Galibier 7k/4k Tourmalet Waterproof Jacket review

At first glance you wouldn’t think that the Galibier 7k/4k Tourmalet was a waterproof jacket at all. The outer layer of the jacket is almost soft to touch,  giving this waterproof the feel of a long sleeve jersey rather than a jacket.

But waterproof it is! The 7k in the name refers to the 7,000mm of water that Galibier claim this jacket can withstand before any moisture starts to get through. Obviously it’s hard to put these numbers to the test, but we found the Galibier Tourmalet waterproof to be more than a match for a few hours of persistent British precipitation.

That said we’re not sure it’s waterproof credentials are quite up to the standards of the likes of the Polaris Hexon Waterproof we reviewed recently, and in the very of worse conditions and particularly heavy rain the dampness started to leak in. However if you’re not one for riding in close-to apocalyptic conditions, then this jacket is more than good enough.

The large rear vent at the top of the Galibier Tourmalet waterproof ensures that this jacket avoids the boil-in-the-bag syndrome often associated with low to mid end waterproofs, and we were quite happy and sweat-free even when pushing hard over steep hills.

This excellent breathability is one of a number of factors which combine to create a very comfortable waterproof. The cuffs are soft, elasticated, and easy to pull either over or under gloves, while the covered full-length zipper thankfully doesn’t rub against your chin.

The Galibier Tourmalet also includes a zipped rear opening to aid easy access to jersey pockets, however we would have liked to see toggles on the zips to make them easier to use with gloves.

However despite the generally excellent performance of this waterproof, it’s not a case of form over function. In the absence of a Cycling Weekly fashion editor, we though this was a great-looking jacket, with looks that defied the £52.00 price-tag.

For more details visit the Galibier website.