Rapha Women's Classic Gilet II

The recent warm weather yet strong winds provided the perfect conditions to test the Rapha Women's Classic Gilet II. Rapha says it is designed for milder weather and it certainly proved the perfect extra layer to keep out the wind chill, just as it intended.

The gilet feels incredibly light and the material thin, which initially left me concerned about how windproof it would be. I need not have worried – the front panels keep the wind chill out nicely, while three mesh panels on the rear help to prevent any unwanted flapping or ballooning in the wind and add plenty of breathability.

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The gilet has also survived some light drizzle, but it's only claimed to be water resistant so, as expected, it did little to keep the rain out. The lightweight fabric packs away tightly and can be easily stuffed into a jersey pocket if the need arises.

Although it's slim fitting, the gilet is not a full race cut, and it fitted well over my full jersey pockets on longer rides. According to Rapha it has been designed with a new stretch fabric, but while the mesh panels featured on the rear and sides of the gilet do have an element of stretch to them, the remainder of the material certainly doesn't. I didn't find this to be a problem, though, and the gilet wasn't at all restrictive, but if you are stuck between two sizes I would recommend sizing up.

What Rapha calls the 'soft fleece chin guard' is neither especially soft nor fleecy, but I didn't find any issues with comfort or chafing around the chin or neck. The layered fabric around the neck certainly gave a little extra warmth on a chilly day.

A small, zip-up valuables pocket on the front of the jersey is the perfect size for your keys and a few coins for the cafe stop. In addition, the gilet features two large rear pockets which are easy to access and leave plenty of room for food, tools and extra layers should you wish.

All this does come at a price, as you would expect from Rapha. You can find a wide range of windproof and even waterproof gilets for less than half this price from brands such as dhb or Endura. However, you can't argue with the fit, comfort and performance on offer here, and if you can afford the Classic Gilet you certainly won't be disappointed.

> Buyer's Guide: The best cycling gilets

The only limiting factor – other than price – is that it only comes in this turquoise colour. Personally I love it, and it goes well with a lot of my kit, but we all know that looking good on the bike makes you faster, and this isn't guaranteed to match all of your favourite jerseys as a more neutral or subtle colour might.

If you are only an occasional cyclist and don't mind a bit of flapping in the wind, a cheaper option is probably all you need, but for those who ride frequently and for whom a light gilet is an absolute essential, this is the ideal extra layer on a mild spring or summer day – provided you can stomach the price tag.

Verdict

Light, windproof layer ideal for spring and summer, but some other colours would be nice