The Transit jacket is an intriguing blend of classic, understated design - casual almost - with stretchy softshell fabrics. The result is a cracking, comfortable jacket that shrugs off rain showers and keeps chill winds at bay, yet really wouldn't look out of place in a hipster cafe or airport lounge. For that reason, it lends itself well to cool weather touring where you could happily leave the bike behind yet not look like you'd lost the peloton on the way.
Earthy colours and discreetly dark reflectives that only show their true nature when called upon at night add to the subtle looks. Even the casually loose cuffs are supplemented on the inside by hidden lycra sleeves to keep draughts out - it's all about low key functionality here. The only other features in this otherwise sleek and understated jacket are the luxuriously microfleece lined hand warmer pockets, adjustable elastic hem and small hidden chest and back pockets. The collar is snug, and microfleece lined for a cosy feel too. Short on technical features it may be, but we loved it all the same.
We used the Transit Softshell mountain biking, gravel riding and on the road and while it copes surprisingly well with all of them it is best suited to more social riding or touring where the looks and cut are very welcome, and the lack of all-out technical features aren't so much of an issue.
