Club Ride Jack Flannel - Review
Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, Club Ride's HQ is only a few turns of the cranks away from some seriously amazing singletrack, and those big days in the high country are best followed up by sipping bevies on the deck of a local pub. With that in mind, it's no coincidence that the company's clothing mixes technical features to keep you comfortable out on the trail with a casual appearance that should have you just as comfortable during a post-ride refreshment session. The Jack Flannel that's reviewed here is from their fall/winter collection and is intended to keep you warm on those cool days. Constructed out of polyester Dri-Sulate fabric, the Jack is said to be both lighter than a traditional flannel and far more breathable. Underarm mesh venting further helps that cause, and snap closures at the front and on the cuffs are easily undone when riding should you need to make an adjustment. A zippered pocket at the back of the jacket incorporates a media storage pouch for your phone or music device, and Club Ride has added some subtle reflective accents throughout to keep you safe on your way home. The Jack is available in two plaid colour options, Harvest and Odyssey, and retails for $89.95 USD. www.clubrideapparel.com
Reflective accents provide visibility if caught out after dark, while a zippered rear pocket provided just enough storage for a little cash or a cell phone.
The front zippered pocket was easily accessible, but we rarely used it. Underarm ventilation provides a nice technical touch and helps to air out during a ride. Up front, stylish snaps add to the Jack's casual appeal but are also functional on the trail for easy airflow adjustment.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | Doesn't looking good on the trail count for something? There seems to be quite a bit of neon flash these days, with a lot of riders seemingly wanting to be spotted from far, far away. Most of us here at Pinkbike prefer to roll with a bit more understatedness, and the Jack Flannel fits that ethos well - it's not about not wanting to be noticed, but rather about not needing to be noticed, right? Appearances aside, the jacket was comfortable on cooler days while still feeling light enough to not be cumbersome, something that a regular flannel can't brag about, although its $90 price tag is also something that a run of the mill flannel doesn't have. The Jack isn't your standard flannel, though, and we found ourselves wearing it far more than we anticipated, especially on days when we knew we'd be heading out for a mid-day ride followed by eats and brews. We didn't get nearly as much moisture trapped as we expected - far less than a jacket not intended for riding - likely due to the underarm ventilation that also adds a more technical component. It's not perfect, however, as the rear zippered pocket allows anything in it to flop around enough to be annoying, especially something like a phone or multi-tool, anytime we threw down a bit of body english when on the bike. Other than that, the Jack Flannel makes a great choice if you're looking for something a bit more casual than most other options out there. - Jordan Carr |
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get it? ha? extra large? aaaiigghtt
I guess I could buy a waistcoat and pretend I was a redneck pirate...
Maybe as a casual item the Club Ride is a good option, but not at that price. At least not for me. And, yes, a $15 Target poly jersey does the same job (no pockets vs near useless pockets) and actually wicks moisture away better.
"Although its $90 price tag is also something that a run of the mill flannel doesn't have. The Jack isn't your standard flannel, though, and we found ourselves wearing it far more than we anticipated"
You find yourself needing to wear it more because you feel guilty that you just dropped $90 on a Flannel with zippers under the arms that you can buy and install yourself for $2 from spotlight. Not because its the best thing since sliced bread.