Endura Windchill Jacket Review

My time in the Windchill Jacket is limited compared to the 3 seasons I've spent in the Stealth Jacket, but I'm already seeing where the Windchill falls into my clothing lineup.

First, let me get one of the most important details out of the way: at $150 the Windchill comes in at half the price of the Stealth.  That's a huge savings, but the two really shouldn't go head-to-head.

Where the Stealth has ultrasonically welded seams everywhere and PTFE, the Windchill is a 3-season wind jacket to help you stay warm.  The front and sleeves of the Windchill are waterproof, but this jacket has thermal insulation as well.  Riding this morning in the Windchill I wore nothing more than a basic t-shirt under and was plenty warm for a 40 minute easy ride.

The rear of the Windchill is also dramatically different than the Stealth in that it's just insulated and water resistant, instead of waterproof.  The Windchill also has pockets like those found in a typical cycling jersey, three pockets, where the Stealth has two zippered pockets.  The Windchill does have a single small zippered waterproof pocket on the rear.

 

The front of the windchill jacket sports windproof and waterproof fabric, it also has a zipper pocket.  A nice touch is a built-in glass wipe for those gross days of riding.  Reflective arm, neck, and back panels help to keep you visible on the dark rides fall, winter, and spring grace us with.

This is the jacket I'd wear down to about 15-20 degrees in dry conditions, maybe even colder if you layer appropriately.  If you get caught out in a sprinkle you'll be fine as well.  If there is a lot of rain expected, the Stealth is still the go-to.  The thermal lining really goes a long way to keeping you warm for such a small amount of lining.  The softer material of the Windchill makes it very comfortable for riding or casual wear, meaning you won't necessarily be labeled as a cyclist if you toss the Windchill on and walk down to get some coffee.

It's a worthy piece to add to your clothing collection if you lack a warm and windproof jacket for dry riding.  If you avoid riding in the rain, it'll save you a ton of money over the Stealth jacket, but if you ride in all conditions you'll want to ensure you have a separate jacket for really wet days.