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review

Triban Winter Jacket RC500

8
£54.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Not the most breathable softshell out there, but comes with plenty of neat touches and loads of pockets
Weight: 
572g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Triban Men's Winter Jacket RC500 is definitely one for when the temperature drops as it keeps out wind and traps in warmth. It's not the most breathable jacket I've worn, but it works with minimal layering and you really can't beat the quality or attention to detail for the money.

  • Pros: Loads of pockets; great windblocker; underarm vents work well
  • Cons: Tail could be dropped a little further for full coverage; can get warm when working hard

I really like the styling of the new Triban jackets. The reflective stripes on one side of the chest and the opposing sleeve look cool (admittedly with us riding on the left it doesn't work that well for turning across traffic) and the overall finish is top notch.

> Find your nearest Decathlon store here

Being a softshell, the Triban offers plenty of windproofing, and though not fully waterproof it does offer a decent level of water repellency in light showers. It's very comfortable: the soft fabric feels very pleasant to wear, and while Triban isn't Decathlon's 'performance' range, the cut is still on the racy side, with just a little bit of extra room for those of us who aren't blessed with a pro's physique.

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - riding.jpg

My body normally runs pretty warm, so underneath jackets I tend to only wear a baselayer rather than squeezing a jersey in as well, and this is definitely what I did with the RC500. When riding hard on the flat or grinding uphill you can heat up pretty quickly in this. While the long vents do a very good job of expelling some of the warmth, I could still be in a summer baselayer for temperatures well below 10°C, only switching to a long sleeved winter version as the mercury nudged freezing.

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - vent.jpg

You don't need a jersey either, as the RC500 has everything you need in terms of storage: four pockets along the rear, consisting of two wide ones in place of the traditional three…

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - pockets.jpg

…and another two either side that are easy to reach and ideal for gels, bars and the like to save you stopping in the cold.

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - side pocket.jpg

You also get a zipped valuables pocket at the rear, and another on the chest.

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - chest pocket.jpg

Other neat touches include a removable snood/neck warmer that buttons inside the collar to give extra protection…

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - snood.jpg
Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - collar 1.jpg

…and the wrists are lined to sit inside your gloves while the outer goes over the top to stop any gaps and wind entering.

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - cuff detail.jpg

In the saddle I found there to be plenty of length in the arms when riding in the drops, and the front is short enough to not cause too much material bunching when crouched over.

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - sleeve.jpg

The rear could do with being a touch longer for a bit more protection from the elements, but at least it covers all the way to the bottom of your back; that is my only real criticism.

Triban Winter Jacket RC500 - back.jpg

If black isn't your thing then this RC500 is also available in Teal Blue.

Value

When it comes to value for money, the Triban scores well at just £54.99.

It's heavier, as in thicker, than most of the softshells we've tested recently, and will no doubt run to cooler temperatures than something like the £90 dhb Classic fit Softshell Roubaix jacket.

> Buyer's Guide: 23 of the best winter cycling jackets

Giving it a good run for its money, though, is the Galibier Mistral Foul Weather Jacket that Dave found to be excellent last year, and is still available for just over 70 quid. It is more waterproof than the Triban and offers a bit more in the way of breathability.

Overall, the RC500 works really well in single figure temperatures and will cope fine when things are sub-zero. Its breathability isn't perfect but there really is a lot to like here and at a decent price too.

Verdict

Not the most breathable softshell out there, but comes with plenty of neat touches and loads of pockets

road.cc test report

Make and model: Triban Winter Jacket RC500

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?

Decathlon says, "Our passionate road cycling product team created this winter jacket so you can stay warm when cycling in cold and windy weather.

"This softshell jacket is perfect for winter rides. It has a membrane that protects from the wind while remaining breathable, plus a soft fleece lining to keep you warm."

It isn't the most breathable softshell out there but there are a lot of neat touches to the jacket that will see it keep you warm into the depths of winter.

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

From Decathlon:

COMPOSITION

MAIN FABRIC

88.00% Polyester (PES), 12.00% Elasthane

 

YOKE (GENERAL)

100.00% Polyester (PES)

 

COATING

100.00% Polyurethane - Coating

WARMTH

Windproof fabric with fleece lining. Removable neck gaiter. Long back.

 

BREATHABILITY

Good perspiration wicking (RET 12), zipped vent openings under the arms.

 

POCKETS

Zipped chest pocket, 3 pockets in the back (including 1 zipped), 2 side pockets.

 

WATER REPELLENT

Protection from light rain and road spray/splashes.

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for waterproofing based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
7/10

It delivers a decent level of water resistance.

Rate the jacket for breathability based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
7/10

It matches the manufacturers recommendations to be fair. RET 12, breathable for moderate efforts.

Rate the jacket for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
8/10

The sizing is realistic for the UK market. If you wear a medium in normal clothes then a medium in this will fit you fine. Check out the size guide on Decathlon's website if you are unsure.

Rate the jacket for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for value:
 
8/10

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

Simple 30 degree wash to keep everything clean with no issues.

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

It keeps you warm as the temperature drops and has plenty of pockets so it can replace a jersey.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

I think it's a good looking jacket and comes with loads of neat touches that you don't see on clothing twice its price.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

There are more breathable options out there.

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

It is cheaper than many softshells on the market while still delivering on performance, but there are others – like the Galibier mentioned in the review – that run it close on value.

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

It's very good. True, it can get a little too warm, but layer up sensibly and the Triban will see you through the worst of the winter cold. The attention to detail for the money is pretty impressive.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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