Gilet
Vulpine Cotton Visibility Gilet
The Vulpine Cotton Visibility Gilet is a hi viz top for people who don't do hi viz. It'll help you get seen on the road without making you look like a lollipop man/lady.
Now, I've got nothing against lollipop people – they do a lot of good work for the community – but they wouldn't necessarily be who I'd look towards for my style cues, which is one reason why this gilet has a lot going for it.
Northwave Wind Pro Vest
This Wind Pro Vest from Northwave features a kite-like polyester material, ensuring a decent level of wind blocking. With reflective shoulder straps, mesh back, zip underlay and a self packing pocket, do all these features make for a category winner?
The aforementioned polyester material is extremely windproof, labelled as 'Windshield Plus' It is almost impenetrable. It is a great option for when the weather really turns or if beginning a long descent - when you know you're going to be getting a wind battering.
Tenn Outdoors Cycling Gilet
I've been testing kit from budget online sellers Tenn recently and while I've been really impressed with the jersey I've reviewed, the gloves were lacking in quality and performance. This lightweight Tenn Outdoors Cycling Gilet is somewhere in the middle.
Craft Performance Bike Featherlight Vest 2012
Featherlight by name, featherlight by nature, this gilet from Craft Performance is extremely lightweight and packable. Does it still do as good a job at protecting you from the elements as a gilet should?
Sportful Hot Pack Vest
The Sportful Hot Pack Vest is a good windproof gilet that's incredibly lightweight and takes up hardly any space in your pocket when you don't need it on.
It's made from nylon with a little polyurethane thrown in there, and rather than a vent across the yoke, you get mesh panels that run down either side of the back.
The front's fabric doesn't let any wind through while a tall, close-fitting neck and elasticated armholes and hem ensure that cold air doesn't nip in around the edges. You get a baffle behind the zip too.
Gilet suggestions
Hi, on my ride today I was too warm in a base layer and a windproof jacket, but I lack sufficient thin pieces to layer effectively. Can anyone suggest a windproof gilet that has a shower-resistant back (as opposed to a mesh back-panel)? Thanks.
Rapha Softshell Gilet
Remember that tank-top that your mother forced you to wear to keep you warm and the wind off your chest? Well, the Rapha Softshell Gilet is just like that but trendied up because it's made of softshell, called a gilet and brought to you by Rapha. And this time you're not going to have a tantrum every time you have to put it on. Although your wallet might.
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