Giro Men’s Wind 3-1

Let’s say this from the off: the Giro jacket isn’t fully waterproof, nor is it meant to be. It is a very, very compact and light windproof, however, with some clever touches.

First up, it’s very light, and it packs up extremely small into its own little pocket. Although it’s not waterproof, water runs off it, and it’ll keep you dry in a fairly substantial shower. The lack of waterproofing also means that it’s very breathable – something helped in large part by the large aerated back panel. Should this prove insufficient, there are two long zips down either side to provide ventilation – and inside these are pockets, as well as a couple of extra zips to let you reach inside to anything you might have stowed in your ride jersey pockets too.

Fit wise it’s fairly average – there’s not much of a drop-tail, but it’s fairly long; the arms are a reasonable length and it’s a little baggy on averagely-shaped me. The breathability was noticeable, yet the jacket kept me dry through relatively long drizzly rides – although eventually I did get wet, of course. The side zips were a disappointment: they were certainly useful for ventilation, but they were impossible to adjust while on the bike – the zips kept on binding – and they were awkward to use when wearing the jacket. The pockets inside were a nice touch, but the extra zips to access pockets in your jersey were poorly placed for the task, and a bit redundant.

Overall: A very nicely made jacket marred slightly by some awkward zip issues.

Barney.

Review Info

Barney Marsh

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.

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