Funkier Tornado Mens TPU Thermal Jacket

The Funkier Tornado thermal jacket is a decent, well-priced outer layer that helps keep the deep winter cold at bay, but it's not the most sophisticated design or the most breathable.

When faced with sub-zero degree windchill, when protection is the key aim rather than trying to achieve a delicate temperature balance, the Tornado is exactly what you need. Layered with a baselayer and jersey, it acts as a thick outer layer – windproof, and thickly constructed on key points like the arms, front torso and shoulders.

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In freezing conditions it makes a decent fist of helping you regulate your body temperature, but to achieve decent breathability I found I had to keep my internal layering down to the minimum: essentially, allowing the warm air inside to escape more easily. Hardier souls may be happy with just a long-sleeve winter baselayer underneath, but there were definitely times when I required an extra layer.

The cut is slim, with a slightly elongated back that houses two shallow reach-in pockets on the flanks and a protected zipped storage compartment in the centre. I found the pockets too shallow to be able to securely accommodate enough spares or food.

I had no complaints about the fit, although if you wear arm warmers beneath the jacket – not an unreasonable assumption despite the fleece lining – they can become a little restrictive in terms of movement. I usually opt for a medium or large jacket depending on the cut, which suggests the medium on test comes up quite large.

In general, it's a well made jacket, though the finish on the inside is a little basic, with seams visible throughout as the different fabrics join together. This is something you can definitely feel while riding, and is particularly obvious on the underside of the arms, which feature a very long rear-facing zipped vent. While great for ventilation (in tandem with zipped vents on the sides too), there's a little too much going on here for my liking – a relatively thick zip and spare fabric – which impacts on comfort.

Put it all together – thick zips, a multitude of fabrics, and the extra beef in the sheer thickness of them – and you have a relatively heavy jacket at 555g for the medium. Some will find this reassuring, but for me it felt a little cumbersome when out on the road.

The details do suggest it'll be hardwearing. You'll find a double elastic hem that seals around your hips while riding, and double cuffs that do a great job of keeping draughts out. The sealed pocket is genuinely waterproof, and the collar creates a comfortable and reasonably high-riding seal around the neck.

Waterproofness isn't one of the main reasons for buying this jacket, although the DWR (durable water repellent) coating will keep showers beading off. As with all DWR coatings, you'll need to keep treating it with technical washes to extend its life.

> Check out our guide to the best winter jackets

At £60 the Tornado thermal jacket is decent value. Though perhaps lacking finesse compared with more expensive garments, it's a solid outer layer for the very cold winter days, with a slim fit and a decent cut.

Verdict

A solid outer layer for very cold winter days, though not the most comfortable or breathable