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TECH NEWS
Le Col Pro Rain Jacket 6Le Col Pro Rain Jacket claims to be “the ultimate rain jacket” with total waterproofing and a close fit
Le Col has launched its Pro Rain Jacket that promises full waterproofing along with a close fit, "keeping you performing at your peak while your competitors waste training days waiting for better weather to come their way."
The British brand says that it used the UK’s famously wet weather to test the new jacket which uses a 3-layer construction to fend off heavy rain, keep you from overheating and also provide a close fit for faster riding.
The 3-layer construction of the inner layer, Le Col claims, means that the jacket “works to quickly move moisture away from your body, moving through the outer layers to keep you dry on the inside.”
This is designed to stop you from getting clammy when the pace goes up and your effort increases.
The bulk of the waterproofing and windproofing is taken care of by a fully taped outer layer that “keeps water and wind firmly out”.
The Pro Rain Jacket is designed for a forward riding position and to give a better fit when down in the drops Le Col says that the front zip has been shortened to prevent it from bunching up.
A dropped tail should keep road spray away from your lower back while Le Col also says that a high collar has been used to ensure no wind works its way down the jacket.
The Pro jacket comes in both black and this orange for those that want extra visibility. Sizes range from XS to 3XL and the jacket will set you back £240.
We’ve got one coming in for testing, just in time for the rain.
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24 comments
This Le Col jacket looks good, and I look forward to the review.
The Sportful Stelvio has worked well for me. I got it as I was a bit concerned about the potential fragility of the Gore.
https://road.cc/content/review/231363-sportful-stelvio-jacket
Another vote for shakedry. It really is totally waterproof and super lightweight. I do feel like I have to be a bit careful with it as the material is very thin. Great thing is it never needs reproofing
mrs wasn't impressed when she saw it and accused me of spending £200 on a bin liner.
I've got to admit I was the same. It came in and I thought 'F*$k, this won't last long before it rips" but it has been fine. Admittedly I don't think it will survive an off but luckily that hasn't happened for a few years (*Touch Wood*).
I've learned the hard way that you can get good repairs done on Shakedry, the cat decided to sharpen her claws on mine but Scottish Mountain Gear in Musselburgh did a fantastic job repairing the holes (and a couple of extra ones I hadn't spotted) for £25. They are an official Gore repair centre so apparently whatever guarantees Gore offers on their jackets will still be honoured if you get a SMG repair done.
Promises, promises...
I've never used any jacket other than Shakedry that would actually be both waterproof and breathable.
My biggest recent dissapointment was an Ornot Polartec Neoshell Magic jacket. The sleeves would wet out after about 20-25 minutes in a light/moderate rain.
Pretty much the same story with all softshell jackets/jerseys marketed as weather/waterproof.
I looked at the Sturmprinz and Shakedry jackets. Would have considered the former but felt the latter seemed a bit heavy/ thick material+wise. I've bought so many cycling waterproofs over the years on the promise of "waterproof and breathable", yet have always been disappointed until I shelled out on the Castelli Idro 2. It fulfills both promises, which I still struggle to believe after so many disappointments, but it is also a light material. As I say, haven't tried the Shake Dry, but heartily recommend the Idro 2.
You found the Shakedry too thick and heavy, but love the Castelli Idro 2? I thought the Idro 2 used the same Gore fabric as the Shakedry. It's not much thicker than onion skin.
What is the quality like? I have owned many Castelli items over the years, but refuse to buy any more, as every single item I bought literally fell apart, the stitching just came away. Both jackets and both pairs of bib tights fell to pieces.
Yep - I"ve noticed that - tore the stitching on my Alpha Ros sleeve taking it off the first time - gave the sleve a tug and felt it go. I have an old Gabba which is fine though... The rain jacket I really loved was the old Rapha hardshell for nastly days crossing the Ashdown, but the zip went on it and, though Rapha gave me a full refund as they couldn't fix it, they'd stopped making them by then.
You two must be rough! Never had the slightest problem with Castelli gear. Buy the right size so you don't over stress the stitching maybe? I know that's chancy with their tiny grimpeur sizing system!
Not had any issues with it. Most likely place for any issues would be around the cuffs, which are just a bit tight.
I got drenched last weekend: in my Assos Sturmprinz on Saturday and a Rapha winter jacket on Sunday. Both have since been reproofed, but if reproofing with Nikwax doesn't work I'll be scouring the reviews for a replacement. I like the idea of an orange jacket, but have never considered Le Col. I'm tempted by a shake-dry Gore-tex jacket that will never need reproofing. If the above is a similar construction to my Rapha jacket it will let water through eventually....
Interestingly, clicking on the lecol.cc link to the advert, it's not even raining!
Ignore the title of this article. The shake dry is the best waterproof on the market. Nothing else comes close. Just look at the people who ride these mega ultra races. Every one of them has one on for days on end in the rain! Wouldn't change mine for anything else.
I havent tried many others but I would vouch for the shaekdry as well. Got my C5 with a hefty discount luckily. However I have remained dry on my torso in the worst downpours.
Same here. Got a great black Friday deal a couple of years ago and love the jacket. Would recommend but don't know if I would pay full price as it's probably the most expensive item of clothing I own.
Thanks - I've come to the same realisation. I want to try a few, but am waiting for the Rapha pink one to come out... I have enough black stuff.
All those people in the past who didn't want to use a jacket that's just been released ? That's convinced me for sure...
How many miles have you clocked up in the le Col jacket btw ? Clearly it didn't come close to the ShakeDry (which is a great jacket, no question), but curious about which particular areas you thought it was worse in.
Are Shakedrys not a bit fragile? All those warnings about rucksack straps have put me off a bit.
I dont wear a rucksack on my bike so its not an issue for me. I never feel my coat is too fragile it seems really robust!
It's just for my roadbike, so no rucksacks. I'll keep one of my old, more robust jackets for cycling around town with a rucksack... Now, how to sneak a bright pink and blue jacket past the wife... might go for stealth black afterall - perhaps this is the reason for black being the most popular colour for bike gear?
Of all the jackets I've had (oh and it has been many) the best materials I have ever used are the polartec powershield pro and especially neoshell. Nothing keeps the elements out while allowing heat to escape like neoshell.
How's that work, a 3-layer layer?
I had to read that twice! I suspect it's laminated, in an eyewateringly expensive process I hope.
Close fit is all well and good but it ain't my fit. It's my broad shoulders that are the problem, honest.