Review: Dane Torben Gore-Tex Pro jacket - £649.99 : By Kane Dalton
Rugged, understated and comfortable waterproof all seasons jacket. It’s costly, but so far has proven to be good value for money
SCANDINAVIAN brand Dane is a new name in the UK and it claims to offer quality and protection on par with Rukka, but for less money.
Dane specializes in Gore-Tex riding kit and I have been testing its rugged but understated Torben Gore-Tex pro for the past 2000 miles.
Dane describes it as a ‘mid-season’ jacket. I think that because Scandinavia gets so cold, it’s more than capable of handling the UK’s climate and I’ve found it warm enough to wear over a T-shirt in temperatures down to 8 degrees before resorting to more layers. Incidentally, Dane is currently offering a free base layer with the jacket.
The thermal liner is easy to attach and remove and with it out, the Torben can be used in warmer temperatures. With the liner left at home, you can see that the inside of the jacket is covered in a breathable mesh which keeps the interior comfortable when the temperature rises. The two chest height zipped weather protected vents provide good airflow when it’s warm outside.
Unlike some jackets that have Gore-Tex between the exterior and lining, the Torben has its Gore- Tex on the outer layer, meaning water doesn’t penetrate the outer layer of the jacket - the rain just runs off it. It’s really effective in the rain, with the water just rolling off the exterior. I’d expect so too, considering the Torben has an EN Gore-Tex rating, meaning it’s passed aggressive rain testing consisting of simulated extended vertical and horizontal wind-driven rain conditions. Whenever I’ve worn the Torben in the rain, I have been completely dry after taking it off.
Rain is also kept out with the ‘storm cuff’, which is comfortable and acts as a waterproof seal between the jacket and the glove. The glove seats between an inner and outer layer on the cuff and because of this, found it best to use a shorter glove.
There are two closing zips with a rain flap between that which Velcros down neatly out the way. The double zip and rain flap is effective at preventing water from coming through but at first I found it tricky getting the zips done up as I could not see what I was doing - one is slightly bigger than the other so worked it out by feel.
The soft collar is fully adjustable with a soft removable (via zip) wind blocker. It was comfortable against my neck and for an optimum fit it can be fine-tuned with an elasticated cord that stows out of the way so it does not flap about in the wind. Their is a magnetic tab that can be folded back out of the way or closed around the neck to keep the wind at bay.
The two large pockets are big enough to carry mobile phone or documents inside the jacket. On the outside there are two large pockets, they have fold over rain flaps and fasten with sturdy Velcro. They are easy to access with gloves on and they do not let water in. There is also a chest pocket which is zipped and access is just behind the main outer zip.
Protection comes from the viscoelastic soft foam armour in the shoulders and arms. It’s comfortable because it moulds to the shape of the areas it’s covering, making it less noticeable than harder armour. There is also a substantial back protector built-in, which can be removed.
Sections of the jacket which are likely to take the brunt of a crash are reinforced with a fabric called HDM SuperFarbric, which it looks and feels like Kevlar and is meant to be abrasion resistant.
There is a Velcro fastening waist adjustment belt, and the sleeve has an all-round adjustment on the bicep with poppers that offer three width options. The only problem I had with this jacket is that it rode up my back when riding a sports bike, making the back protector prone to rubbing against the back of my helmet unless I occasionally pulled the back down again. The jacket can be worn with a groin strap as optional which eliminates this niggle. Riding in an upright position there was no need for the strap and there was no problem.
There are elasticated draw strings on the lower skirt so you can fine tune and keep the wind from entering. There are also zips which attach to Dane or alternative trousers.
It’s expensive, but if you are looking for a top quality all-weather sports, commute or adventure jacket then this is good value for money and a worthy challenger to Rukka thanks to its versatility and performance in the rain.
Tested: Dane Torben Gore-Tex Pro jacket
Price: £649.99
Contact: Dane Clothing UK
