This Sportful Jacket Is So Warm That You Only Need One Base Layer
Price: $400
Style: Winter outerwear
The right jacket for: Roadies who want to ride warmly through winter
The R&D Intensity Jacket by Sportful is the perfect companion when it’s time to get serious about early season training. As is the case with many cyclists I know, I’d much rather ride outside than indoors, even with my smart trainer and Zwift. So, when I’m preparing for an cold outdoor ride, I try to keep layering simple, and the Intensity Jacket is great for that.
It features a sleek cut so you don’t feel like a you are wearing a huge, puffy winter jacket, thanks in part to the Polartec Alpha fabric that keeps you supremely warm without adding bulk. During my testing, the jacket to struck a good balance between breathability and warmth through unpredictable and ever-changing riding conditions, from cooler fall rides to long winter slogs on recently plowed roads.
Whether you layer it with a light base layer or a thermal windproof layer, you can likely get through much of chilly season with nothing more than this jacket and a nice base. That makes it really appealing to roadies who put in big time on the saddle during the winter, preparing for warm-weather riding, and don’t want to let the temperature prevent them from riding outdoors.
Key Features
The Sportful Intensity Jacket is made with a wind- and water-resistant nylon fabric on the front to help fend of the elements, along with a stretchy thermal back to allow the jacket to fit comfortably while you’re riding. For warmth, Sportful used the trendy and effective Polartec Alpha fabric.
The overall design is decidedly simple, forgoing bells and whistles and prioritizing the most effective cycling-clothing basics, like three full-size rear pockets and front vents that double as pockets. I appreciated those rear pockets, which feature some reflective material, during long winter base miles because they gave me a spot to stash extra layers, my camera or phone, and snacks in separate spots. And I loved how the front vents double as pockets, perfect for temperature regulation and added storage. However, I found myself using them primarily as vents as opposed to pockets.
Polartec Alpha for the Win
The Polartec Alpha is the standout tech in this jacket. Yes it has vents, yes it has great pockets, but all of that would mean very little without the Polartec fabric. For years, most cool-weather jackets were bulky and sometimes unsightly, but this amazingly thin and warm fabric allows for a cozy jacket that maintains the sleek fit I prefer during road rides.
Final Say
After months of testing in some pretty foul conditions, I’ve found the R&D Intensity to be a great no-frills winter jacket that should hold up to multiple winter training cycles. It’s incredibly warm for its sleek fit and has all the essentials I want for a long or fast winter ride. When it comes to technical cycling gear, comfort and performance are key, and this one delivers, and even brings a few extra style points.
You Might Also Like
