The Sportful Fiandre Extreme Jacket is a true shoulder season protective piece that Sportful's pro riders wear during Fall and Spring training seasons when the cold, wet and wind can overwhelm even the strongest cyclists. This is a jacket for high output physical activity of long duration and intense effort in extreme conditions. The midweight Polartec® NeoShell® material offers the protection you need with midweight insulation while giving you layering flexibility underneath to push even into pure winter riding.

The NeoShell® system is built on that midweight fleece base, and no one understands and masters fleece like Polartec. The soft brushed inner strips away moisture, yet traps heat in between the polyester fibers and the outer layer, while promoting fast and effective breathabiility, even during extreme efforts. The fabric also has a high stretch capability, so the anatomically formed piece fits and moves with your body while posed in the saddle or up and out for the next interval or climb. The exterior is wind and waterproof, with incredible, long-term protection. The invention of Polartec® NeoShell® revolutionized waterproof breathability capabilities by lowering the internal pressure required for vapor to permeate the sub-micron membrane. This increases the transfer rate and keeps air circulating under the membrane, exchanging the air as well, so if you overheat, the excess escapes.

The construction overall favors ergonomics and requirements of cycling. It starts with the placement sealed seams, which are located strategically off sensitive areas and zones stretch is crucial for fit and performance. Care was also taken to reduce exposure to the elements. The fully taped seams are completely waterproof. The features you expect are here: the tall, soft collar, the elastic hem with rear gripper, long, extended cuffs over the outer wrist, a waterproof YKK® Vislon zipper, reflective transfers for visibility, and the pro-style 3 rear pocket structure.

The Fiandre Extreme Jacket is designed to be pushed hard, and is most effective in the worst manageable conditions when you are still meeting your training goals. Sportful considers this their best overall jacket, and the performance is astounding. The cut is reasonably aggressive, but the fabric offers enough stretch for layering and bodies that won't cut it on the pro tour. You don't have to be a pro cyclist to ride hard well into the winter and beyond, but you can wear the extreme weather jacket they opt for when a four hour training block is on the plan for the middle of December.