Now that Setsubun (the beginning of spring) on February 3rd has passed, I can feel it in my skin—we are gradually heading toward spring. I'm not a fan of the cold, so I’m eagerly awaiting spring, but I’m a bit impatient because I'm looking forward to snow-riding, which you can only experience during this time of year... I’m planning to hit the gravel on my day off tomorrow, so if you’d like to join me, please get in touch with TAKA.
Well, since cold days are still ahead, I imagine many of you are wearing outer jackets quite often. Among the many brands and categories of apparel we carry at Circles, BLIND CHIC. and SWRVE, both proposed as casual urban bike wear, have been especially well-received. But to be honest, I suspect many of you might be struggling to decide which one to choose. So, for those of you wondering, "Which one actually suits me better?", I’m going to do a thorough comparison of both brands!! *Please note that this includes my own personal opinion.
Both use softshell materials, but they were born in different countries: Blind Chic in Budapest, Hungary, and SWRVE in Los Angeles, California. However, what they have in common is that both were started by cyclists who love bikes more than anything. Blind Chic features elegant and unique patterns reflecting its female owner, while SWRVE is loved by many cyclists for its masculine, American casual, and military-style designs.
Now, let’s take a deep dive and compare the details of both brands!!
*Hereafter, Blind Chic is abbreviated as B, and SWRVE as S.
While B uses a water-resistant zipper, S uses a double zipper with a flap rather than a water-resistant one.
B uses soft jersey material thumbholes, while S is designed to block wind from entering.
Both B and S are equipped with ventilation, but S also includes reflectors on the zippers.
B features two back pockets, while S has one back pocket on the right side.
B uses 3D tailoring for the elbow joints, while S takes advantage of the material's natural characteristics for a looser cut.
B includes a drawcord to prevent wind from entering from the hem, while S has a simple finish without a drawcord.
Both garments shield you from rain and wind, are designed to prevent overheating, and feature comfortable designs for cycling, but you can see the differences when you look at the fine details.
Honestly speaking, in terms of quality, the Blind Chic Gorilla Jacket is overwhelmingly superior. You can clearly tell that everything, from the 3D construction designed for a riding posture to the silhouette when worn, has been meticulously thought out. However, personally, I love and use the SWRVE Deck Jacket because I like that effortless, "not trying too hard" American style. It's easy to layer with a hoodie, and for someone like me who admires cool young Americans, the N-1 deck jacket design really strikes a chord. So, if asked to choose one, this is truly a case where it's hard to decide which is better, haha.
【BLIND CHIC. Gorilla Jacket】
Price: ¥30,240
Women’s sizes available: Yes
Number of panels: 24
Heat retention/Windproof: ☆☆☆☆☆
Breathability: ☆☆
Silhouette and details: ☆☆☆☆☆
Ease of coordination: ☆☆☆
TAKA’s recommendation: ☆☆☆
【SWRVE Deck Jacket】
Price: ¥24,620
Women’s sizes available: No
Number of panels: 12
Heat retention/Windproof: ☆☆☆☆☆
Breathability: ☆☆
Silhouette and details: ☆☆
Ease of coordination: ☆☆☆☆☆
TAKA’s recommendation: ☆☆☆☆☆
So, personally, I’m a SWRVE supporter, but my honest opinion is that I really want all the ladies to wear the Gorilla Jacket. Because it’s just that cute!!
