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Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey

8
£49.78

VERDICT:

8
10
Great-fitting jersey and a highly versatile option, at a bargain price
Wind-resistant panels keep you warm
Highly breathable elsewhere
Comfortable, soft material
Deep pockets
Impressive price
Could do with more drop at the rear
Weight: 
210g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Though the Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey is described as a piece of spring and summer kit, with a bit of layering and accessories it works well into the winter too. It blocks the wind, has deep pockets, a bit of reflectivity, and a cut that will suit those who want to wear it for early season racing or fast training. It is quite the bargain, too.

For various reasons I've been testing the Bordeaux for longer than usual – actually since the end of summer and well into winter. And I have to say, it has been ideal throughout.

> Buy now: Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey for £49.78 from Galibier

It's constructed using Carvico wind-resistant fabric for the chest panels and over the shoulders, as well as for the central rear pocket, for some spray protection.

It's thicker than the stuff found on a summer race jersey, and it does a great job of blocking the breeze from hitting the front of your torso, keeping it warm and toasty. Its thickness doesn't affect its stretchability either, and it still fits close to your body with no excess material, so whether you are training or actually challenging for the bunch sprint, the Bordeaux won't be giving anything away in terms of aero gains.

The Carvico doesn't need to be massively breathable as the lighter mesh-style material used for the rest of the jersey lets heat escape. You aren't going to be using the Bordeaux on the hottest of summer days, but for anything in the high-teens Celsius it remains relatively dry and comfortable with a mesh baselayer underneath.

2022 Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey - shoulders.jpg

At the cooler end of the scale, I've been fine down to about 7°C with just that lightweight baselayer on and a pair of arm warmers paired with it. Even on days with the temperature nudging freezing I've worn the Galibier with a solid baselayer and just a lightweight jacket over the top. It is a very versatile jersey.

2022 Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey - hem.jpg

Galibier doesn't make any claims of water resistance, but light rain and road spray bead off the Carvico fabric for a decent amount of time, which is a bonus.

The sizing is realistic to the UK market, and the race cut is helped by the stretchiness of the fabric used in the arms and the rest of the body that isn't the wind-resistant stuff.

2022 Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey - back.jpg

Those arms are a decent length, finishing for me around mid-bicep, and the tall neck does a great job of keeping the breeze out.

2022 Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey - collar.jpg

The rear isn't dropped as low as some jerseys, but if you are wearing bib shorts or bib tights then you aren't going to feel exposed.

While we're on the subject of the rear, you'll also find three pockets running from side to side. They are narrow but deep enough to keep your kit secure. On the right-hand side you'll find a zipped valuables pocket – a must in my eyes.

2022 Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey - zip pocket.jpg

The middle pocket has a reflective pattern which is eye-catching but also in keeping with the colours found elsewhere on the jersey, so it doesn't look out of place in the daylight.

Great value

Cost-wise, we are looking at just £49.78 for the Bordeaux, and to hit the price point Galibier hasn't scrimped on quality. This jersey is very well made indeed.

There aren't many similar short-sleeved jerseys on the market, but one example, the Castelli Pro Thermal Mid SS, will cost you more than double at £110. And the Galibier has better windproofing and a wider temperature range.

Conclusion

This is a great fitting 'race' jersey that pretty much works for three seasons, and cooler days in the fourth. It's very versatile, good quality and very well priced – a typical Galibier bargain.

Verdict

Great-fitting jersey and a highly versatile option, at a bargain price

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Galibier Bordeaux Wind Jersey

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Galibier says, "A light, wind cycling jersey, to keep you warmer in spring and summer sunshine

"We first came up with the idea of a short sleeve jersey with some extra protection during an early summer race last year. The body was chilled when the road went into the shadows. The Bordeaux jersey is set apart by the light and effective wind resistant panels on the chest, shoulders and rear pockets. Providing extra core protection when the sun is out, but not at full strength."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Galibier:

The Carvico wind resistant fabric has been placed carefully on the front and back shoulders and the chest to provide protection on strong descents. On the rear pocket, the same durable fabric guards against road spray. 3 super deep, rear pockets and zipped security pocket hold all your spares and valuables. A YKK zip, high collar and dual waistband keep the garment fitted and neat.

This versatile garment has a conventional high-stretch fabric in the arms and back giving a light feel and comfortable fit.

Tested in training 10 to 18 degreeC and used in racing with just a base layer at 6-16 degreesC

Smoke Purple and Light Grey with 3M reflective print on the back pocket.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

No issues with being washed, even when covered in road spray.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A slim-fitting road jersey that works well in all kinds of weather.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Wind-resistant fabric blocks cold breezes well.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Some jerseys have a longer tail for riding in the drops.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It is well priced for the quality and performance – less than half the amount of a thermal short-sleeved jersey from Castelli.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Bordeaux is a really versatile jersey. It's great in the warmer conditions Galibier says it's intended for, but that wind-resistant fabric means it can be useful year-round with a bit of layering.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

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MattieKempy | 1 year ago
1 like

There is no reason why cycling kit shouldn't all cost what Galibier charge. Their kit is usually very good quality and well thought out, though I'm not always a fan of their geometric dazzle patterns, but the different designs used by other companies ought not equate to double the price!

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