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review

dhb Aeron Packable Gilet

6
£50.00

VERDICT:

6
10
Decent windproof gilet, but check the sizing and fit
Very bright
Packs up small
Wind resistant
Arm holes quite snug
Weight: 
93g

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The Aeron Packable Gilet from dhb is a lightweight solution if you want a bit of protection on a cool or breezy day, and this very bright yellow option will get you noticed. The performance is good, but the fit I found to be just a bit off.

To be honest a gilet is a pretty simple piece of clothing, especially in a form like this – dhb isn't offering anything really out of the ordinary when it comes to features.

The fit

The fabric is 91% polyester with the rest being elastane, so I must admit I was expecting a little bit more in the way of stretch. The Aeron range is classed as 'Performance' fit by dhb, so it's close fitting – but not as close as the Professional fit.

I've used a lot of dhb's kit, and I've always found myself to be a medium, but this gilet comes up a little snug; without the stretch in the fabric, I would definitely need to go up a size to be truly comfortable.

2021 dhb Aeron Packable Gilet - hem.jpg

This isn't a dig at the sizing per se, as if I go by the size guide, I'm edging more towards the large than the medium anyway.

The fit on the whole is pretty good, with a tailored shape to stop material flapping in the wind and plenty of length thanks to the dropped tail.

2021 dhb Aeron Packable Gilet - tail.jpg

I do have an issue with the arm holes, though. I found them quite small, and they seem to sit higher on the body than normal. It probably wouldn't be that noticeable, but I think it's exacerbated by the elastication, which draws them in still tighter.

2021 dhb Aeron Packable Gilet - chest.jpg

That aside, the material does a good job of keeping the wind out and, while we haven't had anything too cold during the test period, on a couple of nippy early-morning rides I could feel the blocking effect on a headwind.

2021 dhb Aeron Packable Gilet - gripper.jpg

For breathability, dhb has used a mesh section down the rear of the gilet, which certainly does help when you are riding hard.

> 19 best cycling gilets — get to know this wardrobe essential

Twin zips also help you open things up for a bit more airflow, and when it comes to packing it away, you'll have no issues getting it into a jersey pocket as this thing is very small indeed.

2021 dhb Aeron Packable Gilet - shoulders.jpg

The quality is to dhb's usual high standards, and the fabric is tough. It comes in two colours – black and this yellow. I was a little worried about it coming up clean after a muddy ride, but actually had no issues, even on a cool wash.

At £50 the Aeron is around £10 more expensive than the Lusso Skylon (£39.99), even though the Lusso offers some water resistance and four pockets.

Bontrager's Circuit Wind Vest (we tested the women's version here) is the same price as the dhb, but that's also water resistant and includes a zipped valuables pocket.

Overall

The dhb Aeron Packable Gilet performs well, and it's well made too. Price wise I'd say it's kind of in the right area (assuming you don't want any extra features), with the only real issue for me being the confining arm holes.

Verdict

Decent windproof gilet, but check the sizing and fit

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road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Aeron Packable Gilet

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

dhb says, "Wind-resistant and easily stowed in your jersey pocket, the lightweight dhb Aeron Packable Gilet will add great versatility to your cycling wardrobe. Highly breathable, it has a mesh back and two-zip for extra ventilation.

"The dhb Aeron Packable Gilet is a lightweight performance gilet that has been constructed in a very wind-resistant fabric, rated 8cfm. Perfect for those dry, cool days in the saddle when you fancy a little extra protection – without reaching for a full jacket.

"A two-way VISLON® zip offers extra ventilation when the road – or temperature – rises. And when the sun does come out, this gilet packs down super small to fit comfortably inside your jersey pocket.

"The collar has a soft and high-wicking tricot lining, while reflective inserts in the shoulders and rear hem – along with reflective logos – ensure great visibility when the light fades. The rear hem is finished with a silicone gripper to prevent this gilet from riding up."

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

Materials: 91% Polyester, 9% Elastane

Mesh: 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane

Lightweight performance gilet

Packs easily inside a jersey pocket

Two-way VISLON® zip

High collar with tricot lining

Reflective details

Silicone gripper

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
6/10

The arm holes just don't seem to sit in the right place, plus they feel narrow.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

True to dhb's guide, but comes up small against other Aeron stuff I've worn.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
6/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

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

Washed up fine even after wet rides.

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

Works really well as a windbreak, and the mesh panel aids breathability.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The windproofing works well.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Arm holes are tight.

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

It's a similar price to those two I mentioned in the review, but they both get water resistance and at least one pocket.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes and no

Would you consider buying the product? No, because of the arm issue

Would you recommend the product to a friend? With caveats

Use this box to explain your overall score

The dhb Aeron performs well, but I found the arm holes too tight for a comfortable fit. Also, there are others out there with water resistance and even pockets for similar money.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 42  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

Avatar
Ryder | 2 years ago
0 likes

I got the last one of these in my usual dhb size and would need to go on a starvation diet for six months to do it up.  Basically, if you're not a 10% or less body fat racer don't bother with Aeron, go for the Classic range which is cut for non racing snake body types....or buy twice your usual size and fuel those cycling related body image issues.

 

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