POC Pro Thermal Jacket review – packable windproof protection

A combination of innovative yarn technology and lightweight construction aims to keep you warm without overheating

POC Pro Thermal Jacket being worn by a man in the woods
(Image: © Russell Burton)

Bike Perfect Verdict

Surprisingly warm, surprisingly versatile, the POC Pro Thermal is an exceptional transitional MTB, gravel and bikepacking jacket.

Pros

  • +

    Cut for the ride

  • +

    Exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio

  • +

    Packable

Cons

  • -

    Sizing is slim – consider going up for an more MTB vibe

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POC Pro Thermal jacket

A two-way zipper allows for versatile ventilation (Image credit: Russell Burton)

POC styles are among those pieces of kit that I find myself reaching for on a regular basis. I’m a fan of the stealth designs that favor a quiet combination of cut and technical fabrication. True to form, the POC Pro Thermal jacket, while looking minimal, is packed with features that ensure it punches well above its (light) weight.

Although it is described as a mountain bike-specific jacket, the slim cut, pocket features and tiny pack size make it versatile across other disciplines, especially gravel riding and bikepacking.

Design and specifications

The POC Pro Thermal Jacket is made from a windproof material with PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) protection on the outside. On the inside it utilizes strategically placed insulating panels through the front, shoulders and sleeves, which feature a raised diamond pattern of what are described as ‘octagonal yarns’. 

The jacket has three zipped pockets in total, one on the back, which the jacket packs into, and one each side, all with extra long zip pulls. On the inside of the rear pocket, integral straps allow the packed jacket to be fixed to your bike. 

The full length front zip is double ended, allowing for opening from the base for venting, and additional cooling comes from underarm ‘gills’ that allow heat to escape.

The cut is slim, (think XC whippet) and made for non-flap irritation when pedaling all day and the arms are shaped for the riding position, while elastic inserts at the side hem keeps it close.

POC Pro Thermal jacket

The octagonal mesh panels are designed to trap body heat (Image credit: Russell Burton)

Performance

The most surprising element of this jacket is its warmth. I’d usually expect to wear something this minimally light during the milder days of the transition seasons – late spring or early fall/autumn, but combining it with the POC Ambient Thermal Jersey, I’ve found it more than capable of dealing with frosty starts. The windproof performance of the material keeps much of the chill off, the spring of 2023 seems to be serving up more stiff breezes and howling gales than usual, and combined with a warm mid-layer the Pro Thermal means there’s no need to bulk up to keep warm.

Inside, the panels with the lofted diamond pattern are positioned for extra insulation and they make a real difference to the level of warmth. Even as the day, or the ride warms up there’s no feeling overheating. Moisture is efficiently wicked away, which the gills that are placed under the arms allow heat to escape. I’ve yet to feel out of balance no matter how hard I’m working, and for especially long climbs I open up the front zip from the base, for the reason alone a double ended zip is the first feature I look for on any jacket.

POC Pro Thermal jacket rear detail

Three zipped rear pockets and the jacket folds in to the center one too (Image credit: Russell Burton)

I like the slim fit of this style, it makes for a low profile performance that means you forget you’re wearing it. It suits my predominantly XC trail style of riding, which means almost constant pedaling and when any flap or rustle soon becomes annoying. If you favor a more relaxed look, consider going up a size. The curve of the sleeves means they can be close fitting, with no excess material needed to accommodate movement. Combined with a long back that’s kept close by stretch at the side hem, these are the details that underline a cut that is focused on an all-day ride comfort that is recognizable in its ability to be forgotten as you wear it.

Carrying a pack stuffed for any eventuality is not something I’m a fan of either. Anyone else that’s predisposed to traveling fast and light will appreciate not only the pack size that will squeeze into the rear of a jersey or attach to the bike, but the arrangements of the pockets themselves. The side pockets are positioned in such a way as to be very easy to get into when riding, the long zip pulls making then quick to locate and undo. Together with the rear zipped pocket they hold up even under weight of keys and / or phone and don’t pull the rest of the jacket down.

POC Pro Thermal jacket when packed away

The jacket folds into the rear pocket, complete with hanging straps. (Image credit: Russell Burton)

Verdict

Surprisingly warm and surprisingly versatile, the POC Pro Thermal is an exceptional transitional jacket that I'd highly recommend.

POC Pro Thermal jacket

Shaped cuffs and close fitting collar for all day comfort (Image credit: Russell Burton)

Tech specs: POC Pro Thermal Jacket

  • Price:  $200 / £185
  • Weight: 243 grammes (L)
  • Sizes: XS-XXL
  • Colors: Granite Grey, Arogonite Brown, Dioptase Blue, Uranium Black
  • Available from: Pocsports.com
Russell Burton
Freelance tester

Russell has been heavily involved in mountain biking for decades. He originally started out designing and building trail center routes, but soon moved specializing in MTB photography and product testing. Over the years, he's shot and written for just about every British MTB mag and website in existence, including MBUK, What Mountain Bike, Bikeradar.com and most recently Bikeperfect.com. While Russ has ridden MTB bikes of all kinds, he mostly enjoys big days out on his e-MTB or gravel bike these days.