Santini Pure Dye - Wind jacket

The Santini Pure Dye Wind Jacket is a thick windproof and water-resistant top. It has a high neckline to keep out the winter chill, the quality of the craftsmanship is excellent and I found it comfortable for epic rides, though I'd have preferred a little more resistance to heavier rain.

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Our best winter cycling jackets buyer's guide covers our favourite waterproofs, soft shell tops and warm jackets for all types of winter cycling.

Fit

Santini describes the Pure Dye as having its 'classic fit', which means it isn't a super-tight race-type top. The result is a jacket I found comfortable for smashing out winter miles, with room for layering beneath it when the conditions called for it.

The jacket didn't pinch anywhere and I was able to wear it for long rides without any discomfort. Typical of a cycling-specific jacket, the rear comes down lower than the front to prevent you getting a soggy backside when you're riding.

The high neckline acts like a built-in neck warmer, which I found a very welcome addition on the very coldest rides. The sleeves were a good length too, with long enough cuffs to ensure none of your skin is open to elements when worn with a pair of gloves.

Material

This jacket uses a triple layer membrane, which helps with windproofing, water resistance and warmth. The inside of the jacket is quite soft and feels comfortable against your skin, although it's not quite as soft as Santini's Pure Dye Jersey.

The high-quality zip has a rubber aid to help with grip that I found effective even with gloved hands.

A flap of material covers the front of the zip, which further helps to keep the wind out, with the material tapered at the top so that it won't irritate your neck.

Performance

During multiple test rides I was impressed with the jacket's windproofing, and when I got caught in very light showers the water resistance was enough for rain to bead on the surface and roll off. But during heavier rain I felt it let water through a little earlier than I'd have liked. So if you're expecting to ride in wetter conditions, I wouldn't recommend relying solely on this jacket.

We haven't yet got to the depths of a British winter so I was able to push the breathability of the jacket to the max – and I certainly found its limits: once the temperature reached around 10°C or so I began to overheat. That's fair enough, though, as Santini claims the temperature range for this jacket is from -5°C to +5°C, and I think within that range you're very unlikely to have any issues with breathability.

There are three reasonably sized rear pockets, with enough stretch to accommodate whatever you require on long winter rides. For me this meant plenty of snacks, a rain jacket and my phone, all of which fitted without issue. Though I do wish that Santini had included a small zipped security pocket for keys, cash and cards.

The bottom of the jacket has an effective gripper that runs the whole way around, which was especially welcome at the rear on grim winter rides.

Aesthetics

This jacket comes in four colours: the burgundy we tested, black, orange and fluro. They all feature a slight tie-dye pattern, which I feel makes a nice change to the block colours you find on most cycling kit. My one gripe, though, is that the back panels are all black or navy, which is frustrating if you're trying to make yourself as visible as possible to other road users. I understand the back is likely to get dirtier and stained, but if I was buying a bright orange winter jacket, I'd prefer the back to be orange too.

There is a reflective strip on the middle pocket, and while it's a good addition, I'd have preferred it ti be a little larger.

The material and cut look very high-end, which gives an air of class to the jacket, which is further emphasised by the zip covering and the quality of the stitching.

Value

The £150 RRP isn't cheap but it is a good deal less expensive than the 'gold standard' Castelli Perfetto ROS 2 that Liam really rated, which comes in at £245. That said, the Castelli does have better water resistance.

The Endura Pro Primaloft comes is a similar price to the Santini and majors on warmth and breathability rather than water resistance. Steve thought it was a fantastic jacket with a hint of luxury about it.

For a more all-rounder, urban-flavoured take on a winter cycling jacket you might want to consider the Showers Pass Transit CC that Simon reckoned was an exceptional commuter jacket.

The Galibier GrandTour has similar features and claims to the Pure Dye Jacket, but it comes in under 90 quid and I rated it as a great winter jacket when I tested it earlier this year.

I think the price of Santini is reasonable for a well-made winter jacket with impressive windproofing and some water resistance.

Conclusion

Overall, I've found this jacket a pleasure to wear, although it's definitely one for the colder days. It's comfortable, stylish and has large enough pockets for big days out. I do wish visibility from the rear was a little better, and the inclusion of a zip pocket would be nice. And while the water resistance is okay, I wouldn't count on it for anything more than a light shower.

Verdict

A warm, windproof and water-resistant jacket that is well made, smart and comfortable