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review

Galibier Colombière Jacket

9
£72.40

VERDICT:

9
10
For the money, I doubt you'd find a better casual winter cycling jacket – you may not find better spending considerably more
Lightweight side-panel construction
Removable hood
Stylish
Reversible
Could perhaps feature a little more reflective detail at the rear
Weight: 
467g
Contact: 
road.cc Recommends

This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

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The Galibier Colombière Insulated Jacket is ideal for on- and off-bike adventures, either in the wild or about town, and Galibier has made real strides in combating overheating when pedalling hard.

Northern Irish brand Galibier has been quietly producing high-quality cycle wear at very competitive prices for some years now, and the Colombière jacket can certainly be added to the list of its successes. An insulated jacket for on and off the bike, this works better than anything of its kind that I have tried before, with features such as lightweight panelling and a zip-off hood that reveal the thought and attention to detail that has gone into this product.

> Buy this online here

The body of the jacket uses an 80-gram insulation layer (using 50 per cent recycled bottles in a nod towards sustainability) sandwiched between two lightweight nylon layers – both of which have been treated with a water-repelling DWR treatment, as this is a reversible jacket.

2021 Galibier Colombiere jacket - reversed.jpg

I found the insulation level to be spot on for even the coldest weather (I even wore this to take the kids sledging), and the rain can be seen beading up on the outer fabric in a shower even after a couple of washes, so I trust this jacket to see me through any shower. It's not designed for prolonged downpours, but I've been caught in some pretty horrible weather and if has stood up to it well. Even when the rain eventually wins, the Colombière will at least keep you warm.

2021 Galibier Colombiere jacket - chest.jpg

The cut is well suited to a riding position, with a dropped tail and slightly longer sleeves, but not so much as to make it look or feel odd when off the bike. That dropped tail will come into its own if you take this jacket off-road, where mudguards fear to tread, and you may well do so as Galibier says that bikepacking was the inspiration for the Colombière.

2021 Galibier Colombiere jacket - back.jpg

So far so good, but the jacket's winning features for me are the removable hood (which solves the age-old problem of whether to include a hood on a 'cycling' jacket, and makes it much more versatile off the bike than a lot of commuter coats) and the Roubaix fabric panels down the sides, under the armpit and down the inside of the sleeves.

2021 Galibier Colombiere jacket - hood.jpg

My issue with 'down' jackets for cycling has always been a tendency to overheat when working hard, and even on a steady commute you're a lucky rider indeed if you don't encounter the odd hill. Especially in a reversible jacket, where both layers need to be wind and water resistant, ventilation is a serious issue. The addition of such a lightweight and breathable fabric where the wind rarely gets but the body produces the most heat was an absolute revelation. It seems like such a simple solution, but no doubt much work has gone into working out how best to marry the two fabrics. As an added bonus, it also increases the flexibility of the arms when riding.

2021 Galibier Colombiere jacket - pocket.jpg

With a quality zip, high neck and elasticated wrists, the Colombière is well equipped to keep the cold out, and it also features two inseam front pockets and a phone pocket on the chest, all of which zip up and work well.

2021 Galibier Colombiere jacket - cuff.jpg

And you get all this for an excellent price – Endura's FlipJak is a staple in this genre, and we liked it when we reviewed it back in 2015, but the latest Hummvee version has an RRP of £129.99, and Rapha's Explore Down Jacket will cost you around three times as much as the Galibier.

> Winter cycling clothing – 49 of the warmest garments you can buy

Overall, this is an excellent everyday jacket, whether the day includes riding a bike or not. But those Roubaix side panels are a revelation when it comes to preventing overheating when you do ride.

Verdict

For the money, I doubt you'd find a better casual winter cycling jacket – you may not find better spending considerably more

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Galibier Colombière 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?

Galibier says: "High protection insulated jacket, delivers exceptional performance on and off the bike"

And continues with this extra info:

The Colombière jacket was engineered for extreme cold weather riding but we have produced a garment that blurs the lines between on-bike performance and functional leisure wear. Bikepacking may be the origin of this jacket: A dream of keeping you warm off the bike when cooking dinner in the wild, but the reality is we have worn the samples as much biking with the kids and walking for coffee in the rain.

The performance is drawn from Synthetic insulation (made from 50% recycled bottles) producing a breathable, odour defying, windproof layer that will retain structure after washing. The main fabric has had a water-repellent (DWR) treatment to fend off a shower and the hood is removable with a hidden zip. The Front hand pockets are 'inseam' and zipped to protect valuables. Elasticated cuffs, waist and high neck keep out draughts. It can be worn with a single base layer in exercise conditions at temperatures of 10°C and down below freezing. Or add a mid layer for slumber or outside living in the coolest of conditions.

