Albion Ultralight Insulated Jacket review: So packable there’s no excuse not to take it with you

A superlight, ultra-packable layer that’s more than just an emergency shell

A white man wears a thin balck insulated cycling jacket against a white wall
(Image: © Will Jones)

Cyclingnews Verdict

Ultralight, surprisingly versatile, and a perfect lightweight emergency layer for the colder months so you don't get caught out.

Pros

  • +

    So pocket-friendly you can take it on every ride

  • +

    Easy to put on while riding

  • +

    Surprisingly warm

Cons

  • -

    No stuff sack

  • -

    A little flappy in the shoulders

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There’s a saying in photography that goes ‘the best camera is the one you have with you’. That doesn’t necessarily ring true the whole time with the best winter cycling jackets, but having a warm layer with you at all times, just in case, is never going to be a bad idea. I’ve been riding with the Albion Ultralight Insulated jacket for the last month or so and it’s taken me a bit of time to get my head around it. 

It looks, on paper, like a standard (if very thin) wind jacket, just with some added synthetic insulation, and so I initially consigned it to ‘emergency shell’ territory and simply stuffed it in my pocket and never really used it for the first few rides. I am happy to report that, after actually riding with it a fair bit, it’s far more than that. I’ve used it as an actual part of my riding wardrobe and kept it on all day in some cases.

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Testing scorecard and notes
AttributesNotesRating
FitA little rustly in the shoulders, but it needs to be a little loose to allow for layers underneath and make it a unisex fit. 8/10
ProtectionIt's far more effective than a wind jacket, and while it isn't going to match a full winter jacket, it's amazing for such a lightweight layer. 8/10
FeaturesThe lightness is the feature, but you still get a drawstring hem and a double ended zip. I'd have like to see a stuff sack though, even a little mesh one with no zip, or indeed a pocket 8/10
BreathabilityIt's pretty airy, for a nylon jacket. The lower zip helps in this regard when you need to dump heat. 8/10
ValueIt's quite expensive for such a lightweight bit of kit, but considering the attention that's gone into it I don't think it's unfair. 8/10
Overall ratingRow 5 - Cell 1 80%
Will Jones
Senior Tech Writer

Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.