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With a bright, patchy color scheme, unique pocket system, and performance that is more fashionable than technical, the Cotopaxi Teca packs a fun and funky style that's still reasonably functional. It's less wind resistant and less streamlined than most of the other windbreakers in our review. But with such a unique pattern and a kangaroo pocket to boot, we know there are a few fashionistas out there who will be psyched to bring some added color to their outdoor wear.
REASONS TO BUY
Unique pocket system
Bright and interesting colors
REASONS TO AVOID
Baggy
Less-than-incredible wind resistance and breathability
Not adjustable
Editor's Note: This jacket was retested alongside our lineup and this article was refreshed to reflect our updated findings on October 18, 2022.
Color Updates
Cotopaxi is known for their bright, bold color combinations, and they are constantly refreshing them. The color combo that we tested is no longer available, but this windbreaker comes in over a dozen color choices, so there's sure to be something in the bunch to please your tastes.
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Cotopaxi Teca is a pull-over, half-zip windbreaker made of repurposed polyester with a DWR finish. It weighs 3.7 ounces (depending on the specific colors and fabrics you buy) and features a kangaroo pocket, a zippered pouch, and a wide array of bold colors and patterns.
Performance Comparison
Though not a great technical layer, the warm weather Teca still brings a fun style to your casual adventures.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Wind Resistance
The Teca's repurposed polyester taffeta fabric is reasonably wind resistant and keeps drafts from getting through. However, its loose fit with no adjustability results in more breezes being able to blow right up from the bottom. It also lacks features seen in more protective jackets, like a drop hem and cuffs that are longer on the backs of your hands. While we wouldn't recommend this jacket for cold days, it's a reasonable layer to add to your outfit in warmer breezes.
Without any adjustability, the baggy, oversized fit of the Teca doesn't offer much protection against stiff winds.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Breathability
Because of the polyester fabric of the Teca, it breathes far less effectively than many competitors' nylon or proprietary blends of fabrics. To combat this, the Teca has a baggy fit and lacks a bottom hem cinch, allowing the breeze to travel right up inside and evaporate any sweat you may accumulate. It also is one of just a handful of models we tested with a back vent — a thin strip of mesh is hidden horizontally between panels of fabric. The only drawback to this vent is that it is positioned in the middle of your back, so if you're wearing a pack, it is completely covered and not venting at all. And since we tested the half-zip version, the ability to vent the jacket by opening the front zipper is limited. The soft elastic cuffs work when pushed up your arms, but they then cut off airflow through the sleeves, which often left us with sweaty arms on a warm day.
The Teca fabric is not very breathable, leaving you with just that half zip and loose fit for ventilation.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Weight and Packability
The Teca is one of the lighter and more packable jackets in our review. At 3.7 ounces, you can easily throw this in your pack and not notice the weight. This updated version of the Teca has changes to the packing and pocket system, ditching the unreliable velcro of old for a clean zippered pocket above the kangaroo pocket. This new zippered system works much better and a small fabric loop inside works to clip the packed jacket to your bag or hold your keys when you're wearing it.
The Teca now has a zippered closure, which is a big improvement from previous versions. It's large when packed up, despite being very light.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Versatility
Versatility is not an outstanding metric for the Teca. It has a double-pocket design with a large pass-through kangaroo pocket and medium-sized zippered pouch over top of that. Though it's an improvement from the old three-pocket version we tested before, it is still a bit awkward if you fill every pocket. And if you need to clip something around your waist (like a backpack hip belt or climbing harness), you can forget about using any of the pockets altogether. Because the Teca has such a relaxed, loose fit, it's difficult to use it for sports like roped climbing or cycling where you need a more streamlined design.
Soft, fully elastic cuffs are easy to push up your arms, though they then trap extra body heat.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
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. Our updated version of this jacket performed much better in our water resistance testing than the previous version. It's hard to draw too many meaningful conclusions from this though, as Cotopaxi products are made from remnant materials and even the same style of jacket in different colors can have very different properties. If your Teca isn't beading up light precipitation as it should, we recommend reapplying a waterproofing treatment in the washing machine, using something like Nikiwax.
Effective DWR treatment like this will hold short bursts of mild precipitation at bay for a while.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Should You Buy the Cotopaxi Teca?
The Teca is one of the cheaper models in our review. This price point comes with fewer technical features and not the best performance under pressure. But if vibrant colors and bold designs are for you, this windbreaker will give you some uniquely stylish coverage.
The new zippered pocket on the updated Teca is handy for things you don't want to lose - like keys.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
What Other Windbreakers Should You Consider?
The Teca is a zany and flashy windbreaker that has considerably fewer technical performance features than other jackets in our review. If the price point is right but you want a little more technical performance and protection from the elements, the Rab Vital is a better choice. However, if you're in love with the color schemes and the price and you don't need beefy weather protection, then the Teca might be the one.
If wild colors are your thing and you only need a small amount of protection in mild conditions, the Teca may just be for you.
