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review

Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket

9
£149.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Stylish windproof and waterproof jacket for when it gets really cold
Very warm
Impressively waterproof
Looks good
Reflective detailing
Weight: 
497g
Contact: 

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Stolen Goat's Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket is the company's warmest offering. It is made from Tempest Protect fabric and is specifically designed to keep you riding in the harshest conditions. It does this very well, and at a fair price for what you get. In my opinion, it looks pretty good too.

This isn't the first time we've had this jacket in for review at road.cc; our Jez really liked it the first time around, back in 2015. As it happens, Jez is a good mate, and I tapped him up to compare both versions. Other than price and design, we couldn't find any other changes. He gave the jacket 9/10 at the time and I rate the jacket equally high.

> Buy this online here

Like the Bodyline One Bib Shorts I reviewed recently, the Climb & Conquer Jacket is also made by Bioracer in Belgium, a company that knows a thing or two about manufacturing Cycling Garments That Work.

The Tempest Protect fabric that Bioracer has chosen for this jacket is windproof and waterproof, and impressively so for a jacket that is supposed to be a softshell. It is not a full-on waterproof; the YKK zip works well but isn't waterproof, and the seams aren't taped. Even so, if you do get caught in a downpour, this jacket will just go 'shrug'.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - collar.jpg

The trick with making a warm cycling garment is judging breathability. Warm by itself doesn't mean much if your sweat can't escape. Stolen Goat says that this is why the seams are not taped, to aid with breathability. As long as you wear this jacket in the conditions it was designed for, this works well.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - inside.jpg

Stolen Goat is pretty clear about this, using words like 'crisp wintry conditions' and 'arctic'. The Climb & Conquer jacket page on the Stolen Goat website has a handy temperature chart, which takes the weather into account. In summary: if it's dry, strictly 5°C and below. If it's changeable, the minimum temperature goes up a bit, and if it's raining then it works well as soon as the temperature goes into single digits.

> Winter cycling clothing – 49 of the warmest garments you can buy

In my experience this is about right; this jacket kept me comfortable on a lumpy 100km ride in thick fog with the temperature just above freezing, with just a short sleeve baselayer underneath. I remember descending at speed after getting sweaty going after it on a longish climb, and thinking to myself how little windchill I noticed. This is testament to the fabric, but also the detailing. The collar is snug without being too tight, the cuffs are long and tight enough to get your gloves over easily. Even though there isn't a stormflap for the zip, it's sewn in such a way that it prevents the wind getting through.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - cuff.jpg

With Bioracer taking care of the functional bits, Stolen Goat is in charge of aesthetics. Its Climb & Conquer Jacket is available in nine different designs, from the understated Kuro Black through the nicely colourful and stylish Mekon we're reviewing here, to some braver colour schemes that are not for me. Something for everyone.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - sleeve logo.jpg

Stolen Goat has subtly designed in 'be seen' elements for riding in the dark; the back pockets are made from highly reflective pixel 100 fabric. It looks grey in normal conditions, but reflects lights in the dark.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - reflective.jpg

There are the usual three back pockets, and a fourth zipped waterproof pocket with a little hole to route your headphone cable through if that's what you want to do.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - pockets.jpg

In terms of fit, I'm 178cm and weigh 77kg. I am a medium in anything non-Italian, and according to Stolen Goat's size chart (with a 38in chest, a 34in waist and a 38in hip) I'm slap bang in the middle of the range for medium. A medium is what we got, and a medium fits me perfectly.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - back.jpg

This is a performance fit: the body and the arms are snug enough to prevent flapping. If you like things a bit more relaxed, then Stolen Goat recommends sizing up. The cut around the back is judged well – even without a gripper hem the back stays put low enough to keep your lower back warm. If you're not into mudguards the jacket isn't cut low enough to keep road spray off your behind. Not an issue for me; I'm a big fan of mudguards.

