Spring and fall riding come with their own unique set of challenges, not the least of which is balancing apparel choices against these seasons’ capricious weather patterns. A lightweight, packable shell is an essential item for shoulder season riding. Kitsbow’s Wind Jacket is light and somewhat packable, with the understated styling, quality construction – and hefty price tag – the company is known for.
Kitsbow's Wind Jacket features an easy to use asymmetrical zipper
While the Wind Jacket is lightweight, it doesn't skimp on creature comforts. Stretchy cuffs keep air from billowing up the sleeves. A laser-perforated back panel does the same for the torso while also serving as an exhaust vent for perspiration. Admittedly, the perforated back panel is also a possible entry point for water, but this is a wind shell, not a rain jacket, mind you. That said, the Wind Jacket’s polyester fabric is coated with a water-repellent finish that holds its own against drizzle.
The Wind Jacket has a breast pocket large enough for a smartphone and a pair of rear pockets accessed from each side the jacket. This tester found them useful for stowing windproof gloves during early morning alpine rides that start cool but quickly warm up as the day goes on.
A double-sided zipper on the breast pocket would make packing the Wind Jacket easier
While the fit is better than many less expensive wind shells, the fact that Kitsbow opted not to use a zipper with double-sided pulls on the breast pocket, which would allow it to be easily stowed by packing the jacket into itself and zipping it shut (like nearly all packable shells on the market), seems like a significant design oversight for a company known for obsessing over details.
Verdict: Kitsbow’s Wind Jacket features quality materials and construction. However, there are a number of lightweight packable shells that do the same job for a fraction of the price.
