Even if the cooperation between Specialized and the Californian (ski) clothing manufacturer 686 only got rolling because of the fatbike trend, we have the 3L Tech Jacket tested on a "normal" mountain bike during the winter months. In our latitudes, the snow makes a pummel bike unnecessary, but you do need warm clothes for biking in winter. According to Specialized, the jacket should be above-average waterproof and breathable at the same time. Recommended operating temperature: minus five to plus 15 degrees Celsius.
At first glance, the 3L Tech impresses with its taped seams, very good workmanship and practical features. Rather unnecessary on an after-work tour: snow guard and Recco system for avalanche recovery. All the better for the ventilation openings: On the upper arm, when it gets really warm, or on the back, through which hardly any cold wind can penetrate. Depending on the rucksack, the back vents may be covered, which is annoying when opening and closing. The pocket management is also practical: one chest pocket and two belly pockets. Unfortunately, the mobile phone pocket does not fit a larger smartphone.
When you slip it on, you immediately notice it: The jacket is American-sized. Our tester, who is 1.83 metres tall and weighs 74 kilos, found that the size S fitted almost perfectly on his upper body. However, it was a little wide on the upper arms and wrinkled.
The jacket can also be worn in everyday life, but its selling point is clearly the cut adapted for mountain biking: the front is rather short and therefore does not interfere with pedalling. The back is significantly longer and a splash guard can also be folded out. We never had any problems with moisture from the outside, even the garden hose couldn't harm the jacket. Thanks to its good breathability, the Specialized jacket doesn't give you that aquarium feeling. The arms are nice and long and keep the cold out, as does the collar. If it does get chilly, you can slip your thumb through a kind of built-in glove. However, if these are worn under the actual gloves, they can cause unpleasant pressure points. The jacket also has a hood, which only fits under the helmet.
After months of endurance testing, the 3L Tech still shows no signs of wear, even though it was a regular guest in the washing machine. Anything else would have been disappointing for a 300-euro anorak.
Test summary of the Specialized 3L Tech jacket:
The high-quality Specialized jacket proved to be a loyal companion for the cold season. The purchase is particularly worthwhile for frequent riders who spend more time on their mountain bike than on the couch, even in winter.
