Club Ride Vibe Jersey
Features:
- Lightweight RideDryWear wicking fabric
- Quick-dry for moisture control
- Mesh-vented under arm
- Rear zippered storage pocket
- with media port
- Reflective accents
Size: Medium
Color: Indigo Devo
Duration of test: 4 weeks, a dozen rides
Locations tested: Missoula Montana; McCall, Boise, Idaho
Conditions tested: From chilly rain during the Montana spring to hot summer in the southern Idaho desert
MSRP: $95
Club Ride caught my attention last fall when I learned that the company was based in Sun Valley, Idaho, and that its Vibe jersey was made of lightweight wicking fabric.
I come from a downhill background, so most of my riding apparel is on the heavy side, baggy enough to fit over pads, not very breathable, and generally just overkill for a lot of the riding that I do. The idea of a lightweight, wicking button-up seemed like a happy change of pace, especially given my rather stereotypical, mountain-cultured lifestyle.
Breathability
I’m blown away by how ‘cool’ this jersey is. The RideDryWear fabric is extremely light, extremely thin and it lets your sweaty-ass body vent heat fast when it needs to.
I took the Vibe on a few early June rides—a time of year in Montana that typically means cold ran, sporadic weather changes, mosquitoes, hail, un-brushed trails, and mud. I remember feeling underdressed on that first ride, since I was wearing the Vibe with no undershirt, and getting chills on the descents. My first thought was, “This is not a spring / fall jersey,” which is true given my local climate. But I felt perfectly comfortable in the Vibe when I wore a thin synthetic shirt underneath it.
On hotter-than-you-can-handle days, the Vibe does a great job venting unwanted BTU’s and cooling your skin when the breeze picks up.
I really like the snaps (not buttons) that close the Vibe. For long climbs in the heat, having snaps that I can pop open instantly instead of fiddling with buttons or zippers makes it fast and easy to adjust cooling.
Club Ride makes another jersey, the New West, with both an interior zipper and external buttons. If you’re like Blister reviewer Marshal Olson and would prefer to have a simpler shirt, the Vibe—with its snaps, no zipper—is probably a good choice for you.
The Vibe’s pit zone has 3” x 8” panel of mesh for added underarm cooling. It also has flat stitching to prevent unwanted chafing.
Lately I’ve been wearing this jersey on rides starting around 5 to 6 p.m. when temps are in the upper-80’s, and when I’m thankful for the Vibe’s airiness. The fact that I can spin back into town, stop by the pub to cool off, and not look like a roadie-XC nerd is a bonus.
Fit
I’m a hair under 6-feet tall and I tip the scales at 160-165 pounds during the summer season. Typically I fit a medium shirt, although sometimes I’ll wear a large when I want the shrunken look. Fancy shirt wise, I’m a 16 ½, 35.
The medium Vibe hangs on me well, with plenty of room to add a short sleeve or long sleeve shirt to match the weather. The cut is relaxed—it doesn’t fit too tightly around the waist, and is broad enough in the shoulders to be comfortable.
I’d say it’s an appropriately-sized medium. I know a few companies—Patagonia to be specific—where I can fit a small just fine. Club Ride seems to have a good handle on the sizing of average mountain bikers, and the medium feels and fits as a medium should.
RideDryWear Fabric
Initially, the Vibe felt freshly starched, stiff, and sort of slimy because of the plastic-based fabric. Having worn dozens of synthetic shirts for trail work and recreating, the RideDryWear is the most plasticy-feeling fabric I’ve ever used.
That plastic feel does break down though. A few washes later, and the Vibe is much softer and fits much better than it did fresh off the rack.
Style
I’m going to be honest here and just say it—I really like the plaid button up look of the Vibe, and it’s a big reason why I wanted this jersey.
I wear a ton of casual, mountain-culture-inspired-brand-name-type shirts for work meetings and everyday life, so adding a technical, wicking button-up that’s just as snazzy as any of the others in my lineup reaffirms my status as a Toyota-driving, Chaco-wearing, outdoorsy dude.
Club Ride added a few reflector strips on the Vibe to help with visibility on night rides, a nice touch that doesn’t take away from the casual design.
Top it off with those easy-to-adjust snap buttons that keep the Vibe secure, and you have a well thought out, good looking jersey.