Cotopaxi Teca Windbreaker Evaluate | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The Cotopaxi Teca windbreaker is a reasonably light-weight and packable layer designed for breezy adventures and on a regular basis outings. From biking to mountaineering or hitting the brewery, the Teca is flexible sufficient for trail-to-town use. 

Comprised of repurposed polyester taffeta, it’s an eco-friendly alternative that reduces waste whereas delivering dependable wind resistance. The sturdy water-repellent end provides gentle water resistance, making it nice for surprising drizzles. Its half-zip design permits for straightforward layering and air flow, and it’s the one jacket in our lineup with a kangaroo-style pouch within the frontInstantly recognizable with Cotopaxi’s trademark brilliant colorways, the Teca stays on our record of finest windbreakers from yr to yr. The match is barely saggy, feeling extra like that of an athletics sweatshirt than a windbreaker. This makes it nice for informal use, however it lacks the trim minimize of a extra performance-oriented piece. The Teca additionally lacks breathability. We have been regularly moist from heavy perspiration drops accumulating within the jacket whereas sporting it on path runs. At an attainable value, the Teca is a good jacket for entry-level fanatics or somebody in search of an informal piece with a retro, throwback look.

How We Examined

Over two months, we wore the Cotopaxi Teca Over on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to discipline check its efficiency in a number of circumstances. Our assessments consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and parts. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and likewise accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

The Cotopaxi Teca is constructed with among the thickest nylon of any jacket we examined. This translated to a stunning quantity of climate resistance that we weren’t anticipating. It’s fully windproof and even beads precipitation and light-weight rain. 

Whereas testing the Teca out on path runs in rain, sleet, and snow, it resisted wetting longer than any jacket we examined. The DWR end mixed with a 600mm polyurethane backer gives elevated moist climate safety. Whereas this jacket gained’t exchange your rain jacket, it stunned us with how nicely it withstood moisture. It’s a windbreaker you may put on when transferring out and in of sunshine precipitation.

Breathability

The thick nylon used within the Teca windbreaker was not very breathable, leaving us soaked from sweat whereas operating and cross-country snowboarding. After a one-hour path run, we have been upset to search out giant beads of sweat accumulating alongside the again and armpits of the jacket. It’s the least breathable jacket we examined – not our best choice for sweaty outings like operating and snowboarding. This jacket is probably going too thick for decent days however good for shoulder-reason bike rides round city or reasonably chilly outings at low exertion charges.

Weight & Packability

Although affordably priced, the Cotopaxi Teca makes critical concessions on the subject of weight and packability. With a manufacturer-stated weight of 4.4 ounces and a measured weight of 5.2 ounces (males’s medium), it confirmed the best discrepancy. It’s additionally one of many heaviest jackets in our lineup. 

The Teca can zip into its reversible kangaroo pocket, however it nonetheless is a big bundle roughly the scale of a Nalgene bottle. Neither packable nor gentle sufficient for backcountry use, the Teca nonetheless has its place as a trendy and versatile windbreaker for entrance nation use.

Consolation & Match

The Cotopaxi Teca windbreaker has one of many extra relaxed and informal matches of any wind jacket we examined – extra like a sweatshirt than a windbreaker. It’s barely saggy by the arms and physique, however elastic cuffs and hem maintain it securely in place. This barely saggy match implies that it matches quite a lot of physique shapes and might layer over different garments in cooler climate. Nevertheless, it typically felt swishy and outsized on our check runs. Decidedly informal, the Teca is just not our first alternative for technical adventures however has its place for entrance nation or shorter path adventures.

Ought to You Purchase the Cotopaxi Teca Windbreaker?

The Cotopaxi Teca is among the solely windbreakers that may be discovered for below 100 {dollars}. That makes it a terrific choice for these simply moving into the outside or wanting an reasonably priced piece of substances. That being stated, its low value makes concessions in each packability and breathability. It is among the heaviest and bulkiest jackets in our lineup. We additionally discovered that the Teca trapped sweat to a level not present in another jacket examined. That being stated, this jacket stunned us with its skill to bead moisture. The Teca is most at house in entrance nation or shorter excursions. Cotopaxi’s iconic type and dedication to sustainability additionally make it a wonderful alternative for informal put on round city.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Contemplate?

Head to our gear information to see the complete lineup of finest windbreakers.

Patagonia Airshed Professional Evaluate: One other jacket designed with a half zip, the Airshed Professional affords extra breathability and packs down smaller for a extra performance-oriented layer. 

Patagonia Houdini Evaluate: Patagonia, like Cotopaxi, is famend for its dedication to the atmosphere and social causes. The Houdini is a extremely versatile and sustainably made layer for a lot of totally different adventures.

Black Diamond Alpine Begin Evaluate:  If you’re in search of a equally roomy jacket however with higher breathability and efficiency match for the alpine, the Alpine Begin is a good alternative.