Ciovita Apex Polartec Adventure Gilet

The Ciovita Apex Adventure gilet features Polartec Alpha fabric, which delivers impressive warmth for such a lightweight and packable garment. Its windproof, DWR-coated outer offers solid protection against the elements, but it’s let down by shortcomings in key areas, notably the zip and some fit-related issues.

For further options, check out our best cycling gilets buyer’s guide.

> Buy now: Ciovita Apex Adventure gilet for £114 from Ciovita

Features and fit

Central to the garment is the Polartec Alpha fabric, which Polartec claims was originally developed for the US Special Forces and is classed as Active Insulation. This light and lofty grey material is capable of handling significant temperature variations, efficiently wicking moisture away from your body while offering excellent breathability.

The outer is made from ripstop nylon with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating that provides windproof protection. Internally, the gilet is lined with Polartec Alpha fabric around the upper chest and collar areas, but only ripstop nylon on the lower abdominal and lower back areas.

It features a two-way YKK zip, with a cord puller at the top and a basic metal puller at the bottom. Reflective detailing is limited to two central vertical strips on the rear.

Available in sizes S to 3XL, the size guide suggests it accommodates chest sizes from 88-114cm (34.5-44.8in). Ciovita also offers a women’s version for chest sizes ranging from 74-108cm (29-42.5in), with both versions only available with a black outer fabric.

I fall at the lower end of the size range and tested a size Small, which Ciovita recommends for riders with an 88–94cm chest. While the gilet did fit, it was snug, and I suspect if you’re towards the upper limit of the size guide may find it too tight for comfort.

There are no external pockets, but a small stuff sack is integrated into the garment and accessed from the inside. When packed, the gilet is slightly larger than a cricket ball, though you can compress it further if needed. Ours weighed just 100g.

Performance

Ciovita describes the gilet as having a ‘classic fit’, though there’s no clear guidance on what this means. In use, I found the fit tight across the chest areas where the Polartec Alpha fabric is, but looser on the lower sections. The front hem sits quite low and has a tendency to bulge upwards while riding, even in a relatively upright riding position.

The neck opening was wide for the size, leaving a sizeable gap between the fabric and your skin. While the Polartec Alpha material performs exceptionally, this open neckline allowed cold air in on cooler days. The shoulder fit was another weak point. Although there’s a section of elasticated fabric around the rear of the armhole, one area still bulged outwards, creating a gap that flapped noisily in the wind while riding.

Polartec Alpha truly excels in delivering warmth, living up to the brand’s claims. I wore the gilet in conditions ranging from low single digits to around 15°C, and it consistently provided impressive insulation without ever feeling clammy or damp. The standout feature of the gilet is undoubtedly the fabric – its balance of warmth and breathability is outstanding, especially for such a lightweight garment.

There are no external pockets, only the internal stuff sack’, and for a garment marketed as adventure-ready, the lack of at least one pocket feels like a missed opportunity. Instead, the design relies on the two-way zip to allow you to access jersey pockets.

While a double zip is useful, its execution here is flawed. Although the zip is made by YKK, a brand generally associated with quality, it feels thin and fragile, not ideally suited to the demands of cycling use.

The top zip is fitted with a corded puller that’s easy to locate and use, even with gloves. However, the bottom zip uses a small, basic metal puller that’s difficult to grip with gloved hands, something you’re are likely to be wearing, given this gilet’s intended use in cooler conditions. While the omission may be intended to help distinguish between the upper and lower zip ends, this could have been achieved more effectively with a contrasting puller design.

On two occasions during testing, the zip came apart while riding. Although it was possible to realign it, the issue was irritating. With continued use, especially given the snug fit, I suspect this could become a recurring problem.

Value

The warmth and performance of the Polartec Alpha fabric are the gilet’s standout features. However, a growing number of alternatives now use the same material or the similar constructed Primaloft Active Evolve. At £114, the Ciovita Apex Adventure is one of the more affordable options using either of these fabrics.

Rebecca reviewed the Jack Wolfskin Morobbia gilet with Polartec Alpha that costs £150, while the Café du Cycliste Maya comes in at a very salty £196.

Other examples include the PEdALED Tokaido at £150 and the vest version of the Castelli Unlimited Puffy at a stratoshperic £210 – demonstrating how costly garments using this fabric can be.

The POC Pro Thermal Vest has a very similar construction, with partial insulation but costs £170 and is a little heavier and not quite as small when packed.

For ultimate low weight and low volume Albion has released the minimal Primaloft Active Evolve Body Warmer, priced at £90. However, this lacks an outer shell and is intended as a multifunctional layer within a broader system.

Conclusion

While the Ciovita Apex Adventure gilet is competitively priced against alternatives, and the Polartec Alpha fabric offers exceptional warmth and breathability for its weight, the overall package is let down by issues with fit, sizing, and a poor-quality zip. These shortcomings undermine what could have been an outstanding piece of kit.

That said, if you’re seeking a lightweight, highly packable gilet that delivers excellent thermal performance across a range of conditions, the Apex remains a worthwhile option. Just be aware of the snug fit, particularly across the chest, and don’t rely solely on the size guide when choosing. The lack of pockets and the fiddly zip may also be factors to consider depending on your riding needs and layering system.

Ultimately, the Apex gets the core fabric and insulation spot on, but misses the mark on some practical details.

Verdict

Excellent warmth to weight, but fragile two-way zip and fit issues hamper performance

> Buy now: Ciovita Apex Adventure gilet for £114 from Ciovita

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