As editors based in Munich, we don't find the rain jacket "bleed" - Bavarian for stupid - at all. We were already interested in the starting point with its environmentally friendly coating, sustainable production and so on, and we wanted to test the functional clothing from Helmbrechts in Upper Franconia. Of course, "bleed" stands for the company's English slogan: "we bleed for nature".
In this article you will find:
bleed Rainshell: Waterproof rain jacket for cycling and other sports
We first tested the bleed Rainshell for use in the saddle. We received one men's and one women's model, which we took with us on our MTB tours, gravel rides and daily journeys to work over the last few months, which were very rainy and sometimes snowy. But the first time we try them on, we notice that they are huge: The men's model is huge. So the first jacket in size M is returned and the editor (1.72 cm tall, weighing 70 kg) gets one in S - which is rather rare. The women's model fits well, but is also slightly wider.
Both testers therefore agree: "The bleed rain jacket fits comfortably loose. You can also wear a thin insulating jacket underneath or a thick jumper." The disadvantage of the casual cut is noted by the race-orientated tester: "It's not aerodynamic, but slows you down quite a bit when you're going fast." The cut doesn't seem quite as suitable for the bent-forward position on a gravel or road bike. Even on the XC speedster, the jacket slides up at the shoulders or stretches a little at the back. In more moderate riding positions, the bleed Rainshell makes a very good impression, and the rain jacket can also be worn without any problems when hiking or on the way to work.
Once again, both testers agree on the promised waterproofness of 10,000 mm. Even if the rain doesn't bead up anywhere after the first wash of the rain jacket, it remains 100% waterproof. This could be a concession to the environmentally friendly impregnation, which is free from harmful substances such as PFC and PTFE. Last but not least, the material feels pleasantly soft, not very rugged and very durable. In very cool temperatures, you feel well protected in the bleed rain jacket - and even in hot action or higher temperatures, the bleed is very breathable and it doesn't feel so sweaty in it.
Few, but practical details
The bleed rain jacket is strikingly inconspicuous. The rust-red colour is the most eye-catching. Apart from that, the jacket has no mobile phone pockets, no sewn-in pouches or light. But it does have a practical adjustable hem so that it can be tightened at the bottom when it's cold. A large hood that can also be adjusted and two pockets with zips.
In practice, it is noticeable that the hood fits perfectly over the helmet - only some goggles then touch the inside of the hood at the back. Tester Sandra notes that the fully closed hood protects half the face, which can get warm when pedalling. For tester Marc, on the other hand, the collar is too tight when the zip is pulled all the way up.
The flexible cuffs are easy to pull over gloves - or simply close the sleeves to make them very windproof. The pockets are also good. They are positioned quite high up so that smartphones and other items don't hit your thighs or pinch your groin when pedalling.
Over time, however, both testers found that the waterproof zip fastener at the front became stiff.
Conclusion of the bleed Rainshell rain jacket practical test
Both testers liked the bleed rain jacket as a daily companion, but also for tough use in constant rain or as a hard shell using the onion principle. The fit is not quite ideal for really sporty biking, but for all more relaxed tours or more upright sitting positions on the bike, the bleed is a faithful - and above all sustainably produced - companion. How waterproof it is after 10 or 20 washes remains to be seen. But at least no toxins are released into the waste water. And the makers of bleed are also doing a lot to minimise the environmental impact of production.
>> You can find out more about sustainability in our special: How can cycling be even better for the environment? <<
Details of the bleed Rainshell jacket
- Men / Women Regular Fit XS-XXL
- Tightly woven, lightweight fabric made from 100% recycled polyester (single-origin)
- Breathable and waterproof fabric quality, water column 10,000 mm, impregnated, free from harmful substances such as PFC and PTFE
- coloured with non-toxic water-based dyes (bluesign-certified)
- glued seams
- adjustable waistband, elasticated cuffs
- 2 zip pockets
- Extra high hood, collar adjustable for weather protection
- Zips (YKK) guaranteed waterproof
- Completely recyclable product thanks to the use of single-origin materials
Sustainable and then: "made in China"?
bleed actually has the materials for its clothing produced in China. How does this fit in with the issue of sustainability? bleed itself provides information about this on its website:
- Implementation of ecological and social standards where they are not a matter of course
- Fairwear and GOTS certification of the company
- Offsetting CO2 emissions for production and transport with ClimatePartner
- Production of the raw material in China
- Products are assembled in the country where the material is manufactured to avoid even longer transport routes
We cannot verify this in the context of this rain jacket test. But at least the company provides transparency about where the fabrics come from.
bleed - sustainable clothing from Upper Franconia
In 2008, skateboarder Michael Spitzbarth founded the bleed label in Helmbrechts, Upper Franconia to be precise. bleed now has over 10 employees. The company claims to be one of the first brands in the sports and streetwear sector to produce a completely climate-neutral functional jacket in collaboration with climate protection consultant ClimatePartner: the bleed Rainshell rain jacket that we tested.
bleed only uses recycled or biodegradable textiles for its collections, controls water consumption and uses electricity from renewable energy sources to minimise CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, bleed has the rain jacket produced in China, which means long transport routes. However, in collaboration with ClimatePartner, they calculate the ecological footprint left behind by production and offset this by supporting a forest conservation project in Kenya.
bleed - 100% ECO, 100% FAIR, 150% YEAH! - the motto of the bleed brand
And because people order online and mistakes happen, bleed says that returned goods are checked, cleaned and made ready for despatch again. bleed has already won awards for its sustainable fashion:
- Peta Vegan Fashion Award 2022
- ISPO Award 2021
- Green Concept Award 2020
Marc Strucken
Editor
