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review

Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet

8
£99.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Great fit, easily packable and great windproofing – the only real issue is the price
Weight: 
82g

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Neon Velo's Lightweight Gilet is a packable windproof layer that is easy to whip on and off. The wind protection from the front makes it perfect for cold descents, while the back is very breathable, so this is one for the spring and summer. It’s available in black as well as this navy.

  • Pros: Very packable, lightweight, breathable rear, windproof front
  • Cons: Nothing other than the price, really

Gilets are great, adding a ton of potentially vital protection while still being lightweight and compact. There have been several times in mountainous areas where a gilet has made the difference between being dangerously cold and just being a bit chilly.

> Buy this online here

Living up to its name, the Lightweight Gilet tips the scales at just 82g. What you also get with that lack of weight is lack of bulk, and this makes the gilet incredibly packable. I found that it only took up half a pocket and stowed easily beside my pump.

Putting it on is very simple, even on the move. The double zipper is large and easy to locate, with the oversized teeth parts joining smoothly. It's the same story for taking it off, so you can remove it as you're approaching a climb.

Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet - chest.jpg

The gilet is made up of two main materials. The main section that covers your core is very thin but windproof; this material also covers the collar and top section of the back.

Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet - hem.jpg

Mesh fabric is used on the majority of the back and this effectively aids breathability.

Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet - tail.jpg

As the mesh is softer, it is used on the inside of the collar. The hems around the shoulders and waist are finished with elastic to keep them close to the body.

That leads me on to the fit. The photos are of the small, but I went for the extra small as I prefer an aero fit to stop the gilet flapping too much on a descent. While there is no stretch in the windproof material, there is in the side panels and back, meaning that even with this tight fit I didn't find my chest restricted. Usually, I'd wear a small so go a size down if you want that aero fit.

Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet - riding.jpg

The stretch in the lower back means that it's easy to pull the hem up and access jersey pockets underneath. Alternatively, the double zipper gives you the option of undoing the bottom of the gilet to get at pockets. Both methods work well.

Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet - back.jpg

The quality is really good here, everything is stitched together perfectly, and all the features work well, with no gimmicks. I really can't see anything that I'd change and it's been brilliant for the early spring rides when the sun hasn't fully committed to being warm just yet.

> Spring clothing guide: what to wear in this unpredictable season

It needs to be good quality too, because the price is at the higher end of the spectrum. You can go a lot cheaper – dhb's Aeron Lightweight Windslam gilet is just £50, though I'd say the Neon Velo fit is better if you're looking for aero gains. You can easily spend more, though, with options from Poc and Chapeau! coming in over £100.

> Buyer's Guide: 9 of the best cycling gilets

I'd suggest thinking about what you really want from a gilet. There are thermal options, but for me this Neon Velo is nigh-on perfect: it packs away easily, provides just enough warmth for cold descents and is super-easy to whip on and off. Combine that with very nice styling and I'd say this is very good indeed.

Verdict

Great fit, easily packable and great windproofing – the only real issue is the price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet Navy

Size tested: XS

Tell us what the product is for

Neon Velo says: "Designed by our own pro team riders. Lightweight, windproof, packable and Italian made. Our wind resistant gilet is the perfect accessory for those long mountain descents or changeable spring/summer conditions.

"Easy to handle, oversized, low friction, YKK double zipper provides quick access to the rear jersey pockets without the need to unzip the gilet from the top. A lightweight internal zip guard further protects your chest from the elements. A technical and breathable mesh fabric is strategically placed in the rear of the garment allowing us to reduce weight and maximise ventilation without compromising protection from the wind. A must-have item for any cyclist."

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

From Neon Velo:

Info

Weight: 120g

Fabrics: Windproof front with mesh rear

Temperature range: 4deg – 20deg

Features:

Wind resistant, light weight, packable

Technical, breathable rear mesh

YKK zip double zipper with internal zip guard

Machine washable

Made in Italy

Ideal for:

Early morning/late evening spring/summer rides

Wind protection on fast alpine descents

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
5/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
6/10

About right but you can size down for an aero fit.

Rate the product for weight:
 
10/10

Really lightweight.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

It's not cheap, but I think you're getting your money's worth.

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

Easy. Wash at 30°C and line dry.

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

Very well. This was great for popping on before a chilly descent.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The packability makes it easy to take on any ride.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really.

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

It's ok. The price is high, but it's still cheaper than others.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's very good. I really like the fit and packability. It's easy to put on and take off, with good windproofing for chilly descents.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 177cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
Simon E | 5 years ago
2 likes

£100 for a friggin' sleeveless vest?!?

Taking the piss.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Simon E | 5 years ago
1 like
Simon E wrote:

£100 for a friggin' sleeveless vest?!?

Taking the piss.

How else am I supposed to show off some new ink?

 

Avatar
Simon E replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
0 likes
hawkinspeter wrote:
Simon E wrote:

£100 for a friggin' sleeveless vest?!?

Taking the piss.

How else am I supposed to show off some new ink?

 

Nice artwork.

No sign of the overpriced vest. Did you send it back because the colours clashed?  3

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Simon E | 5 years ago
0 likes
Simon E wrote:
hawkinspeter wrote:
Simon E wrote:

£100 for a friggin' sleeveless vest?!?

Taking the piss.

How else am I supposed to show off some new ink?

 

Nice artwork.

No sign of the overpriced vest. Did you send it back because the colours clashed?  3

I had to sell it to pay off some legal bills:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/police-called-in-over-joke-about-squirrels-7165366.html

Quote:

Mrs Harrow, 59, wrote: "We would like to inform any interested parties that we (formerly southerners) have just returned to our cottage with a crate full of wild grey squirrels from Epping Forest which we would be happy to supply to any other "outcomers", homesick for the South and in need of the odd grey squirrel to make them feel at home."

Shortly afterwards, there was a knock at the door of the couple's home in the Lake District village of Thackthwaite, near Penrith.

Two officers from Cumbria Police informed them they were investigating claims of squirrel abuse. They had come to check whether hapless rodents were being kept in crates after several complaints from members of the public.

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