It’s getting towards that awkward time of the year when a softshell and winter jersey are just a tad too hot but just a jersey on its own isn't warm enough.
We constantly find ourselves stripping and layering, so instead of constantly dressing and undressing, we thought we would get together some solid spring gilets to bridge the annoying gap.
Originally deriving from the Turkish word yelek, meaning waistcoat, the gilet has risen to prominence in cycling for its versatility, especially in spring when the weather is about as stable as a teenager’s mood swings.
So what do you have to look out for? Well, gilets come in a variety of styles – from lightweight versions that pack away easily and protect you from the wind, to slightly heavier insulated ones which retain heat in colder conditions and keep you dry.
Here we’ve taken a look at a selection of different styles to see which gilet is the best a man can get....
Louis Garneau Blink RTR Gilet
What they say: As part of our #ReclaimTheRoad collection the Blink RTR Jacket features smart technical features to improve visibility in low light. Reflective sections are enhanced with glow-in-the-dark inserts, to ensure you’re seen on the road. Made with lightweight-but-warm materials, the jacket will protect you from the elements.
What we say: Designed by Canadian firm Louis Garneau for dark north American winters, with reflective inserts on the rear, this is a great option for darker rides. There’s little stretch in the fabric and the design isn’t the most stylish, but what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in function.
Two large rear pockets are very handy for popping energy bar wrappers in while wearing chunky winter gloves. For a relatively budget-priced option, we were pleasantly surprised by how well it did its job.
Verdict: Not the most stylish gilet but it does its job well and is packed with useful features. 8/10 - BEST VALUE
£50, evanscycles.com
Pearl Izumi Pro Barrier Lite Vest
What they say: For blustery days when you want to keep your core snug, the PRO Escape Barrier Lite Vest is indispensable and highly packable. DWR-treated ripstop nylon is windproof and water resistant, and stretch panels create a slim fit.
What we say: The PRO Barrier vest looks simple in both design and construction, using the same windproof panelling on the rear as the front. Many others on test have a mesh rear for breathability but when riding in the cold it’s vital to keep that heat in – and this certainly kept us toasty.
A single pouch in the back helps to ensure the vest is lightweight as well as functional. This did its job well and we’d mark this one down as a solid purchase, although the high-vis ‘Screaming Yellow’ – as Pearl Izumi call it – may not be to everyone’s taste.
Verdict: A simple but very effective windproof gilet from the reliable American brand. 8/10
£70, madison.co.uk
Madison RoadRace Windtech gilet
What they say: Engineered with our Madison Genesis race team, the RoadRace Windtech gilet features lightweight stretch windproof panelling across the chest, shoulders and side panels to prevent the chill from hitting your chest.
Stretch wicking jersey mesh covers the rear panel to prevent overheating. Three rear hand pockets offer space for spare tubes, tools, food and a race cape, and the sweatproof zipper pocket keeps your phone and keys safe.
What we say: Developed for and tested by the Madison Genesis pro team, this is a top performing gilet. In some very hairy headwinds our tester’s torso was comfortably protected from chills by the Windtech front panel, its solid block design proving as functional as it is easy on the eye.
At the rear is an abundance of storage with a whopping four pockets – plenty of space for extra bananas. Sadly, this means it doesn’t pack down as small as some, so if you’re packing it in a pocket, you won’t be able to take said ’nanas with unless you’re rocking the gilet from the off .
Verdict: A professional-standard gilet that both keeps you warm and has loads of practical storage space. 9/10 - BEST IN TEST
£75, madison.co.uk
Vermarc Vento Kaos Trevalli gilet
What they say: The perfect mid-season gilet to make the wind and rain a bit more bearable without having to wear a full jacket.
It’s lightweight, breathable and fully windproof so it’s a great piece of clothing to take out when the conditions are just that little bit tougher. It fits snugly against you and avoids being a bulky and obnoxious over-layer when riding.
What we say: We love the subtle design of the Kaos Trevalli gilet, and despite looking slight, it proved quite sturdy in use, beating the wind away without too much bother, while also being reasonably breathable.
It’s lightweight enough to make it easily stowable for a bit of extra protection as needed, but alas, it’s not very waterproof, so we did require another layer when the rain started pelting us, and it didn’t prove the most effective at keeping us warm when temperatures seriously dipped.
