Mark Adams Altura Mayhem Waterproof Jacket Designed for the UK mountain biker the Mayhem is a great all rounder, available in a selection of striking colours. KEY FEATURES: – Waterproof, durable and highly breathable soft touch 2 layer fabric with mesh liner – Removable hood with front mounted sliders for structure and stability – Internal storm flap, Velcro wrist closures and draw cord hem – 100% Polyester – Breathability rating 15,000
Altura Mayhem Jacket Review:
Let’s get one thing right off the bat, I love this jacket. It’s my favourite piece of kit for the forest primeval.
The Altura Mayhem is a very well thought out piece of kit with a great design and some very useful features that work together to make the cyclist as warm and dry as can be expected in those cold dark winter days.
The jacket itself is lightweight and packs down into a reasonably small size. It’s well constructed a, made from a thick material that is very durable, very windproof and incredibly waterproof. Along with the massive vents on either side of the chest and the back zips that allow you to open up the jacket to allow for better airflow, it doesn’t even feel that waterproof.
The cuffs can be tightened down with velcro to reduce the risk of wind or water up the sleeves and with all the zips and vents closed tight you will stay nice and dry on those wet rides through the forest. At just over 1kg it’s not a heavy jacket by any means, so it really won’t slow you down as you grab it on the way out the door.
The fit of the jacket is very good and I did not experience any restriction at all as I was riding. The best advantage of the design I found was the extra layer of material covering the lower back. This covers your lower back really well and to be honest I can’t think of anything more important to protect.
The large vertical zip at the rear allows you to open the jacket right up to allow for great airflow, and when I say great, massive is more like it, which is good news in the summer months but also in the winter when you’re working up a sweat.
There are two sets of zips on the jacket that allow the wearer to get fully adjustable ventilation. Along with the huge breast vents, which I love on a mountain jacket, the zip along the bottom allows for a full amount of air movement so that you will never overheat.
The inner layer of mesh is a nice touch and while it’s not a gimmicky feeling fabric it does use the right material that will keep you nice and cool.
The hood of the jacket is removable and it’s great to see that you can still adjust the hood when it’s not on the jacket. One of the biggest problems with cycling jackets is adjusting the hood when you’re wearing a helmet. You simply just never get them to sit right, so the hood is one of the best features of the Mayhem jacket.
Finally, the water propelling out of the exhausts on the rear of the jacket can be adjusted to meet your needs too, you can see how they work in the gallery below.
The Altura Mayhem is a brilliant jacket that covers all your cycling needs. It’s super waterproof, windproof, breathable, offers great ventilation, and is comfortable.
I will be using the Mayhem as my go-to jacket for years to come for those miserable winter rides and long dry forest rides. Well done to Altura for designing such a fantastic piece of kit.
