Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket review

Ultra lean but effective, the Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket is one of the best lightweight wind jackets around.

It ticks the packable, breathable and comfort boxes with ease, while the fit remains streamlined but free from restriction.

Those wanting more protection from the aquatic elements may need to look elsewhere, however, but it handles chilly breezes with aplomb.

Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket specification

Giro bills the Chrono Expert Wind Jacket as the ‘perfect fit for blustery adventures’ and, at 85g for a men’s small, it’s up there as one of the lightest wind jackets around.

It fits easily into a jersey pocket when stuffed into the included pack sack.

A durable water repellent (DWR) coating has been applied for some rain protection, while a sizeable and perforated panel on the rear makes it breathable.

There are limited reflective details on the front and rear, and the black here isn’t the most visible to other road users.

The Cascade Green, Portaro Grey, True Spruce (green), and Vermillion (orange) are better bets for illuminating yourself on the roads, although the black offers some understated café-stop style.

Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket performance

Giro touts the Chrono Expert Wind Jacket for riding in cool temperatures of 4ºC to 16ºC.

I certainly wouldn’t ride at the lower end of that scale in the Chrono Expert without multiple layers under it. However, it proved adept at handling lower double-digit temperatures with only a single layer beneath it.

When those temperatures rise higher, the rear perforated section helps keep it highly breathable. Rarely did I overheat when riding in the Chrono Expert during springtime – both at home and abroad.

The DWR coating holds off a little drizzle, but anything heavier will break through, especially on the large rear perforated panel.

The windproofing is impressive for something so slender, though, with the non-perforated nylon front deflecting chilly breezes effectively.

The elasticated cuffs and waist hem are relatively basic compared to classier options on the likes of the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II, but they help prevent sneaky drafts from entering the sleeves.

The waist hem kept the jacket in place when I was riding on the drops and out of the saddle.

Not unusually for a race cape, the Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket lacks external pockets on the front or rear.

At a push, you could use the internal pack sack for a couple of energy gels, but the side opening means I wouldn’t trust anything of value in it.

The zipper is secure and easy to do up on the move. There’s a small garage to prevent any rubbing against your neck, but I would’ve preferred a full-length version to stop wind ingress through the zipper.

The collar is soft on the skin and adds to the Chrono Expert’s air of comfort.

The fit felt true to size and the nylon/polyester construction offered enough stretch for getting down on the drops, but wasn’t so baggy as to cause unwanted flapping.

The price puts it in the mid-range of wind jackets and it compares favourably to the competition.

The Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II at the same price offers more protection from the elements, but the Chrono Expert romps home in the breathability stakes.

The Chrono Expert’s construction quality is high and I don’t have long-term durability concerns.

The sub-£89.99 price sees it hold its own against the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape II and is £45 cheaper than Castelli’s Aria Shell, another of my favourite wind jackets.

Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket bottom line

As a lightweight cycling jacket, the Giro Chrono Expert Wind Jacket is very hard to fault.

It fits into a rear pocket easily when stashed into the nifty included pack sack, the breathability from the large perforated back panel is excellent, while there’s a comfortable collar and unrestrictive yet streamlined fit.

Those wanting more protection from the aquatic elements may need to look elsewhere, but the Chrono Expert Wind Jacket does just what its name suggests.