2021 Stolen Goat Men’s Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket - hem 2.jpg

When Jez reviewed this jacket five years ago it was £129. It is now £149. This is not a cheap jacket, but then again you are getting some serious performance.

Stu recently reviewed and liked Gore's C5 Gore-Tex Infinium Thermo jacket, which is a bit more expensive at £169. Similar offerings from Castelli, Rapha and Le Col are more expensive, while dhb's Aeron Deep Winter Jacket has the same RRP but is not waterproof.

> Buyer’s Guide: 29 of the best winter cycling jackets

In conclusion, Stolen Goat's Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket is exceptionally good at keeping you warm when it gets really cold. It keeps out an impressive amount of rain for a non-fullblown waterproof too. I think the price is fair for what you get, and it looks good to boot. I think it's near perfect, so if you're looking for a jacket with these features, this one should be high on your list.

Verdict

Stylish windproof and waterproof jacket for when it gets really cold

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Stolen Goat Men's Mekon Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket

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?

Stolen Goat says:

The Stolen Goat Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket is made from Tempest Protect, an insulating windproof & waterproof fabric that keeps you warm and dry in the harshest conditions, giving you the confidence to ride through the winter months. Designed for when temperatures head below 8 degrees.

In even the most arctic conditions you can pair this jacket with no more than a base layer underneath. Perfect for crisp wintry conditions, the garment features waterproof fabric but with untaped seams allowing for greater breathability.

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

Stolen Goat provides these details:

Water repellent and windproof outer layer. Designed for biting cold days this jacket will keep you warm and dry in whatever conditions mother nature throws at you. The Tempest Protect fabric is both wind & waterproof, fuelling you with the confidence to keep pedalling, on or off road, when nature is fighting back.

Soft brushed lining. The soft fleece-like Roubaix lining makes this jacket extremely comfortable and thermally insulated. Perfect when paired with a long-sleeve base layer..

Covered zip. A fully hidden and covered zip helps protect against wind and cold penetration, a key benefit on those lengthy descents or the coldest of ride temperatures.

Pixel100 detailing. The pockets panel on the back employ highly reflective pixel 100 fabric. Subtle grey to the naked eye, it packs a punch in deteriorating light, by reflecting a light source like car headlamps. A perfect addition should you want to increase your visibility at night without compromising the look of the jacket.

Full length YKK cam-lock zipper. You only notice a zip if it's bad. We exclusively use zips from YKK, the global leader in zip technology. These open and close easily with one hand and lock in place when pushed down.

Neckline zip protector. No matter how great the zip is, if it rubs against your neck all day long, it's annoying! A zip garage at the neck of every Climb & Conquer jacket prevents contact with the skin.

Water resistant, zipped 4th pocket. The fourth water resistant stash pocket protects vulnerable items like phones, credit cards and keys. It's zipped to prevent anything falling out over rough terrain.

Headphone cable hole. Should you wish to route a headphone cable through the pockets there is a special hole to do so.

Performance fit. This jacket is in keeping with the fit of our Bodyline jerseys, minimising flapping. If you are looking for a more relaxed fit, please size up.

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for durability:
 
9/10

Jez's is five years old, and still looking good. I can say with confidence that this is a durable jacket.

Rate the jacket for waterproofing based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
8/10

Stolen Goat claims "water repellent" rather than waterproof. Though the fabric is waterproof, the zip isn't and the seams aren't taped. Having said that, it keeps out an awful lot of weather for a not-full-blown waterproof.

Rate the jacket for breathability based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for fit:
 
8/10

Fits beautifully. The arms are long enough without bunching up, and the collar is snug without being too tight, as is the fit in the body.

Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
8/10

I'm a medium in pretty much everything that is non-Italian sizing, and the medium in this jacket fits me just right.

Rate the jacket for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
9/10

It feels really nice to wear.

Rate the jacket for value:
 
7/10

When Jez reviewed it five years ago, it was £129. It is now £149. Comparable jackets from the likes of dhb, Castelli, Le Col and Rapha are either in the same ballpark or more expensive. This is not a cheap jacket, but in my opinion you definitely get what you are paying for.

