a commuter jacket. The more layers the better! The price tag is pretty significant as well, but it’s a good investment for winter riding and it should last for years.

Price: 89.99 (RRP £149.99), available from Evans.