Talking about the weather might be a national pastime, but I wore this jacket through one of the wettest summer months on record, so this time we bikers had good reason.
With a camping trip through North Yorkshire and Northumberland planned, I needed kit that could handle a proper British soaking. So I reached for the Richa Cyclone 2 Gore-Tex jacket to see how it stood up.
I went for the black version with high-viz panels – a practical choice that stands out just enough. Straight away, the jacket felt solid and well put together. The high-viz touches add a bit of extra presence on the road without making me look like a traffic cone.
Waist adjustment straps on both sides make it easy to tailor the fit to whatever layers you’re wearing underneath. Once set, I didn’t need to touch them again unless I changed base layers. Velcro straps above and below the elbows help hold the armour in place – not a perfect solution, but they do the job.
The jacket comes fitted with CE Level 1 armour at the back, shoulders and elbows, and has pockets for optional chest protectors. Unfortunately, one of the chest armour pockets on my jacket had been stitched incorrectly, which meant I couldn’t fit the protector – a bit of a letdown in terms of quality control.
Photography: Jose Mas
Richa says the jacket uses a 'mix of high abrasion-resistant textiles' and, although they don’t specify exactly what, it's CE rated at AA – a decent level of protection.
Over 1100 miles, including days with more than 300 miles in the saddle, the jacket proved extremely comfortable. Stretch panels and the overall cut made for an easy fit, with no annoying seams or chafing. Once the thermal liner was out, a soft mesh lining added to the comfort.
And in terms of waterproofing? Spot on. I rode through proper downpours in North Yorkshire and Northumberland and stayed bone dry the entire time. No water got in through the cuffs, collar or zip – so full marks there.
On warmer, drier days, the ventilation was okay but nothing to write home about. There are zipped vents on the chest, back and forearms, which help a bit, but this isn’t the jacket for hot summer touring. It’s clearly designed for variable UK weather – think spring through to autumn.
The collar and cuffs are finished in soft neoprene and fasten with Velcro. The collar has a small loop to hold it open, which helps a bit with airflow. The front zip is backed by a Velcro-fastened storm flap to help keep the rain out.
Photography: Jose Mas
The removable thermal liner is thin and made from different materials. I didn’t need it on this trip, so can’t say much about its warmth, but it doesn’t add much bulk – which could be good or bad, depending on how chilly things get.
You get two internal pockets that are mirrored in the thermal liner, which means your gear stays accessible whether the liner is in or out. There are also two external hand pockets – they're decent but could do with being a bit larger – plus a handy Napoleon-style pocket tucked behind the storm flap.
The jacket has both short and long zips for connecting to trousers. Oddly, the long zip on my size medium jacket was a bit shorter than the long zip on my size medium Richa trousers. It still connected and didn’t cause any issues, but it’s something to be aware of.
The Richa Cyclone 2 Gore-Tex Jacket turned out to be a great pick for a warm, wet British summer. It kept me completely dry, stayed comfortable across long rides, and handled mixed conditions without fuss.
Ventilation could be better, and the stitched-up chest armour pocket was frustrating and a move to CE Level 2 armour would make the jacket even more appealing. But on the whole this is a capable jacket for UK riders who want one bit of kit to cover most weather – just be ready to layer up on colder days.
