Sportful Total Comfort Winter Jacket Review

The Sportful Total Comfort jacket may not be the most formidable on the market in the most extreme conditions, but it is warm, light, breathable, well-finished and covers the needs of most winter rides, as we have seen over the past two months.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: Vincent Lyky / 3bikes.fr

The Total Comfort is the second-tier jacket in Sportful’s winter range, part of a comprehensive collection that includes some twenty models, all designed to excel in specific conditions. Born in the heart of the Dolomites, the Sportful brand first distinguished itself in Nordic skiing before becoming a benchmark in cycling, particularly in terms of protection against the elements. Among the pros, after equipping Bora-Hansgrohe for several seasons, Sportful has just partnered with the TotalEnergies team, and has even signed a partnership with Peter Sagan for the next ten years.

Available in four colors, the Total Comfort is designed for a wide range of winter temperatures, from approximately 0°C to 12°C, without the need for an additional layer other than a good long-sleeved base layer. It stands out for its flexibility and lightness, and a cut that is quite close to the body, but less tight than the jackets in the Fiandre range, which are designed to cope with humidity.

The advantage of Polartec fabrics

At the base of the Total Comfort’s construction is an outer layer made entirely of Polartec NeoShell, a windproof and breathable fabric that blocks out the cold while preventing overheating during intense efforts. On the inside, at the upper torso and arms, we find the insulating Polartec Alpha Direct fabric, which stands out for its orange color. This material is designed to provide high breathability while providing warmth. It is also hydrophobic in that it does not retain moisture. This protective layer is only used in targeted areas to optimize lightness and freedom of movement, which greatly contributes to the jacket’s comfort. At the collar and behind the pockets, the fleece insulation is lighter. On the entire lower part of the jacket (in black) and at the forearms, the fabric also benefits from a water-repellent treatment.

The large zipper is obviously doubled to prevent air infiltration, and on the lower back, a silicone band perfectly holds the jacket in place. The lower part of the sleeves is anatomical and stretchy, and without elastic. This way, it is easy to layer them over gloves for better insulation.

The three rear pockets of the Sportful Total Comfort jacket resemble those of a long jersey, and are particularly stretchy. Their contents do not bounce around while riding, and you can put a lot of things in them if necessary, whether it’s repair equipment, food, or an extra rain jacket. On the left side of the jacket, there is an additional zippered pocket for keys, bills, a credit card, or even a phone, although the location is not the most practical in our opinion.

The Total Comfort is available in four different and rather nice colors, which are a change from all black. However, we regret the lack of reflective elements, as only the two brand logos (one on the chest, another in the middle of the three pockets) stand out in low light conditions.

As comfortable as a jersey

We tested the Total Comfort jacket in different temperatures, in dry and humid conditions, which pretty much cover what you can encounter during winter rides. Our first observation concerns the comfort of the jacket when standing and next to the bike. This is obviously not what it is designed for, but its construction, cut, and the flexibility of the materials do not cause any feeling of constriction around the chest, shoulders, or arms. The pockets are easy to reach, unlike many competing products.

On the bike, we also appreciate its lightness and the freedom of movement it allows. The contact with the inner part is particularly soft, even at the sleeves. To such an extent that it would be possible to wear the Total Comfort with just a short-sleeved base layer, while still finding it comfortable in terms of contact with the inner fabric.

The cut is a little wider than competition clothing or those in the Fiandre range, with sleeves and shoulders that are a little more loose in the wind. But the insulation against cold wind is excellent, down to temperatures that flirt with 0°C. And if the temperature rises during the ride, breathability never seems to fail, we don’t feel overheated. It’s only from 10-12°C that the Total Comfort seems a little excessive. You never sweat profusely, as is sometimes the case with entry-level products, but let’s say it’s no longer the ideal temperature for this jacket.

In the face of Breton drizzle, a few very light showers or road spray, the Total Comfort jacket protects and keeps you dry. On the other hand, in continuous rain, there’s no miracle. Water eventually penetrates through the seams (which are not waterproof), through the neckline, and due to contact with the tights. In cold rain, it’s better to plan for additional protection to avoid getting cold.

Ultimately, this jacket is ideal for covering a wide range of winter temperatures, but avoiding heavy rain. However, its comfort and breathability make the Total Comfort similar to a thermal jersey, with the added benefit of very high protection against wind and cold.

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