Sportful Hot Pack Vest

Tell us what the product 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?

Sportful say, "Minimum weight, minimum bulk, maximum protection

Windproof, resistant and breathable

Excellent breathability thanks to generous vents on back

Stuff sack

Reflective panels

Back pocket"

Team Saxo Bank use this gilet but you don't need to be a full-on racer to get the benefits - a good windproof gilet is an amazingly useful garment for all kinds of rider.

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

The Hot Pack has a Schoeller NanoSphere finish. Here's the write-up on that:

"NanoSphere, the nanotech-based finishing technology, allows dirt and water to simply run off the surface of the textiles. This mimics the natural self-cleaning effect of certain plants whose leaves always remain clean, because dirt simply cannot adhere to the finely structured surface, and is easily washed off when it rains.

The function:

The natural non-stick and cleaning process, also known as the self-cleaning effect, is transferred to the surface of textiles by means of nano technology. Compared to traditional textile impregnation processes, NanoSphere achieves significantly better results with regards to:

- Water and dirt repelling properties

- Oil repelling properties

- Washing permanence

The protective function of NanoSphere is still retained after frequent use and numerous washing cycles and has no effect on clothing comfort, look, feel, breath ability or elasticity.

The benefits:

Water or such substances as ketchup, honey, coffee or red wine run off. And if they don't happen to run off of their own accord, they can easily be rinsed off with a little water. Cleaning or washing the textiles is significantly easier. The textiles require less frequent washing and are washed at lower temperatures."

So there you go, although I don't think I'd put ketchup on a white gilet and expect anything other than disappointing results. Actually, in the name of thorough testing, I'll go and check that...

[Returns 5mins later] Well, what do you know? I take that back. I just put ketchup on the stuff sack, squished it about a bit and put it under the tap, and it came right off. That's probably the most unusual sentence I'll write this week.

It's mega-light – the lightest gilet we've ever reviewed on Road.cc. Related and probably more important, it takes up very little space in your pocket.

You can get cheaper, but this is a high-quality option.

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

It does exactly what it's supposed to.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The small size when packed down and stored in a pocket. The high-close fitting neck and little pocket in the back are good too.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Although it fitted closely across the chest, I could have done with it narrower around the waist... but that's an individual fit thing.