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review

Le Coq Sportif Montech Windbreaker

7
£175.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Well designed, reflective waterproof jacket, but not quite as racy as it thinks it is
Weight: 
222g

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Le Coq Sportif's Montech Windbreaker is in fact a waterproof jacket, part of a range launched to coincide with the Tour de France's Grand Départ in Yorkshire this year.

The Montech is billed as a race cut jacket, with a high waist at the front and a long-ish tail at the rear. I would describe the shape as more generous than a super-aero race cut, though. The waist is neat, but there is excess material in the chest and out onto the sleeves. I'm generally a medium in everything except Italian sizes, but this jacket in a medium feels a bit loose. Conversely if you are not a fan of the breathe in and zip it up look, then this might be perfect. I certainly didn't feel awkward walking into a busy office wearing the jacket.

The Montech works well as a waterproof. I did get a few drenchings while riding wearing it, sprinting through the rapidly forming puddles. It really does shake off the rain, but in common with many waterproofs if worn over bare arms it will feel damp on the inside. I experimented with some hard efforts in the rain to explore the limits of the jacket and it kept the rain off, but I got damp arms.

There are plenty of useful features built into the Montech. You get a pair of pockets: a useful one on the chest which will take most smart phones; and one on the rear, which is about the same size as a jersey pocket. The main zip on the jacket is water resistant and has a good sized storm flap behind the zip. All of the zips move easily and do not seem to snag easily. There is a useful silicone strip across the base of the jacket which helps to stop it shifting about.

The Montech has plenty of reflective tape. Both pockets have a 3M reflective surround and there are two stripes in a V shape on each side. These lead from the underarm to the hip and to the middle of the lower back. The position is excellent for catching car head lights.

Further decorative detail comes from a ticking of small red triangles inside the colour, along with a French tricolour loop for hanging the jacket up. Externally there are two Le Coq Sportif cockerels, one on the right front shoulder, the other on the left shoulder on the back. There is no built-in pouch to stuff the jacket into, so getting it into a jersey pocket means a bit of squashing and pushing, but it will comfortably fit.

The last detail is probably the most likely to make you love or hate this jacket. The cuff of each sleeve has been extended to 9cm long and a 5cm slot left in the cuff as a thumb loop. Initially I really liked this idea: keeping the sleeves in place and stopping them edging up seemed like a good idea. However for me, the sleeve length is about 1cm too short, so the cuff started to cut into my hand on longer rides. I ended up tucking the cuff back into the sleeve, where it acts as a baffle to the wind. I'm quite tall for a medium, so this issue may not affect you.

The jacket does catch the wind. The excess fabric on the chest and upper arms rustles, less so that the Showers Pass jacket I'm also reviewing, but it is noticeable. Other rain jackets are cut neater and use stretchier fabrics to get to a real race cut.

Overall this is decent waterproof jacket for commuting to work and I'll use it for cooler late summer evening training rides or Sunday club rides. There are more performance-orientated jackets available, but they tend to be more expensive.

Verdict

Well designed, reflective waterproof jacket, but not quite as racy as it thinks it is

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Le Coq Sportif Montech Windbreaker

Size tested: Medium, Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Designed for wearing in the rain, the Montech windbreaker is the perfect ally for daring, motivated cyclists.

When it takes more than rain to stop you, this ultra-light jacket keeps you dry thanks to a water-repellent primary material and water-resistant seams and zippers. It is longer in the back and trimmed with a silicone strip printed with "le coq sportif," which keeps the jacket in place and keeps air and rain from getting in. Its fitted ribbed cuffs feature thumbholes, and there are several pockets on the front and the back so you can keep all your essentials to hand. It is light, thin, and easy to take off and stow when the weather clears up.

This new product features clever details that nod to the le coq sportif tradition: the inside collar is printed with mini-triangles and a tricolour detail.

Finally, the logo and the zipper surrounds are printed in reflective ink for better visibility at night.

69% polyamide 31% polyurethane.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Water-repellent primary material

Water-resistant seams and zippers

Longer back

Silicone strip

Ribbed cuffs with thumbholes

Pockets on front and back

Lightweight

Reflective details 3M

69% polyamide 31% polyurethane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Keeps the rain off.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

Heavier than some jackets, but decent for the price point.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Fabric felt nice against my skin.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Fine value for money, it is fully taped and waterproof.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The cuff design and the slight flapping sleeves.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, I like the styling and the reflectiveness,

Would you consider buying the product? No, the sleeves are a little short for me.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 193cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Condor terra-x  My best bike is: Cannondale CAAD10

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb, Brompton

 

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