Review: DHB Flashlight Highline waterproof cycling jacket

Testing out dhb’s Flashlight Highline jacket, £84.99, designed to keep you snug in all weathers AND make you glow in the dark. Magic!

Product description: “The dhb Highline Flashlight Jacket is the highlight of the dhb Flashlight Range. This top spec, high performing jacket will keep you dry on the wettest of commutes, with critically placed high quality 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective prints and logos providing you with the highest level of reflectivity in these low visibility weather conditions. Hook and loop fastened adjustable cuffs and an adjustable drop hem seal out the elements, while a welt rear pocket will protect your valuables from the rain. The stylish, fluro colour accents along the zips further enhance impact to the jacket making it an excellent all rounder you will want to be seen in.”

All-weather cycling: If you’re heading out to ride in rainstorms you need an impermeable cycling jacket that you can rely on, and DHB’s Flashlight ticks all the waterproof boxes. A completely water repellent outer layer, adjustable velcro cuffs, waterproof zips and a dropped back hem protect you from downpours and splashes and the jacket is an effective barrier from wind, too, with a fleecy collar and space to layer up underneath to keep cosy. Multiple pockets will protect your stash of jelly babies. In summer the Flashlight Highline can be too effective at keeping you warm, but zipped side seams help you to regulate temperature.

dhb’s jacket is lightweight, comfortable and very good looking, with fluoro pink detailing and the dhb Flashlight collection’s signature reflective honeycomb pattern against black. This is the other great strength of the jacket – its silver panels dotted across the arms are seriously reflective at night, although it could do with more reflective detailing on the back, which is mainly black.

The only issue I had was that the Flashlight Highline is quite bulky – it doesn’t scrunch up mega small if you’re packing light on multi-day cycles, and in summer you might be better off choosing a waterproof flyweight outer layer.

Verdict: So versatile and easy to wear you’ll want to sling it on for everything from all-day road bike adventures to nipping to the shops, the Flashlight is a great choice if you all want an all-rounder jacket that can deal with everything from sudden summer downpours to miserable winter commutes. It also looks and feels fantastic, and with decent change from £100 it’s a steal. ‘An excellent all rounder you will want to be seen in’? Damn straight.