Review: Altura Pocket Rocket

First published in Singletrack Magazine Issue 93

The Pocket Rocket is Altura’s lightweight packable waterproof. It’s a teeny packable number, which boasts a 2.5 layer waterproof membrane and fully taped seams. There are thumb loops to keep the sleeves from riding up, and it all packs down into its own rear pocket to keep things nice and compact. There are reflective stripes on the sleeves and down the front; there’s also a small one on the back near the collar. The whole thing looks subtle and understated.

I’m tall, but I’m not overly skinny or stocky (I don’t think), and the XL fitted me relatively well – it was perfect across the chest and the sleeves were just long enough, but the body was a little short. On this basis I think the sizing is a little skewed towards increases in width than height.

In use, it was a little sweaty across the back and arms, even without a pack on, but it wasn’t terrible – I’ve certainly ridden in considerably more sweaty (and more expensive) jackets. Some vents or pit zips would definitely have helped here, but would have increased the bulk, and as it is, it packs down to a very compact bundle, easily small enough to cram in the teensiest of backpacks, or even a jersey pocket.

The drop-tail isn’t terribly extensive; I’d have appreciated a little more arse coverage, but this isn’t really an issue with a mudguard or waterproof shorts.

Overall: A great little jacket – a little sweaty for extended periods, but that’s not really what it’s for.

Barney.

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Barney Marsh

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.

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