Universal Colours Men’s Mono Rain Jacket

The Universal Colours Men’s Mono Rain Jacket is a lightweight waterproof that you can pack away in a jersey pocket. That portability could prove a key feature, as its low breathability means you’ll most likely not want to wear this unless it’s actually raining.

The Mono is a very light jacket with no superfluous features. It’s most definitely an outer layer for wearing in the rain, so it doesn’t even feature pockets – although it will fit into one. I wouldn’t say it always fits easily, but you can most likely make it work. I found it entirely viable in stretchy summer jersey pockets, but a bit more awkward with thick, long-sleeve tops with less give.

That packable quality makes the Mono handy when there’s a prospect of heavy showers, because its waterproofing is very good.

It’s rated at 20,000mm, which is the height of the water column itl can resist – meaning this fabric can resist the pressure of a 20 metre column without leaking. That’s enough to keep you dry even in heavy rain. I had the joy of testing it in some of the heaviest without ever finding its limits.

Universal Colours says it settled on the polyurethane membrane after testing various bio-based options and finding them insufficiently breathable. They must have been pretty sweaty, because while I didn’t ever get wet from the outside, I noticed moisture accumulating inside even when I wasn’t making hard efforts.

Breathability is rated at 10,000g per square metre (the weight of vapour that can pass through that square metre in 24 hours). This is not uncommon, but it’s far from spectacular. You can however regulate your temperature a little with the two-way zip.

The microfibre lining at the neck is a welcome inclusion, and the elastication at the waist and wrists works just fine.

Universal Colours says the measurements in its size guide are upper limits, and if yours exceed even one measurement you should choose the size up. This put me in a large, which I’d say was mostly about right.

The Mono is designed to allow for layers underneath, and seeing as it’s a waterproof there’s minimal stretch. This means a little bit of sizing leeway is required all over. For me, it was most notable in the upper arms, but no area stood out as being freakishly over- or under-sized.

Universal Colours describes the fit as ‘modern and slightly more cropped’. This may appeal to you. At 1.85m I’d prefer a little more length in the body, personally, although I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s unacceptably short. It works fine on the bike, but becomes more noticeable when you stand.

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Appropriately given the brand name, seven colours are available, including the Isabel Blue tested here. (If your name is Fred Brown, there’s literally an option with your name on it.)

There are a couple of reflectives on the back, but they’re not big.

Value

The Mono is £155, which puts it around mid-market. But we’re dealing with a balance of weight, waterproofing and breathability here, and they all affect the overall value.

Superior breathability can certainly be found in lightweight jackets: Endura’s Pro SL Waterproof Shell offers a 20,000mm waterproofing rating and incredible breathability of 60,000g/m2/24hr. It’s £199 though, and its colours are rather less universal. You only have the twin extremes of black or hi-vis to choose from.

Available in an identically limited palette, the Altura Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Jacket offers the same waterproofing and breathability performance numbers as the Mono, and it’s much the same weight for the slightly more affordable price of £125.

The Albion Men’s All Road Pertex Shield Rain Jacket claims a fabric performance of 20,000mm for waterproofing, and 20,000g/m2/day for breathability, but it’s £215.

If that’s too dear, the Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket matches the Albion’s ratings for £83.22. At 284g on the road.cc scales, however, it’s a little chunkier than the Mono at 156g, which may tip the pocket-packability balance.

Overall

This is a very good waterproof that’s compromised during even reasonably gentle exercise by its mediocre breathability. I’d wager that in a lot of scenarios you’d actually remain drier wearing a less waterproof but more breathable alternative.

It is nonetheless impressively impermeable to downpours, and eminently packable. As such, it might find a niche in your wardrobe if it fits the way you dress on days when there’s a prospect of heavy rain.