With the ban on PFC use in waterproof supplies, the usage of Shake-Dry expertise in biking waterproofs has been disallowed. This has resulted within the want for the finest waterproof jackets to hunt an alternate materials to supply waterproofing and breathability. Le Col’s Professional Light-weight mannequin makes use of Pertex Defend in an try to attain that hard-to-strike steadiness of holding you dry whereas on the similar time stopping you from overheating.
Building
The Le Col Professional Light-weight Rain jacket is the model’s new race-fit absolutely waterproof jacket. Utilizing Pertex Defend Expertise, the material is absolutely waterproof but breathable so to permit water vapour to flee.
This materials additionally does away with the PFCs that are being banned within the EU, resulting in most manufacturers having to rethink their waterproof line-up supplies. Internally the jacket additionally options absolutely taped seams, so there are not any factors within the building the place water can get in.
As a part of Le Col’s Professional line up, the Light-weight Rain Jacket goals for a race match to keep away from any extra materials.
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Le Col has additionally designed this jacket to be worn throughout fast-paced rides. Being a part of its ‘Professional’ lineup, velocity and aerodynamics have been a key consideration, so the match of the garment has been designed to restrict materials flapping and permit for an in depth, cosy match.
Different additions embrace a high-visibility reflective strip up the rear of the jacket. Packability has been one other key consideration, with the Professional Light-weight Rain jacket with the ability to be stowed neatly right into a pocket for rides with changeable circumstances. Accessible in three color choices, and sizes from XS to 3XL.
The trip
The Pertex Defend expertise used on this and plenty of different new PFC-free jackets will not be as breathable as Shake-Dry. Nonetheless, it’s equal in its waterproofing and is without doubt one of the finest PFC-free choices round.
Pertex cloth and taped seams mix to maintain you dry.
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Definitely the Le Col Professional Light-weight Rain Jacket ‘does what it says on the tin’. The Pertex Defend works in that it blocks droplets of a sure dimension from passing by means of the material, however permits smaller vapour molecules to move by means of. What this implies is that raindrops can’t get in, however sweat and extra warmth can escape.
Because of the Pertex cloth and taped seams, I had no points with water ingress with the Professional jacket; it really works brilliantly as a water-proof layer. Breathability can be fairly respectable, however when temperatures have been just a little hotter or I used to be climbing at low speeds and excessive effort ranges, I did discover it acquired just a little stuffy.
Sadly, the jacket lacks a two-way zip, which is usually an effective way to extend breathability by primarily opening up a big exhaust port on the rear of the jacket whereas decreasing cloth flapping up entrance. It’s a function I actually like in packable waterproofs, particularly because it makes entry to rear pockets far simpler.
An extended tail offers added protection in opposition to highway spray.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Match-wise, the Professional jacket has some execs and a few cons. Within the dimension medium examined, the protection was excellent. It’s each lengthy sufficient on the again and never too lengthy on the entrance for a extra aggressive driving place. The sleeves are additionally lengthy sufficient to cowl the cuffs of your gloves, whereas the cuffs and hem are additionally elasticated to boost the extra race-focused match. Nonetheless, by making it simpler to placed on and take off whereas on the transfer, the jacket is not ‘absolutely fitted’. Being a hardshell, there may be nonetheless some unfastened cloth across the shoulders and waist, however this may very well be, to a point, right down to the person match.
By way of packability, it was very simple to get this right into a jersey pocket in addition to take it on and off whereas driving. It does lack some extra sensible options, just like the two-way zip, but it surely performs brilliantly as a packable waterproof.
Worth & Conclusion
In the case of worth, the Le Col Light-weight Rain Jacket, priced at £180 / $235, is definitely fairly cheap in comparison with different Pertex Defend Expertise waterproofs. Choices from MAAP, PNS, POC and Rapha are dearer, whereas some barely cheaper choices lack inner taping of seams or the breathability. Nonetheless, the Le Col does lack a two-way zip, which is a superb sensible function discovered on some pricier choices.
Combining the brilliantly water and windproof Pertex Defend cloth with internally taped seams, the Le Col Professional Light-weight Rain Jacket is an excellent waterproof. It’s simply packable right into a jersey pocket and has some good reflective options. The match is lengthy sufficient on the sleeves and physique, whereas it’s pretty shut becoming for a water-proof, though not with out some cloth flapping. All this efficiency additionally is available in at fairly a superb value when equally specced jackets available on the market.