OttawaVelo – MTB & Gravel lifestyle in Eastern Ontario

In honor of a winter that won’t quite let go of Eastern Ontario, I thought I’d post a review of one of my most significant cycling kit purchases ever, the Specialized 686 3L tech kit which consists of a Jacket, Bib, and Insulator.

There hasn’t been a lot of on-bike reviews online, either due to the insane price preventing many from sampling, or their embarrassment of publicizing that they actually paid that much for cycling attire. Here’s a couple of reviews that provide some additional perspective:

• Bike Rumor
• Gear Junkie

In my case, I paid about 50% MSRP – which is still a shit load of money but my 30+ years cycling experience has shown that good equipment really does pay for itself in opening up the opportunity for more (or longer) cycling outings – helped in part with my Norco Torrent’s expanded foul-weather abilities.

My previous cold-weather outings consisted of a combination of cycling/XC skiing/DH skiing clothing which worked reasonably well, but many little compromises were required to make it work in a cycling environment. It was actually the cycling bibs which first pulled me to this product. There’s so little out there in this preferred bottom style, the 686 bibs not only offered the more comfortable style but further expanding it’s functionality with it’s rear ‘SWAT’ (rear cycling pockets).

Here are my observations from the ~ 500 kilometers I’ve put on this kit from -25C white-outs to full-on rain at a mere +3C. If it’s too much detail scroll down to the conclusion.

Cons:

• The bib and jacket fabric:
  • Is NOT warm in the least – there is very little for inner layer in the jack and none for the bib pants. It’s actually quite shocking how quickly I can feel the sub-freezing cold seep through to my mid and base layers when I start riding. I can only assume it’s the enhanced ‘breathability’?
  • Is NOT 100% water proof. Claimed to have 20,000mm proofing (which I guess is good?), I felt dampness come though the thighs, hamstrings, back, chest (in that order) after about 90 minutes of exposure in what I would call moderate rainfall. Granted my ‘waterproof’ gloves didn’t fare so well either but I didn’t have to practically rob a bank to purchase those…
• Jacket
  • The waterproof zippers can be a little stiff to work – especially with gravel grit mixed into the equation.
  • Rear ‘SWAT’ access/venting zippers are cut pretty high up the back. I don’t have practice of removing a bra off my back every day and clearly my lack of flexibility hurts me in reaching the rear zipper pull strings.
  • The jacket’s hood is a little small. It can fit over a helmet but if the front is fully zipped up there’s a definite restriction of movement from the fabric. It’s a shame because it adds so much flexibility out on the road.
  • Cuffs are tightened by Velcro straps. If I had to guess which part will tire/fail first – that would be it. It works effectively but I’m leery to use it much in fear of wearing it out.

Pros:

• Pants
  • Bibbed setup is so much more comfortable for longer rides.
  • Little perception of tightness in the legs when seated and pedaling.
  • The four back storage pockets (named SWAT by Specialized) are flexible and well placed in the small of my back. No longer do I have to wear a bike jersey just to carry crap, I can stick to warmer/cheaper/more flexible base/mid layer shirts and store everything in my bibs.
  • The leg cuffs are really good. The inner cuff grips well to prevent snow/water from seeping in. When zipped, the cuffs are tight enough to not hit the crank arm/chain but still handles a wide range of boot thicknesses. Extra scruff fabric on the inside further protects against the crank arms.
  • Very little ‘swishing’ sound while pedaling
  • Good friction between the fabric and saddle
• Fabric:
  • The bib and jacket fabric is NOT warm – making this a very real 3 season kit. Simply adjust the base/mid layer and/or open some zippered vents and you’re good to go right up to +10 depending on the terrain, exertion and wind exposure
  • The fabric offers exceptional breathability. I rarely needed to use to zippered vent when efforts increased. Start off a little cool and you’ll have 80% of exertion/exposure scenarios covered.
  • Despite being loose and somewhat soft, the fabric dose not flap around in the wind
• The Tech Insulator :
  • Is soooo good on its own. With a nice full-length thin breathable stretchy fabric along the inner arm and core it can be used with a mid weight base layer down to -5C, or up to +8C with just a merlino t-shirt underneath.
  • Single-sided back zipper (as opposed to two on the jacket) allow it to work alone with the bib’s SWAT compartment.
  • The hood is small and thin enough to potentially double as a super warm skull cap under the helmet (very hot!).
  • When combined with the jacket you better anticipating at least -15C (or colder) otherwise you’ll overheat. Note that this obviously only covers the upper body, with no Insulator offering for the legs you’ll have to double up the legs base layers to match performance.

Conclusion:

• A well designed kit, but the fabric’s somewhat disappointing warmth (independent of the Insulator) and waterproof performance prevents this from being perfection.
• That same fabric (warmth) disappointment means this kit can be used for fall & spring as well, making it a somewhat better cost-effective proposition.
• If you can get only 2 of the 3 piece of kit, get the Tech Insulator and Bibs. If you can get only 1 of the 3, get the Tech Insulator.
• If you’re hoping for any kind of real warmth from this kit, get the Tech insulator. Not only will it make the main jacket work better in colder temps, but the Insulator also doubles as a jacket itself on warmer outing.
• Assuming the durability does not disappoint, this is a worthwhile investment if you’re going to put lots of miles/years of foul weather riding. Otherwise, there are MUCH cheaper options for the more fair-weathered cyclist.