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Down and Insulated Jackets

Forclaz MT100 -5°C Trekking Jacket | Review

Testing Decathlon’s £50 insulated jacket for warmth, comfort, and layering performance on the trail.

The Forclaz MT100 -5°C Trekking Jacket from Decathlon’s in-house brand is incredibly cheap, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in performance. It’s not a technical alpine jacket by any stretch, but for general hillwalking, camping, and everyday outdoor use in mild to cold, damp conditions, it’s surprisingly capable. I tested it out with an open mind. Here’s how I got on with it. 

The Top Line

This is an excellent value synthetic insulated jacket that performs far better than its price tag suggests. It’s low on weight and bulk, fits well under a waterproof shell, and offers a good amount of warmth even when wet.

Price: £49.99
Weight: 400g (size L)
Insulation: 100% polyester
Best for: Budget-conscious hikers and campers looking for a no-frills midlayer
Pros: Very affordable, insulates when wet, fits well under a waterproof.
Cons: No hood adjustment, slightly long cut, not especially breathable.

Buy The Forclaz MT100 -5°C Trekking Jacket: £49.99 at Decathlon.co.uk

 

Field Testing

I’ve been using the Forclaz MT100 while surveying routes in North Wales for a guidebook I’m working on, and it’s seen a good mix of conditions.

On the top of Manod Mawr.

The real test came on a cold, wet, and blustery day climbing Manod Mawr near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Despite being soaked through by persistent drizzle and wind, the jacket continued to trap warmth reasonably effectively – that’s the benefit of synthetic insulation like this, which keeps performing even when damp. On one very quick 4-mile hike where I was cold but couldn’t face the clamminess of a rain jacket, I even wore it in pouring conditions without a hardshell over it, and it actually did the exact job I needed from it by keeping the rain off me while still providing a bit of warmth. I wouldn’t recommend this approach for any longer distances, but for this particular short outing it worked nicely.

Is It Warm?

I wore it on a camping trip in the Berwyn Mountains earlier this October. Temperatures dipped close to freezing overnight, and while it wasn’t enough on its own for sitting outside my tent for some stargazing, it did the job when paired with a hardshell to keep out the biting wind. 

An image from the brand’s website.

I’ve found the warmth-to-weight ratio to be very respectable for a sub £50 jacket. It’s warm enough to wear over just a baselayer on the milder sides of spring and autumn, and it pairs well with a fleece and/or hardshell when things get chillier.

The synthetic fill traps heat reliably without feeling overly bulky, and it packs down small enough to easily stash in a daypack. It’s the kind of layer you can throw on for a lunch stop or wear all day if you’re not working too hard uphill.

It’s not the most breathable jacket, so during steep climbs I did find myself unzipping it for ventilation, but for stop-start use or lower-intensity walking, I’ve found it to be perfectly comfortable.

The Fit

The MT100 has a regular, relaxed cut that makes layering straightforward. I’m 5ft 10in and tried it in a size Large, which gives enough room for a midweight fleece underneath without feeling tight or restrictive.

Exploring the industrial history surrounding Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Its slightly longer hem helps keep your lower back covered when bending or scrambling, though it does mean that when its worn under some waterproof jackets, especially those with a short alpine cut, it can stick out a little, leaving it vulnerable to soaking up moisture. 

Details

There’s no hood adjustment, but the hood itself holds its shape fairly well and fits comfortably under a helmet. The elasticated cuffs and hem provide a simple but effective seal against drafts, and the handwarmer pockets are generous and well-placed. Packing it into its own pocket is easy to do and it makes for a bundle about the size of a small loaf of bread.

It’s largely made from polyester, and Decathlon say that 42% of this comes from recycled sources. That’s respectable for a budget piece, though there are plenty of brands now pushing that figure much higher.

On a  pause for lunch in the Berwyns.

Verdict

The Forclaz MT100 -5°C is reasonably warm, simple, robust, and functional. From my experience, it’s suitable for everything from cold-weather country walks to summer casual camping trips. If you’re after something high-tech and alpine-ready, this isn’t it. But if you want an affordable, effective insulator for the UK’s damp, unpredictable climate, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well this performs.

Buy The Forclaz MT100 -5°C Trekking Jacket: £49.99 at Decathlon.co.uk

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