Team Timbuktu Tech Jacket Review

The Tech Jacket by Team Timbuktu is marketed as windproof, waterproof, breathable AND 48% of it is made out of recycled plastic bottles. That’s a lot to live up to. Let’s see how it fares in the wild. 

Finding some wet weather to give the Team Timbuktu Tech Jacket the outdoor adventure trial it deserves has certainly proved tough these last few months.

I managed to get in a few wet wears in the short walk from the train station to the office, which proved how useful the size of the hood is. I can comfortably fit my head and oversized headphones inside it and still keep everything dry. There are multiple drawstrings to adjust the fit of the hood, which is great! Cause ya know, heads aren’t one-size-fits-all kinda things.   

Photo by Jonathan Tan

But it quickly became apparent that these short stints in a bit of drizzle weren’t going to do this jacket justice. So instead of waiting for the precipitation to come to me, I decided to go to it. And there’s one place I know that will always get you moist – Belmore Falls. 

Breathability

One sunny Sunday, a car full of mates, new and old, trusted me to lead them to the top of Macquarie Pass and then all the way back down to the bottom of Belmore Falls. It was one of the first warmer days of spring, but in the shade surrounded by cool rainforest scrub, it was certainly getting chilly. I pulled out the jacket and whipped it on just for an extra layer.

Photo by Jonathan Tan

Damn it looks good in the wild. And breathes well too! I should know, I’ve stunk up a few cheap rain jackets in my time, and even after working up a couple of small sweats in this jacket, it still feels fab. 

Waterproof

Once at the bottom of the falls it was time to throw myself into the mist. I clambered over the incredibly slippery rocks looking like a right old goose, to get as close to the gushing waterfall as I could. The force behind this falling water was so strong, I was getting well and truly misted standing even a good 20 metres from the falls. My legs were getting soggy but everything on my top half was kept bone-dry. Win!

Photo by Maree Thomson

The jacket is coated with DWR (durable water repellent) and damn does it show! The jacket doesn’t absorb any moisture. I can literally flick the raindrops straight off this jacket, which is great for when it comes time to pack it into a bag.

Photo by Tim Ashelford

The pockets are nice and big, with zippers to keep all your important things (chewing gum, lip balm etc) locked away and dry. 

Windproof

Whilst on a wholesome work weekend away on the Great Ocean Road, I managed to get in another rainy wear of the Team Timbuktu Tech Jacket. The weather was throwing a full-blown mood swinging tantrum, taking us from hail to sunshine in a matter of minutes. But the jacket kept me protected the whole time. The dipped back kept my butt dry and made sure everything under the jacket was all tucked in. The taped seams and elasticised sleeve ends made sure no wind chill made it up my arms. I pulled the drawstrings tight around my face, looking like a fruit-loop, but an incredibly dry one. 

Photo by Jonathan Tan

Sustainability

The real win with these jackets is how they’re made – Team Timbuktu are all about creating garments sustainably and ethically. 48% of the material in these jackets is made from recycled plastic bottles that would have otherwise gone to landfill, with aims to escalate this to 100% in the future. Yep, you read that right. I’m sporting beautiful, durable rubbish darling. And it looks fabulous! They’ve basically eliminated single-use plastics in their supply chain as well, with all of their goods lovingly wrapped in tissue paper and placed in compostable corn-starch bags for delivery. 

The manufacturers of the jacket in Taiwan and China are regulated by the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) to ensure the factories comply with local laws. The team receive regular reports about the working conditions, make annual visits to the factory and Skype chat with their workers on a regular basis. 

The only gripe I have is that I’d like to be able to pack this perfect little jacket down into a portable pocket-sized bag. If it came with a small waterproof bag that compacted it for easy travel, it would be perfect. 

The Verdict

This jacket is the perfect shell for windy, soggy weather. It’ll keep you and your possessions comfortable and dry without taking up massive space in your bag or making you sweat underneath it. The unique colours and designs will make you the most stylish, both in the wild of nature and of the city (and possibly the most sustainable). 

Feature photo by Jonathan Tan | @thetantrap

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