The MAAP Atmos Vest is a sleeveless version of the brands Atmos waterproof jacket, designed to be incredibly lightweight, packable, yet protective.

Construction

Headlining the Atmos is the Pertex Shield Fabric. A three-layered construction, it's designed to be windproof, waterproof, breathable, and ultra-light. The weatherproofing is aided further by internally taped seams to prevent water ingress. It is rated 20k mm on the water column waterproof rating, higher than the industry standard of 10k.

To help breathability and practicality, the Atmos vest features a two-way zip to allow for easy access to pockets underneath as well as tailored ventilation. The removal of the sleeves makes it smaller and more packable than the jacket variation. Arm holes are bonded and elasticated to provide a flap-free fit.

This Drome version makes use of the graphics to utilise multiple large reflective details across the front and back of the vest. It is available just in this white colour, with sizes from XS-XXL.

The Ride

The first thing to note is just how small this thing packs up. For the last few years, there has been one water resistant gilet that I’ve taken out on almost every single ride. It’s not waterproof, but it adds a wind stopper layer, has a two-way zip, and packs up to a minuscule size for being pocketable. The MAAP Atmos vest packs down only a touch larger, but is waterproofed front and rear, and features far more visibility details on it. That is why this has become my new go-to kit item that finds its way into one of my pockets on pretty much every single ride.

Actual waterproof performance is another area where this vest stands out.a In winter showers and heavier rain, water beads of the vest with ease, preventing ingress and windchill. Being PFAS-free, long term care is needed to maintain the waterproofing capacity, either a specific spray or gentle wash with non-bio detergent. The key thing however is that the waterproofing performance straight from the off is as good as any other waterproofs available. It will get some degree of saturation over time in prolonged heavy rain, which can make it feel quite ‘close’ with the lightweight and thin nature of construction, but it keeps you dry even if a little windchill can occur in those situations.

Obviously a vest limits the degree of protection somewhat, as your arms are unprotected. This means that in colder winter weather you still need to layer up well and in heavy rain the lack of sleeves means things can get cold. However, with sleeves comes more bulk, so less packability, and also reduced breathability and more material flapping.

The arm holes of the Atmos Vest are elasticated so that they hug the shoulders and wind doesn’t get up in them, eliminating any parachute effect. It makes this vest a great addition for fast paced winter rides where high effort levels help maintain body heat, but the vest still keeps your core protected from the elements.

Breathability is not a strong point, but that is true of many waterproofs. What does assist here though are the features. Firstly heat can be lost via the armpits. Secondly the two-way zip. This enables tailored ventilation, either in bulk via undoing the top zip, or as an exhaust effect by undoing the bottom zip which means no billowing. It also allows easy access to pockets under the vest for grabbing food. To me it’s a vital addition to any waterproof or hardshell external layer.

My only small gripe is that the fit of the body is quite short. More often than not, the jersey being worn underneath would protrude from the hem of the Atmos vest. It also means without mudguards there is very limited protection at the rear from wheel spray.

A feature I really love though, specific to this Drome edition design, is the huge use of reflective detailing. The regular Atmos Vest features some reflective tabs, but the Drome version has a host of reflective MAAP logos plastered across the front and rear. It really boosts visibility in low light or rain when cars will have lights on, and is another must-have feature for me.

Value and Conclusion

Looking at hardshell waterproofs on the market, it’s quite common for pricing to be in the region of £250-350. Sitting at £255 (£245 for the non-Drome edition), the MAAP Atmos is on the lower end of that spectrum, but of course being a vest it has less material, so the regular Atmos comes in at £270.

That frankly is not bad, with the likes of the PNS Mechanism Shell jacket costing £330 / $450, Castelli Gabba R being £299.99 /$370, and Q36.5 Dottore Rain Shell jacket at £320 / $470, the Atmos is relatively good value.

The closest competitor is the Q36.5 Rain Shell Aero jersey at £250 / $340, but this is a short sleeved option and has a lower waterproof rating. There are also other vest/gilet options but not many that feature this level of waterproofing, while some that get close to this lack two-way zips, packability, or have a looser flappy fit.

I do think as a kit item that can perform well in heavier rain conditions, and be so packable as to be accommodated on pretty much any ride, the MAAP Atmos Vest is an exceptional performer, and actual represents reasonable value in the market.

The MAAP Atmos Vest delivers most of the waterproofing potential of the full jacket, but with added packability and great practicality. It’s not the best for properly cold and wet days due to lack of sleeves, but for everything else it’s great. Two-way zip is fantastic, high levels of reflective detailing boost safety, and race fit means limited material flapping. For all this performance, it isn’t an overly high cost either.

The Rapha Pro Team Shadow Gilet shares much of the same construction as the Shadow Jersey. Chief among the design is a single layer micro-pore membrane which Rapha set out to make as breathable, weatherproofed, and lightweight as the PFAS membranes that have now been ditched from most production cycles across the EU.

Construction

This membrane also features an external DWR coating to assist water in beading off the garment, while the membrane itself should remain fairly impermeable to water even when saturated externally. Front facing seams are also taped internally to reduce water ingress while being built in a way that aims to maintain performance over time. The micro-pore structure is aimed to assist breathability while allowing for consistent weatherproofing performance even while stretched.

This was actually the item Rapha found was most often used by its sponsored EF Education-EasyPost World Tour teams in the spring classics races. A two-way zipper has been used to make access to pockets underneath easier as well as providing more tailored ventilation with minimal billowing.

The gilet itself still features three cargo pockets at the rear, while reflective detailing has been added for foul weather visibility. Three colour options are available for men, two for women, while sizes range from XS to XXL.

The Ride

The Rapha Pro Team Shadow Gilet features near enough the same design as the Shadow LS jersey, but removes the sleeves. By using the same Shadow membrane, which features a reasonable level of stretch, it can maintain a close fit even when layered over other items and with the pockets full. The length is not short at the back, although not as 'dropped' as most waterproof garments.

What I like most about this gilet is that it addresses one of the main gripes I had with the Shadow LS jersey, which was the heat buildup; it was able to breath, but resulted in moisture pooling at the cuffs. By removing the sleeves this is no longer the case. A two-way zip is still featured for tailored breathability, but it also works well for accessing pockets under the gilet. This makes the gilet fair more versatile than the Shadow jersey, which I found was usable in 8-14˚C range, whereas the gilet has a broader operating range. Paired with a lighter weight long sleeve jersey it was manageable in 14˚C even with a long sleeved base layer underneath. It got a touch toasty on steeper climbs, but it was far more comfortable than the Shadow LS jersey, and explains why this is the Shadow kit item that Rapha sponsored pro teams use the most.

Another feature I like is that it is impressively packable. It’s easy to remove while riding and folds comfortably into a jersey pocket, even if not as small as the likes of the MAAP Atmos gilet. Its packability is most impressive given the level of insulation and weather resistance that the gilet offers; normally an item like this would not be that packable.

As for that weather proofing, it performs impressively well for a post-PFAS era garment. In heavy rain it can get saturated, but this is the case with most items nowadays. In showers and light rain, as well as road spray, it’s exceptionally good at beading the water away. Given that’s the raison d’être for the Shadow range, it’s good to see just how effective the gilet is at achieving this.

Pockets are another area where the gilet does well. The pockets mirror the Shadow jersey, so they are plenty large enough to accommodate spare kit items, tools, and plenty of food. A zip-up valuables pocket is another useful addition.

Colour wise there are a few muted options but also a bright blue colour. This black colour isn’t the most visible, but it has effective reflective panels. The branding is also very subtle so it can be paired with most other kit items comfortably without clashing branding for those that are concerned about that.

Value and Conclusion

Impressively enough, for a highly weather resistant gilet, the Rapha Pro Team Shadow Gilet actually represents pretty reasonable value at £225 / $300. Given that the likes of the MAAP Atmos Gilet is £255 / $300, and although more packable does not feature pockets and weather protection is actually similar, the Shadow appears to represent reasonable value at this level.

Options like the Q36.5 Dottore Hybrid Gilet are cheaper at £190 / $260, but the weather protection is not as impressive, while there are fewer pockets and not quite as packable. Meanwhile the exceptionally good value Café du Cycliste Edith windproof gilet is only £125 / $170, but is designed for very light showers rather than any form of significant rain. However that is still the most packable outer layer item I’ve ever used and adds a good windproof layer for riding in all seasons.

Looking at gilets that offer strong weather protection, pockets, and features like two-way zips, the Rapha Pro Team Shadow is actually in a bit of a league of its own, both in terms of performance and also value when you consider performance against cost. It’s not cheap, but I think it represents the best performing and most versatile item in the Shadow range.

The Rapha Pro Team Shadow Gilet is my favourite item out of the 2025 Shadow range. Whereas the jersey can get a touch warm, and the jacket is limited to very cold temperatures, the gilet works exceptionally well as an added layer in cold and wet weather, or for milder conditions as a lightweight rain shell. It still features a full raft of pockets, two-way zip, and great packability. It’s not cheap, but given its performance, it actually represents pretty good value in the current market. Rapha has a good reputation for making good foul-weather gear, and the Shadow Gilet hits the brief brilliantly.

Perhaps better known for their road-going products, thanks to sponsorship of Tom Pidcock’s WorldTour team, Italian clothing brand Q36.5 also makes quality kit for off-road use.

The Adventure collection includes everything you need for getting away from the tarmac, with gravel shoes, jerseys, shorts, gloves and shells.

Whilst gilets or vests are a staple cycling product which provide lightweight protection from chilly breezes and passing showers, the Adventure vest offers a bit more. It’s not 100% clear from Q36.5’s website, but the Adventure Vest is actually an insulated gilet, supplying warmth as well as core protection from the elements.

Construction

The first thing to mention is the insulation. Made from a blend of synthetic material and merino wool, the UF Air Insulation is bonded to a fine mesh drop-liner in rhomboid shapes to retain maximum warm air with minimum bulk. The pattern extends down the front, over the shoulders, and around the sides, leaving only the centre back uninsulated.

There is no mesh back panel, as there often is with gilets; instead, the whole of the vest is windproof and DWR (durable water repellent) treated. The collar is nice and high, with insulation for extra cosiness, and there is a lightly elasticated hem around the neck and arm holes, which helps to keep the warm air inside the vest.

The lower hem is also elasticated, with a thin strip of silicone that runs right around the gilet. It is nice to see a full-length placket behind the zip; these make a big difference when it comes to warding off wind chill, although it was disappointing that the zip is not double-ended, making jersey pocket access that bit harder.

One feature that took me a few days to notice, and isn’t mentioned on Q36.5’s website, is that there is a small mesh pouch at the back of the neck which serves as a stuff sack for the vest.

Two large mesh pockets sit on the back of the gilet, with plenty of room for a waterproof jacket and other cool-weather layers.

Men's sizing runs from XS to 3XL in three colour choices - Black, Navy Blue and Olive Green. Women’s sizes are XS to L, with the same colour options as the men's. Claimed weight is 115g for a medium, although my medium gilet weighed 127g.

The ride

This has quickly become one of my very favourite pieces. The warmth it generates from such minimal insulation is incredible and is far more than a basic gilet adds. The cut, whilst not as race-tight as something like Castelli’s Espresso Vest, is still close enough that I have worn it on my gravel bike and on road rides too, with it proving very useful on cool starts and late finishes.

It was superb on a recent trip to Europe, when descending high mountain passes can get chilly even in the summer months, and just as useful sat outside a breezy Peak District cafe. Whilst I usually have a bit of an aversion to wool in active performance products, the merino in the Adventure Vest seemed to work well and didn't get too damp or clammy.

The size medium fitted me pretty much as expected, with room enough for a few layers underneath, but not so baggy that it felt wrong worn over just a summer jersey. The structure added to the vest by the insulation really helped it look good too, rather than the shapeless, crinkly mess that some lighter gilets err towards.

When I eventually worked out that it could be stuffed into the little mess pouch on the neck, it fitted into a jersey pocket easily enough, albeit with more bulk than many purely windproof vests. Its 127g weight is a very reasonable trade-off for the warmth it brings.

It was a real shame that Q36.5 skimped on the double-ended front zip as this is a feature I find myself using a lot on my gilets, and is really its only black mark. It makes getting into rear jersey pockets so much easier than either having to completely undo the vest from the top or hoik it up over the pockets while it’s still fastened.

Value and conclusion

I loved the Adventure Vest, and so it found its way into my pocket or saddlebag more often than not, even on quite warm rides. It’s ideal for keeping you warm in a variety of situations and weather conditions. I found the fit and cut very versatile, with phenomenal levels of warmth for its size and weight, and I foresee that my usage of it will only increase with the onset of autumn weather. I'll even overlook the use of merino wool.

It does cost more than a standard gilet, but its usefulness is so much more too. £170 is not cheap, but it is a fantastic piece of kit, so I will say that it is decent value. If it had a double-ended zip, it would be a 5-star product, but as it doesn’t, I’ll award it 4.5 stars, but add that it is highly recommended.

I should probably start by admitting that I'm a big fan of gilets or vests. I find them to be one of the most flexible and useful clothing items and, therefore, one of my cycling wardrobe's most heavily used pieces. Whether it's to keep the chill off on a summer's evening, regulate temperature on a long descent, or add layers of warmth in winter, there's rarely a ride when I'm not wearing one or riding with one stashed in a pocket or bag.

I've had the Adventure gilet from Ciovita on test since late last summer, which has allowed me to test it in all weather conditions in the changeable climes of South Yorkshire. The South African brand may be new to some of you, but those who follow XCO MTB will have seen Alan Hatherly, who now rides on the road for Jayco AlUla, win the World Champs last year in his national colors supplied by them and they also provide the leaders kits for the popular Cape Epic MTB race.

Construction

The big story here is Ciovits's use of Polartec's new lightweight Alpha material. It's made from lofted fibres that they use to cover most of the front and rear sections of the vest, as well as around the collar. It's designed to be warm, highly breathable, hydrophobic and compressible for easy packing, which sounds a lot like marketing hyperbole and is surely too good to be true? The fabric looks unconventional, almost like a jumper that's been washed to death with heavy balling, but that extra depth and gaps between the fibres should do a great job of holding heat when needed and, at the same time, still breathe well.

The gilet itself feels like a lightweight shell style instead of a sleeveless winter top and weighs only 115 grams (in XL). It packs away neatly into its bag, which is sewn into the inside. The outer shell is Nylon ripstop fabric with a DWR coating, which keeps out all but the worst of the wind and brushes off a shower well, further enhancing its year-round usage.

Styling-wise, it's very understated in black. It has minimal branding, a reflective tab on the rear, an elasticated waist, and a two-way YKK zip, making temperature regulation on long climbs easier. There aren't any pockets, which I assume is down to the lightweight nature of the fabric; extra reinforcement and pockets would inhibit your ability to pack it down easily, too and add weight. The lack of pockets in the past would have been an issue for me, but as I always seem to be wearing cargo bibs or shorts these days, so it hasn't been a problem.

Ciovita describes it as a classic fit, a bit looser than an aero top, which worked well for my less-than-race-like figure. The extra room also made layering up underneath much more manageable, further enhancing its usability. I went for a size XL, which worked well for me at 83kg / 183lbs (ish) and 175cm / 5'8" tall. It fitted closely but not restrictively tight over summer jerseys and winter thermal tops, which was perfect for me, as I find more aero race cuts too tight and uncomfortable on long rides.

The ride

The more I use this product, the more I like it. It's such a versatile bit of kit that always seems just right. I first used it in late summer, when its packability and excellent breathability made it a great choice for combining with a jersey and arm warmers for evening rides with changeable temperatures. It somehow manages to be neither too hot nor too cold, to the point that you forget you're wearing it most of the time.

But it was on a multi-day bikepacking ride across Ireland where I really grew to love it. On a particularly wet, windy and wild section through Connemara, I experienced every season in a matter of hours. I combined the gilet with a long-sleeved jersey, and would generally expect to be wet and cold for the rest of the day once the heavens opened, yet it kept the worst of the rain off, dried quickly and kept me warm enough to be comfortable until the end of my ride. I've not been as impressed with an item of clothing since my first race wearing a Castelli Gabba, such was the performance of this otherwise unassuming item.

I've also continued wearing it through the winter months, with its thermal properties and windshielding working wonders at keeping my core warm. When paired with a thermal top, it's good for temps down to around 4-5 °C / 39-41°F on road or gravel on the Peak District roads and trails, where chilly descents follow long climbs, and the extra breathability and adjustability are a definite bonus. On a few very cold rides, I also wore it under a classic windproof winter jacket, with the Alpha material providing plenty of extra warmth without being too sweaty when combined with a good Merino base layer.

Value & conclusion

Although it's not cheap, at £113/ $139, it's far from the most expensive option, and considering its versatility, I'd consider it excellent value. For example, it's cheaper than the Santini Alpha Pack vest, which uses the same Polartec material, at £160 / $204, and slightly more affordable than the Castelli Espresso vest, which has a racier aero look compared to the Ciovita option.

It's rare to find such a versatile product that works well over such a broad temperature and weather range, and the fact that I rarely, if ever, head out for a ride without it, whether on or off-road, speaks volumes.

I'd like to see more reflective details and a wider colour range, but these are minor issues with a product I loved testing, used heavily, and would happily recommend to anyone.

As I write this, the Tour de France is in full swing, with Santini branding prominent on the leader’s jerseys and roadside adverts, so it is very timely that I have been riding in one of their new outer layers for the last few months.

After padded shorts and a 3-pocket jersey, a cycling gilet is probably the third most useful item of clothing for riding a bike, but is a waterproof one really necessary or useful?

While at first it might not appear to be a great concept, having been a convert to waterproof shorts for mountain biking after initial scepticism, I was ready to try Santini’s Magic packable Waterproof Vest Unisex with an open mind.

Construction

As brands scramble to produce viable alternatives to waterproof fabrics that use harmful PFAS (polyfluorinated alkyl substances), various alternative technologies have been embraced. Santini has chosen to use Polartec’s Power Shield RPM (recycled polyester membrane) in the Magic Vest (and jacket).

This is an interesting-sounding fabric with stats that point to the priorities behind the Magic Packable Waterproof Vest with Powershield RPM offering 10,000mm of hydrostatic head and 30,000 g/m²/24hrs of moisture vapour transmission.

For those of you who don’t speak fluent geek, hydrostatic head measures the height of the water column in mm required to penetrate the fabric and moisture vapour transmission (breathability) is measured as grams of vapour that can pass through a square metre of fabric in a day.

The important thing to take away from these figures is that 10,000mm of hydrostatic head is not particularly good (although it is sufficient to call itself waterproof), but 30,000 g/m²/24hrs is excellent, especially for a membraned fabric. So clearly Santini and Polartec have concentrated on breathability rather than waterproofness, which makes perfect sense for a performance cycling piece, as generated moisture (sweat) can be much more of a problem on a bike than external rain. As if to underline this, the seams aren’t taped and the double-ended zip isn’t a waterproof one.

The DWR-coated Power Shield RPM has a nice, soft hand with a matte outer fabric that doesn’t have any of the typical ‘crisp packet’ feel to it. In fact, the material is quite stretchy and more like a woven softshell than a waterproof. The inside of the vest is smooth and shiny, as this is where the actual waterproof membrane resides, and Santini claims that, unlike most waterproof membranes, the Power Shield RPM doesn’t suffer from a drop in performance as the material wets out or gets dirty.

Elsewhere, there is a nice high collar with an elasticated top, elasticated arm holes and an elasticated hem - all very simple but neatly done. A Santini-branded loop on the collar provides a way to hang it up, and there is a small, vertical zipped pocket on the left hip that doubles as a stuff sack for the vest when not in use. The Santini Cycling branding on the back is reflective.

I weighed my size large gilet in at 111g, and it is available in four colours and eight sizes.

Santini also makes a Magic long-sleeved jacket using the same fabric and design if you like the sound of the Magic Vest but would prefer some arm protection.

The ride

After a morning of checking the weather apps, I was sure I’d spotted a two-hour window in the Mallorcan rain, so I got changed and set off with the Magic vest in my pocket just in case. After less than 500 metres, the heavens opened and I found myself in the first of three absolutely biblical downpours that the Met Office had failed to spot.

Now, I am not for a moment going to pretend that the Magic Vest kept me dry. With running water rim deep on the roads and passing cars sending heavy waves over me every few seconds, little short of a submarine would have provided sufficient protection, but I was surprisingly comfortable. So much so that, once already soaked to the skin, I extended my ride and didn’t scurry off home as fast as I could.

In part, this was because it was still 20°C / 68°F despite the rain, but also because the Magic Vest did a great job of keeping my core warm, much more so than a lighter-weight windproof garment would have done. Furthermore, in those particular circumstances, I think that the vest kept me more comfortable than a clammy full waterproof jacket would have done, too.

The soft outer fabric looked and felt great, with plenty of stretch for ease of movement, and although I think that a medium would have fitted me fine over a summer jersey, it seemed prudent to choose a size large for potential winter duties. In fact, I can see the Magic Vest being very handy for winter riding worn over something like the Castelli Espresso Air Jacket that can cope with showers, but not real rain. It is lighter and less restrictive than most long-sleeved waterproofs and more packable as well.

In terms of its unisex billing, I’d imagine that the stretch and relaxed fit would allow it to work for a wide variety of body shapes.

The Magic Vest was also pressed into service in less extreme conditions than I experienced in Mallorca, and it proved itself to be more breathable than I had imagined; less so than Castelli’s excellent Espresso Vest, but far more wind and water-resistant than that piece. It was also warmer than most gilets, not least because the Magic Vest doesn’t have any mesh panels, so it provides great protection whatever direction the wind is coming from.

Value and conclusion

The Santini Magic Packable Waterproof Vest’s biggest issue is that it is such an unusual concept. Most riders will understandably choose a long-sleeved jacket instead for waterproof duties and a lighter/cheaper gilet for wind protection.

In truth, the Magic vest doesn’t replace either of these products, but it is ideal for certain rather niche applications - warm, wet rides or as an additional barrier over a shower-resistant winter jacket. As a UK cyclist, its £120 asking price is tough. Not because it isn’t worth it; the fabric, breathability and comfort are very good, but just because the number of times it would be the perfect garment is limited. It’s a gilet that you can certainly live without, but one which you would use and come to appreciate if you make the leap of faith and add it to your cycling wardrobe.

My 4 star rating doesn’t reflect any issues with the product, merely its narrow operating window and large overlap with other garments likely to be in your possession already.

The Le Col Pro All Weather Gilet has been designed specifically for protection across a range of different weather conditions. Made primarily of Polartec® Power Shield® breathable weatherproof fabric front and rear, it’s more heavily focused on cooler conditions than a front protection gilet with a predominately mesh rear. The Polartec fabric is made up of a grid mesh internal structure designed to use air to both insulate and also allow for better breathability. It is windproof and water resistant.

In Le Col speak: “The fabric uses a new molecular diffusion technology designed to move water vapour out of the fabric while maintaining a barrier against water droplets. Free from micropores, it won’t lose breathable performance over time and can withstand stretching, washing and the brutal winter elements.”

There are additional practical features to the gilet as well. The fit is race cut, so it is designed not to flap and, like the Pro line generally, be as aerodynamic as possible. At the rear, there are three cargo pockets with an additional zip pocket for valuables. At present, only men are catered for in sizes from XS to 3XL in a single black colourway. The recommended temperature range is given as 10-18˚C.

The ride

The Le Col Pro All Weather Gilet feels like much of the rest of Le Col’s Pro line of kit with its close, race-cut fit. It manages to hug the body without excessive pull in any area, yet it is flexible enough to fit over multiple fine layers. However, there is slightly more material at the front than I like for a proper race-focussed piece of kit. This means that there is a little swathe of fabric bunching at the front when riding, but the lack of sleeves does mean that across the shoulders the fit is very streamlined.

In terms of weather protection, it’s an impressively proficient gilet. The DWR treatment works really well in showery conditions and on wet roads with road spray. With heavier rain, as with most DWR treatments, the water can start to wet out through. It also lacks internally taped seams which reduces the amount of time before water begins to penetrate.

Insulation-wise, it makes very good use of the Polartec Power Shield fabric, which uses a grid fleece internal structure to help trap air for additional warmth. Testing this gilet across 5-15˚C, it was comfortably warm enough in the single figure ranges, however it could get almost a bit too warm above that, especially given Le Col’s suggested range of 10-18˚C. I admit I tend to run very hot, but I likely wouldn’t wear this above 12˚C unless just wearing a jersey.

Another element that could have been added to aid breathability and performance in warmer conditions would have been a two-way zip. This enables a bit more heat extraction without the material flapping from opening up a top vent down. It also allows access to pockets underneath the gilet. Fortunately, the Le Col gilet does feature its own pockets. This is a surprisingly uncommon feature in gilets, and a useful one that provides a wider range of storage options.

It’s too bulky to be truly packable, but the practicality and weatherproofing do make it a very effective additional layer if you don’t require the added heat, of say, a full winter jacket over a long-sleeved jersey. I also appreciate the large reflective strip down the back and, although there are limited reflective details at the front, these are rarely missed when assuming a hunched-over race position.

Value and conclusion

The Le Col Pro All Weather Gilet is not cheap at just north of £150. This puts it in line with the likes of the Castelli Perfetto RoS 2 Vest and the MAAP Draft Team Vest. However, many cheaper options do lack the versatility of rear pockets and are not as weatherproofed. The Le Col Pro features weather-proofing both front and rear so is more effective in colder or wetter conditions. The lack of a two-way zip is a frustration, and it’s not the most packable, which means it’s a layer you have to commit to using for the entire ride.

However, for those looking for an additional layer that will keep their core warm, provide genuine insulation and protection, and allow for additional storage thanks to the multiple pockets, the Le Col Pro All Weather gilet is an excellent performer. It’s not the cheapest, but the performance in cold and milder conditions is great. A two-way zip would enhance breathability but for a protected rather than open mesh back gilet the breathability is impressive.

I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to feeling cold, so I rarely leave the house for a bike ride without an extra layer in my pocket, even when the forecast is perfect. This means that I’m constantly on the lookout for the perfect gilet or windproof jacket.

Castelli’s Espresso Vest is the latest in a long line that I’ve tried, and [spoiler alert] I’m very impressed. It sits somewhere between the heavier-duty membrane-style gilets and the superlight ‘Pertex’ type. It is still very packable and weighs 134g but fits far better than the typical lightweight vest and is much less ‘flappy’ and noisy too. Castelli rates it for use between 12°C and 20°C, but clearly, that depends on what you wear underneath it - I’d say that suggestion is about right for over a short-sleeved jersey.

It's available for men in seven colourways and sizes XS to 3XL, and for women in four colour choices and XS to XL.

Construction

As you’d expect from a cycling gilet, the front is more wind-resistant than the rear panels, but crucially it isn’t 100% windproof. Rather, it is made from very densely woven fabric, much like a very lightweight softshell material, which is soft, quiet and stretchy so it really hugs your body. The side and back are made from an even lighter and more breathable tight mesh that also has loads of stretch which Castelli calls Air_O Stretch. A nice touch is that whichever of the many available colours you choose, the front, sides and rear are all colour-matched despite the different materials, whereas many brands just use a universal black mesh. This gives the Espresso Vest a lovely cohesive look.

There are three pockets with lightly elasticated tops (but no zipped pocket as you will be wearing it over a jersey), a high collar for neck protection and a two-way zip to allow easier access to jersey pockets. The hem at the back is wide with silicone grippers and good stretch. A short placket behind the top of the zip protects the skin from the zip when fully done up and also prevents wind from coming through the zip onto the neck. The only slight misstep in my opinion is what Castelli’s website calls the ‘reflective tab on back for added visibility’. In reality, this tab is about 3mm tall and a couple of centimetres wide; best not rely solely on this for road safety!

The Ride

Put simply, I thought that the Espresso Vest was superb. I’ve generally chosen very lightweight gilets for their packability and steered clear of anything more substantial, especially if it had pockets (what’s the point, my jersey already has pockets?). However, the combination of stretch-woven fabric, thoughtful details, superb fit and low weight worked very well for me. I even understood why the pockets were there - when needed, I moved larger items like my phone and waterproof to the gilet pockets, allowing the vest to fit better without unsightly bulges.

I found myself bothering to put it on at times when I probably would have left other noisier, flappier gilets in my pocket and I even wore it for whole rides whereas previously a vest would only get deployed when absolutely necessary and taken off as soon as possible.

The less-than-100% windproofing wasn’t an issue and it actually felt warmer than many of the alternatives despite its thinness as it fitted so snugly. I wore it in temperatures down to about 6°C over a thermal long-sleeve jersey in total comfort, particularly as the excellent breathability meant much less condensation build-up on the inside when compared to thicker, membraned jackets or gilets.

I was a little concerned when I first examined the gilet that the bottom zip would ride up as it’s not an auto-lockversion, but in practice that didn’t happen at all and I used it frequently to access my jersey pockets rather than awkwardly hoicking the whole vest up at the back as I’d previously had to do. It is a little bit of a shame that it isn’t supplied with a storage pouch or stow pocket, but that is nothing a sandwich bag can’t fix.

Value and conclusion

The Espresso Vest is not cheap at £125, but it could be considered good value when its versatility is taken into account; unless I’m wearing a big winter jacket, the Espresso Vest will be going in my pocket every ride as it's perfect for three-season use. Its breathability also means that I’d happily wear it underneath a waterproof for a little extra insulation as the woven fabric won’t cause moisture to build up inside.

There are certainly much cheaper gilets available, and there are more expensive ones too, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of one I’d prefer to the Espresso. It was a pleasure to wear.

Designed as an addition to Santini's gravel wardrobe collection, the Alpha Pack vest is, according to the brand, one of the best cycling vests out there, as it's versatile enough for wearing both on and off the bike. It's an area I pondered about earlier this year when I asked if multisport athletes get away with owning just one jacket for all outdoor adventures.

The vest appears to be the brand's affirmative response to that very question, creating a piece of kit that aims to keep you warm whatever your outdoor activity.

But can a garment designed for keeping your torso warm really become an essential piece of kit?

Construction

Santini has embraced a looser fit in the construction of the Alpha Vest when compared to more traditional cycling vests. Its relaxed design nods to the off-bike use, although don't expect an aero advantage here.

Having worked in partnership since 2017, it's not surprising to see Santini choosing Polartec fabrics for this latest garment.

The outer layer is a lightweight, windproof woven shell, which should keep out cold winds. This is teamed with a wide-zipped front pocket, which also doubles as the vest's storage pouch, three large rear mesh pockets, reflective detailing, and an off-centre full-length zip.

On the inside, merino wool-based Polartec Alpha fabric adds warmth without increasing weight, and assists in breathability, aiding the swift transfer of moisture away from your body.

The ride

It was with some apprehension that I pulled on the Santini Alpha Pack Vest for the first time. I didn't get the large front pocket, and couldn't work out what weather window I would need something so warm looking that didn't have arms.

One ride in and I was hooked on the garment I never knew I needed.

So much so, that I now rarely leave home on the bike without it. I find the Alpha Pack Vest a perfect mix of practical features and warmth.

I've found the Alpha Pack Vest ideal for wearing when riding with my 10-year-old, with the pace a little slower than I would perhaps ordinarily ride, keeping my core warm for the duration.

On the flip side, on a rapid e-bike ride, when the pace was much faster, but again without huge exertion, it did a great job of blocking the wind.

When I have worn it for faster-paced rides, I haven't felt overheated. However, if you do run hot on rides, it would probably be best reserved for the coldest months.

The front pocket is perfect for easy access to my phone for capturing riding moments on camera, yet I question its location. If I were riding a bike without guards it would be directly in the firing line for front wheel-spray, and zip-jamming mud splatters.

The rear pockets, however, are super practical. They're so roomy that I've stowed everything from water bottles to ride snacks and spares. The vest is so well structured that I forgot the bottles were there until I sat down at a mid-ride cafe stop and felt them protruding into my back for the first time.

With the temperatures in the north of the UK still lurking between 8dec C/ 46F and 15degC/59F, I've found teaming the Alpha Pack Vest with the Santini Guard Neos jacket perfect, with just an adjustment of base layer to get my riding temperature spot on. I've really appreciated the off-centre zip for such layering, reducing neck congestion that multiple layers can create.

Yet, even with all this riding positivity, I'm not convinced I'll use such a cycling-focused item for a hike in the hills. The front pocket would come into its own, but without side pockets, and just rear ones, there's no getting away from its cycling origin.

Value and conclusion

When it comes to cycling kit staples, a vest/gilet is generally considered 'nice to have' so it's amazing how quickly I've adjusted to having the Santini Alpha Pack Vest as part of my cycling wardrobe.

So far it's barely been off my back for riding, making the whole 'what to wear' conundrum that often arises in the in-between seasons easy to overcome. Would I wear it off the bike? I highly doubt it, even the suggestion feels like a marketing ploy that doesn't add value to a great piece of cycling apparel.

In terms of price tag, while £160/ $204 isn't cheap, it sits well against its thermal vest peers, such as the Rapha Brevet Gilet.

It may not be essential to my core cycling wardrobe, yet it's now a dependable layer that I've come to rely on, not only in terms of warmth but also voluminous pocket space. I can't see how I've been managing without one.

Specifications

• Vest outer: Lightweight windproof woven shell fabric
• Vest inner: Merino Wool based Polartec Alpha
• Pockets: Heat taped zipped chest pocket, Triple back mesh pockets
• Temperature range:  +5°C to +15°C/41 to 59 °F (suggested)
• Made in Italy
• Sizes: S - 3XL
• Colours: Four
• Weight: 206g/ 7.2oz (size small)

Gilets (or vests) are probably the third most important item in a cyclist’s wardrobe after shorts and a jersey. They are supremely versatile and offer the best bang for buck in terms of warmth and value. On a ride, the weather can change quickly and even on a warm day you can easily get chilled on a long descent after a sweaty climb, so this is where a lightweight gilet is worth its scant weight in gold. They are easy to pack into a jersey pocket and pair well with arm warmers to add a significant amount of weather protection without taking up much room.

As well as lightweight, packable gilets, there are also heavier-duty vests that add even more insulation. These tend not to be made for packing down and carrying, but instead, they are designed to provide extra warmth in conjunction with a winter jacket or waterproof without adding restrictive bulk around the shoulders and arms.

Whichever you choose, you should ensure that the gilet is a good, close fit without being restrictive when in the riding position so that it doesn’t cause unnecessary drag or flap noisily at speed. The chest that needs the most protection against the wind, so often a gilet will have a totally windproof front paired with a more breathable mesh back panel to help with moisture management and temperature regulation.

The quick list

Our pick of the best cycling vests

Best overall

Castelli's Espresso Vest uses a very stretchy, tightly woven fabric to provide its wind resistance and superb fit. Coupled with a mesh rear, it also means that it is very breathable yet adds more insulation than a simple Pertex-style Gilet.

On test, we loved the fantastic, close-to-the-body fit that didn't flap at all yet was entirely unrestrictive on the bike. It still packs down small and weighs very little so that it fits easily into a jersey pocket when not needed.

There are three rear pockets included but no storage bag or pouch, and we would have preferred some larger reflective details, but otherwise it performed superbly.

It is available in a plethora of colours for men and women

Have a look at the full review of the Castelli Espresso Vest.

Best for wind protection

The excellent-quality Windchill II features three deep, open pockets and a fourth smaller zipped pocket on the rear making it the perfect cycling gilet for an extra layer for colder days on the bike. A fifth zipped pocket on the front has a headphone port and a little cloth for wiping sunglasses sewn into it — all nice touches for a reasonable price.

We found it hard to fit in a pocket though, and all those features add more weight than might be ideal in a gilet.

Best for reflectivity

This Endura gilet is super lightweight and breathable. We were really impressed with its ability to keep spray at bay and minimise wind penetration while remaining breathable. We found the neckline a little tight though so make sure it fits you with your cycling jersey on.

Reflective details are also included in the rear central Endura logo and the full length of the zip, as a nod to visibility while out on the road.

Best for versatility

We are big fans of the Castelli Perfetto Vest, giving it a 9/10 on test and a Cycling Weekly Editor's Choice Award.

With the RoS bit standing for Rain or Shine, the Castelli Perfetto vest is the perfect cycling vest for those changeable conditions that we are met with so often on a bike. It fits well, has some pockets and is rain and wind-resistant too, whilst the high neck provides good protection against the elements.

It'll be a great addition to anyone's riding wardrobe, adding versatility to your outfit without much bulk or being a nuisance when the temperature rises or it starts to rain.

Made from Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper fabric, it is a little bulkier than some vests, so worth remembering to save pocket space if leaving home with it on hoping to strip off when the ride warms up later in the day.

Best for warmth

Santini's Alpha Pack Vest offers something a little different to the gilet norm. Aimed slightly more at gravel and casual riders rather than racers, it pairs a woven wind-resistant shell with a warm Polartec Alpha lining, both of which work together to move any moisture away from the body for greater comfort.

Our tester loved its comfort and versatility, with warmth when required and great breathability. We would suggest that it might be a bit warm for fast-paced rides except in the very coldest months, at which point it will add plenty of extra insulation to your outfit.

There are three large rear mesh pockets and a wide front pouch to store plenty of snacks, tools or extra layers in and the off-centre front zip avoids any possibility of the zip rubbing against your chin.

See what else we thought about the Santini Alpha Pack Vest.

Best cycling vest for a looser fit

Here’s a gilet you won’t see wrapped around riders in the WorldTour anytime soon. As its name suggests, the Gorewear Windstopper Everyday Vest has been developed for rides of a more casual nature, as well as off-bike adventures.

I've enjoyed wearing it on days when I don't have the call for the wind-cheating, aero benefits of Lycra. Whether it’s a ride to my local shops or a carefree cycle with my family, being able to hop on my bike wearing everyday clothes feels both convenient and liberating.

The fit is far from, well, fitted, and the length, both front and back, is long. There are two easily accessible, zipped front pockets deep enough to swallow more than anyone should ever have to carry on a bike ride.

The front face and shoulders are constructed from Gore-Tex Windstopper to take the edge off, while the back, which has some stretch to it, is plain polyester for maximum breathability.

The looser fit and style won't suit all riders or rides, but this is a versatile comfy garment that can comfortably handle any mid-season endeavours that aren’t against the clock.

Best for spring

The Le Col Sport Gilet is a great, well fitted lightweight layer that on test offered a great balance of breathability and protection.

It is a little pricey and ideally there would be an alternative colourway, but it's great to see male and female specific options on offer.

Easily stowed into a rear pocket, it quickly became a great go-to cycling vest even for warmer rides when there was a long descent midway to wrap up for, meaning if you do invest, you get a lot of use from it and won't be disappointed.

Windproof and water resistant thanks to a DWR coating, it's a great performance-focused vest, and conveniently packs down well too if you want to stow it away.

Your full guide to dressing for spring rides

Advice

Cycling vests and gilets: what to look for

Wind Protection

When buying any gilet, protection against the wind should be top of your agenda. The insulation should take care of this on thermal gilets, but for lighter weight offerings, things are not always so simple, with only a thin layer of material, most commonly some form of nylon or polyester, to keep the chill off your chest.

However it’s not just the material that’s important, it’s what you do with it. A high neck with a close fit will prevent cold air from rushing down your front, while it’s also key that the holes for your arms are not overly generous to prevent air from getting in at the sides. This will also avoid windflap.

Good quality gilets might also offer some sort of design feature to prevent cold air from getting through the zip. This usually comes in the form of either a taped zip or a storm flap, essentially a strip of material which covers the back of the zip.

Rain Protection

While the best waterproof cycling jackets will protect you from wet weather, it's handy to have a bit of extra protection in a vest. As pieces of clothing designed to be worn in spring and fall, plenty of the best cycling vests will also give you some sort of protection against the unexpected April shower.

While some vests are completely waterproof, this is obviously of limited use seeing as even if your torso is dry, your arms are still going to get soaked. Instead you’re more likely to find water-resistant gilets, designed to protect you from light showers and road spray, without sacrificing breathability.

Breathability

Although not as much of a problem as with some waterproof jackets, the boil-in-the-bag effect is not something we want to see from a vest at any price-point. This can be a particular issue with vests which attempt to offer higher levels of protection, with windproof and waterproof fabrics doing a good job of keeping the elements out, but also, unfortunately, keeping body moisture in.

To this end, many manufacturers include mesh panels in their vests, occasionally constructing the entire rear panel from a more breathable material in order to let hot air escape without compromising windproofing.

Packability

Obviously, this doesn’t apply to thermal vests, but seeing as you’re hopefully only going to be wearing your lightweight vest for the first hour of a ride, while the temperature starts to rise, or for the duration of an Alpine descent, it’s important that you choose one that can be easily stowed away for the rest of your ride.

It’s really a case of the smaller the better when it comes to packability, and ideally, you should be looking for a vest that packs down small enough not to take up an entire jersey pocket. Unfortunately, choosing a more feature-packed vest offering things like pockets and water resistance often comes at the cost of packability.

If you do find that you want to stow away a larger vest, then it's worth also investing in one of the best bike saddlebags for packing the essentials and freeing up some pocket space from tools or spares.

Finally, some vests come with their own stuff sack, which although useful when packing your gilet in luggage, often doesn’t keep it as small as if you really stuffed it down into the bottom of a jersey pocket.

Pockets/Access

Of course, you can just flip up the rear of your vest to access what’s in your jersey pockets, but this risks knocking items out of your pockets in the process. To mitigate against this, some vests offer a hole or two in the rear so you can get at your energy bars and gels.

Alternatively, a double-ended front zip that can be undone from the bottom also allows easy access to your pockets on the go without having to unzip completely.

Many vests also offer pockets for a little extra storage, although these are less useful on lightweight gilets as you don’t want to be emptying out your pockets at the side of the road when it’s time to shed the outer layer.

Bonus features

As with any piece of cycling kit, it’s possible to add countless extra features to the humble gilet. Plenty of brands offer either high-viz gilets or gilets with reflective elements for added safety after dark.

If you’re after a little extra protection, some gilets also offer a bum flap to keep your backside warm and dry, while others come with a drawstring or elasticated hem to stop cold air from entering from below.

If you are specifically thinking about road riding safety features, it's worth reading our page that reassures you that it is safe to cycle on roads but here’s how you can be safer.

How we test

As well as our general testing guidelines, we assessed the gilets for a few important characteristics that make them more effective and useful.

A good, close fit without being restrictive helps keep any cold breeze out and stops the gilet from flapping annoyingly at speed. The fabric should be highly wind-resistant and very breathable as well as usually having a DWR treatment to ward off light rain or spray. As a garment that will hopefully spend a lot of time in your pocket (except the insulated gilets), packability was also high on the list of important attributes.

Thus all the gilets were worn and carried for many miles on the road and worn in the rather variable British weather in order to give our ratings.

Giro’s Chrono Expert Wind Vest is a lightweight shell, designed to take the edge off colder weather, but also to be easily packable should the conditions take a turn for the warmer.

Pairing just as well with a breathable fleecy long sleeve jersey as a lightweight summer short sleeve, the range of application extends right from the very start of Spring all the way up to the end of the autumn, making this a highly versatile garment.

Although the Californian company is perhaps best known for its helmets, it also has an extensive range in shoes, shorts, jerseys and other cycling apparel.

The Construction: Giro Chrono Expert Wind Vest

Two disctinct fabrics are employed in the Giro Chrono Expert Wind Vest. Perforated for breathability, the back panel has a 100% polyester construction. Whereas the main body is 100% Nylon, featuring a 2-way stretch which makes this gilet significantly more form fitting than many other shells—although it still isn’t quite a ‘second-skin’ type fit.

Happily, the Nylon fabric is also approved by Bluesign—an independent verifier of responsible and sustainable manufacturing.

The elasticated hems help to keep the fit snug, minimising the potential for any draughts to shoot through the gilet, cooling you down and making it act as a parachute.

With a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, the Chrono Expert Wind Vest will provide some protection if caught out in a shower. But as a gilet, wet weather protection isn’t main objective of this garment. For those rides which you know are going to be soggy, a dedicated winter jacket or hardshell rain cape would be the better option.

For sunnier weather, it’s good to know that this gilet has a UPF 50+ rating of the main fabric. This fabric mostly covers the front of the gilet, which isn’t the area where you tend to need so much sun protection. Although that said, it does extend to the tops of the shoulders and so would provide some valuable protection there.

Unfortunately, no UPF rating is given for the rear panel, which is really the most important area when it comes to sun protection for cyclists. As the material here is heavily perforated, I’d imagine that not much protection is afforded.

However, with the wind blocking properties of this gilet, you’d likely overheat if you tried to use it solely as a sun block. A UPF rated jersey would be a better choice for sun protection in hot weather, keeping the Chrono Expert Wind Vest for the applications to which it is best suited, i.e. blocking the wind.

The ride

I found the fit to be pretty spot on, there was no irritating flapping even out on breezier days. At the same time, it didn’t feel at all restrictive, which is an impressive balancing act to pull off with this kind of shell—even one that has 2-way stretch.

The balance between breathability and isolation from the wind was equally good. I didn’t feel clammy at all, even when putting in harder efforts. Paring the Chrono Expert Wind Vest with a long-sleeved fleecy jersey made an excellent combination for those chillier days. Taking the bite out of the wind for the first part of the ride, while being quick and easy to take off once it had warmed up a little bit.

As the pack size is so small, it isn’t an imposition to bring the gilet along on any ride as a just-in-case layer, popping this on immediately once stopped is great for trapping in some of that warmth when fixing a puncture, for example.

There is an integrated stuff sack pocket, which is excellent for keeping it neatly tucked away. I didn’t use this so much on rides, tending to just stuff it in my jersey pocket. But when organising my kit the day before a big ride, or even just within my chest of draws, it makes everything significantly neater.

But this stuff-sack can’t be used to store anything in when out on a ride, and there are no additional pockets anywhere on the Chrono Expert Wind Vest. This isn’t an issue in itself, but as there isn’t any easy way of getting to your jersey pockets—be it by an access flap at the back or a second zip so the gilet can be undone from the bottom at the front—it’s very difficult to quickly reach your essentials.

The other issue I had was that the zipper is on the opposite side to all of the other jackets and jerseys I’ve used. This made it a lot more difficult to pull on the gilet when riding and relying on muscle memory. I never got quite used to it while I had it on test, but I suppose if you are using it day-in and day-out as your only gilet, you probably will become accustomed.

Value

In terms of value, the Giro Chrono Expert Wind Vest sits comfortably in the middle of the range. There are cheaper options, such as the Alé Nucleo gilet which comes in at £50 and is similarly lightweight and windproof—although it doesn’t currently come with a women’s specific option.

At the other end, there is the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet which will set you back £85. We found that the significant amount of stretch from the mesh rear panel provided such a comfortable fit, it was easy to forget it was even being worn.

The dhb Aeron Polartec Alpha Gilet was selected for an Editor's Choice award in 2020. This year's list contains 78 items which scored a 9 or 10/10 with our tech team - this gear is the best of the best, and has received the Cycling Weekly stamp of approval. 

The biggest issue the Aeron Polartec Alpha Gilet from dhb presented me with was what to wear underneath it, though fitting its title into a sentence of reasonable length was a close second.

Used to pairing a gilet with a relatively bulky jersey to provide enough insulation, I was forced to dive into my collection for a lighter 'shoulder season' layers to cater for the additional warmth on offer here.

Dhb makes this item in a women's and men's versions; I put the female specific option to the test, but they share fabrics so all applies across the genders aside from comments on fit and colour.

>>> Best cycling gilets

In its winter weather ready gilet, dhb has partnered with Polartec to provide the most up to date version of its Alpha Direct fabric. The high loft material looks a bit like the coat of a sheep that's recently been to the barbers: fluffy and none too resilient. However since I've never seen a shivering sheep it seemed like a good bet.

The focus of the material is to provide warmth without bulk and without reducing breathability. On the outside, is a windproof layer with a DWR water repellent treatment, plus mesh stretch panels under the arms to help create a good fit and moderate heat build up.

I've ridden in thermal gilets before which have played havoc with my temperature regulation, the extra layer resulting in sweaty skin, a damp jersey and very uncomfortable cafe stops. This wasn't the case with dhb's version - the excellent insulation and breathability blend meant I stayed warm and dry throughout tough interval sessions and when ambling on more relaxed rides.

Arriving back after a tempo kind of ride which started in the afternoon and ended in the dark, I noted that whilst I'd been comfortable all ride, on stopping I honestly felt like I was wearing a small radiator - a welcome sensation in the January chill.

Despite the delicate aesthetic of the fluffy internal material, the gilet came out the washing machine looking just as it did on the inbound journey, and it dried in no time at all, too.

The construction weighs in at 138g in a size 10, which is lightweight for the level of warmth on offer. However, dhb does advertise this as a pocketable garment, and personally I'd find the gilet too large in surface area to comfortably pop into a jersey compartment.

A big plus for the dhb Aeron Alpha gilet is the use of a bright pink panel on the rear. The men's version comes in all black, or with a green panel. Whilst the pink hue might not be everyone's favourite, and a more all-round agreeable yellow or silver might be a nice option to provide choice, I really value bright colours in winter over many of the all-black options which arrive at the Cycling Weekly office.

There's three rear pockets which are a similar size to standard jersey pockets, and the bonus zipper pocket is a major coup that is rarely available in a gilet. An elasticated waist keeps it all in place.

The fit falls into dhb's "performance" category, I'd typically go for a UK size 8/10, and the 10 fitted with plenty of space for thick winter jackets underneath; if you're planning on wearing the gilet in autumn and spring it may be worth opting for a smaller size than you might expect.

At £100, the price is a little bit of a shock compared to dhb's standard offerings. However, the Aeron kit has proven its performance and still represents value against the top end brand it's aiming to compete with.

If you had every one of your stowable gilet wish list items ticked, the end result would pretty much be the Endura FS260 Pro Adrealine Race Gilet II, which is why its made the Editors Choice 2019 list.

Endura has been going strength to strength with its race wear apparel over the past few years, and the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II looks to be no exception.

Construction

The design of the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II ensures a race number is still visible when it's on. As such the ExoShell20ST™ fabric that the gilet is made from was specifically selected for its translucent properties.

Endura says that by virtue the fabric also comes with a wider, incredibly useful skillset that includes high waterproofing and breathability, and the higher denier mesh also makes the gilet super lightweight, at an incredible 68g (size XS). To put that in perspective it's exactly the same weight as an SIS isotonic energy gel, and less than a third of the weight of the Proviz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet.

>>> Six best cycling gilets for autumn and winter 2018/ 2019

This lightweight torso fabric on the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II is edged on the arms and hem at the back with 2cm wide elastic, which has a bonded reflective strip running through it. The rear hem also comes with a strip of tacky silicone on the inside to help prevent movement and rising.

Reflective details are also included in the rear central Endura logo and the full length of the zip.

Other gilet details include a soft-backed high collar and internally taped seams.

It's also worth noting here that there is both a male and female fit option, with the women's coming in black or cerise colour choices and the men's black or white.

The Ride

In my privileged role of testing cycling equipment over nearly 10 years, I've got rather accustomed to knowing if something is a hit or miss within the first 30 seconds of so of fondling it. There are the odd exceptions to this, the Specialized Diverge for example.

In terms of the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II I almost knew as soon as I'd got my first arm in, and it immediately got me thinking what other gilet I was now going to have to eject from my box of go-to-work wear.

To start with there's the fit. It's not ridiculously tight, but just the right level of snug when you have full pockets. The front could do with a slight reshape: there was a bit of excess fabric when in the bike riding position, and the neck of the XS is a tad snug, especially if you have another high-collar jersey underneath.

It's super easy to get on, off and stowed away on the fly, packing down so small that it will happily fit in even the most overfull rear pockets, although if you're a slightly neater rider than me you might want to take advantage of the mini-stuff bag that the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II comes with.

It's so light and small that it makes it so easy just to take everywhere with you. Its been out on dry and wet rides and, accepting the fact that it is a gilet with only torso coverage available, it's impressed with its ability to keep spray at bay and minimise wind penetration while remaining breathable.

It's so good at the above that I even questioned if I was trying as hard as previous rides on the same route, or perhaps it wasn't as windy, until I reached the top of Bowstones climb in the Peak District with a close to maximum heart rate (and in warmer weather than previous rides) and I was yet again buffeted in to a large ditch at the side, although thankfully this time I was more prepared than the time I was wearing the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest and managed to stay rubber side up.

Having not worn the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II in a race I can't truly say that it was super easy to read a number through it, but just being able to see all the detail of my jersey underneath means I expect there would be no issue reading anything you pinned on your back.

Value

At a penny under £65, the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II sits perfectly priced among its peers, if anything is about a fiver cheaper than most, which makes it a cracking purchase.

The Castelli Perfetto vest is ‘perfect’ for those changeable conditions that we are met with so often in the UK. It fits well, has pockets and is rain and wind resistant and thus meets all requirements to get into our Editor’s Choice.

This smart-looking Castelli Perfetto Vest fits well into the slick, quality range we’ve come to expect from Castelli.

Ideal for spring, early summer and autumn days it's intended to be worn over a jersey when the temperature doesn’t necessitate a full winter top. It’s water resistant enough to splash through puddles while sitting in the spray of your ride buddy's wheel – or as Castelli puts, it's “foul weather race equipment”.

>>> Buy now from Wiggle from £70

It combines multiple materials, a thicker layer around the neck, Gore Windstopper X-Lite Plus on the chest and shoulders to, well, stop the wind, and Castelli’s own Nano Flex Lite material on the back to allow excess body heat and sweat to wick out pretty easily too.

The Castelli Perfetto Vest has the added benefit of allowing pumps, food, tubes or whatever else is in your jersey back pockets to stretch through without getting caught or causing the vest to sit awkwardly, and not get pressed into your back.

>>> Six of the best gilets

Thankfully, and a very big plus point of the Castelli Perfetto Vest, is it has two handy rear pockets that'll easily swallow items that you'll quickly need while out riding. It means there's no need to unzip or roll up the gilet to access food, spares or valuables – great news especially if it is cold and damp outside.

The fit is more generous than some may be used to from the Italian brand, which gives ample room to fit a couple of layers underneath. Despite its substantial material the Castelli Perfetto Vest has minimal billow in the wind, but it will still scrunch up fine in your back pocket should the temperature pick up mid-ride.

One minus point on the Castelli Perfetto Vest is that the rear tail tends to ride up and expose a little bit of the jersey on a few riders I've seen wear it. I didn't notice it while riding myself but it doesn't look great when riding with it like that. Otherwise a near 'Perfetto' gilet.

The holy grail when it comes to anything windstopping is Gore-Tex, so when the Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest landed on my desk with the large Gore-Tex tag swinging from it, I was very pleased.

>Buy now: Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest from Wiggle for £100

>Buy now: Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest from Wiggle for $140

To be specific it's actually made from Gore-Tex Infinium, a fabric that leans over towards comfort and performance rather than flat out waterproofness. It will resist light rain, but using a material focused versatility ensures that while remaining wind proof, the Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest is also lightweight, and breathable.

When on, the Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest fits perfectly. The lightweight stretchy back fabric does a good job of assisting a race cut fit to the gilet, and even with its long back, that nicely covers all rear pockets, even when fully ladened, gaining access to them on the move isn't an issue. There is also a set of three rear pockets in the gilet itself, but it's always worth remembering that these are alternative pockets, not additional, as if you are looking to stow it away and have both sets of pockets brimmed, you'll be out of space.

And talking of stowing away and pocket space, the gilet does scrunch down in to a reasonably small package, but will require a full empty pocket to pack in to, worth bearing in mind before heading out with it on.

The tailored high neck lined collar was complimented the windproofing qualities of the fabric as it prevented cold wind blowing down my neck, even when on the drops and descending.  The other notable was how little fabric flap there was, with the Gore-Tex Infinium that the Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest is made out of demonstrating perfectly its softer, more supple and flexible properties over standard Gore-Tex Windstopper fabric.

In terms of actually doing it's windstopping job, the Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest performs spot on. Ridden on a muggy, mizzly day, with lots of road spray, but no mudguards, it also did really well at bounding off water droplets too, making it perfect to team with a short sleeve jersey and water repellant arm warmers.

The breathability of the Sportful Bodyfit Pro W Vest was also noticeable, so for most rides i've not felt the need to remove it mid ride, overriding the pocket space conundrum. It certainly would be too warm and bulky to use/ carry on a summers ride, when you're wanting an emergency additional layer, but through the cooler spring and autumn months, or even winter racing when you're running pretty hot, it would be a great piece of apparel to own.

Life, as they say, is like a British summer, you just never know what you're gonna get. Which is why everyone needs to err on the side of caution kit wise.

Buy now: Ale Nucleo gilet from wiggle for £50 

>>> 10 best cycling glasses 2019: a buyers guide

Up until now, I've probably been reaching for my go-to mid-season gilets, with the likes of the Sportful Cometa wind vest, or Endura FS260-Pro Adrenalin Race Gilet II hitting the spot. But although the weather has been mixed, it's generally warmer, with only the requirement of a lightweight number now required, and it would seem that the Alé Nucleo gilet could fit the bill perfectly.

Construction

The Alé Nucleo gilet is fundamentally made from 100 per cent polyamide. The Italian-made fabric has a barely-there feel, not that dissimilar to a parachute silk. At the back is a highly vented stretchy mesh panel, which as well as giving the gilet breathability, along with elasticated shoulder cuffs and waist band also assists with the overall body contouring fit.

As with all Italian-made Alé kit, the Alé Nucleo gilet is superbly put together. Although the concept of a minimal windproof gilet is a simple one, the execution of the construction is key and weighing in at just 60g for a size small, reflective and high-viz elements makes this stand out from the crowd before it's even been worn.

However, there is a downside. It's currently only available in a unisex fit. To be fair, gilets are probably one of the few items of apparel that you can get away with in terms of being non-gender specific, but this does limit riders in terms of sizing, with the small coming up closer to a women's medium but with narrow hips.

The ride

Fit options aside, the Alé Nucleo gilet is as impressive on as it is off.

To start with, you would actually be forgiven for forgetting you've even got it with you. The whole thing scrunches down in to the size of an energy bar. Even with small pockets, I was easily able to carry phone, tools, pump, two spare tubes, ride snacks and find room for the Alé Nucleo gilet.

When wearing, you'd also be forgiven for forgetting you've even got Alé Nucleo gilet on. It's only the fact that the size isn't optimal for me as a small women that the slight bit of windflap reminded that I was wearing the gilet at all – it's just so lightweight and incredibly soft to the touch. Alé does hope to have a women's-specific fit in the Nucleo, so it's a case of crossing fingers and watching this space in order to get an A1 fit.

OK, so it's only 8g lighter than the abovementioned Endura gilet, but it feels so much lighter (and softer) when on.

What does give the game away that you do in fact have the Ale Nucleo gilet on is that it does a very good job keeping the wind out. It's not 100 per cent, but pretty darn close.

Gaining access to rear jersey pockets on the fly wasn't inhibited either, thanks to a unexpected benefit of that super breathable, and super stretchy mesh back.

At the other end, the high-necked, double-layered collar is also a great addition to the design – it creates a really snug feeling just where you need it, as well as preventing any windy gaps down the back of the neck thanks to its tapered height.

It's ideal for the sort of undulating rides and changeable temperatures (like a long descent, an early start or late finish), when you need a bit of extra torso protection.

Value

Comparing the Alé Nucleo gilet against more or less like for like gilets and it's impressive to see that at £50, it's at least around £15 cheaper than anything else on the market, making it great value for money.

The special edition gilet is available to buy now, so get it while it's hot as it won't hang around for long.

Le Col has been steadily growing over the course of around eight years now, and in that time both its ranges and popularity have increased. Much of the collection is available in mens and women's fits, with the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet one such example of a crossover piece. It's worth noting here that I was testing the women's version.

>>> Six best cycling gilets for autumn and winter 2018/2019: a buyers guide. 

Construction

Made in its own factory in Treviso Italy, which founder and ex-professional rider Yanto Barker brought in 2014, this 100 per cent polyester gilet has been designed to be both wind and shower proof.

>>> Buy now from Le Col for £80

Constructed using Itttai fabric, the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet boasts air permeable qualities as well as quick drying capabilities and durability.

At the back, a mesh panel has been inserted with the primary aim of maintaining breathability when pressing on even in windy or showery conditions. However, this has also enabled the gilet's weight to be kept to a minimal, 82g for a size XS, putting it more or less line with the 94g Liv Race Day Wind Vest, or the 68g Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II, as well as, giving it a low pack down size, allowing it be easily stowed away in a rear jersey pocket.

With significant stretch, this rear mesh panel also facilitates the gilet's fit, keeping the rest of the fabric taut and fitting the body snugly.

Elsewhere a super-soft fleece high collar prevents any skin irritation, while a silicone-backed hem has been included to keep the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet securely in place.

Finally, two reflective strips have also been included at the rear for improved visibility when out on the road at night.

The ride

Pulling the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet on for the first time the fit is slightly larger than some of the Le Col clothing, which can be very true to it's size categorisation.

The women's extra small fitted easily over a lighter weight long sleeve jersey and, thanks to the stretchy panel at the rear, reaching round full jersey pockets wasn't a problem.

Once on, it was initially hard to remember I was wearing the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet, it's so light weight with a great fit round the arms, neck and shoulders that I just didn't register I was wearing an additional layer.

The collar is one of the softest on the market, but although the zip housing is a nice touch in terms of keeping possible skin irritations to a minimum, it did get caught in the zip. It's not as much of an issue as the storm flap on the Liv Race Day Women's Gilet, but still needed both hands/ hand and a pair of teeth to untangle from each other.

In terms of wind and shower proofing, the gilet does a great job at offering protection. Seams or logos aren't taped, but there didn't appear to be any noticeable extra draught or wet patches from those areas.

On a ride which included the infamous Box Hill, and corresponding descent down the super-steep Pebble Hill Road, I was pretty impressed with the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet's ability to be both breathable enough to prevent me overcooking on the climb, yet still provide enough protection at the 40mph descent in temperatures around the 10°C mark. In fact it was so good at providing protection to the torso that I was left wishing for an entire jacket constructed in the same way.

My only real gripe is that the only colour option for the women's version is white. It's great in terms of road visibility, but here in the UK the same roads also deliver a permanent black crud coating as soon as it's wet. So unless you have a full set of guards on and don't ride behind anyone (unless they also have a full set and mudguard extensions) the gilet will probably be peppered with an irremovable black grime as soon as any amount of precipitation occurs. Unfortunately this fact actually made me consciously ride differently, avoiding puddles, or soft tapping through them, which is hardly ideal when out with a group of riders, and even if you're alone, the time delays in trying to carry out damage limitation do your Strava timings no favour whatsoever!

Value

At £80, the Le Col Sport Soft Shell Gilet prices itself at the higher end of the market. It is a well fitting piece of kit that does a great job at wind and water resistance, especially for the weight, but for that kind of money it just doesn't stand out from the rest, more competitively priced gilets on offer, such as the aforementioned, and impressive Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II for £14 less at £65.99.

When it comes to gilets, there's three things that, in my opinion, they must do: be windproof; be packable and fit as well as your jersey underneath. So when the Liv Race Day Wind Vest landed promising all three and more, I was keen to take it for a ride or two.

Buy now: Liv Race Day Wind Vest from Tredz Bikes for £49.00

Construction

The majority of the Liv Race Day Wind Vest is made from a 100 per cent polyester fabric called Protextura. It's a proprietary fabric of sibling brand Giant and as well as offering wind protection, boasts water resistant properties thanks to its DWR (durable water repellant) coating and laminations. This will mean that you'll need to reapply the DWR coating at some stage, but that's standard for all treated fabrics.

>>> Six best cycling gilets for autumn and winter 2018/2019: a buyers guide

At the rear of the Liv Race Day Wind Vest a large mesh panel stretches across the majority of the back, which Liv have designed in to help provide maximum breathability.

This mesh panel also helps keep the overall jersey weight down to 94g (size small) which isn't quite as light as the Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Gilet II at just 68g for an equivalent size, but weighing just a handful of grams more than a standard energy gel, it's still pretty lightweight.

Also at the rear is a single zip secure pocket which is large enough for a phone and snacks etc, just remember not to over stash if your planning to remove the gilet as you'll have to find room for it all along with other riding paraphernalia in your jersey rear pockets.

Designed to fit snugly, as a race day piece of apparel should do, the Liv Race Day Wind Vest also includes a full length zip with storm protection flaps and reflective details at the torso sides and shoulders.

The ride

Pulling on the Liv Race Day Wind Vest over a spring weight long sleeve jersey, I was impressed by the fit. The second skin boast over a standard race fit short sleeve jersey is a slight exaggeration, but over a mid-weight one, with close to full rear pockets, it wasn't far off perfect.

The rear mesh panel not only helps keep the gilet breathable, but thanks to its super stretchy nature, does a grand job of allowing the gilet to fit tightly round the torso.

The neck line was really comfortable. Liv has finished the inside seam with soft-touch tape to prevent fabric rubbing on your neck and the size was spot on, allowing space for the jersey zip underneath.

It's something I've recently noticed on a handful of brands, the neck is on the small size, on small and extra small kit, which makes sense in theory, keeping it in line with the rest of the clothing cut, but in reality, for outer wear, it can often be too tight.

One of the great tests of a giliet is its unnoticeable once out riding and the Liv Race Day Wind Vest was certainly that.

That was until, an exceptionally unseasonable spring day happened to co-inside with me being late for the school run while out on a test ride. This required some serious 'getting a wriggle on' riding, while contending with temperatures of around 15°C.

It was ideal gilet testing for race day conditions with standard riding pace or descending requiring an extra layer, but when the pace picks up, and you find yourself running pretty hot, layers start getting peeled off. Unless of course you can't, which is exactly what happened to me and the Liv Race Day Wind Vest. I got stuck in it, that is to say the zip got stuck on the stormproof flaps.

I didn't have time to resolve on the move, and resigned myself to the flappy open gilet look as now the zip wouldn't budge neither up or down. Once home and off the bike, I was able to un-wedge the zip and remove it, but it was somewhat frustrating to say the least, and I would have been pretty miffed if it had occurred mid race.

It would be good to see Liv take a bit of a look at the design on the next Liv Race Day Wind Vest iteration, as I think at the moment the flaps are more of a aesthetic addition than anything else, especially as none of the seams at the front of the gilet are taped, meaning that you're still reasonably exposed to the wind and water anyway (assuming that it's not a downpour, in which case the mesh back would mean you got soaked anyway).

Value

For a gilet that is wind and water resistant as well as packable and lightweight it ticks all the boxes and more. I love the fit and feel of the Liv Race Day Wind Vest, it's just a shame about the zip area issue. If that could be resolved than the £64.99 price tag would be a great price.

Reflectivity and bike riding go together so makes total sense to ensure that there are elements of reflective material about your person when hitting the road in low light levels or at night.

Buy now: Proviz Reflect360 CRS Plus from ProViz for £79.99

Why then are most clothing manufactures so bad at including it? It's often just a token tab sewn on here and there, and rarely there at all on warmer weather items.

Proviz on the other hand, is delivering cycling kit covered in reflective detail meaning that in a car headlight you are more visible than a Belisha beacon, with the ProViz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet the latest weapon in its two-tone armoury.

>>>Six best cycling gilets for autumn and winter 2018/2019

Construction

Proviz's raison d'etre is reflective fabrics, constructed using millions of tiny glass beads which then reflect light from vehicle headlights.

According to the brand, the new Proviz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet uses a more ‘technical’ version of the original Reflect360 fabric that it launched in 2014, and is used in products such as the ProViz Reflect360 gloves.

It says this version uses a highly technical film to ensure higher rates of breathability (10,000g/m2/24hr), the number of grams of water vapour that can pass through a square metre of the fabric in a 24-hour period, so the higher the number the better the breathability. To put this into context, most winter jackets have a rating of around 5,000 to 8,000g/m2/24hrs, so the Proviz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet should be up high in the breathability ranks.

But factoring in a reasonably high waterproofing scale, it does mean the fabric is pretty dense, and weighty, tipping the scales at 216g, around 100g heavier than the Sportful Cometa wind vest. It's still around half the weight of most spring weight jackets unless you're investing in something like the impressive GORE Shakedry Insulated Jacket that comes in at just 292g, and although we're comparing apples with oranges here, the latter does also cost £240 more, and it isn't uber reflective.

Colour options depend on the men's or women's-fit versions, with red, green and blue for men and red, blue and purple in the women's.

Other details include two zip-secure pockets either side of the central zip and a high micro-fleece backed collar.

The ride

The first thing to get out in the open with the ProViz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet is the fit. This is by no means a tailored piece of apparel, and being totally honest something that I think really frustrates me about the brand.

I was testing the women's size eight, and I think I could have got two of me in there. It's massive. The shoulders and arm holes have been semi-fitted, but there's so much loose fabric in the rest of the torso it doesn't really make much difference.

In my experience it's the same for all Proviz kit and I feel it's missing a trick in terms of catering for riders looking for fitted cycle wear.

That said, it's comfortable and I especially appreciated the high fleecy soft collar when descending the hills on my gravel-style riding route of choice in the Peak District.

It's a route that I've been sussing out and adding bits to over the past couple of months, and think I've almost made it all (legally) rideable. This does however add in a significant altitude loss round the back of the infamous Brickworks, which is then followed by the inevitable climb back up on the road that was part of the 2016 Tour of Britain route.

The off-road descent was, for want of a better word, sketchy. I happened to also be testing the Panaracer Gravelking SK tyres that I found perfect on gravel as well as rolling rapidly on the road, but don't offer oodles of grip on  wet, grass-infilled rock garden descents that link up the two preferable terrains.

I've discovered over the years the best way to deal with distinct lack of grip is acceptance, and aim to vacate the area as soon as possible by just letting go of the brakes and hoping for the best. By the time I reached the road from the top of the moorland I was motoring and exceptionally pleased to have a high, loose collar to hide behind to stop the bitter wind giving me lockjaw. The fabric of the Proviz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet feels almost impenetrable by wind, and the difference between warmth of my torso and my arms was striking.

However, this impenetrability was also notable on the ascent back up the hill on the road, and  it wasn't long into the climb before I found my torso getting damp.

Normally I'd remove something as simple as a gilet on the move, but the steep upward trajectory meant that the safer alternative to removing both hands was to pull over to whip it off and stow it away. I'm pleased I did. There's just so much of the Proviz gilet that I needed to do a compete repack of my rear pockets as it requires a full empty pocket, and even then it's overflowing.

This is perhaps more my problem than Proviz's as I'm trying treat it like a standard gilet when clearly it's not.

Getting out onto the road at night for further testing and the 360 degrees of reflectivity is outstanding. You stand out so much that the wide birth given by motorists is noticeable, which is totally what the gilet has been designed for and a feature that is impossible to find fault with.

The Proviz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet isn't going to be for everyone. I can totally imagine this being used as daily commuting piece of apparel. Ideally, it does need to be put on a diet, although you could probably get a small rucksack underneath at the moment, which means keeping the 360° visibility at all times.

Value

At £80 the ProViz Reflect360 CRS Plus cycling gilet sits well price wise against its spring-weighted gilet peers. It is a 'horses for course' bit of cycle wear that will work better for some than others, but if you are looking to significantly stand out on the road then it's ideal.

If there was one piece of under-rated cycling apparel, I'd say hands down it was the gilet. While the waistcoat of the cycling world may initially seem like a 'nice to have', I'd say, without a doubt, that it is in fact a 'must have' and has, as a positive consequence earned its own special place in my jersey rear pocket set up.

>>> Six best cycling gilets for autumn/ winter 2018/2019: a buyers guide

Over the years favourite gilets have earned their 'go-to' credentials, with the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest possibly becoming my latest piece of essential riding kit for single handily getting me home without hyperthermia, proving its wind cheating capabilities.

Construction

The Sportful Cometa Wind Vest is constructed in two parts, a wind defending front and shoulders, with a lightweight nylon mesh back. This double act aims to keep the areas that are exposed to wind protected, while affording the rest of the body maximum breathability.

This method of providing zoned wind proofing, also enables the gilet to keep to a minimal weight of 126 grams, and allows it to be scrunched down to just bigger than my (small) hand. It's bigger and heavier than the, now somewhat dated, Castelli Velo Vest, and is more on par in weight and size with the Mavic Vision H2O Vest, meaning it sits better in the early spring over spring/ summer camp.

The women's specific fit has been tailored accordingly, and a includes a silicone waist gripper to secure the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest in place.

The ride

Technically I rolled out with the Cometa Wind Vest a season too early. A self build house project, small child and constantly finding more month left than that of money, means the days of swanning off to a warmer climate training camp are in either the distant past or future, so for now, it's a case of knuckling down and getting out in to northern hills when minimal snow and ice allow.

So I set off in my LeCol HC Jacket with the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest in tow, scrunched in to the rear pocket. I've long since lost the capability of maintaining a fully functioning saddle bag, so this means the vest sits along side two inner tubes, pump, multitool, leavers, riding snacks and my phone - all in a size extra small jacket, which should give you a good inclination as to the gilet's overall size.

Despite the small package of the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest, the design team has successfully managed to incorporate three rear pockets. This is incredibly useful on the move, allowing the decamping of ride nutrition to the outer pockets, making the annoyance at clothing layer navigating to find ride snacks, which is especially frustrating with gloves on (and usually involves a riding buddy to assist tucking you all back in), a thing of the past.

The only trick Sportful has missed here at the back is to introduce a bit more reflective detail than just the small logo.

While I thought I'd chosen a relatively mild winter's day, the thermometer was sitting at around 8 degrees when I set out, I had completely failed to take account of the bitter north-easterly wind. This promptly hit me as soon as I gained a few of hundred meters in elevation around an area in the Peak District know as the Brick Works.

I was riding a cross bike parallel to the infamous road climb on a bridal way. I say riding in the looses sense as the hill rears up so steeply a points, that there was an element of hike-a-bike at times.

It was upon resting from dragging the cross bike up the latest sheer wall, that on turning round to admire the view which stretches out across the Cheshire Plains to Wales, Manchester city and then hills beyond, that the wind chill got me.

Not one to miss an opportunity to ride gloat on social media, I proceeded to get the phone out, remove gloves and snap a few Instagram bangers. But as is fickle nature of virtual reality worlds, capturing my photo for likes and hearts, negated to capture that my body core temperature had promptly dropped what felt like 10 degrees and I was instantly shivering.

Battling the wind, I pulled out the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest and quickly dressed in it, expecting little more than a placebo warmth effect from such a skimpy addition to winter attire.

How wrong my assumption was. The warming effect was immediate. The gilet had rapidly shut down any small gaps in seams of the jacket, keeping the cold wind out of my core body, which at once had a positive effect.

Any thoughts on it being just the wind dying down were also put to bed when upon summiting the hill, known as Bowstones for anyone interested, I promptly did a Geraint Thomas and found myself blown off the bike and in to a ditch.

Wearing the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest made the descent back home, though Lyme Park, much more palatable, with the wind now totally blocked off my chest and shoulders.

I wouldn't say I was toasty warm by any means, but it certainly meant the difference of tolerable ride home over windchill induced hypothermia.

It's not often that the marketing teams of brands let the designers down, but I really feel that the Sportful Cometa Wind Vest has sold itself short by badging it as a 'just-in-case' garment. It's positively life saving! Ok, so that's slightly extreme, but for the £80 price tag, its more than worth it.

Rapha has been leaning on new materials recently to produce some top-notch performance kit, something that has come good from its relationship with Team Sky. The new Rapha Pro Team Insulated Gilet works extremely well as an extra layer.

>>> Nine of the best gilets

New materials such as Polatec's Alpha insulation have the same properties as down (i.e very warm). However, it doesn't have the same volume, which makes it lighter, thinner and more packable.

It claims to also be highly breathable so you shouldn't be a sweaty mess, even during efforts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-zlRGHWA6A

Video: a buyer's guide to winter clothing

You'll get stretchy fabric at the back, which Rapha says helps fit and heat expulsion. At the front windproofing and a DWR coating helps against chills, spray and showers. What's not to like so far?

I tested a size small and being Pro Team it was a very race-orientated fit. Around the neck, shoulders, arm ports and waist the fit is good; better than previous versions of the Rapha kit I've used before.

Out on the road the Rapha Pro Team Insulated gilet performs very well. It is very insulating and works very well as an extra layer during the coldest of spells. Bear in mind you'd need to have an equally racy jersey or jacket underneath as space is minimal.

The DWR coating is a nice touch and I enjoyed having this gilet option in my wardrobe – and it has come out with me on most rides. The only thing is, once wet (whether from sweating due to overheating, which has happened from time to time on the slightly warmer winter rides, or from a deluge of rain), the fabric tends to stick against itself and doesn't feel very luxurious at this point. This drops a mark here for me.

The two-way zip is also a good addition. For example, reaching for those jersey or jacket pockets is easier without the need to undo the zip all the way and then fighting to get to get it zipped back up. Not that you totally need this because it has pockets!

Some suggest pockets on a gilet isn't a deal breaker but to us here at Cycling Weekly, it is. Pockets out on a ride need to be accessible and if a gilet doesn't have them, you'll struggle to gain access. Three 'cargo' pockets are available, which are a good size and do not sag once loaded, and you even get a zipped safety pocket.

Despite the pockets, the gilet is very packable and you can scrunch this Rapha Pro Team Insulated gilet up to fit into a pocket nicely.

At present the Rapha Pro Team Insulated gilet is down from £140 to £80 on Rapha's website; a real bargain.

Whilst the Sportful Giara thermal vest is recommended wearing for crisp autumn days, we’d be more than happy heading out into the wild with it on in deepest darkest winter.

Its construction is unlike any gilet I’ve used before, and it leans far more towards a brevet style construction than a slimline, packable wind gilet. Sportful’s 80g Thermore insulation on the front and shoulders creates a seriously well padded, almost down-like covering that’s highly insulating and luxuriously warm. Although it's bulky, it's never an annoyance on the bike.

The vest has wind proofing and insulation in spades, quite literally putting a padded, protective layer between you and any gales. However, the down-like insulating properties are the same ones that seem to absorb moisture, and on wet days throughout November, December and January it was prone to absorbing water rather than repelling it, and it came as no surprise that Sportful’s website scored the gilet two our of four for waterproofing.

On the flipside, if you were facing a gale or freezing conditions, there would be nothing I’d rather wear as an outer layer. Over the course of the last three months I’ve worn this over all manner of tops. Whether that was just thermal jerseys or full blown winter jackets, the thick front and high neck of the gilet has helped it hold its own in everything from blustery winds to freezing fog.

Watch: Buyer's guide to winter clothing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-zlRGHWA6A

The fit is excellent. In a size small it's the perfect match to my torso and there's no bagginess around the armholes, which helps prevent unwanted draughts sneaking in.

One annoyance that detracts from an otherwise perfect score is the lack of rear pockets. Instead, the gilet has a large zip that grants access to any pockets underneath. It hardly mitigates the nuisance as it's still a faff to use, and three pockets on the rear would be far more convenient.

While a £100 price tag is a touch steep for any product, the insulation and warmth on offer with the Sportful Giara thermal vest takes much of the sting away – it feels substantial and works brilliantly, two things you definitely want when dropping that much cash.

Best known for its wheels, especially the Mavic Ksyriums, Mavic actually now has close to 10 years of apparel manufacturing experience, developing a wealth of technical knowhow, which it applied to the full when it launched the £900 Comete Ultimate road shoe earlier this year.

The Mavic Vision H20 Vest certainly gains from the depth of knowledge acquired over the years and is arguably the most technical gilet on the market.

>>> Buy the Mavic Vision H20 Vest now for just £67.99 direct from Chain Reaction Cycles

Construction

The Mavic Vision H20 Vest is made from what it calls 'Dura Rain ST' – a 2.5 layer, 100 per cent polyester fabric that is rated at 10,000mm rainproof.

That number is calculated on the basis that if you put a 1in x 1in square tube over the fabric, how high could you fill the tube of water before it started to leak through? Mavic also says it's windproof and comes with incredible stretch, which it says has allowed it to give a specific pro race cut to the gilet.

As well as a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment, all seams have been taped to further enhance the rainproofing properties, as well as a storm flap to the upper section of the zip.

Read more about waterproofing and breathability ratings here.

The collar has an added soft Lycra insert and at the back an extra long tail aims to provide backside and saddle protection from rear-wheel road spray.

A combination of fabric colour and reflective detailing has been added to the Mavic Vision H20 Vest with the aim of giving it 360° viasility, with the majority located centrally at the back.

The ride

Popping the Vision H20 Vest on, it's clear Mavic has done its homework in terms of race fit as it fitted exactly like race apparel should – an aero fit with zero excess fabric.

In fact, the women's small size I tried was so tight, that I needed to hoist my jersey underneath up slightly in order to prevent the two zip stops clashing, and I'd struggle with really loaded jersey pockets – so probably best go up a size if you're doing anything other than race simulation riding.

The reflective and low-level elements work superbly well (according to my other half who followed me out in the car).

The only snagging point is that while the men's Mavic Vision H20 Vest comes in fluoro yellow and white, the women's is white only and while the colour works well for low-level light, having it centrally located means it's in the direct line of fire for road spray.

With only the ability to wash at 30°C, there's no way I can totally remove Manchester's finest road crud stains, which would be slightly less noticeable on the yellow version.

Mavic's terminology of rainproofing realistically means it's more of a water 'resistance' than a proof.

It still did an great job of keeping me dry in minimal rain but anything heavy, combined with the fact that it is only a gilet, and you will get wet.

Mavic also suggests giving it a tumble dry after every three washes to keep it in working order, and it's also worth remembering that it will require reapplications of DWR to keep it water-repelling properties.

That all said, the windproofing element does a really good job of keeping me warm, even if the water had breached.

The semi-storm zip at the front of the Mavic Vision H20 Vest assists the stay-warm feel, and in theory does make sense to only have it on the chest upper, where the rain and wind hits the most, and also helps keep it lightweight, 112g, and scrunchable enough to fit in a back pocket. But  it does make putting it on while on the fly tricky as the zip hit the flap midway up, which meant a third hand would have been useful.

Value

There are tonnes of giles on the market, all of which will act as an extra layer to keep you warm on the bike, some of which will keep the wind at bay, few will help keep you dry, and even fewer will help you be seen, and hardly any will do all three.

So the Mavic Vision H20 Vest is already in pretty standout territory. Add the fact that it fits like a race jersey and it's really rather rare, making me of the opinion that it probably is the most technical gilet currently on the market.

The credentials of the Mavic Vision H20 Vest make it a really easy 'go-to' piece of cycling apparel, which will definitely have a life all year round, making cost per wear really good value.

Rapha’s second iteration of the Classic Gilet is much lighter than the previous one, hitting our scales at a mere 78g. It is also 20 per cent less expensive with the previous version retailing at £125, the review of which you can read here.

The low weight of the Rapha Classic Gilet II also transpires to excellent packability – this a gilet that won’t dominate your pockets and will not cause uncomfortable jersey distortion.

>>> The best Cycling gilets - and a buyer's guide

Despite the low weight, the windproof panel on the front is effective. Mesh panels are placed on the back and sides to aid ventilation. Overall, I really like the fit and aesthetic. I found the sizing to be consistent with other Rapha kit – a size small fitted me perfectly at 6ft 1in and 69kg. At £100 the second iteration is still a pricey gilet but I feel the price is justified by the excellent quality, versatility and Rapha's repair service.

Water resistance is good too, with the hydrophobic coating performing well and remaining intact even after a few runs through the wash. It remains to be seen how long it will last, but these coatings can be reapplied. Although it is capable of seeing off a short shower, be aware that the mesh panel on the rear instantly lets in water. It's a trade-off I am willing to accept against weight, breathability and ventilation.

A small front zipped pocket is useful for a key or credit card and there are also two rear pockets, ideal for a phone and food. Many lightweight packable gilets often don't have pockets meaning you have to lift them up or awkwardly reach through a flap to gain access to your jersey pockets beneath. Consequently, I found the inclusion of pockets on the rear of the Rapha Classic Gilet II a welcome feature.

Le Col is a premium cycle clothing brand founded by British ex-pro Yanto Barker. Its new gilet is a good spring and early-summer-morning layer that’ll go with any kit, being all black.

Video: buyer's guide to spring clothing

If you're safety conscious but like the plain black of the Le Col gilet, you’ll be glad to know there are strategically placed reflective tabs at the back, though none at the front.

>>> Buyer's guide to gilets

You don’t get any pockets, which is a down side for us as we find pockets on gilets are always useful. However, this does mean you can pack it down nicely to fit into your jersey or jacket pocket.

Fit is good: with no restriction around the shoulders or arm holes I didn't get much wind buffeting either. The top half fits well in the cycling position.

>>> The best gilet deals to kick start your spring cycling

Although 'small' is the smallest size Le Col produces, at 5ft 9in and 70kg I wouldn’t have minded an extra-small to feel a little racier in terms of cut around the stomach and waist. This isn't a total criticism of the fit of the Le Col, just a call for a smaller size option that is slightly smaller round the waist with a bit of length taken out. You'll likely want to wear this over a jacket during the winter, so it'll work well for that.

The upside to this gilet is that the wind and shower proofing of the Le Col gilet performs well and as a packable extra layer it works all year round. Light rain is shrugged off and it does keep the chill off your chest. This covers the entirety of the torso and extends around the ribs, shoulders and upper back.

You won't be working up a sweat too quickly, mind, as the mesh rear panel works well to help keep temperature constant and stops you from overheating.

Although it is only available in one colour and ideally would offer an extra-small option, at £80 Le Col's gilet represents pretty good value.

For starters, the MAAP Surface Team Vest feels tough and has proven resilient over the testing period. Sure, this is something you'd expect, especially considering you'll be dropping the best part of £130 on it – but it's nice to see it borne out in practice.

>>> Cycling gilets: A buyer's guide

It's also a great fit. The size small tested here was snug but certainly not cramped and the material was kept close to the body.

The arm holes aren't massive – which went a long way to keeping the wind out, something that other gilets I've tested have fallen foul of.

In fact, the MAAP Surface Team Vest is pleasantly aero. There was never any undue flapping or parachuting out the back when a breeze was blowing.

>>> Rapha gilet review

The snug fit definitely helped keep things warm, too. On cold, dry days I found the gilet to be the perfect complement to a base layer and winter jersey.

There's also plenty of space in the rear pockets to stuff a rain jacket for when it gets wet.

>>> Spring cycling clothing: a buyer's guide (video)

Equally, I was impressed with how windproof the body was, which will have gone a long way to keeping things warm when riding.

That said, there's definitely scope for the MAAP Surface Team Vest to be more breathable. I found that after finishing rides I would have a damp torso, which to me signals a lack of ventilation.

Watch: Cycling Weekly's tech of the month March 2017

Three rear pockets adorn the back of the vest which is good to see on a gilet, although there was the noticeable emission of a zipped pocket.

Thankfully, the three are stitched tight enough to keep your valuables safe, but for peace of mind it'd be nice to have a zipped one.

Elsewhere, MAAP has really sweated the small stuff. The front zip has a great action to it as well as being protected from the inside by a wind flat.

>>> Chapeau! Red Echelon gilet

Similarly, the silicone grips and tight waist make sure nothing gets too blustery below.

Of course, there's no avoiding the hefty price tag, but for those in the market for bespoke kit, the MAAP Surface Team Vest is a great option.

For more information contact maap.cc

Chapeau! was founded on the basis of creating kit that isn’t necessarily the cheapest, but will always offer the best value for money. So, with the Red Echelon gilet costing £109, does this hold up? For the most part it's a gilet that fits really well. However, while it has a slim fit I did find it a little baggy in the chest area when in the hunched cycling position.

>>> Chapeau! Repel bib tights

Likewise, the arm holes didn’t fit as tightly as I’d have liked, meaning in windy weather the gilet could balloon a bit out the back.

Happily though, the fit around the waist was excellent. It was neither baggy, nor too short and over the duration of rides it never bunched or pulled up the body.

>>> Spring cycling clothing: a buyer's guide (video)

In terms of technical performance, the Red Echelon Gilet is excellent – particularly how warm it is.

Over the last two months it has pulled its weight on multiple sub-zero rides. So much so that it has become my go-to final layer, always being thrown on before I leave the front door.

That said, it could be more breathable. While the arm holes were an exit point for perspiration I did often find that the jacket underneath was damp at the end of rides.

I haven’t been in the habit of removing layers over the last two months, but on the odd occasion that I did, Chapeau!’s gilet packed down to a neat size.

Watch: Buyer's guide to waterproof jackets

Although perhaps not as packable as a dedicated lightweight jacket or gilet might be, it fits in jersey pockets fine as long as they’re not overly stuffed already.

More practically, the Red Echelon gilet comes with two zipped pockets – useful for those quick access items.

A larger one on the side held my keys fine, while the one on the chest was useful for a mobile phone and debit card or a multi-tool.

If you're searching for a vest that can keep you warm at the beginning of your ride, or an extra sleeves-less layer capable of protecting you from wind and water, then the Castelli Fawesome 2 vest is almost the perfect gilet you can find out there.

>> Better than Castelli Gabba? Wet weather racing jackets on test

Castelli describes the Fawesome 2 vest as a packed version of its Gabba 2 jersey. The fabric on the chest and the shoulder is the same: an X-Lite Plus stretch fabric wind stopper that really protects your upper body both from wind and soft rain. To add more protection to your core, the zipper - as Castelli has already done with Gabba jersey and jacket - is fully covered.

Watch: how to dress for the rain

However, in contrast to the Gabba, the dropped tail on the Castelli Fawesome 2 Vest is not as  low, meaning it does not offer as much protection from wheel spray. The fabric in this part of the back (a Nano Flex Light fabric), which is lighter and more breathable than the normal Nano Flex fabric, meaning that you won't overheat and will fit closer to your body for better aero performance. However it will not protect your back as much as a Gabba from the rain.

>>> Review: Castelli Gabba 2 jacket

Despite this, the Castelli Fawesome 2 Vest is a very technical gilet that is perfect if you're looking for a warm and breathable vest, that is able to protect you from light showers if needed. However, always bear in mind the lack of pockets.