The fit is contoured without being overly snug, giving room for a layer underneath. The Roubaix fabric panels keep it close to the body to enhance both the fit and thermo regulation properties, on the bike and off. We have designed it to be sufficiently long in the body and sleeves to work perfectly well when riding but at home. Roubaix panels are again utilised on the inside of the arms to enhance the fit and movement range of the jacket allowing you to put a bike on your shoulder with ease or reach for a beer right at the back of the fridge.

We have designed the insulation at 80gm, sandwiched between two lightweight woven nylon outer fabrics, to make it dry fast and leave the warmth to weight ratio just right. Reflective features on the chest zip and rear panel joins, add visibility without compromise on weight or packability. The hood is zip removable with a middle closure system so can be taken off completely for those packing lighter still. Embroidered logo on the chest in contrasting colours for each option.

Col de la Colombière is a mountain pass in the Alps in the department of Haute-Savoie in France. It connects Cluses in the Arve valley with Le Grand-Bornand in the Bourne valley. Both on and off road ascents to 1600 meters are only possible in summer time; for the rest of the year you need to be wearing this jacket for protection. (Other garments can be worn, it is not French law, but this is best).

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?

Galibier states:

Elasticated waist and cuff openings

100% fluorocarbon-free Synthetic insulation (50% recycled mix)

TMC Japan glide zipper with reflective trim and toggle

Two front pockets, inseam, to keep your hands warm or stow essentials

Reflective details on the chest and back

Chest Phone pocket

Distinctive contrast stitching on the chest

Durable water-repellent finish (DWR)

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for waterproofing based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for breathability based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for value:
 
7/10

As usual, Galibier delivers a high-performance product at a price to make you sit up and take notice.

How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

I wore this in muddy conditions and everything washed out at 30 degrees, with the DWR coating continuing to function. This would obviously deteriorate over a longer period, but the options for refreshing it are plentiful these days.

Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The jacket was perfect for staying warm on and off the bike on casual winter rides, and the use of Roubaix fabric for the side panels and armpits is a huge help in preventing overheating.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

A stylish, well-fitted jacket that works on and off the bike... and those Roubaix side panels elevate its on-bike performance enormously.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

I'm struggling here...

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?

For such a high-performance casual jacket the price is excellent. Endura's FlipJak is a staple in this genre, and the latest model has an RRP of £129.99, while Rapha's Explore Down Jacket will cost you around three times as much as the Galibier.

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

An excellent and well-made casual jacket for commuting, bikepacking and everyday wear, and at a price that compares well with similar products. It's exceptional!

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 46  Height: 177cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Genesis Equilibrium  My best bike is: Look 585

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, The nursery run!

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7 comments

Avatar
Locomotivepl | 2 years ago
0 likes

I have it but cannot recommend. The jacket is perfect when it is dry. I didn't use it during a rain, but I can confirm that it is windproof. I wore it twice on a long trip along the coast when there was an arctic cold wind 50-70km/h. It plays well in such a windy weather when it is 5-10 C deg, with just one layer of underwear below. But it has dramatic (!) breathability and after about an hour it starts to be wet inside. And as being wet it looses it's windproof abilities. It starts to be simply cold inside it.
When you wear the hood below the helmet, your sweat will start to pour on your forehead after a while. I was a bit surprised when I took it off and saw the water standing inside...
Just to sum up - my experience with this jacket seems to be completely different than described in this article. It's hard to understand how it can vary so much. In my opinion this jacket can be used for slow pace commuting on the +/- 5km distance, but that's just it.

Avatar
MattieKempy | 2 years ago
1 like

Bloody brilliant jacket. I had one for Christmas and have worn it repeatedly. I bought one for my wife which arrived today. Top top it all, their customer service is out-of-this-world superb.

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Yorky-M | 2 years ago
2 likes

Havn't had mine off all winter! Ride to work and out with the kids. Wearing well. Longs arms suit me great.

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iandusud replied to Yorky-M | 2 years ago
1 like

How small will it pack down? I'm thinking of one of these for cycle camping so will probably mainly be carried on the bike and used in the evenings. Thanks

Avatar
Tass Whitby replied to iandusud | 2 years ago
0 likes

Paul says he rolled it up, with hood attached, down to about a 25cm x 10cm tube – though "a seasoned bike packer could no doubt do better!"

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iandusud replied to Tass Whitby | 2 years ago
0 likes

I didn't spot that! Thanks

 

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Tass Whitby replied to iandusud | 2 years ago
0 likes

Ah, not in the review - we asked, on your behalf.  1

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