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review
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.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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Galibier's Bédoin jacket is designed as a casual jacket that you can wear on and off the bike. It's a really nice quality option for casual riding and just knocking about when it's cold, and it's great value to boot.
- Pros: Nicely made, comfortable, warm and windproof, decent in the rain
- Cons: Tail could be dropped a touch for better coverage on the bike
Galibier uses the same full-membrane, three-layer fabric as the Mistral foul weather jacket, so it's a technical bit of kit, but the cut is more casual for day to day use. It's a lot more roomy than Galibier's on-bike gear (Ash in the photos is a bit lighter than me), and the cut is squared off so there's no dropped tail.
There are two zipped pockets on the outside, and they're constructed to give two open pockets inside the jacket too.
The inside of the jacket is a thin microfibre fleece layer, which makes the jacket comfortable even against bare skin, and also quite a bit warmer than it would otherwise be. It's not designed to be a full winter outer but it's warm enough, and it's also completely windproof. The high collar isn't completely snug but it does act as a good wind baffle and you can wear a Buff inside it if you need more warmth.
In the rain the jacket is very good. Water beads well off the surface and although the seams aren't taped the three-layer fabric is fully waterproof, so you're not going to get too wet wearing this, even in a deluge. Breathability is decent, although the fleece inner inhibits the transfer of moisture a bit as sweat tends to condense on it a bit if you're working hard. It's not really designed for hard work on the bike, though.
I've been wearing this Bédoin mostly as a commuting jacket: riding down the hill to town, popping to the shops, going out for lunch, that sort of thing. I haven't worn it to sign on at a cross race or sat in the winter sunshine at a Bédoin café like Galibier suggests I might like to (and I'd certainly like the second of those, a lot) but for everything I've been wearing it for it's really good. It feels like a quality jacket: well made, nicely cut, comfortable and effective.
On the bike it's better on an upright city bike, as there's no drop on the tail at all. Personally I think Galibier could get away with dropping the back just a bit to make it more bike friendly, because it's actually a very nice riding jacket other than that. It's not designed for long, hard rides but for casual riding it works very well: the sleeves are long enough and the fit isn't so loose that it feels baggy (it was a bit big for our model – the sizing is quite generous so you might want to size down from your usual). Just a bit more length – or even a tuckable flap like the Vulpine jackets use – would really add to the usefulness.
> Buyer's Guide: The best casual kit for cycle commuting
I'm being picky, though, because for less than £60 this Bédoin jacket is a bargain. It works very well, and for casual riding and just knocking about it's excellent.
Verdict
Very nice casual jacket for riding and not riding
road.cc test report
Make and model: Galibier Bedoin Podium Jacket
Size tested: Large
Tell us what the jacket is for
Galibier says: "Whether walking to the sign on of a CX race or sitting in the winter sunshine in a Bédoin cafe, this jacket is designed to meet your needs for added warmth and subtle style. We wanted the function and protection of our Mistral jackets, to wear in civilian life (off the bike).
It is made from a 250 gram, FULLY windproof 3 layer membrane, with a high neck and long arms to fend off the winter chills. The inside has a fire red, Micro-fleece for thermal warmth and soft feeling next to the skin. The entire garment is double stitched to last seasons of style.
With two zipped front pockets and two matching, open and deep inside pockets you can keep your essentials safe.
Our logo is subtly embroidered in the collar and we detailed a hand stitched patch, with our new logo inside for only your soul to see.
Stylish and structured warmth, for everyday life."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?
Galibier lists these features:
3000/4000 Triple layer membrane (WP/VP)
Windproof anti-stick zip.
At least 3 meters of technical fabric in each jacket.
Articulated fleece collar gently wraps around the neck in every cycling position
Double stitching throughout.
Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the jacket for performance:
8/10
Rate the jacket for durability:
8/10
Rate the jacket for waterproofing
8/10
Rate the jacket for breathability
7/10
Rate the jacket for fit:
8/10
Rate the jacket for sizing:
6/10
Rate the jacket for weight:
8/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
9/10
Rate the jacket for value:
9/10
Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Really well: great for general use.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket
Comfy, well made, windproof, warm, waterproof.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket
Could do with a slightly dropped rear or a stowable flap to make it better on the bike.
Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes
Would you consider buying the jacket? Yes
Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
A really good casual jacket that's excellent value. Recommended.
About the tester
Age: 44
I usually ride: whatever I'm testing... My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR, Kinesis Aithein
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day 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, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track
Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.
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10 comments
I have got both the Mistral 2 foul weather Jacket and the Tourmalet 2. Fantastic pieces of clothing. Wore the tourmalet in the rain today and I was bone dry. You can't go wrong with Galibier. Next two items on my list are their Bib shorts and the Foul weather Gilet.
I have the Mistral but find it very "boil in the bag" and, surprisingly therefore, it doesn't keep real rain out for long.
It is not a 'real' rain jacket but, like all the foul weather garment I see, designed to keep you warm.
I've a Mistral for three winters now and it is simply the best money I have ever spent cycling. Use it as guided- i.e. under 12 degrees and I find it can cope with all the sweat I make. If it is warmer than that I use my Castelli Thermodress long sleeve.
I thought the Mistral was the Best Money I spent till a bought the tourmalet. Insane piece of garment. -2 and driving rain, all I had underneath was a merino base layer and my Fwe king of dawns jacket and I was toasty warm and dry.
It shows we are all different. I am taking it you run quite Hot hence why you find it boil in the bag. For me it's perfect. The mistral is like the Gabba. In orders words it's not a rain jacket. It's meant to keep you warm whatever the weather as long as you are pedalling(which it does better imo). The tourmalet is the rain jacket. Similar to the Gore one or Castelli idro
+1 for Beecho's comment. Some quirky designs but if they work for you, Galibier's kit is well thought-out, well made and well priced.
Am a big fan of their clothing (and pricing!) in general. Styling wise they can be a little too ‘out there’ for me, so it’s nice to see something so good looking.
Much as I like being the only one I see in their kit, do check them out. It’s always well made, well priced and ends up much loved.
Stealth jacket? Blends in beautifully with the tarmac.
Best not lie on the tarmack in traffic then.
I'm a fan of their shorts. Could be tempted to replace my Northface fleece with this!