The Vaude Tremalzo rain Jacket II provides a practical, lighter weight option. Packable yet still durable enough to take on the mountains.

>>> The best waterproof mountain bike jackets for 2018

Vaude use an environmentally friendly membrane to provide permanent waterproof, windproof and breathable weather protection to the jacket material. This can survive countless washes without needing reproofing. Like the Altura Mayhem 2 it also proved to be reassuringly waterproof throughout the testing period.

As with any good jacket, all seams are taped and heat sealed for additional protection at weak points. Where the Tremalzo has the edge over the Mayhem is in the tactile feel of the fabric. It’s a much softer and quieter material, so conforms and moves with the body better. It also has a ripstop finish, and whilst not as obviously robust as the Mayhem, if it does get snagged on any vegetation it shouldn’t cause catastrophic damage.

The body facing side of the material does lend the Tremalzo a touch of the ‘school cagoule’. It’s slightly rubberised and in its way makes the jacket feel like a much lower quality product. It feels cold and a little clammy, even when completely dry, against the skin. The fit is also quite voluminous, especially across the torso. This is exaggerated when riding if you try to put anything heavy into the chest pockets. Made of a separate mesh liner, any content swings about uncomfortably and disconcertingly.

This is a real shame as the Tremalzo is a well thought out piece of kit. In mild and wet conditions its breathability and temperature control beats the Mayhem into a cocked hat. Helped in no small measures by the cavernous pit vents (they practically split the jacket on both sides) and the ability to open the two chest pockets to create additional air flow across the torso.

Like the Mayhem the Tremalzo also features an adjustable hood. Unlike Altura’s offering, this isn’t separate from the collar. So if it’s not being used in a rainstorm, you can’t cinch the neck tight enough to prevent the dreaded drips going down your collar. It can be rolled away though, preventing any annoying flappage. It also has a better fit, not only on the head but also over helmets.