The Made for The Elements range has been a big hit over time but is going through a period of change. Enter the MTE Kane Primaloft jacket, one of the newest additions to the line-up but one which occupies a key place. Every brand needs a solid rough-and-tumble, do-anything-but-keep-your-warm jacket and for Vans, the Kane is it.

The Vans MTE range has always been for people who want a little bit of the old-school charm that you’d associate with this brand but with some more modern touches that’ll help to get you further off the beaten path. For Vans-wearers who don’t want sodden feet then the MTE footwear range has been there and has even stretched to the slopes, where its snow-centred gear line-up has helped to get Vans out into the elements. 

Arriving with more than just a hint of the classic hunting jacket, the Kane is a warm coat with the boxy nature of a classic outdoors piece. Underneath, it’s one which has some very cutting-edge features to help keep the worst of the weather at bay. 

As one of the core jackets in the current arsenal of Vans, the MTE Kane is something you take quite seriously, which is why we’ve been putting it to the test to see what it has to offer and whether you should be considering it. 

Sphere Score 

For

• Comfortable design
• Generous pockets
• Spacious hood design with adjuster

Against

• Only one colour choice
• Oversized look might not be for everyone 
• Hood can’t be detatched

Tech specs 

• Price: £215
• Recyled polyamide exterior
• Primaloft filling
• Waterproof
• Hood with front visor panel
• Velcro adjustable cuffs

What does the Vans MTE Kane jacket have to offer?

There’s quite a boxy aesthetic to the MTE Kane jacket. The outer – which is made from recycled polyamide – has a rough, hard-wearing feeling to it and underneath it’s packed full of warmth-boosting Primaloft insulation. This microfibre insulation is an alternative to traditional down but is designed to offer the same levels of heat retention. It utilises loads of compact air pockets which trap the warmth and hold it in. 

Elsewhere, we’ve got two handy chest pockets – which double as hand-warmer pockets – and two spacious ‘main’ pockets lower down. The chest ones close with a zipper, while the lower ones are fastened together with velcro. Both have a good amount of capacity, too, and the ‘main’ pockets get a pleasant microfibre lining to help boost comfort levels in colder conditions. The good news is that, whichever pocket you go for, they’re covered over and protected from the elements by that primary exterior shell. 

The hood, meanwhile, also gets a little bit of insulation and incorporates a peak to help keep the rain out of your face. It’s even got an elastic drawstring at the back to tailor the fit. Spacious enough for a helmet? Maybe just, but it’s more than roomy enough to wear with a chunky hat underneath. 

The seams of the jacket are fully tapered and the primary zipper feels robust and solid. Oh, and the colour? That’s the only one available with the Vans MTE Kane. If you fancy a different shade you’re fresh out of luck but, fortunately, the orange does look good on this jacket and also means that it makes the wearer particularly visible at night.

Wearing – what is the Vans Kane MTE jacket like?

The Vans MTE Kane jacket has a more oversized fit than you might be used to. We’ve got a large one and it’s roomy enough to get a few layers underneath for extra warmth while the square design means you’ve got a good level of movement and comfort. 

Immediately, you’re aware that this is one warm jacket. Of course, you’ve got that roomy design which means extra layers aren’t going to cause a problem but, in most conditions, the jacket itself does more than enough heavy lifting when it comes to keeping things warm and toasty. The Primaloft insulation works overtime but not at the expense of overall weight, so while this is a reasonably bulky jacket it isn’t one which feels too heavy. The good is roomy and nicely insulated, too, but it’s completely attached – so you can disconnect it, even if you want to. 

And pockets? Boy, are there enough pockets. The main ones, as mentioned, are lined with a microfibre fleece which allows them to provide a comfortable respite for your hands from the cold. One issue is that there isn’t an awful lot of stretch to the top of the pockets, so putting larger items in the space itself is a bit of a no-go; you simply can’t get them through the gap at the top. 

Then you’ve got the handy chest pockets which are a great place to store your phone or other valuables that you need quickly to hand. They’re not as luxuriously lined as the lower ones – they get the same quilted feel as the main ‘inside’ of the jacket – but they’re hardly spartan. 

At the cuffs, you’ve got velcro straps to help seal them in. In fact, this is the only area where the jacket feels a little cheap – even if, at £215, it’s hardly cut-price. Some proper fasteners, such as poppers, could help to elevate the overall feel of the jacket which in all other areas, is well-made and upmarket. 

It’s a shame that there is only a single colourway to choose from. For sure, the orange is bright and jazzy, but it gives the Kane jacket a sportier edge which means you couldn’t wear it when you’re trying to be a little smarter. Even a basic black or navy blue alternative could help to address this. 

But you can’t fault the waterproofing of this jacket. Even during heavy downpours, the Kane shows no signs of faltering, so it’s bound to be a good option for those who like to head out in all weathers. 

To finish

The Kane jacket is a great representation of the Vans MTE brand. It’s got that streetwear aesthetic that a lot of people are after but it’s backed up by some genuine capability. Good levels of waterproofing coupled with comfort-enhancing insulation make this a jacket for the worst of weather. 

While it might be nice to have a few extra colour choices – and the option of a detachable hood – this is still one very impressive jacket to have on hand.