The Maap Ascend Rain Professional Jacket is a standout in our information to the greatest waterproof biking jackets thaanks to the safety it provides together with the massive scoops of fashion it serves up alongside. As a jacket extra aimed on the roadie finish of the market, a tour of Bristol’s greatest nation lanes and climbs was the right testing floor within the close to everlasting deluge we have had prior to now few weeks.Â
Design and aesthetics
Maap are good at trendy particulars, and the Ascend Professional Rain Jacket is simply one other instance of that. There are particulars that shout ‘I’m waterproof’ throughout this jacket. The YKK Aquaguard® zippers distinction with the material of the jacket and the textured black seam guards on the shoulders. The thermobonded seams on the within are left uncooked, the tape in stark distinction to the olive color of this one. There’s additionally a big, rubbery panel on the inside again panel with a big Maap brand and the product particulars.
Every thing about this jacket seems crisp whereas giving a nod to how sensible every characteristic is. The signature Maap color blocks (additionally reflective) add to the trendy look whereas the reduce is on the extra fitted finish of the size with out going full aero. It appeared a bit tight round my shoulders at first, however on the bike, with my shoulders in a extra rounded place, it sits like a dream.
The material is certainly extra inflexible than different jackets we’ve reviewed. It’s thick sufficient to persuade you of its waterproof ranking (the best of all of the jackets within the information) however doubtful of its breathability ranking. The material can also be windproof, as are kind of each waterproof jacket, however the thickness lends a extra protecting really feel when it is actually blowing arduous.
The sleeves end with elasticated cuffs that sit contained in the outer cloth of the jacket, making a delicate, comfy guard in opposition to wind and water. The neck additionally comes up excessive sufficient to behave as safety from chill and water ingress and has a equally delicate lining. There may be additionally a dropped hem to guard your rear, with grippy silicon Maap logos to assist it keep in place whilst you journey. The jacket additionally has one, small chest pocket, which is nice sufficient for a key or card however not a lot else.
All in all it’s a good looking jacket which makes use of modern design to attract your eyes to its purposeful options…however simply how purposeful had been they?
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Efficiency
This jacket is a praise producing machine. In case you are in search of a garment that can nearly drive folks to inform you that you just look nice, that is the one for you. It did really feel like I had placed on my Sunday greatest to go out on my journey and my buddies bolstered that for me. The Ascend was additionally professional at maintaining me dry from the relentless rain pummelling us these days within the southwest of England. It’s a actually strong barrier that may be trusted in a torrential downpour and the waterproof ranking of 45k isn’t any joke. After using by way of some fairly terrible climate, it held robust. The identical couldn’t be stated for circumstances contained in the jacket although.
The marginally extra inflexible materials is meant to be breathable and windproof. I discovered it to be much more windproof than it was breathable throughout my journey. I’m undecided why Maap determined to dam half of the Sympatex cloth with an enormous rubberised data label, however that was partly answerable for my sweating. As I started to place extra effort in, I’d develop into conscious that I used to be beginning to get rather a lot hotter as effectively. It was much less comfy and extra stuffy than the Albion All Street after a steep climb.
That is once I grew to become appreciative of the protecting high quality of the jacket. I used to be a bit sweaty on the within, however at the very least I wasn’t freezing to the core because it evaporates. It’s a bit hen and egg although, had the jacket been extra breathable I wouldn’t be sweating as a lot! It’s undeniably bulkier than the opposite jackets on the market, so taking it off mid journey, had I been extra inclined to, would have been significantly extra faff. I did attempt, after the journey, to suit it right into a jersey pocket. It took a good quantity of squiching and rolling for it to get in there, however ultimately it did. I wouldn’t suggest making an attempt it stopped at a crimson mild, let’s simply say that. It is also price noting that Maap has not too long ago launched a brand new, far lighter rain jacket, the Atmos, which utilises Pertex Defend as a membrane, and free from PFCs.
I did discover nearly all the things else in regards to the jacket to be fairly darn good. Regardless of the stiffness of the material, the reduce meant it sat effectively whereas using. The sleeves didn’t reduce in at my elbows, it felt comfy throughout my shoulder and midriff. I’m undecided how a lot give there could be in case you are bigger chested than I’m; there isn’t a lot stretch to the jacket so do measure effectively earlier than ordering. The dropped hem did wiggle its manner up, but it surely doesn’t drop so far as different jackets so I discovered it was resting on the widest level which didn’t give it a good likelihood at staying put whereas pedalling.
Worth
All in all of the Maap Ascend Professional is a good rain jacket. It is going to preserve you dry and protected against the weather, you simply may get a bit scorching and bothered as effectively. For actual deep winter climate it is a superb choose, however for £295 it’s one of many dearer jackets we’ve reviewed. It is probably the most aesthetically pleasing, and in order for you one thing purposeful that makes you are feeling nice whereas carrying, it is an awesome jacket. For some folks you may want it to be a bit nearer to perfection for that value.
Verdict
Stunning, extraordinarily protecting, and effectively made, however with a commerce off within the breathability stakes. In case your wet rides are additionally freezing then it is an awesome possibility, however in case you run scorching, or are using in additional temperate downpours then look elsewhere.
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Match | Flattering with out being too tight, a contact inflexible although. | 7/10 |
| Safety | It survived some fairly brutal downpours with confidence | 10/10 |
| Options | I favored the design particulars and the tailor-made look of this jacket. | 8/10 |
| Breathability | Not sufficient, it was a little bit of a sweat field on longer climbs, plus the enormous label is daft | 5/10 |
| Worth | It’s costly, but it surely retains the water out and appears so, so good. | 7/10 |
| Total ranking | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 74% |