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review

Lusso Skylon Gilet

8
£34.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A great mix of packability, windproofing and water resistance in a well-priced package
Weight: 
105g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Skylon from Lusso is exactly what a gilet should be: simple, warm and packable. It keeps out the worst of the weather and thanks to plenty of reflective detailing it's a great option for those out after dark.

  • Pros: Water-resistant panels keep the drizzle out, well made
  • Cons: Interesting rear pocket design

The Skylon has worked well in loads of weather conditions lately and has become a staple of my kit, either packed up small in a jersey pocket or stuffed in the bottom of my rucksack.

> Buy this online here

The front and side panels are made from the Skylon material, hence where the gilet gets its name from. It's a lightweight, showerproof and wind-resistant nylon fabric that works really well.

Lusso Skylon Gillet - riding.jpg

One bright, crisp morning ride, headed off into a nagging north-easterly headwind, and the chill was definitely noticeable through the majority of my kit, especially my arms covered only by a thin long-sleeve jersey.

My core, though, which was covered by the gilet, didn't feel any of it. I wasn't boiling hot, just a comfortable temperature without the windchill.

As the outside temperature warmed up, I did too, but thanks to the mesh back section which runs from the shoulders all the way to the hem, even incorporating the pockets, hot air escapes easily.

Lusso Skylon Gillet - back.jpg

The showerproofing properties of the fabric are impressive too, especially against the likes of light drizzle and fog. The moisture just tends to bead off. When the rain gets heavy enough to soak through, you will obviously get wet, but you do at least stay warm.

Fit-wise the Skylon is cut close enough for a performance rider to not have loads of material flapping around, but you don't need to be a racing whippet to wear it. Lusso always has a knack of delivering what I consider realistic sizing for the typical UK cyclist.

Lusso Skylon Gillet - hem.jpg

To keep the draughts out the gilet has a really tall neck and thankfully comes with a zip garage to stop any irritation at the throat.

Lusso Skylon Gillet - chest.jpg

The rear is dropped nicely too, so it'll still give you plenty of coverage when hunkered down into the drops.

The hem is slightly elasticated, which holds it in place, and the cool thing is that it is reflective all the way round but subtle enough not to be noticed in the daylight. The Lusso logos front and rear are also reflective.

Lusso Skylon Gillet - reflective 1.jpg

At the rear, the gilet has four pockets laid out like your traditional three but with the centre pocket divided down the middle. I like to use the middle pocket for my heavier items like a phone or multi-tool as I don't like the weight slipping around the side, but obviously I couldn't do this as the pockets are quite narrow, though they're ideal for a mini pump or energy gel.

Lusso Skylon Gillet - pockets.jpg

The Skylon has crept up a fiver to 40 pounds over the previous edition but it still offers good value for money, especially considering Lusso stands by its policy of making pretty much everything in the UK.

> Buyer's Guide: 9 of the best cycling gilets

Shimano's Compact wind vest, for instance, is very similar but costs £54.99. Then there is the Orro which has the same benefits of water and wind resistance, but will set you back £89.99.

On the whole, the Skylon is a simple gilet that works very well in a lot of conditions.

Verdict

A great mix of packability, windproofing and water resistance in a well-priced package

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Lusso Skylon Gilet

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the jacket is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Lusso says, "The Skylon Gillet is a really versatile piece of kit. It's shower proof, breathable and windproof. It folds away when not in use."

It's a simple piece of clothing, which is what I find so pleasing about it.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?

* Showerproof Skylon Fabric

* Windproof

* Breathable

* Rear Pocket

* Fold away

* Made in UK

* Machine Washable

Rate the jacket for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the jacket for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for waterproofing based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for breathability based on the manufacturer's rating:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for sizing:
 
8/10

If you stick to the sizing guide you won't go wrong.

Rate the jacket for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the jacket for value:
 
7/10

How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

You can machine wash it but it is so thin and lightweight I often just hand washed it with good results.

Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A great wind blocker and keeps light showers at bay.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket

All-round performance.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket

I'd prefer a wider middle pocket.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The Lusso has a very competitive price against many others of similar design.

Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes

Would you consider buying the jacket? Yes

Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Well made and with great performance, the gilet's pocket layout is the only thing that I wasn't a huge fan of.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

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Yorky-M | 5 years ago
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looks good and great price. top marks Lusso.

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