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Old 11-29-07 | 08:22 AM
  #15  
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tarwheel
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
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From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

My Craft jacket arrived yesterday, and I am impressed. It fits me perfect, with room for base layer and long-sleeve jersey underneath if necessary, but no extra fabric to flap around in the wind. This is a very well designed jacket and has a much better design and more features than the Pearl Izumi Gavia that costs about the same price.

Here are some of the nice details with the Craft jacket:
-- Sleeves long enough that they won't come short and will clinch around your gloves.
-- Windstopper fabric in front, but breathable material in back to prevent overheating.
-- Collar will cinch tighter if needed.
-- Elastic at bottom keeps cold air out.
-- Four pockets in the back, including one with zipper.

I got my Craft jacket in the bright red color for visibility and it looks sharp. My only complaint/suggestion is that I wish Craft would make the jacket in yellow for more visibility in low-light conditions that are so common in winter, but at least red is better than the black that so many winter jackets seem to be for some odd reason (altho the Craft is also available in black). Can't wait to try out the jacket. Hopefully we'll get some nice chilly temps this weekend.

For comparison purposes, here are some things about the Pearl Izumi Gavia that fall short of the Craft, in my view:
-- Sleeves don't clinch around gloves as well.
-- Less breathable fabric in the back, where it is needed.
-- No way to cinch down the bottom hem of jacket, which is kind of loose fitting.
-- Three pockets in back, but none of them have zippers.
-- Styling not as nice as the Craft, but that's subjective.

On the plus side, the Gavia is supposedly more water resistant than the Craft, and it is available in a high-vis yellow as well as a golden yellow. It also appears to be a little lighter than the Craft.

Last edited by tarwheel; 11-29-07 at 08:27 AM.
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