Altura Pocket Rocket Jacket review

The Altura Pocket Rocket has been remodelled for 2023-2024 and is designed to offer the same performance as more expensive jackets, for a more competitive price.

Overall, it has impressed me. It kept me dry in a biblical rain storm, the fit is slim but accommodating and it has practically all the details a waterproof jacket needs.

Breathability could be better, though, while the fabric can flap in the wind. However, at £125, it represents decent value versus the very best waterproof jackets.

Altura Pocket Rocket jacket details and specifications

Altura says the Pocket Rocket’s fabric is waterproof to a 10,000mm water column rating and breathable to the tune of 10,000g/m2/24hrs.

Of the jackets I tested it alongside, those numbers outstrip the Van Rysel Showerproof Road Cycling jacket (8,000mm water column, from new), but are beaten by Gore-Tex Active-equipped jackets. Gore-Tex Active can achieve in the region of 28,000mm water column and 25,000g/m2/24hrs breathability ratings.

Numbers such as that seem stark, but only tell half the story.

Inside the Pocket Rocket, the seams are taped, while outside Altura says its DWR (durable water repellent) coating is PFC-free.

The jacket has a tall, contoured and lined collar with a reflective tab on the back, which doubles as a hook tab.

The zip is two-way, sealed and has an internal backer to further seal out draughts. There’s a garage under the chin.

The waist is partially elasticated and has a silicone gripper on the inside to help stop it riding up.

The cut is slim, but there’s plenty of room across the shoulders and around the chest, while the arms also give generous space.

On the rear, the Pocket Rocket has a dedicated pocket, which is accessible under an Altura-branded flap. This doubles as a stash pocket for the jacket.

The jacket is available in ‘Lime’ green and ‘Carbon’ black, each with a reflective pattern applied to the rear pocket and down the backs of the arms, and in six sizes (S-3XL).

Altura Pocket Rocket jacket performance

The Altura Pocket Rocket jacket does a good job of keeping rain at bay.

On one especially wet commute, on which I had to ride up a river that had temporarily replaced the road, the Pocket Rocket jacket fended off the deluge impressively.

Although some wetting out had occurred in the extreme rain, it hadn’t penetrated the fabric. On subsequent rides, it continued to bead water effectively (also following washes using my chosen tech wash product).

The fabric surface can wet out a little when challenged with repeated showers, but this proved to be a surface-level issue, rather than a penetrating problem.

Breathability is decent, albeit I found I retained a little more sweat wearing this jacket than I did riding in any of the Gore-Tex Active-equipped jackets I tested it alongside.

No two rides are the same, and neither are the conditions, but my jersey underneath was certainly damper following rides of similar intensity.

However, this should be viewed in the context of the Pocket Rocket’s price. At £125, it’s significantly cheaper than all the Gore-Tex rivals I've tested – just over £100 less than the cheapest of those, the Gore Torrent.

While it can’t quite match those jackets for sheer performance, I find it difficult to argue that the others offer £100 of ‘extra’ performance.

Value, as ever, is subjective and rain jackets are certainly an area where it’s worth investing in quality if you’re set on riding through poor conditions.

However, I think the Pocket Rocket offers more than enough, at this price, to make it appealing, especially if you won’t be riding hard in it all the time.

The cut is well thought-out for a general enthusiast with a non-racer’s build. It’s slim, with a usefully long back, but isn't cut too high at the front and leaves plenty of room inside.

The fabric can also stretch a little, while the collar is very well-shaped and fleece-lined, which both aid comfort.

There’s a little excess fabric on the upper arms and in the body, which can cause a bit of noisy flapping in the wind. Plus, the consequence of extra space is the front can fold up a little when riding in a more aggressive tuck.

However, on the whole, the balance struck is commendable.

The inclusion of an accessible pocket should only help endear it to those who want their essentials close to hand on a ride.

It’s a little difficult to access with winter gloves on, but that’s par for the course in the winter.

Altura Pocket Rocket jacket bottom line

The Altura Pocket Rocket jacket isn’t quite as waterproof or breathable as a Gore-Tex Active-equipped jacket.

However, it’s substantially cheaper and has proven capable of resisting seriously tough conditions in testing.

So much so, in fact, that I think it represents a smart choice if you don’t have the budget to stretch to a Gore-Tex jacket.

Because it has an accommodating fit and a storage pocket, and can pack down reasonably well, I wouldn’t discount it, even if you have more money to spend on one of the best waterproof jackets.