TNF's windproof jacket uses nylon outer and polyester inner fibres knittted together in a cunning performance-enhancing fabric, it says here, but does the technology work?
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The North Face Bicom Jacket
Tested
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Price: £60.00
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Weight: 237 grammes (men's
medium)
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Features: Fabric:
70D x 50D 2.8 oz/yd2 90% nylon, 10% polyester double weave
Hydrenalite™ fabric with DWR, elastic cuffs, hem cinch
cord, inside security pocket, performance fit, two hand
pockets, soft-lined collar.
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Decent breathability and weight.
Cut could be more tapered for whippet use...
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The Concept Part of TNF's fast-moving Flight series, the new
Bicom is a windproof jacket that's designed to be light, high wicking
and, of course, to protect you from the wind. Windproofing is crucial
in keeping you warm, since without it the heated layer of warm air
close to the body is simply stripped away by the wind. It's also
water resistant, though not waterproof.
Features The Bicom gets its name from the use of two fibre
types in different dernier, a similar approach to that used in
baselayer fabrics. There's a durable nylon outer face with DWR plus a
looped polyester interior fabric intended to transport moisture away
from the body fast and to give a comfortable feel against the
skin.
The rest of the jacket is pretty standard, with twin handwarmer
pockets with a mesh bag inner, full-length zip, elasticated cuffs and
an adjustable hem.
In Action We've been less than impressed with the
breathability of some previous TNF windproof jackets we've used, so
it was a pleasant surprise to find that the brand has upped its game
and the Bicom's performance is on a par with other brands. That means
decent breahtability and good wicking from the polyester inner
component of the jacket. The cunning technology seems to work as promised...
The DWR works very well too, shrugging off light showers with
beading nonchalance, which is nice and means you can wear it for
longer without resorting to a less breathable waterproof.
The design is pretty much standard jacket. It looks nice, but the
cut is a little boxy for slimmer, whippet-like folk, who might prefer
a more tapered design - no bad thing if you're a little boxy yourself
though. We'd also like to see a drop tail for more protection when
biking and running.
Pockets are always welcome though and, at a pinch, you can use the
handwarmer ones as vents thanks to the mesh inner pocket bags which
allow air straight through to the body.
The Bicom's performance is up there with other top windproof jackets
and we were impressed with the breahtability, wicking and water
resistance of the fabric. The North Face says that the jacket has a
'performance cut' and while it's not exactly baggy, some users may
prefer a more tapered, closer fit, particularly for fast-moving
activities.
If the cut suits you though, this is a light and highly effective
windproof jacket for running, biking and lightweight walking use. For
more serious mountain outings, we'd prefer a hooded windproof, but
that's not really the Bicom's purpose in life.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Very effective, high wicking and water resistant
windproof jacket aimed at fast users. Some will want a more
tapered cut, i fit fits though, it works well.
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