The Club Ride Cross Wind jacket is a good looking, lightweight windproof shell that will easily stuff into a rear jersey pocket. It's perfect for those days when it's sunny but there's a wee nip in the air, and it keeps the wind from chilling you whether you're cruising or barrelling along. The relaxed styling means it can be worn off the bike without looking out of place, in fact it looks less like a cycling jacket than a smart casual one.
It's constructed from 'Wind20' ripstop polyester with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, which is described as being water-resistant as well as wind-resistant. However, the technical blurb doesn't specify exactly how water-resistant. My jacket could cope when it was spitting, but commuting one day in light rain it soaked through the sleeves in about 10 minutes. So, I'd treat the Cross Wind in accordance with its name, as a windproof. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how breathable it is.
Read more: Buyer's guide to windproof jackets
The woven fabric also has UV protection factor 30 built in, which could come in handy if you're cycling abroad.
As for the cut, it's labelled as 'sport fit' but I would disagree. It was a very loose fit on me with lots of excess material in both the body and the arms and no discernible waist. To be blunt, it is better suited to 'horizontally challenged' women. I would have gone for the XS size but for the sleeve and body length being too short. The sleeves could be a couple of inches longer. They're okay if you're on the tops but not on the drops, though comfortable elasticated cuffs keep them in place.
I would also have preferred the body to be longer at the back so it covers your bottom. The hem was quite loose and has no elastic so it tends to ride up. Finally, my third niggle is the low-cut and loose fitting collar. It only reaches the base of your throat when zipped up into the zip garage and there is no adjustment to draw it in snugly. I much prefer a collar that does up snugly under my chin to keep draughts out.
On a more positive note, the hood is well designed and fits neatly under your helmet, with drawstring and toggles to adjust it. There are two small chest pockets, one zipped and on top of it a denim jacket style one with flap and stud. For night-time visibility there are two strips of reflective piping on the back's side seams, so pretty minimal.
All in all, this would make a good windproof for the larger lady who wants a smart-looking jacket that is as at home around town as on the bike.
Verdict
Stylish, very light windproof jacket for keeping the chill off on summer rides
Make and model: Club Ride Cross Wind Women's Jacket
Tell us what the jacket is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
This is a lightweight windproof jacket for wearing around town, on road or out on the trails.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?
/ Wind2O™ | Lightweight, polyester woven rip-stop fabric
/ DWR-finish | water-resistant, wind-resistant
/ Fitted under-helmet hood
/ Pockets - 1 Zippered chest & 1 convertible side storage pocket
/ UV Protection | UPF 30
/ RideLight™ Reflective Accents
/ Fit | Sport
/ 80 g/m2
Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the jacket for performance:
7/10
Not water-resistant as claimed.
Rate the jacket for durability:
8/10
Rate the jacket for waterproofing, based on the manufacturer's rating:
4/10
Says it's water-resistant but that's an ambiguous definition: the rain soaked through after 10 minutes riding in a light shower so I would class it as only windproof.
Rate the jacket for breathability, based on the manufacturer's rating:
8/10
Rate the jacket for fit:
5/10
Rate the jacket for sizing:
6/10
Sizes up big so choose the smaller size if you're between.
Rate the jacket for weight:
10/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
9/10
Rate the jacket for value:
6/10
How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Machine wash 30 degrees.
Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It worked very well as a windproof but fell down in the rain. Also the loose fit meant it billowed and flapped.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket
The appearance and light weight.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket
The baggy fit.
Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes
Would you consider buying the jacket? No
Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes if they were the right body shape for it.
Use this box to explain your score
Marked down for fit and lack of water resistance.
Age: 43 Height: 170cm Weight: 60kg
I usually ride: Marin Point Reyes 29er My best bike is: Giant Anthem X1
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Audax
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