The Universal Colours Unisex Insulated Packable Jacket is warm, superbly packable and very light but this is more of a casual jacket you can cycle in than a cycling-specific insulated layer. Considering the quality across the rest of the Universal Colours range, this does feel like a lost opportunity – and much like the fit of the jacket itself, it comes up a little short considering the price.
> Buy now: Universal Colours Unisex Packable Insulated Jacket for £170 from Universal Colours
First impressions
In practice, the jacket’s performance is solid – but not flawless.
The Universal Colours Packable Insulated Jacket presents itself as a versatile unisex layer: warm, showerproof and light enough to take on almost anything from mountain descents to morning commutes. Being packable of course goes without saying, but it’s not often jackets compress down into something quite as neat as the little cuboid that tucks away into a saddlebag much better than some more rectangular pocket-stuffed garments.
It can also double as a decent little pillow for an overnight trip too, adding to its versatility.
Warmth
The jacket uses 3M’s Thinsulate (80gsm) insulation throughout the body and arms. This does an excellent job of trapping heat and blocking wind, performing well even when you’re just sitting still at a campsite.
During a trip to the Alps in summer there were occasions when the jacket offered instant relief from biting winds. This was further helped by the elasticated cuffs that kept draughts out and the warmth in when I was descending.
While not adjustable, the insulated hood slides under a helmet and is great in freezing conditions. For many, having a hood is the difference between merely tolerating the cold and actually feeling cocooned against it – and it works both on and off the bike, moving with you freely and letting you navigate around your tent.
Given the level of insulation, the jacket’s low weight is impressive, making it small and light enough to bring as a ‘just in case’ option. And as with a sleeping bag, the warmth-to-weight ratio is critical – and here the UC delivers strongly.
On the bike
What I call the ‘super-hero cape setting’ is the jacket’s saving grace.
As with other synthetic insulated jackets, breathability isn’t its strong suit. Things can get stuffy, particularly during climbs, which this is where the double zip – AKA the super hero cape setting – comes into play.
That venting sensation when the bottom zip is opened improves the air flow considerably, making it possible to ride in comfort rather than swelter.
Still, the jacket did tend to feel too warm when I was climbing in cold weather. For most of us, this would mean pulling it on at the top for descents, then stopping again to remove and repack it before climbing further. This stop-start use case is common enough for insulated jackets, but it underscores that this piece isn’t really cut as a do-everything riding layer.
Whether on or off the bike there is one literal sticking point – when you’re damp from sweat or light rain, the ripstop material can cling unpleasantly to your skin. This makes it a struggle to put it on and feels a little icky if you’re not wearing a long jersey or base layer underneath it.
Fit and cut
This Universal Colours jacket leans more toward fashion rather than having a cycling-specific fit.
Fit is perhaps the most divisive aspect. While the chest and shoulders feel snug and well-tailored, the body is noticeably short, sitting high on the waistline. Many jerseys hang well below the hem, making layering awkward. To address this, UC has added a glow-in-the-dark magnetic rear flap, which folds down to provide some extra coverage and visibility. But in practice, it feels more like a band-aid solution rather than a genuine fix, and the reflectivity doesn’t exactly scream ‘I’m here’ either.
The sleeves, meanwhile, are on the long side, which Universal Colours says is for the ‘extra length for riding positions’ it offers, but to me it feels a little excessive.
If, like me, you have a shorter torso, the result is a jacket that doesn’t balance proportions well – cropped at the waist, baggy at the arms. The non-cycling-specific cut might suit casual off-bike use, but I think it will leave more committed riders wanting.
Packability
Packability is one of the areas where this jacket really shines, squishing down into its own pocket in a tidy 17 x 18 x 12cm package. This is ideal to fit in a saddlebag, the open mouth of a dry bag, a small backpack or even a musette. And it will also double up as a handy little pillow.
The 100% recycled nylon ripstop exterior offers durability and repeatedly stuffing it into its pocket and after dragging it in and out of bags – and the occasional brushing against branches – it has held up admirably. Still, the fabric isn’t invincible, so snagging it would be possible.
Features
The jacket does feature some thoughtful touches, taking in a reinforced hem, pocket placement that adds insulation and the use of eco-friendly materials. But some features do feel lacking.
And for a jacket pitched at £170, you’d expect more cycling-specific considerations.
The glow-in-the-dark rear flap sounds good on paper but I don’t think it’s enough. On dark, rural rides the lack of reflective detailing is a missed safety opportunity – especially given the colour options are limited to black or ‘Tarnished Teal’.
