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review

Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket

9
£83.22

VERDICT:

9
10
Awesome waterproofing and breathability from a jacket that is quite literally a bargain
Waterproof and breathable
Great value
Inner cuffs stop draughts
Tail gives good coverage
Close cut stops flapping
Weight: 
284g
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

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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Galibier's Tourmalet 4 is the next model on from the 3, and with the jump it has become more breathable with better waterproofing, which, let's be honest, is like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time – achievable, but it can take a fair bit of effort. The fit is great, with minimal flappage, and while the price has increased, the 3 was such a bargain that this remains one too.

If that's not sold it to you, take a look at our guide to the best cycling jackets for more options.

> Buy now: Galibier Tourmalet 4 for £83.22 from Galibier

When he reviewed the Tourmalet 3 back in 2021, Iwein was very impressed with the overall performance, something Galibier says it has improved on this latest version.

To put some figures on it, the 3 had a waterproof rating of 15,000mm (the number represents the height of the water column that a section of the material can resist the pressure of before it seeps through) and a breathability rating of 13,500g/m2/24 (the amount of moisture vapour that can pass through one square metre of fabric in 24 hours). The 4 has seen both of these increase to 20,000; that's impressive for any jacket, let alone one that manages to come in at only just over 80 quid.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - back.jpg

Thankfully, July, during which the bulk of testing has taken place, was incredibly wet and in terms of waterproofing I'd say the Tourmalet 4 is pretty much faultless.

The fabric and taped seams have proved impenetrable in both heavy showers and prolonged steady rain; even after being washed countless times the waterproofing hasn't been affected.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - inside.jpg

The new HydraStop 2.9+ membrane is not only incredibly waterproof, it's also soft against the skin, meaning that I was comfortable wearing it with just a mesh baselayer or a lightweight jersey underneath. It also helps the Tourmalet remain lightweight and packable too, so you can carry it when there is the chance of showers on the horizon.

July may have been wet, but it has also been warm and humid at times, which has been perfect for testing the breathability.

When climbing, things did get a bit warm, but that was easily remedied by dropping the full-length zip a bit. For everywhere else, though, it worked absolutely fine. Heading out early in the morning before the sun had started to do its job, I found the Tourmalet very comfortable to wear even when riding along at a hard pace.

On the whole, the Tourmalet is going to be better suited to cooler days in spring and autumn, or winter, but I still felt it to be capable when the temperature was around the mid-teens when it was raining.

It's probably the only waterproof jacket I'd consider using year-round, especially if there was a need to be zipped up. You get a mesh section on the upper back covered by a flap which also aids the breathability.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - shoulders.jpg

The cut is well tailored, with a shape designed for being on the bike, so you don't get any flapping material, but it's not so close that it restricts your movement or limits layering underneath. Galibier's size guide is pretty much spot on, so check that out before you buy.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - tail drop.jpg

Both men's and women's versions are available, the men's in seven sizes, from XS to XXXL, the women's in four, S-XL.

The quality is of a very high standard, with neat stitching throughout, and everything lines up. The fabric is robust too. I've worn the jacket on gravel rides where it has been caught by brambles and I've carried a rucksack on multiple rides.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - collar back.jpg

The zip is offset to avoid having various zips on top of each other when layering up, and the mechanism is smooth and free flowing, allowing you to tweak things on the fly even when wearing gloves.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - collar.jpg

There is also plenty of length in the body with the rear dropping considerably to give you good coverage even when you are riding without mudguards. The arms are long enough to keep bare skin covered up even when in the drops, and they tuck nicely into the cuffs of your gloves to stop any draughts.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - cuff.jpg

There's one roomy side pocket but none on the rear, though there are plenty of reflectives, which is a nice touch. For daytime use the pale blue is bright to hopefully help you be seen.

2023 Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket - tail.jpg

Although the Tourmalet 3 was cheaper at £68, the Tourmalet 4 is still only £83.22, which is very impressive.

At 284g it's not the lightest packable jacket out there, but you can pay a lot more for similar performance in a lighter package. Castelli's Tempesta Lite is only 171g, for example, but it's £350! And although Steve was impressed with its waterproofing, he still thought it rather bulky to pack and a little flappy to wear.

A less expensive option than the Castelli is Endura's Pro SL Waterproof Shell, which offers the same waterproofing rating as the Galibier, but its breathability is rated at almost three times better.

Ben was impressed, but as I said above, I found the Tourmalet impressively breathable, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to spend the £199.99 asking price for the Endura instead.

