The unisex Cotopaxi Teca is a pull-over, half-zip windbreaker made of repurposed polyester with a DWR finish. It features double kangaroo pockets and a wide array of bold colors and patterns.
Performance Comparison
The bright colors of the Cotopaxi definitely make it stand out, but it is less technical and less impressive than most other models in this review.
Wind Resistance
The Teca's repurposed polyester taffeta fabric is reasonably wind resistant and keeps out most drafts. However, we found that it is slightly less wind resistant than jackets made of ripstop material.
Plus, because the Teca lacks certain helpful features like an adjustable hood volume or cinching hem, it is difficult to lock out a stiff wind. If you're likely to find yourself in a high wind situation, we'd recommend the Rab Vital or Editor's Choice winner — the Patagonia Houdini instead. But for low breezes that are unlikely to chill you too much, the Teca does a decent job.
The lack of adjustability of the hood and bottom hem detract from the wind resistance of the Teca.
Breathability
Because of the baggier fit of the Teca, it breathes significantly less effectively than more streamlined models, like the Black Diamond Alpine Start or Arc-teryx Squamish. Yet without a bottom hem cinch, the right breeze can travel right up inside this jacket and help evaporate any sweat you may accumulate.
However, this model also one of the few windbreakers in our review that features a back vent. The only drawback to this vent is that it is positioned in the middle of the wearer's back, so if you're wearing a pack, it is virtually useless. If you're not wearing a pack, the hood drapes across the top of the vent, limiting its usability a bit. And since we tested the half-zip version, the ability to vent the jacket by opening the front zipper is limited.
While not the best jacket for many outdoor activities, the Teca does well enough during moderate activity.
Weight and Packability
The Teca is not the lightest nor the most packable jacket in our review. However, it is not the heaviest or bulkiest either. At five ounces, you can easily throw this in your pack and not notice the weight.
The problem that our reviewers have with its packability is its Velcro closure system and polyester harness clip loop. Both of these systems are prone to failure, as the Velcro can get snagged on a branch and pop open, and the polyester loop is not sturdy enough to trust hanging your jacket on — especially if it's your only layer. A jacket like the Patagonia Houdini is both lighter and more packable, in addition to featuring full zippered closures and more trustworthy hanging loops.
The Teca packs down to a reasonably small size - smaller than many others in this review.
Versatility
Versatility is not a high-performing metric for the Teca. It has an odd triple-pocket design that features a kangaroo pocket, outer pocket and inner pocket all on its belly. This makes it difficult to streamline your pocket system, and if you need to clip something around your waist (like a backpack hip belt or climbing harness), you can forget about using these pockets altogether.
Additionally, each pocket is quite large, yet none of them have a zipper, making stashing small valuables in the Teca a bit of a gamble. And, because the Teca has such a relaxed, beefy fit, it's difficult to use it for sports like roped climbing or cycling where you need a more streamlined design. For a jacket that can truly perform across sports and everyday activities, you might consider the Black Diamond Alpine Start, our Top Pick for Versatility.
Wearing a hip belt over top of the kangaroo pockets doesn't let you keep much, if anything, comfortably inside them.
Water Resistance
Like many of the more technical windbreakers we reviewed, the Teca features a durable water repellant (DWR) treatment, which helps it repel light precipitation. Despite this coating, the Teca didn't impress us with its water resistance.
Though it sheds water relatively well, it becomes quite saturated after a moderate amount of time in light precipitation. Also, because it is made from a heavier material, it takes a bit longer to dry than lighter models like the Patagonia Houdini.
The Cotopaxi's DWR finish helps it repel light precipitation.
Best Applications
Because of its non-technical design, the Teca is best used for mellow missions and around-town use where style matters over functionality. For a similar baggy fit on a more functional — and warmer — everyday jacket, the Columbia Flash Forward is a great option.
The non-technical fit of the Cotopaxi makes it better suited for easy scrambling or everyday activities.
Value
At $80, the Teca is one of the cheapest models in our review. This price point comes with less technical features and not the best performance. But if vibrant colors and bold designs are for you, this windbreaker will give you some uniquely stylish coverage.
f you don't mind spending an extra $20, you can get a much better performing windbreaker, the Patagonia Houdini, that has taken home our Editor's Choice award for several years now.
Conclusion
The Teca is a zany and flashy windbreaker that has considerably fewer performance features than other jackets in our review. However, if you're in love with the color schemes and the price and you don't need a zippered pocket to keep your valuables in, then the Teca might be the one!
