Hump Flare men's gilet

The Hump Flare men's gilet is a wind and showerproof 'warm weather safety layer'. In my view, Hump has struck the right balance between safety and comfort, and the adjustable fit means it can be racy or relaxed to suit your riding.

Its made from our old friend polyester, which is pretty much standard at this end of the market. Easy to care for, yet offering decent technical properties, it's well made with uniform stitching, and backed with a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. On the face of it, I can't see many people claiming on it, but this kind of confidence is reassuring.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Performance is pretty much on par with several others in my wardrobe and pretty much what I've come to expect at this price-point. Worn over a long-sleeve jersey on blustery mornings, the fabric does an excellent job of blocking chill, keeping my core temperate between 7 and 12°C.

Hunkered low and descending at 35mph, there's been no hint of flutter or drag. Dropping the zipper tag 25% to compensate for an unexpected spike in temperature introduced a little to the mix – more than compared with a more traditional racing gilet but nothing to write home about. Talking of which, the tag is easy to grip and the zipper action smooth, so no risk of frustration or distraction.

At a steady 18-23mph and in temperatures between 5 and 12°C, with a decent baselayer on, moisture management is similarly good. Expect a bit of misty creep but nothing more. On the flip side, it's shower resistant, protecting the chest, back and vital organs from cloudburst and road-spray. Everyone's tolerance to rain and cold is different, but spells of 30 minutes or so is optimal. More sustained/intensive stuff calls for a light shell over the top, unless you don't mind soggy arms.

I really like the 'atomic blue' blue/black and retro-reflective design, and there are shocking orange and safety yellow versions, too, should you prefer. The retro-reflectives are sensibly deployed; very bold chevrons at the back and print are tempered by subtle yet similarly effective piping up front. I'd say it's not as visible as the Proviz Reflect 360 (review to come), but the reflectives are very eye-catching and do their thing in the classic Hump tradition. The big logo also seemed to keep me on other road users' radar when entering the flow of traffic, or orbiting roundabouts.

Graced by car headlamps, bike and street-lighting, friends reckoned they'd spotted me at 150 metres, even without other forms of lighting and through suburban stretches. Maybe a little more along open roads and on clear nights/mornings.

Storage is limited to a single breast pocket, which is roomy enough for larger smartphones/compact cameras/wallet or similar. It's also suitably reinforced, so heavier tech and wallets shouldn't bounce around annoyingly.

Elasticated arm openings and an adjustable 'shock cord' waist allow for fine tuning of the cut and ensure it doesn't look odd either with more relaxed, street-style clothing or training attire. It's a sporty cut, catering for most riding contexts, and the tail and fleece-lined neck are sufficiently long to protect these regions from cold and wet when you're hunkered low over the bar, without fouling helmet cradles or getting in the way when checking over the shoulder.

It's not the most packable – it'll fit into a larger poacher type, but most terraced jersey pockets proved a non-starter.

> Buyer's Guide: 12 of the best reflective garments and accessories to help keep you visible after dark

Provided you tackle it promptly, greasy spatter is easily dismissed with a damp cloth. It also machine washes beautifully at 30 degrees, and dries in around 35 minutes or so at room temperature – quicker on the line, aided by some autumn sun and a stiff breeze.

Conclusion

The Hump Flare is competitive both in terms of performance and pricing. Adjustability means it caters well for general riding, training and commuting. Personally, I would like a second, poacher type pocket at the rear, say for stashing gloves or a banana, but it's a good design as it is, and well worth a look.

Verdict

Lightweight yet surprisingly durable gilet offering good weather protection and visibility