Tucano Urbano Pignone Review
Tucano Urbano Pignone Review
Duncan Moore
The Tucano Urbano Pignone water-repellent thermal blazer is a smart rain jacket that you can wear off the bike, while enjoying an espresso of course!
There’s been a lot of changes in cycle kit in recent years, especially in the commuter market. Clothing brands have woken up to the fact that not everyone who cycles to work, or for that matter for leisure, wants to look like they’re on a training ride for a pro team. Among the brands that are now producing technical clothing that looks as good off the bike as well as it works while riding is Tucano Urbano. The name may be new to cyclists but for years scooter riders and motorcyclists have been enjoying the brand’s stylish and yet protective kit. We take a look at their Pignone blazer.
The Tucano Urbano Pignone water-repellent thermal blazer, is a smart looking jacket that doesn’t scream CYCLIST!
Tucano Urbano now has an extensive range of urban cycling kit, which includes jackets, gilets, trousers, gloves and more and it from that range that the Pignone blazer comes, or to give it its full name the Pignone water-repellent thermal blazer.
However, simply thinking of the Pignone as a blazer is to miss a trick, it’s more than a blazer. In fact, I’m not sure I’d call it a blazer at all as the only blazer thing about it is the cut. Okay, first things first. What sets it apart from a regular blazer? Where to start? How about the material used in its construction. Polyester is used throughout, which results in a water-repellent and windproof jacket and you also get a lightly padded lining. This latter feature has meant that it’s been too hot to ride in recently. Having said that it’s ideal in autumn and early spring.
The zip in wind baffle helps keep you warm without adding extra layers
The other issue with the use of polyester throughout is that it gives the Pignone a shiny finish, which is much more akin to a mac than a blazer. If Tucano Urbano could make the jacket with a matt outer finish I think it could work much better as a regular blazer. As it is the glossy appearance means it looks like you’re wearing a waterproof coat all the time.
While the cut is very much like that of a regular blazer, Tucano Urbano has added an extra piece to the Pignone that really does convert it into a waterproof cycling jacket. Inside the front, there’s a pair of zips and a collection of buttons inside the collar, which allow you to attach a zip up front panel. The effect of putting this in and zipping it up is a bit like wearing a scarf with a normal jacket. When this is in place the padded lining suddenly makes a lot more sense as it makes the jacket really warm when you’re riding along as there’s no way for drafts or rain to get in.
A padded liner on the Pignone helps keep those winter chills at bay. This isn’t a jacket for hard riding, more urbane than furious pedalling is what it’s designers had in mind
Helping to cut down on those drafts that can make or break a ride are the elasticated inner cuffs. It’s just a shame the sleeves aren’t a bit longer. For me, I always felt as though the sleeves were riding, even riding a sit-up and beg style city bike.
Fold up the collar for a little Hi-viz detail. The cut across the back allows for a relaxed riding position
There are some really nice touches on the Pignone though. Turn the collar up and there’s a bright flash of reflective material. There’s some clever use of tucks across the shoulders that ensure the jacket doesn’t pull when I’m leant forward on a bike, which would have been a real benefit had the sleeves not been too short for me. Staying with the sleeves a moment longer, the cuffs have press studs on them which makes getting a pair of thick winter gloves on much easier.
I really want to like Tucano Urbano’s Pignone jacket, the idea itself is a very clever one – a jacket that can convert from cycling specific to casual extremely easily. It’s just that the choice of material and, for me, the cut that let it down. However, if you can live with the shiny finish and your arm are a regular length it could be just the thing for you especially if you’re a regular cycle commuter.
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