And the exterior pockets lack zips. For an ‘adventure’ jacket that’s intended for off-road use that also seems like an oversight to me. Items are at risk of bouncing out when you’re riding over rough terrain, which caught me out a few times. There’s nothing more frustrating than realising a glove fell out of the jacket halfway down a descent, or that you dropped your last bag of Haribos.
More importantly, if I’m on a trip I like to compartmentalise things while preparing meals or doing repairs, so pocket security is absolutely key for me.
And while the jacket isn’t waterproof, its PFC-free DWR coating shrugs off light showers with ease. Even in extended drizzle up to 25 minutes or so, it holds up better than I expected, and I wasn’t worried about it drying out in a cafe or while being worn descending in the dry. It won’t replace a hardshell, but it’s very effective for unplanned shifts in the weather.
Value
At £170, the UC Packable Insulated Jacket is toward the premium end of the winter jacket market. But compared with rivals, I think it lacks polish in certain crucial areas.
The Pactimo Men’s Alpine Jacket isn’t as showerproof but it is better insulated with a cycling-specific fit and more useful pockets. It costs £191.
The £150 Endura GV500 Insulated Jacket features an adjustable hood, proper reflective strips, zipped pockets and Primaloft Gold insulation.
At just £82 the Galibier Liberté Insulated Packable Jacket offers warmth, packability, zipped pockets, a hidden hood – and Galibier’s usual great value.
Check out our best winter cycling jackets and best winter cycling jerseys buyer’s guides for more cold weather options.
Conclusion
The Universal Colours Packable Insulated Jacket is a versatile, stylish, well-made and functional layer that excels in warmth and packability. It’s great for camping, descending in the cold, or keeping in reserve for frosty mornings. Its compact size makes it an easy travel companion, and the recycled materials and reinforced construction ensure durability and eco-conscious credibility.
But for cycling-specific use, it misses some crucial details. The short cut, overlong sleeves, lack of reflective elements, and zipless pockets all hold it back, particularly when considered against its £170 price tag. As a lifestyle jacket that you can also ride in, it’s a success. As a true cycling jacket? It comes up a little short.
> Buy now: Universal Colours Unisex Packable Insulated Jacket for £170 from Universal Colours
Verdict
Excellent weight to warmth ratio – but a few missed details and the high price make it a hard sell for me
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Universal Colours Unisex Insulated Packable 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?
Universal Colours says: “A truly versatile and highly functional piece, our Unisex Insulated Packable Jacket is the perfect pairing for your off-road adventures and city commutes as well as for everyday, casual life.
Constructed from a 100% recycled and super lightweight nylon ripstop fabric, this jacket neatly packs away into its own internal valuables pocket for easy storage on the go. Specifically designed on-bike features include slightly longer sleeve lengths to accommodate for the riding position, optional rear coverage through the fold-away magnetic, glow-in-the-dark dropped tail and reflective details for increased visibility.
The 3M Thinsulate insulation, 80gsm and made with 83% recycled polyester, helps retain body heat on colder days whilst the PFC-free DWR coating sheds light rain and road spray. When it’s windy, the close-fitting hood and high chin will help keep the chill out.”
The suitably warm and surprisingly shower proof jacket is a solid go-to for a weekend campout or pootling to the office on a cold morning. Stuffing down into its own zip pocket is a handy feature, but does require some finesse and careful digits to ensure you don’t snag on the 100% ripstop fabric.
While it is Unisex I feel the fit may not suit all body types as well as a tailored item might. While the snug hood fits well under a helmet, the jacket’s short body might make it hard to get a jersey on underneath it.
A fold down rear flap that offers extra visibility attempts to remedy the length issue, but I’d have been much happier with a longer jacket boasting dedicated reflective elements.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?
Universal Colours continues:
“Weight: 267g in a size medium.
Packed down size medium measures 17 x 18 x 12cm.
Designed and created by Universal Colours.
Made in China by an internationally audited factory to ensure social and environmental good practice.”
The 100% recycled nylon ripstop helps ensure the jacket is light, and I like the extensive use of recycled materials.
The 3M Thinsulate insulation not only does an excellent job of keeping both body and arms warm, but it also protects you from the wind very well.
The jacket is solid and with the UC monogrammed hem all around the hood, sleeve cuffs and bottom of the jacket it feels well reinforced.
The pockets on the front and down the arms contain the all-important 3M Thinsulate, and behind this is a secondary layer of ripstop to further separate the cold air from your body, which is both warm and weighs little.
Packed down into its pocket, the dimensions are a minimal 17 x 18 x 12cm. The 3m Thinsulate ensures the chill is kept out, and the elasticated cuffs add to the protection when descending or tackling a cold day in the drops.