Conclusion

Galibier has again delivered a very high-performing jacket at a very good price. The balance of waterproofing and breathability works very well for the UK climate.

Verdict

Awesome waterproofing and breathability from a jacket that is quite literally a bargain

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Galibier Tourmalet 4 Jacket

Size tested: Large

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, "A high protection jacket to keep you warm when cycling in the rain or when rain is expected."

It's a very breathable jacket considering how waterproof it is.

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

Galibier lists:

Long splash tail

A higher performing fabric 20k/20k

Easy pull,YKK 2 way stormproof zip.

Machine washable (30 degrees only)

8 reflective trim elements.

Durable, as usual we stand over ALL our products.

Will roll up to fit in a large jersey pocket

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:
 
9/10
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:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for value:
 
8/10

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

Galibier recommends a 30 degree wash cycle and I had no issues when following that.

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

Great in terms of waterproofing, and highly breathable as well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

Great performance and fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

Nothing.

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

For the performance it comes in way cheaper than similarly rated products like the Castelli and Endura jackets mentioned in the review.

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

There is basically nothing to fault here. The jacket is awesome when it comes to waterproofing and the breathability is good enough that it can be worn for the majority of the year. The quality hasn't been skimped on either, impressive for the money.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 44  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,

As part of the Tech Hub here at F-At Digital, our senior product reviewer Stu uses the knowledge gained from putting well over a 1,000 products through their paces (including hundreds of bikes) to write in-depth reviews of a huge range of kit. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 160,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. Although, as he spends a fair bit of his time reviewing ebikes these days he's becoming an expert in letting the motor take the strain. He's also waiting for 23mm race tyres to make a comeback!

Add new comment

12 comments

Avatar
Southy83 | 4 months ago
1 like

I managed to order one of these when they first launched for £65.20 with the voucher (Galibier do this with new products if you are on the mailing list sometimes) after hearing good things from a friend who rode in the version 3 with me for about three hours in the rain last year.

Used it a couple of times now. Once on a commute and once on a shortened club ride (about 45 miles) and wasn't too sweaty underneath on either.

Feels very robust and hopefully will last a few years. Not a massive fan of the colour but love Galibier. Have a few bits from them now and everything has performed admirably and great value for money.

Avatar
David9694 | 4 months ago
0 likes

I'm always interested to know if it's a stretch or a rustley non-stretch fabric - looks like non-stretch here. 

Avatar
rjfrussell | 4 months ago
1 like

obvious questoin is how it compares to Shakedry products?

 

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to rjfrussell | 4 months ago
1 like

Hydro for Shakedry is 28k and 25k breathability.

So on paper Shakedry is more waterproof more breathable and lighter.

However since the cheapest Shakedry is around £280 you can save £200 notes for a little bit of a compromise.

Avatar
OnYerBike replied to Secret_squirrel | 4 months ago
0 likes

If you're a woman (or even if you're not - the cut doesn't look that female-specific), Sigma Sports currently have a shakedry jacket in most sizes available on sale which looks like a bargain: https://www.sigmasports.com/item/GOREWEAR/C7-Shakedry-Womens-Jacket/I9AU 

Avatar
Sriracha | 4 months ago
1 like

Does the jacket remain breathable when it's raining? Might seem like a daft question, but I've yet to experience a jacket that does.

Avatar
Freddy56 replied to Sriracha | 4 months ago
1 like

Retreat your jacket. If the water doesn't bead on the surface, the sweat/vapour can't pass through.

Avatar
Rendel Harris | 4 months ago
3 likes

Sounds good, be nice to see a picture or have dimensions of size when packed.

Avatar
amazon22 replied to Rendel Harris | 4 months ago
1 like

The picture is there on Galibier's site.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to amazon22 | 4 months ago
0 likes

Great, still be nice to see one of the most important features of the jacket either detailed or illustrated in a review without having to go looking for it elsewhere, don't you think?

Avatar
Freddy56 replied to Rendel Harris | 4 months ago
2 likes

I wonder if there is someone to help you click the link provided. I know it must be Exhausting with the war on in the East and people starving in the South. We all have our troubles.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Freddy56 | 4 months ago
0 likes
Freddy56 wrote:

I wonder if there is someone to help you click the link provided. I know it must be Exhausting with the war on in the East and people starving in the South. We all have our troubles.

What a spectacularly crappy little comment. I've simply pointed out that the review has omitted one of the most important features of the jacket and that it would have been nice to have the information included. Does that really warrant your response or are you such a pissy little person so desperate to start an argument/signal how great you are that you have to try and create an issue out of absolutely nothing?

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