GIRO CHRONO EXPERT
£129.99 Well-constructed jacket let down by fit niggles
The Chrono Expert is cut for the slim racer so most people will need to size up
SIZES S – XXL COLOURS Black, orange WEIGHT 165g WATERPROOFING 15,000mm BREATHABILITY 15,000g/m
Giro’s Chrono Expert is a closefitting and sleek-looking jacket that offers performance without a huge outlay. It’s lightweight, comfortable and packable, plus it’s well made and the material feels soft to the touch, and certainly isn’t noisy like some.
The jacket uses a 2.5-layer laminated construction, but the inside never felt overly clammy against exposed skin. It has a respectable waterproof rating of 15,000mm, with a DWR treatment on the polyester outer fabric. Combined with the taped seams, this ensures that rain is kept at bay on all but the longest and wettest rides, when some water inevitably started to penetrate. Breathability is rated at
15,000g/m , which is solid but, as with the Altura Classic, I did feel some dampness when climbing or upping the pace. A small vent across the back allows some sweat to escape.
The Chrono Expert is cut for the slim racer and sizing is small, so most people will need to size up. Fortunately, the fabric is stretchy and forgiving. The tall collar with a soft inner and zip garage adds to the overall comfort, while the front zip seals well and the inner flap blocks wind and rain. However, despite the
elasticated hem I found that the dropped rear did tend to ride up, reducing spray protection. Also, the sleeves are short by about 5cm, leaving my wrists exposed to wind and rain. While the elasticated cuffs seal well, the length is an issue. Subtle reflective details keep you visible.
The Chrono Expert is a lightweight, tight-fitting jacket that performs well, and looks and feels good on. It does a decent job of keeping the rain out, but the short sleeves and tail that rides up make it by no means perfect.