Obviously with ripstop it is durable to a degree and after repeatedly stuffing the jacket in pockets, bags and musettes it has held up very well, but try not to snag it on doors, bushes, chainrings (!). I had a few close calls during testing but nothing got through.
UC makes no claims about waterproofing, but during showers water beaded on the PFC-free DWR coating and I was still pretty dry even after some more extended downpours.
I don’t have high expectations on synthetic insulated jackets delivering on breathability, which is where the two-way zip comes into play.
I don’t have a long torso and I found the jacket sat pretty high on my waistline, with a number of jerseys sitting below the jacket’s hem. And while the glow-in-the-dark magnetic flap folds down for a little extra protection, I feel the jacket would be improved by having a slightly longer body and marginally shorter arms.
I would have preferred a more figure-hugging, ride-focused fit.
Besides the body being a little short for me, the sizing from the chest up was excellent and my shoulders felt well and truly snug. The hood covered my head nicely and fits very well under a helmet too.
As with a sleeping bag, I think there needs to be reference for warmth to weight ratio – and this jacket hits the spot well in those regards. It’s light, warm and packs down well.
It’s comfortable on and off the bike and the insulated hood keeps your ears toasty warm too.
Despite the jacket delivering in various areas, notably packability and warmth, the £170 price puts this at the premium end of winter layers where it falls short on features that other similarly priced jackets offer.
How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
I’m yet to machine wash it, but getting muck off is a breeze once the detritus has dried.
Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose
The jacket is certainly packable and I can happily confirm that it’s suitably insulated too, keeping your extremities and core happy and warm both on and off the bike.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket
How small it packs down; the extensive use of recycled materials across the jacket; the minimal weight to high warmth ratio is a solid selling point too.
The durable hem finish ensures the jacket should stand the test of time too.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket
I’d have preferred more reflective details and a more traditional longer tail. And I’d have liked the exterior pockets to have zips for added security.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The Pactimo Alpine jacket didn’t prove that showerproof but did provide excellent insulation, a more cycling-focused fit and a plethora of handy exterior pockets.
The Velocio Alpha Merino Air jacket sits in the jersey-cum-jacket category and provides all the warmth and packability you could want but as with the Universal Colours I’d have liked the exterior pockets to have zips.
I’ve owned an Endura GV500 for four years now. It has an adjustable hood, reflective strips and insulation that keeps your core temperature happy.
Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes
Would you consider buying the jacket? No
Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? No
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Universal Colours Unisex Insulated Packable Jacket offers warmth, packability and a low weight – but for £170 I’d have expected some other basics to be better covered. The body’s shorter than I would like, and I’d have preferred more reflectives and for the exterior pockets to have zips.
About the tester
Age: 37 Height: 5ft 10 Weight: 79kg
I usually ride: Specialized Diverge Gravel Bike My best bike is: It’s the Diverge. Always
I’ve been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, mtb, Ultra Bike packing races
3 thoughts on “Universal Colours Unisex Insulated Packable Jacket”
I like mine, I got it for
I like mine, I got it for £130~. Then eventually the zip failed, so UC sent me another. Then I got the original one repaired with a chunkier zip. Now I have two, the second of which I haven’t really worn yet and won’t until the first one wears out for some reason! That Galibier jacket does look more agreeable with packing in to cycle jersey pockets however.
I wish manufacturers would
I wish manufacturers would stop with this “unisex” nonsense. Unisex means “cut for men, so women will just have to put up with it not fitting properly unless they have a particular kind of athletic figure.”
I get very cold waiting at
I get very cold waiting at the very desolate train station after the first hard climbing and riding part of my bike-train-bike homeward commute. The better half took pity on me and for last Xmas gave me a rapha lightweight thermal “anorak”. Works, not as warm as I really wanted but great as a top layer over everything dry I have in the bag. This autumn I was getting the fear about the chilled to the bone evening lasting cold, and started looking for down “jumpers”, costly, but some bargains. As a midlater. Go Outdoors were “reasonable”. Then thought Rapha. Looked and their very light weight down jacket (so lightweight it has no insulation in the hood…) was in the sale, so about double the cost of the Go Outdoors. More cycle oriented too. Good results so far this winter, but I’ve yet to do the sub zero multiple cancellations lateness thing yet. The true test.
Weighs less than a can of coke. Packs kind of small, but I’ve gone up to the xl courier bag for the needed extra clothing, so volume is not a problem.
It can handle the short blast back from the station as well, though probably too warm for me on anything longer. And I bet the synthetic lining feels horrendous against bare sweaty skin so it’s a long sleeve base layer as an extra mid layer.