Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket review: Because rain is never too far away

For many of us, rain is an unpredictable inevitability to the point that the Sportful Hot Pack No Rain would be a useful addition to every ride

Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket
(Image: © Josh Ross)

Cyclingnews Verdict

The Sportful Hot Pack No Rain jacket isn't new, but recent updates eliminate flapping and bring a better fit to the shoulder area. It's a great option for summer descents or times when it's unclear what the weather will bring.

Pros

  • +

    Integrated stuff pocket

  • +

    High-stretch panels make the fit work with minimal bulk

  • +

    Waterproof and the seams are taped

  • +

    Excellent neckline

  • +

    No flapping in the wind

  • +

    Comfortable against the skin

Cons

  • -

    Zipper isn't great

  • -

    Don't expect high breathability

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

For some people, summer riding doesn't need much defining, it's either hot or very hot. However, for a lot of us, things are a little more complicated and there's no better example than the UK where, during the same week that temperatures hit record highs, it also rained. More and more as summer begins to fade, many of us will head out the door not quite sure what the weather will bring. You might alternatively be heading out the door and expecting to climb for an hour or two in the sun before descending from a cold and windy ridge line. Times like these are when an emergency jacket makes sense.

Our collection of the best waterproof cycling jackets reflects a desire to handle some of the worst storms. If you expect a day of riding in the rain, there are options on that list to fit the need in a variety of ways. What if it's more complicated than that though?

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Testing scorecard and notes
AttributesNotesRating
BreathabilityNot super breathable but that’s expected5/10
Neckline ComfortReally one of the best features10/10
Protection from the elementsNot meant for all day in bad weather but it does an excellent job for what it is.8/10
PackabilityThis is the point of this jacket. Ultra packable and easy to bring just in case.10/10
Fashion appeal (does it look/feel good) Not the most fashion oriented piece in general but the fit is excellent and it looks good.8/10
Value for moneyThere are similar solutions at half the price, but these often miss out on flap-free stretch panels6/10
Overall ratingRow 6 - Cell 1 78%
Josh Ross

Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx