As the weather gets colder and wet it can be hard to keep up the motivation to keep riding and training. The Le Col Pro Jacket is a new cycling jacket that is advertised as Le Col’s fastest winter jacket. Constructed using Polartec Power Shield fabric, the Pro Jacket is wind and waterproof without the bulk of traditional cycling jackets. All that tech doesn’t come cheap though as the Le Col Pro Jacket retails for a hefty $345. Le Col has added quite a few premium features into the jacket such as reflective detailing, a four pocket setup and an aerodynamic fit. It’s currently offered in sizes from XS to 3XL as well as two color options.
The Le Col Pro Jacket is a lightweight winter jacket that is wind and waterproof without the bulk of traditional winter cycling jackets.
| Retail Price | $345 |
| Rating | Design: A Sizing: B+ Warmth: A Value: B- |
| Likes | + Eye catching solid red color scheme + Lightweight and warm Polartec fabric + Sleek branding and reflective elements |
| Dislikes | – Premium price – Sizing seems to run a bit large |
| Where to Buy (US) | Le Col |
FIT AND FINISH
The Le Col Pro Jacket is a lightweight and form fitting jacket that feels more like a shell than a winter jacket. Thanks to the Polartec Power Shield fabric, the jacket is quite thin yet remains windproof and waterproof. Le Col currently offers the Pro Jacket in two colors: navy and the red color we have here. In person, the red color is very bright and looks more orange than red. It’s visually quite similar to the fire red Velocio Alpha Merino Wool Jacket we’ve previously reviewed in both color and the minimalist design. There is a fair amount of branding with Le Col printed on the rear and arms with a reflective finish. Design wise this is a long sleeve jacket with full front zipper and a tall collar to keep the wind out. To achieve an aerodynamic and close fit the jacket is constructed with minimal patterns with an elastic material that can contour around your body.
The front of the jacket is pretty simple with no branding on the chest and a full-length color matched zipper. There is a zipper garage at the top of the zipper on the collar for additional comfort and an additional black fabric inner lining. Aside from Le Col printed on the zipper pull there is no branding on the front of the jacket. The jacket uses standard shoulder seams with full length sleeves and cuffs. Reflective panels on the forearms add additional night time visibility and a bit of contrast to the otherwise solid color scheme. Inside the jacket you’ll find the grid-like inner Polartec lining which helps with insulation and feels soft to the touch.
On the rear you have a bit more going on with a Le Col logo going down the center and a reflective stripe over the pockets. There are three standard pockets on the bottom of the jacket along with a zippered waterproof fourth pocket that’s perfect for small items. As with other cycling apparel, the jacket has a drop tail that provides coverage for those that ride in aggressive aero positions. One of the easter eggs of the jacket is the “ride further and ride faster” printed on the silicone gripper along the bottom hem. Le Col has utilized minimal seams with large panels to reduce the weight and bulk of the jacket.
ON THE ROAD
We chose the size medium jacket for our 6’1” 165lb test rider which fit well but was a bit looser than we expected. Compared to our medium sized Velocio and PEARL iZUMi apparel, Le Col’s sizing appears to run a bit larger so we’d recommend sizing down. Aside from that, the jacket’s length and fit was quite comfortable even with multiple layers underneath it. Thanks to some recent rain storms we were able to test the waterproof claim of the jacket and were really impressed with it. Despite cold and wet weather, the Polartec material keeps your core dry and warm. While we still ended up with the dreaded wet socks, the jacket was a perfect companion for winter riding. As an added benefit, the bright red color and reflective detailing also ensure you’re always visible on the road regardless of the conditions on the road.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Le Col Pro Cycling Jacket to be comfortable and ideal for cold or wet weather riding. With its lightweight construction it is almost hard to believe that the Pro Jacket is wind and waterproof. Le Col has done an excellent job utilizing Polartec material to keep the jacket thin and flexible while still providing protection from the elements. We appreciated the minimalist design and reflective details which give the jacket a premium look. While the jacket won’t keep the water out of your socks, the waterproof design and soft insulating inner lining keeps you riding regardless of the weather conditions. The main negatives of the jacket is the premium retail price, you’ll want to wait for a sale to purchase it, and the fact that sizing runs a bit large. That aside, if you’re looking for a lightweight winter jacket that’ll keep you dry and warm without weighing you down then we’d recommend the Le Col Pro Jacket.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Polartec. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.