Madison Road Race Men's Windproof Shell Gilet

Whether it's a mild day or temperatures have plummeted to below freezing, the Madison Road Race Gilet provides a useful extra layer, on its own or between mid and outer garments. It's light, well cut and well made, but I'd prefer a couple more pockets.

On milder days, kind of mid to high single digits, you can just chuck it on over a long-sleeved jersey and a thin baselayer and it adds just that little bit of extra warmth without being overkill. Plus the fact it's so thin and lightweight means, should you start to warm up, it can easily be stashed in a rear pocket without adding much in the way of bulk.

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But as the sun goes down and temperatures start to drop, the Madison really comes into its own. No matter how cold the outside temp or how chilling the wind, the Road Race will really keep your core warm. In fact, one night ride when my arms were cold under a winter jersey at -6°C, my vital organs were toasty. You could feel the defining lines of the gilet over your body in terms of body temperature.

A high neck, full zip and close fitting arms certainly work to keep the chill out. Thankfully, the rear panel is mesh which allows any built-up heat to escape, as long as your layers beneath are bringing it up to the surface, that is.

The rest of the gilet is made from Ripstop, which acts as a windbreak while also being very resilient to general wear and tear. Although not touted as waterproof, it'll keep a light shower out and fog or drizzle will be kept at bay for a long time.

At the rear you get a slightly dropped tail, which highlights the theme of a race cut. It's a close fit and definitely designed for the low-slung position of the performance rider, with an elasticated hem keeping the gilet in place. That's not to say the Road Race comes up small, though – this medium fitted me exactly as it should.

You'll find a four-way stretch waterproof pocket for your essentials, and the good thing is you can get some decent weight in there without it starting to sag. Personally I'd prefer to see three separate pockets like a jersey so I haven't got to go foraging underneath, but it's a minor quibble.

Overall I really like the Madison Road Race Gilet. It's certainly the one to grab for dry rides especially if you are out early morning or late evening when the temperatures during your ride are changeable.

> Check out our guide to the best cycling gilets here

Its £44.99 price tag reflects the gilet's quality and durability. It looks and feels well put together, and other Ripstop clothing I've used has stood up well to daily riding.

Verdict

Impressively warm, breathable and hard-wearing gilet for year-round use