The Le Col ARC Light-weight Rain Jacket makes up a part of the model’s new gravel biking ARC (Adaptable, Dependable, Succesful) assortment. The creation of this assortment was headed by a female-led design crew, one thing Le Col may be very proud to level out.
Development
The ARC Jacket makes use of the most recent PFC-free Pertex® Defend weatherproof expertise. Within the wake of the banning of PFC waterproof supplies corresponding to Shake-Dry, Pertex has turn out to be one of many extra generally used alternate options in among the greatest waterproof jackets for biking. It’s designed to be absolutely waterproof whereas remaining breathable and light-weight. The Pertex Defend is designed to stop water ingress whereas permitting sweat and moisture to maneuver out of the jacket. Waterproofing is additional supported with internally taped seams.
The longer rear tail provides safety from path and street spray
(Picture credit score: Future)
Different options included are the usage of a 2.5-layer Ripstop woven construction, designed to be extra sturdy and scratch-resistant, excellent for gravel using by means of areas with branches, bushes, and even coming off on gravel. Further material is provided for the restore of any rips within the materials.
The jacket additionally utilises an adjustable hood, with a drawstring to tailor the dimensions. That is designed to have the ability to be worn over a helmet, and due to the excessive zip, is designed to remain in place even within the wind. A twin zip is used to make entry to rear pockets simpler and twine adjustable hems enable a extra tailor-made match across the waist.
A hood and taped seams crew as much as fight the rain
(Picture credit score: Future)
Additional options embody a mesh panel throughout the shoulders beneath a water-proof shroud, aimed to spice up breathability with out permitting water ingress. Pocket-wise, there are two hidden rainproof aspect pockets plus a zipper entrance pocket that may also be used to stow valuables that have to be simply accessible. Sizes are available in XS-3XL, with a males’s and girls’s particular mannequin. Each can be found in Gray or Olive Brown.
The trip
Given this has been designed as a gravel piece of package, I’m going to forgive the extra relaxed match and flapping of fabric when used on the street. When it comes to gravel match, the ARC jacket is good for off-road use. The size is on the longer aspect, with the entrance not raised, making it optimum in a extra relaxed using place. The hem additionally options adjustable cords to tailor the match across the hips. I additionally actually like that the sleeves are lengthy sufficient to offer good protection, in addition to that includes elasticated cuffs to restrict the possibilities of chilly air or moisture travelling up them.
The adjustable hem permits for a better match across the hips
(Picture credit score: Future)
The hood is one other attention-grabbing characteristic, because it has been designed to be worn over a bike helmet with out flying off as airspeed will increase. To allow this, you must put the hood over the helmet whereas the jacket just isn’t absolutely zipped up. As soon as the hood is on and the jacket zipped up, it’s going to keep in place, and a twine adjustment can be utilized to tailor the match additional. It’s impressively efficient. The one subject is that the very prime part of the zip can require two palms and a few cautious positioning.
The entrance two-way zip is nice in each different respect, it actually makes venting and entry to pockets beneath the jacket very straightforward.
The hood has been designed to accommodate a motorbike helmet
(Picture credit score: Future)
Clearly, the principle level of this jacket is waterproofing. To that finish, it is unbelievable. The Pertex® Defend materials is as waterproof as Shake-Dry in my expertise, and with internally taped seams all throughout the jacket, the ARC jacket is brilliantly waterproof and windproof. In showers, misty circumstances, and heavy rain, I’ve but to have any water ingress by means of the material of seams. Even utilizing it in snowy climate it nonetheless carried out brilliantly.
Pertex Defend just isn’t fairly as breathable as Shake-Dry is, however now that older expertise being phased out because of the EU ban on PFCs, it has established itself as probably the greatest waterproof supplies that complies with these new laws.
Venting on the rear does a stellar job of letting warmth out whereas nonetheless retaining the rain at bay
(Picture credit score: Future)
There are different options to this jacket that I actually like too, focussed primarily on gravel use. Firstly, the fabric has been strengthened to be extra rip-resistant. I like this characteristic, as I’ve an outdated Shake-Dry jacket that I managed to tear on a random overhanging department whereas using. The promise of extra sturdiness is a really helpful gravel characteristic and one a lot appreciated on a £280 jacket. A patch of spare materials is included too, simply in case you rip among the material throughout a crash.
For a hooded waterproof jacket with zip pockets, it’s extremely light-weight and simply packed right into a jersey pocket. There are extra pockets, with a zipper pocket up entrance for storing necessities, and two low-profile pockets on the perimeters which might be each simply accessible and waterproof. This makes for a really versatile jacket that performs brilliantly for gravel using. It’s costly, however you are investing in a jacked that ought to show resilient long-term in addition to sensible each on and off the bike.
Worth & conclusion
It is truthful to say that £280 is some huge cash for a water-proof jacket, particularly when in comparison with Le Col’s personal road-going waterproof which is £100 cheaper with the identical material expertise. Nevertheless, the place the ARC Light-weight Rain Jacket makes up a few of that worth is within the massive array of extra options and choices.
The hood, match, and pockets all add to its versatility and capabilities off the bike as effectively. Elevated sturdiness and restore patches also needs to enhance longevity. The looser match and flapping materials does imply it wouldn’t be my first choose for a street trip at pace. Nevertheless, for journey using, or filthy gravel climate, the safety, packability, and flexibility are unrivalled from my testing of PFC-free jackets.