On the whole, though, a good-value choice for something you can use on all but the coldest of spring rides.
Verdict: Lightweight, breathable and properly windproof, but not suitable for very cold and wet rides. 7/10
Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain vest
What they say: Our first ride in the Fiandre Light NoRain Top was a revelation; we knew we had made something special. So we made a vest and short sleeve version as well. Perfect for those days when you just need a bit of wind protection on the front, but it will also protect you if you get a bit of rain. Stuffs into half a pocket, and the NoRain Light back keeps everything aero.
What we say: On first touch there isn’t much to this vest, and its stretchy polyester mix made us query its £85 price tag. Once we put it on, though, it was clear that the feel and fit match the premium price, as does its performance.
The windproofing on the front worked well despite being so light, although the NoRain claim for its rear panel is a bit misleading as it only really qualifies as ‘water-resistant’, not waterproof. Perhaps SomeRain might be more accurate! Otherwise, it does exactly what you’d expect, keep you fairly dry and pretty warm. Plus it packs down small enough to stash in your jersey pocket, though it doesn’t have a pocket of its own.
Verdict: A solid gilet for early spring rides that works surprisingly well considering how light it feels. 8/10
£85, sportful.com
Santini Ice 2.0 vest
What they say: Race-fit vest made of windproof and water resistant Windtexfabric. Sunrise breathable and elastic side inserts. Ventilation mesh panel on shoulders with windproof coating. Extremely lightweight, it can be easily folded inside its own zipped back pocket.
What we say: More of a gilet for those sunnier but chilly rides, this neat little thing is incredibly lightweight. On first touch it feels as thin as a bin liner but proved to be much more breathable than we were expecting thanks to the Windtexfabric it’s built from.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t score so well on the waterproofing side of things, as we found out to our cost (anyone seen our Lemsip, by the way?), although it did keep us drier and warmer than it had any right to considering how light and flimsy it feels.
Unlike the Rapha Brevet gilet (see below) it lacks any reflective strips, restricting its true usefulness to daytime riding, but it does feature its own internal pocket which it can actually be packed into when you’re not wearing it.
Verdict: One for keeping the chill off on early starts when you're expecting a milder day ahead. 7/10
£65, zyrofisher.co.uk
Rapha Brevet gilet
What they say: Incorporating windproof fabrics, lightweight mesh, and high-visibility detailing, the Brevet Gilet is a lightweight, packable and windproof outer layer that’s perfectly adapted to low-light conditions. It features black zips, black mesh and black armhole binding and Super Black Reflective Rapha Logos added onto the rear.
What we say: Incredibly lightweight and sophisticated, both in performance and design, the Rapha Brevet looks cool and understated. Compared to other high-end gilets, however, it does lack a bit of substance and while it’s good for keeping the wind out, it provided zero protection from the rain when we took it out on a shower.
If this was a beauty contest, this one would be vying for the crown and with its reflective strip around the waist and classic ‘Rapha’ logo on the rear it even manages to tick the health and safety box. Sadly, though, that’s where its practicality comes to an end. With no rear pockets, this is perhaps more a fashion accessory than a fully practical cycling gilet.
Verdict: One for the style-conscious, this is a good windproof gilet but lacks practical features. 7/10
£80, rapha.cc
Ale Klimatik K-Racing Rain gilet
What they say: This jacket breaks with the traditional rain cape by offering a tight fitting technical garment for those who have to train when the adverse conditions cannot be an obstacle to the cycling passion. A versatile garment and ideal to keep in one’s sports bag for all the seasons.
What we say: Using a soft, stretchy material, this number provides a great fit, and silly spelling aside, it’s a great gilet. The water repellence worked brilliantly, especially when mud and other gunk was getting flicked on our backs on rides in grim conditions.
The uniformly black design is a bit of a contentious point, as it is with any all-black kit – some in the BikesEtc office liked its ninja-like stylings while others described it as a tad yawn-some. Generally it performed really well during testing but what let it down for us – as with Rapha's Brevet above – was its lack of pockets, which in our opinion sadly limits its practical appeal. A pity because it’s otherwise superb.
Verdict: A seriously high-performance gilet for wet and cold conditions but not the most practical option. 8/10
£105, paligap.cc
