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.

Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – riding.jpg
Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – riding (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

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.

Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – pocket.jpg
Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – pocket (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

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.

Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – cuff.jpg
Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – cuff (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

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.

Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – vent arm.jpg
Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – vent arm (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

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.

Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – collar.jpg
Funkier Tornado WJ-1326 Gents TPU Thermal Jacket – collar (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

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

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Funkier Tornado Mens TPU Thermal Jacket

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the jacket 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 cold winter days when the windchill would otherwise keep you at home.

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

Features:

– Semi-TPU jacket keeps the wind out but remains breathable

– Water repellent fabric treated with DWR polymer coating

– Waterproof zipper

– Double Lycra hem

– Sublimation design panels

– Air vents for cooling

– Snug fit with this new design

– Reflective piping & panelling

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
6/10

Construction is solid, although the inside has many visible seams.

Rate the jacket for performance:
 
7/10

Very strong at insulating you as an outer layer, with long zipped vents that do a good job when needed. Not as breathable as I’d like, though.

Rate the jacket for durability:
 
7/10

Thick enough to deal with high levels of muck, though the DWR coating will need looking after.

Rate the jacket for waterproofing, based on the manufacturer’s rating:
 
6/10

Not truly waterproof, but is water resistant to a point.

Rate the jacket for breathability, based on the manufacturer’s rating:
 
5/10

Funkier claims breathability, and if you keep your inner layers light then it is, but it’s not a wonder garment.

Rate the jacket for fit:
 
7/10

I like the fit of the Tornado: slim, without too much spare fabric anywhere. Sleeves are definitely long enough but possibly too slim if you really layer up.

Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
7/10

As I fit well into a medium, I can conclude that it comes up slightly large despite the slim cut.

Rate the jacket for weight:
 
5/10

With all the seams and fabrics in the jacket, it’s no lightweight. In fact, I found it a touch too heavy even for an outer jacket.

Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
5/10

Despite a favourable cut, the seams on the inside of the body coupled with the feeling of the zips on the underside of my arms weren’t comfortable at all for me. Layer up and you don’t notice much, though.

Rate the jacket for value:
 
7/10

In cold weather where overcoming windchill is the aim, it makes a decent fist of the job for £59.99.

How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Responded well, but don’t expect the water repellent DWR coating to last long.

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

For the specific purpose of overcoming windchill, very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

Windproofness, thickness in freezing weather.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

Plethora of seams and changes in fabrics, chunky zip construction on the vented sections.

Did you enjoy using the jacket? Truthfully, no – it didn’t really match my needs.

Would you consider buying the jacket? No

Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes, if this was their budget and their needs matched the jacket’s windchill-overcoming strengths.

Use this box to explain your score

It’s good value and keeps out chills well, but isn’t the most comfortable. Balancing out the good and the not-so-good, I’m giving it a ‘quite good’ 6 overall.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 188cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9.0 SL (2016)  My best bike is:

I’ve been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,