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

The washing instructions say hand wash at 30 degrees. I think life's too short so I just stick it in the washing machine with all my other stuff at 40 degrees on a normal cycle and it still looks as good as new.

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

Admirably.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

The fit, the weather protection, and how it looks. Everything, in other words.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

Nothing to report here.

Did you enjoy using the jacket? Very much so.

Would you consider buying the jacket? Yes

Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Stolen Goat's Climb & Conquer Winter Jacket is exceptionally good at keeping you warm when it gets really cold. It keeps out an impressive amount of rain for a non-full-blown waterproof too. I think the price is fair for what you get, and it looks good to boot.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Ribble Endurance SL disc

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Zwift

Add new comment

11 comments

Avatar
Yorky-M | 3 years ago
0 likes

Looks really great but No taped seams, so is it still waterproof as the headline says?

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
2 likes

FWIW for any heightily challenged/racing whippets people there are a few XS versions of this jacket on their outlet for half this price.

https://outlet.stolengoat.com/product-category/cycling-clothing/cycling-...

 

Avatar
Joe Totale replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for that. I've just grabbed myself one of these jackets and an all weather jersey for a shade over £100.

Avatar
philhubbard replied to Joe Totale | 3 years ago
0 likes

How is their sizing now? I once bought an Orkaan jersey in XS and it was massive on me (5' 10" and 64kg for reference)

Avatar
oceandweller | 3 years ago
1 like

I'd love to have some Stolen Goat kit, it all looks great, has the right technical spec & is reasonably priced. Sadly, they never seem to have anything in my size (medium)...

In fairnes, SG isn't the only site with a surfeit of small & XL, but no medium or large. Don't think this is some sort of immutable law of physics or anything, though...

Avatar
Grahamd replied to oceandweller | 3 years ago
1 like
oceandweller wrote:

I'd love to have some Stolen Goat kit, it all looks great, has the right technical spec & is reasonably priced. Sadly, they never seem to have anything in my size (medium)...

In fairnes, SG isn't the only site with a surfeit of small & XL, but no medium or large. Don't think this is some sort of immutable law of physics or anything, though...

I share your disappointment, I recently decided to buy a pair of their bib tights, out of stock. Contacted company to be advised they are not expecting new stock until the end of February, by which time I probably won't need them.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to Grahamd | 3 years ago
0 likes

You and me both.  TBF to Stolen Goat they mailed me the last time their Climb and Conquer Winter Bib tights appeared back in stock as a medium, but I forgot to go on the site (run up to Xmas) and 3 days later they were gone.   Its a nice problem for a relatively small brand to have, even if it is a little frustrating for some of their customers.  Worth keeping an eye on their outlet as someones gotta be doing some post Xmas returns!

Avatar
wtjs replied to oceandweller | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sadly, they never seem to have anything in my size (medium)...

This is the only problem with Aldi- you have to seize any small and medium sizes if you see them, because there will only be a few of them, and millions of XXXXXL.

Avatar
albertspangler replied to wtjs | 3 years ago
0 likes

The Stolen Goat kit is made by Bioracer, their UK shop is here: https://shop-bioracer.co.uk/ 

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to albertspangler | 3 years ago
0 likes

To be clear though the BioRacer stuff is great, the Stolen Goat isnt necessary a 1:1 match to it.  Compare materials etc before buying.  But afaik Tempest = Orkaan as a general rule of thumb works.  Tempest Protect that this jacket is made from is the next level "up" in terms of winteryness.

Bear in mind as Bioracer are based in Belgium dont be surprised if they struggle to get things across the channel because of the dreaded "B" word.

Avatar
Joe Totale replied to oceandweller | 3 years ago
0 likes

Hang on, a surfeit of small

*Runs to Stolen Goat website*

Thanks for the heads up although as I'm 6ft tall hopefully it's long enough.

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