Forclaz MT500 Waterproof Jacket Review

Overview

The Forclaz MT500 is Decathlon’s full-featured hiking hardshell: a 3-layer laminate with a PTFE membrane, heat-sealed seams and a 20,000 mm waterproof rating, priced well below the established mountain-shell brands. It is built for people who walk in sustained rain and wind and want a jacket that survives pack straps and brush. The trade-off is weight. At 530 g, it sits far above the 200–300 g shells that ultralight loadouts are built around.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	530 g
Construction	3-layer laminated hardshell
Waterproof rating	20,000 mm (Schmerber)
Membrane	100% PTFE (Teflon)
Main fabric	100% polyamide
Seams	Heat-sealed / taped
Ventilation	Underarm zips
Pockets	2 zipped front pockets, phone compartment

Performance

Waterproofing. The headline number is 20,000 mm, and the field reports back it up. A mountain guide with Happy Tracks, who carries the MT500 on every trip and has used it for two years, describes a very wet summer in which he spent full eight-hour days in heavy rain without water getting through. Reviewers at Test 4 Outside, who awarded the jacket a Hot Deal, rated waterproofing at 7.5 out of 10. They found it convincing in most conditions but noted that it begins to show weakness only after many hours of persistent downpour, and recommended re-treating the face fabric with a DWR product. That is normal for any shell, and the MT500’s 3-layer face fabric will need the same periodic care as a far pricier jacket.

Construction and durability. Test 4 Outside called it sturdy and tear-resistant, with near-faultless finishing and good seam quality. The polyamide hybrid build is heavier than the thin face fabrics on ultralight shells, which is where much of the 530 g goes, but it is the reason the jacket reads as a trail-abuse garment rather than a emergency-only layer. Pack-strap wear and branch-snagging are less of a concern here than on a 2.5-layer featherweight.

Zips and ventilation. All zippers are waterproof and slide smoothly. The center zip and the underarm vents both use double sliders, so the vents can be opened from either end and the front can be cracked from the bottom on a steep climb. Test 4 Outside scored zip quality 8 out of 10. Pit zips are the main breathability tool; with a PTFE laminate, they do more of the work than the membrane does in a muggy, warm rain.

Hood and fit. The hood is well shaped and has enough volume that it doesn’t slump onto the forehead or into the eyes, though it is not sized for a climbing helmet. The waist drawcord loops upward so excess elastic doesn’t dangle outside the jacket, a small detail that tidy-minded hikers will notice. The fabric has a slight stretch that moves with the arms. The cut runs small, particularly at the base of the neck and across the shoulders. Both Test 4 Outside and the Happy Tracks guide recommend sizing up, especially for anyone layering a fleece or insulated jacket underneath. The jacket is not warm by itself, so it depends on the layers underneath for insulation.

Minor annoyances. The wrist Velcro tabs are not especially strong, and the inner chest pocket is tiny. Neither is a deal-breaker, but they are the sort of small compromises that separate a roughly €140 jacket from a €400 one.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 20,000 mm rating, backed by reports of full days in heavy rain staying dry
• Robust 3-layer polyamide build with clean finishing and taped seams
• Double-slider waterproof zips on the front and underarm vents
• Roomy, well-shaped hood that keeps its view
• Priced far below comparable name-brand hardshells

Cons

• 530 g is heavy for a thru-hiking shell
• Cut runs small at the neck and shoulders; sizing up is advised
• Wrist closures are weak and the inner chest pocket is very small
• Face fabric needs DWR re-treatment after long wet stretches

Who Should Buy This

The MT500 suits hikers in wet, windy climates (the UK, Pacific Northwest, Alps, Patagonia) who want a rain jacket that can take daily use and a few seasons of abuse without a premium price. It also works for guides, weekend walkers and hikers who treat their shell as a core layer rather than a pack-bottom insurance policy. Gram-counting thru-hikers and anyone building a base weight in the single digits should look at lighter 2.5-layer or ultralight 3-layer shells instead, and should expect to pay more for the savings in weight.

Verdict

The Forclaz MT500 is a tough, well-finished, properly waterproof hardshell at a price that makes the established competition look expensive. It is too heavy for the ultralight crowd, but for everyone else who walks in rain, it is among the better-value shells available. Size up and keep some DWR on hand.