The POC Mantle Thermal Hoodie is an excellent addition to any rider’s kit wardrobe. It’s both warm and breathable while being slim in its fit. Its £150 sticker price may be a rather tall outlay but this hoodie will pay back with its all-out versatility. In fact, it’s a top winter jersey that I keep reaching for ahead of anything else.
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POC Mantle Hoodie - Technical details
POC has built the Mantle hoodie to fit those rides where a jacket might be too warm and a jersey will be too cold. And it does that through the employment of a double-layer thermal polyamide insulation that’s made using recycled materials. The outer has been crafted to be durable to fend off snags and any potential damage taken during a crash. On top of that, the fabric is water-repellent with a 15k water column and 30k moisture vapour permeability. The interior of the fabric is brushed.
The Mantle benefits from a fluorocarbon-free DWR treatment complete with helpful wind-resistant properties. The hood fits under a helmet and lycra cuffs add a bit of stretch while keeping the sleeves close to the skin for improved insulation but mainly, these panels have been added to make sure that the sleeves don’t slip down when pulled up.
Finally, there’s a quarter-length zip that gives the hoodie an anorak-esque feel while providing an opportunity to add a bit of extra ventilation. There’s good storage, too, in the form of a large zipped pocket at the rear and a glasses holder at the chest.
The Mantle is available in two colours, Uranium Black and Jasper Brown (tested) with five sizes from S up the XXL.
POC Mantle Hoodie - Performance
There are loads to like about the Mantle mainly because it’s simple in its construction but it does its job even better than how POC describes. The fit is very good. It’s a slimmer, close-fitting top but the hem stretches far down, so it provides good coverage against spray and moisture making its way under the hoodie and cool air finding its way in where it’s not wanted. The slim, stretchy fit keeps it from rising above a trouser’s waistband, too. The lycra panels work as expected, too, keeping the cuffs close to the skin. I’ve been very happy with the lengths of the sleeves and the fit is simply spot on.
I’ve worn the Mantle through a wide range of off-road riding scenarios and, through all of them, it’s proven to be mega versatile. During warmer rides, I’ve worn it only with a thin jersey underneath and relied on it to keep any wind chill off. Then, when the mercury has dropped to around zero degrees centigrade, I’ve thrown on a baselayer for some extra warmth. And because of that and its all-out ability to layer, it's capable of providing just the right level of warmth throughout the worst of the winter conditions – not to mention late autumn and early spring rides.
Although I’ve not needed it just yet, I’m certain that this hoodie will make for a great mid-layer, too, because its fabric isn’t bulky at all. I would even go as far as to say that the fabric is thinner than that on Madison’s Zenith Thermal jersey but if anything, it’s just as warm if not warmer.
Adding to the superb level of versatility is its ability to thermoregulate. While the outer does feature a level of wind blocking, it allows just enough cool air to seep through while balancing insulation that keeps warm air in. And although the Mantle isn’t fully waterproof, it’s more than capable of shrugging off a shower, where its water-repellent material keeps water from permeating through the material. It’s not a replacement for a waterproof jacket but, during light showers, I’ve been very happy wearing this over something like an insulated gilet.
When worn casually or just when traipsing around the car park, I found myself trying to put my hands in a front pocket that wasn’t there – a traditional feature on a hoodie setup. This is hardly an issue and if you do need to store something, the zipped pocket at the rear is both cavernous and handy. In it, I’ve stored everything from snacks, keys and cycling computers while remaining perfectly comfortable. It’s much larger than what POC’s description suggests. The small glasses holder on the hoodie is also a very nice touch.
POC Mantle hoodie - Verdict
There’s no getting away from the fact that £150 is a high price to pay for a cycling top but the performance and feature list you’re getting in return is top-notch. I’ve had a great time riding in the Mantle and will do until the summer heat hits.
But other options in the market are well worth consideration – such as 7Mesh’s Chilco Anorak, for example. It’s pricier, at £170, and gets the brand’s very fancy WTV technology which combines breathability and insulation. If that’s your thing, the Chilco Anorak does an excellent job but I’ve found the fit, styling and general performance of the Mantle hoodie to suit my needs even better.
Another option is Fox’s Defend Thermal hoodie. It’s cheaper at £140 and it gets a similar build and boasts Polartec’s PowerGrid insulation. If you’re looking to save an extra tenner, this may be worth checking out.
If this review wasn’t a big enough giveaway, I’m a massive fan of the POC Mantle hoodie. It checks all of the boxes while fitting excellently and performing flawlessly. It might be expensive but it's one of those products that are well worth the cash.