Etxeondo Teknika jacket review

As its name suggests, the Etxeondo Teknika jacket is built with a range of technical features to make cold weather riding that bit more comfortable, while still allowing you to perform at your best.

First up, the black and the yellow panels at the front of the jacket are made of Gore Windstopper fabric. This is quite thin but, since it blocks wind ingress, it really helps keep you warmer in cold winter conditions. And as it is still breathable you don’t get that boil-in-the-bag feeling.

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It’s also stretchy enough that the jacket is a close fit without being uncomfortable or stopping you from wearing a winter-weight baselayer underneath. The bottom panel and elastic gripper, in particular, ensure a good fit and don’t let any draught in. And the zipper is backed with a wide storm flap to stop cold wind getting in that way too.

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The shoulders and upper back are made of the same Windstopper fabric and there’s a high collar, so if you are in a tuck there’s no wind ingress there either. The lower back is made of a much more open Roubaix-type fabric though. This is fleecy and close woven to add plenty of warmth while still allowing a bit more heat dissipation from the rear of the jacket, which is out of the direct airflow.

The lower back fabric is also very stretchy, which again helps get a snug fit. And the three rear pockets are made of the same material and well-elasticated at their tops, so they hold plenty of winter kit without sagging or the risk that items will fall out. There’s still enough stretch to make getting a gloved hand in easy.

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The Teknika’s reflectives are limited to the Teknika label on the front, embroidered Etxeondo logos on the front and mid-back and a stripe on the middle pocket. The yellow panels go some way to compensate for the lack of low light visibility and the red version is probably OK too, but the all black version may not leave you feeling adequately visible.

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The sleeves are made of the same stretchy brushed fabric as the lower back. This means that they provide a comfortable, close fit and will accommodate different arm lengths. But because they are not windproof, a cold wind tends to cut through them, so you definitely need a long sleeved baselayer to keep comfortable. Even with this I found my arms could get a bit chilly.

For more details visit the Etxeondo website.