Velocio Men’s Ultralight Jacket

The name pretty much sums this piece up nicely: it’s incredibly light and it packs down small for easy stowage in a jersey pocket. It won’t offer much in the way of insulation if temperatures really plummet, but for chilly descents down mountain passes, this exceptionally thin nylon jacket is indispensable.

The Ultralight jacket has a drop tail that covers low over your waist, even in aggressive riding positions. It’s perfectly placed to deal with road spray, but it doesn’t flap in the breeze. Instead, it sits flat and stable against your body.

It’s windproof and water-resistant. If the weather turns really foul, the Ultralight might be outmatched, but for early morning chill and light drizzle, it’s just about all you need.

Like most of Velocio’s performance wear, the Ultralight jacket fits snugly, which is great for eliminating flapping. But it can be somewhat unforgiving, so if you’re not comfortable showing off your beer gut, this might not be the best piece for you. There is some flex from strategically placed mesh panels (which also help with breathability), but that’s about it.

Those mesh panels make this a very breathable piece, but the panels are also exceptionally thin. While there’s stretch to it, the panels do seem like a prime place for a tear. We’ve been riding this jacket for months now with no problems, though.

There are no pockets on this piece, so you’ll need to pull it up to access your pockets. That can be a challenge, but this is a minor inconvenience at worst.

The collar is lined with a soft material for a soft feel against your skin. The zipper liner and zipper garage help keep breezes at bay too. And about that zipper: Velocio wisely avoids tinny zipper pulls and teeth, so you’ll actually be able to get this jacket on and zip it up quickly and easily.

This has quickly become a springtime favorite for its packability, light weight, excellent fit, and breathable design.