Trek women’s version men’s version
Price: $81.99 on sale at the time of this review ($109.99)
Colors: Black, White
Cut: Semi-fitted
Sizes: XS-2XL
Materials: Face: 90% Nylon / 10% Spandex, Back: 92% Recycled Nylon / 8% Spandex
Availability: Online and retail
How Obtained: Company sample
RBR Advertiser: No
Truly Packable Wind Jacket
Trek’s new Circuit Windshell jacket provides solid wind-blocking front and breathable mesh back panels for protection from the wind without overheating. Many wind jackets have no venting, so you find yourself sweating. The Circuit’s mesh fabric is incorporated along the back part of the arms and the back to prevent heat buildup.
When it is time to shed the jacket, it is truly packable and rolls up easily to stow in a saddlebag or rear jersey pocket. Its packability also makes it an excellent option for travel.
Other features of the Circuit Windshell jacket include a two-way zipper and a silicone gripper waistband. Unzipping from the bottom gives you easy access to jersey pockets, while the silicone gripper keeps the jacket from riding up.
I found elastic cuffs too big, allowing the wind to blow up my arm. I would have preferred Velcro-type closures to secure a tighter fitting around my wrists. Also, the sizing chart wasn’t too accurate, and I could have easily sized down one size.
The jacket is available in two colors, black or white, but the back mesh panel is black on both jackets, which makes you less visible to drivers approaching from behind. The sizes offered are the same for both men’s and women’s versions ― XS-2XL. At the time of this review (4/16/2023), the Circuit Windshell jacket is on sale for $81.99 and regularly sells for $109.99.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
Nice jacket but the black one would not be visible to drivers. It confounds me that I see riders that don’t wear bright colors on their rides! Just saying…
so true!
Agree with above comment. Nice jacket, not too terrible a price. But the colors? Black you can’t see and white gets filthy immediately. Won’t be buying either choice.
Am I alone in thinking a separate ‘wind jacket’ and lightweight rain jacket is a sign of excessive consumerism?? My Gore light rain jacket is wonderful in the ‘Wisconsin spring’ weather where daytime highs can be in the 40s or 50s still. A couple of layers under it are enough. When we get 60s even on a windy day the poly or wool layers are enough. Other opinions?
Absolutely agree with the comments above about colour. No way I’d buy a black top, and white is not much good either. Why not safer bright fluoro colours???