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Jackets
Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket
Funkier WJ-1314 Full TPU Windproof and Waterproof Jacket

Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket

8
by Iwein Dekoninck
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 5, 2015

0
£79.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Affordable, cold-, wind- and waterproof, but not very breathable.
Weight: 
670g
Contact: 
www.bob-elliot.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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While the Funkier WJ-1314 jacket's name might be uninspired, luckily its performance isn't. It's wind- and waterproof and incredibly warm. At £79.99, it won't break the bank, either.

This jacket has a fairly relaxed cut with generous arms. It's a bit like a cross between your favourite thick fleece and a cycling waterproof. It's as cosy and roomy, and feels heavy like the fleece, yet has some features to make it perform better on the bike: reflective piping front and back, a slightly dropped back, and a gripper hem around the waist to keep everything in place.

You get a single, zipped pocket on the back and two on the front. All three have lining that is waterproof, but the zips are not. That's a bit of a design oversight, that. You get a full-length front zip with storm flap and zip garage at the top.

It get its proofness against wind and water from a special membrane laminated between the polyester outer and the fleece inner. The membrane has microscopic pores which are too small for water, but big enough for vapour to pass through. That's the theory anyway.

My experience has been that it's so warm, even on sub-zero days with the underarm vents fully open, the fabric can't quite cope with the amount of sweat I generate. That amount might well be more than most; I have not yet found a waterproof that can cope on a vigorous ride.

That aside though, I actually rather like this jacket. On a grim day, when you're setting off into the coldark, it's rather nice to have something cosy you can throw over everything else you're already wearing – it's roomy enough to not hamper movement. Doesn't matter what amount of wind or rain gets thrown at you, it'll look after you. Not like a jacket two or three times its price perhaps, but you won't get cold.

As well as the red we tested, it's also available in black and blue, in six different sizes from small to XXX-large. Ours was a large which is a size up from what I'd normally go for – it fits me perfectly in terms of body- and arm length, but is generous around the arms and belly.

Verdict

Affordable, cold-, wind- and waterproof, but not very breathable.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Funkier WJ-1314 Full TPU Windproof & Waterproof Jacket

Size tested: Large, Red

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?

Quick Dry Active Protection

Waterproof, windproof and breathable

1 back waterproof zipped pocket

Inner lining in pocket

Front and rear reflective piping

TPU microfleece collar lining

Microfleece warm breathable winter fabric

Front vent zips for cooling

2 front pockets closed with zipper

Raglan long sleeve

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

Quick Dry Protection

TPU fabric is created by laminating the membrane to high-performance textiles that are extremely breathable, then sealing them with an innovative solution for 100% waterproof protection. The TPU membrane contains microscopic pores, which are a 1000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 100 times bigger than a molecule of moisture vapour. So whilst water droplets cannot penetrate the TPU membrane, moisture vapour can easily escape.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

It's very warm, but not very breathable.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Looks well made, and so far no signs of wear after a few washes at 40 degrees - the care label specifies I should have done those at 30. Oops.

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

It's pretty heavy, but then it's also pretty warm.

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

£79.99 for a fully windproof and waterproof jacket as warm as this one is very good value.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It works beautifully on relaxed rides on very cold days. It's remarkably good at keeping the rain out, too.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Bizarrely, it's relaxed cut. It means you can sling it over the top of whatever you'd wear normally on truly cold days.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It gets a bit boil in the bag if it's not cold enough out.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, but probably not in red.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

If you feel the cold and don't get too sweaty on your rides, the Funkier WJ-1314 is well worth a look. It's wind- and waterproof, toasty warm, and it's affordable too.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Cannondale CAAD10

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

Funkier WJ-1314 Jacket
Funkier 2015
Funkier

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