This Forclaz MT500 jacket offers an excellent quality/price ratio. Indeed, at 140 euros, there’s nothing to complain about.
It’s a sturdy jacket, tear-resistant, and above all, very well made: finishes that are almost faultless, quality of the seams…
There are one or two minor hiccups if you look closely: the wrist Velcro straps are not very powerful, and the inner chest pocket is really tiny. So, these remain minor details.
This Forclaz MT500 is well-cut; however, beware, it runs small, especially at the base of the neck and in the shoulder area. If you plan to layer underneath, you should consider sizing up. It has convincing waterproofing to withstand most weather conditions. If the downpour persists, it starts to show some signs of weakness, but only after many hours in the rain (remember to retreat it with a DWR product).
All zippers are waterproof. The central zipper and those of the underarm vents are equipped with double sliders. Kudos for the waist tightening system with the cord looped upwards to prevent the excess elastic from hanging outside the jacket.
The hood is well-designed and has an interesting volume as it’s not intended for a helmet: thus, you don’t have a hood collapsing onto your forehead and in front of your eyes.
The fabric is slightly stretchy and conforms to movements. The color is austere in blue and navy blue, but the Forclaz MT500 also comes in orange. All zippers slide smoothly.
An almost unbeatable price for a well-designed, sturdy hiking jacket providing good waterproofing. We awarded it a Hot Deal award.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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