If you’re heading out early doors for a long ride at the weekend when the temperature is going to rise later in the day, then a packable gilet is an essential piece of kit, and the dhb Classic Windproof gilet ticks all the boxes for such a piece of kit.

>>> Buyer's guide to cycling gilets

As you’d hope from it’s name, the front of the dhb Classic Windproof gilet is made from a highly windproof material that does a great job of keeping the cold of your chest on chilly mornings and evenings. This is complemented by the strip of fabric located behind the zip that stops any cold winds from penetrating through there.

Round the back, and you get a very different fabric that is perforated with holes, which means that it is very hard to find yourself overheating in this gilet, so you won’t get cold from the wind hitting your front, but you won’t get too hot if you’re climbing or putting in hard efforts, with heat escaping out of the back of the gilet.

>>> Wiggle's dhb Block clothing gets even brighter for 2016

But perhaps the most impressive things about the dhb Classic Windproof gilet are its packability and weight. Take it off when the temperature starts to heat up, and it stuffs down more than small enough to fit into a rear jersey pocket, and once it’s in there you won’t notice its weight pulling down at your jersey as it hits the scales at just 105g.

>>> How to be more aero on your road bike (video)

However, the dhb Classic Windproof gilet certainly isn’t a race gilet. The sizing is generous so that I found that, unlike size mediums in dhb’s Professional ASV range, the medium version of this gilet flapped quite a bit in the wind. Not to the point that I ever found it annoying, but if you’ve shelled out your hard-earned cash for other aero kit, then you might not want this flapping gilet undermining it.

I also wasn’t sure of the need to give the dhb Classic Windproof gilet two rather large rear pockets. This is a piece of clothing that is meant to be worn for an hour or two then taken off and put in a jersey pocket, so you don’t want to have to remove stuff from the gilet pockets when you take it off. For me, they feel surplus to requirements, and perhaps taking them away could make the packability even better.

Given the price though, I’m willing to forgive dhb for these sins. £35 seems like a very reasonable price to pay for a piece of clothing that will see quite a bit of use through spring, autumn, and probably summer too.

The insulated version of the classic Rapha long distance staple, the Rapha Brevet Insulated Gilet is unlike many other cycling garments I have tried.

Primarily made up of seemingly thickly wadded front and back panels attached with the sheerest mesh material I have ever seen used give it a very distinctive look. The insulation comes courtesy of Polartec’s clever Alpha insulator, engineered to work as an active insulator to regulate core body temperatures during both ‘dynamic and static activities’, i.e. protects without overheating whilst riding but also proving warm enough at the café stop.

>>> Rapha becomes more affordable with new 'Core range

For such a warm gilet the breathability of the Rapha Brevet Insulated Gilet was excellent and I never felt overly hot whilst wearing it and riding hard. When the temperature to warrant taking it off, the gilet is still small enough to stuff in a jersey pocket, with a loop on the collar to hold it tightly rolled.

Despite the insulated panels having no body conforming stretch Rapha has done an excellent job on the fit of the Brevet, the panels are cut to fit in a riding position and despite my misgivings about the thin mesh side panels they stretch and perform exceptionally well without any sign of being too delicate. The collar is nice and high and the softness of the outer wind and water resistant (DWR-coated) material lends it a great next-to-skin feel.

>>> Review: Rapha Pro Team Shadow jersey

The Rapha Brevet Insulated Gilet has a full 360° reflective band and a bright contrast colour band for visibility on dawn to dusk rides. I was disappointed not to find any pockets to quickly access nutrition but the two way zip at least allows quick access to jersey pockets.

Madison’s thermal gilet has been developed in conjunction with its professional riders, and it punches well above its weight, that is, its price. On the rear, it features three well sized and positioned open pockets which are good for carrying plenty of kit when out on a ride and there’s also a fourth smaller zipped pocket for valuables.

>>> Winter cycling survival guide

It offers good insulation, though it is small enough that it can be stuffed in a jersey pocket too — just don’t expect to be able to put anything else in with it as it’s quite a bulky package. The elasticated waist gripper at the rear hem holds the gilet in place well and there are reflective elements built in at the lower and upper back and the shoulders to aid visibility, although these are unobtrusive in the daytime.

The fabric on the front and sides of the gilet is thicker, offering better insulation against wind and rain ingress, while the rear panel is thinner to allow greater breathability and removal of excess heat and sweat. The fabric has been treated with a water-resistant finish, which works really well on the front and shoulders, although the mesh rear did let in water.

>>> Gilet buyer's guide

The size medium fitted me well across the chest, and the length was spot-on. However, when in a riding position, the fit around the back of the arms/shoulders left gaping holes, suggesting that the fabric didn’t have sufficient stretch in this area. Overall, this is a great gilet that just needs a slight tweak to the fit.

The excellent-quality Windchill II features three deep, open pockets and a fourth smaller zipped pocket on the rear. A fifth zipped pocket on the front has a headphone port and a little cloth for wiping sunglasses sewn into it — all nice touches. There’s an elastic hem with silicone grippers to keep the gilet in place and stop it riding up.

>>> Winter cycling survival guide

The front and shoulders have good levels of waterproofing, but the sides and rear immediately let in water, so I wouldn’t recommend this for use in prolonged rain. The front fabric is also breathable, so it didn’t get too sweaty either.

Of all the gilets on test, the Endura offered the greatest level of insulation, thanks to the use of Thermo Roubaix fabric on the sides and back, and this extra-thick insulationis reflected in the weight. At almost 300 grams, it’s pretty heavy for a sleeveless garment. The Windchill II is designed to be worn throughout a ride, as it’s much too bulky to pack down into a jersey pocket.

>>> Cycling gilet buyer's guide

Although very comfortable, this gilet is unfortunately let down by its mediocre fit, with the sizing being completely inconsistent relative to the rest of Endura’s range and out of synch with the build of the majority of road cyclists. A size medium was far too big for me and the size small was also too large, not only across the chest, but also in length. On the plus side, this is not an expensive gilet and is likely to prove durable.

Constructed using Castelli’s ForceField micro ripstop, the Velo Vest claims to also prevent that waterlogged feeling post-downpour.

Testing on a changeable day, it kept me feeling drier in the torso than a standard gilet along with doing a good job of keeping the chill off after a passing shower. The shoulders and back fit exceptionally well, thanks to the three-panelled design and stretchy mesh side panels, and the super-low tail does a great job at keeping road spray at bay.

The front could be two or three inches shorter, as it has excess fabric folds in a riding position. Weighing just 64g it's barely noticeable when on.

>>> Cycling gilets: a buyer’s guide

It comes with its own built-in stuff sack and the flyweight fabric makes it small enough to pack into even the smallest of jersey pockets.

This is an ideal kit addition for changeable days, or mountain days when you need an extra windproof layer for a long descent.

The extra detailing of practical reflective rear logo is a nice touch, although for the UK market it would ideally be right, rather than the current left side, prominent.

With five colours on offer there's an option to match most kit.

If you’re after a no-fuss gilet that won’t break the bank but will still keep the chill off on the ride out to the club run on a Saturday morning, then the B’Twin Ultralight gilet could be for you.

>>>Cycling gilets: a buyer's guide

Of course, for less than 20 quid, you can’t expect perfection, but for the money you can’t be too many complaints. If you’re just using B’Twin Ultralight gilet for the first half hour or so of rides then it does a great job at keeping cold winds at bay, with the tarpaulin-like ripstop nylon construction proving utterly windproof. It also provides a degree of water resistance – at least enough to keep you dry through the morning drizzle.

Buy now: B'Twin Ultralight Gilet at Decathlon for £19.99

The other great thing about the B’Twin Ultralight gilet is that it more than lives up to its name, with a size large hitting the Cycling Weekly scales at a very impressive 65g – nearly 30g lighter (and £100 cheaper) than the Huez Starman, previously the lightest gilet that we’d tested this year.

>>>Review: B'Twin 700 Carbon road shoes

This minimal weight means that this gilet packs up incredibly small. When folded into its own rear pouch it not only easily fits into a jersey pocket, but even fits into the palm of your hand, leaving plenty of space for bars and gels in your pockets.

However if you’re looking for a gilet to keep on for more than half an hour or so then it might be worth looking at more expensive options. This is because the fit on the B’Twin Ultralight gilet really leaves a lot to be desired. There is far too much loose material at the chest and the arm holes seem to have been designed for a rugby player rather than a cyclist.

Buy now: B'Twin Ultralight Gilet at Decathlon for £19.99

For more details visit the Decathlon website.

Proudly sporting a “pro-rider developed” logo, the Madison Road Race gilet was created over the course of the 2014 season in conjunction with the Madison-Genesis team. With a front panel made from ripstop nylon, protection from chilly winds is superb, while the mesh rear panel allows hot air to escape from your torso – perfect for days when a stiff breeze rather than cold temperatures are your main enemy.

Like on Endura's similarly priced Equipe Race gilet, Madison has opted to include a single large zipped pocket at the rear, which is impressively waterproof to keep your valuables dry, and is also stitched into the main fabric of the Madison Road Race gilet, meaning it doesn’t swing about and bash against your back with your phone and wallet acting as a pendulum while you climb out of the saddle.

Despite the extra material needed to include a pocket in the design, this gilet still packs down more than small enough to stuff into a rear jersey pocket once the temperature started to rise. However getting it back on was not always so easy, with the stormflap getting caught in the zip pretty much every time we used it.

That said once we’d got it on, the Madison Road Race gilet was barely noticeable, with the slim fit ensuring no excess material was left flapping in the breeze.

For more details visit the Madison website.

Designed to keep the chill off your core, the Bontrager RXL Windshell is a great choice for nippy spring and autumn rides when bright sunshine doesn’t necessarily translate into warm temperatures.

There’s no doubting that this is an impressively warm gilet, but probably the best thing about the Bontrager RXL Windshell is its fit. The coming of spring (hopefully) brings better legs and faster riding, so I was glad that this gilet really hugged the torso, with no loose material hanging from the front even when crouched over the drops.

The hem is also dropped at the rear, meaning that an aggressive riding position doesn’t leave your lower back exposed. Sizing is also sensible, with a size medium fitting my 6ft frame perfectly.

>>>Review: Sportful Light NoRain Top

The main body of the Bontrager RXL Windshell, both front and rear, is made from the company’s Profila wind fabric. In contrast with plenty of other windshells of this price, Bontrager isn’t holding back by describing the RXL Windshell as “windproof” rather than “wind-resistant”. On the road this claim is certainly vindicated, and this predominantly polyester gilet kept me warm in temperatures (and wind chills) well down into single figures, beyond the comfort zone of normal nylon vests. Clearly it doesn't offer the same level of warmth as insulated gilets such as the dhb ASV Thermal Gilet, but for spring and autumn weather it's more than good enough.

>>>Best cycling windreakers

With an unexpected shower never far away when riding through the British spring, I was also pleased with the gilet’s water-resistant coating. Yes, it was no replacement for a proper waterproof jacket when riding through persistent rain, but it certainly kept the worst of the April showers at bay, and also survived numerous washes without losing effectiveness.

Unfortunately this excellent protection does mean a slight compromised when it comes to “packability”. While most gilets with a nylon construction will stuff down to fill only half a jersey pocket, the polyester Bontrager RXL Windshell is a little larger. It’ll still fit comfortably in your pocket, but I struggled to fit anything else in there with it beyond a mini pump or a set of keys.

The other negative point is that there is no opening to access your rear pockets, a bit of an annoyance seeing as the slim fit of the RXL means that it can be difficult to pull up at the back, especially when your pockets are full with energy bars and the like at the start of a long ride.

At £59.99 the Bontrager RXL Windshell is probably a little above what I’d expect to pay for a gilet, but given the level of protection it offers, the cost seems justified.

For more details visit the Bontrager website.

Since becoming the official clothing supplier to the Movistar Pro Team, the Scottish brand has been going from strength to strength. They certainly continue that with the Endura Equipe Race gilet.

Available in either white or black, it is easy to coordinate this gilet with existing kit. Furthermore the white is slightly transparent, meaning kit is visible underneath.

Claiming to be wind and showerproof, I found the Endura Equipe Race gilet held up well in changeable weather, offering a good degree of wind protection on the chest, offering the same protection as the Rapha gilet, but at a much more competitive price. The mesh back panel provides ventilation, ensuring you don’t turn into a human Eden Project – a downfall of many similar garments.

Owing to the lightness of the fabric used, there is a very small degree of flapping when descending at speed, but this really is minimal and does not detract from the product. Overall, the fit is very good, with minimal bunching on the chest and the ‘storm flap’ providing good posterior protection. As a point of reference, I am 68kgs and 6’1 wearing a medium.

Like the similarly priced Madison Road Race gilet, a zipped rear pocket is provided for stashing some food and allows for much easier access than lifting up the rear hem to try and grab that key gel from your jersey underneath. Whilst I wouldn’t condone the use of headphones, there is port for the cable.

I would happily wear the Endura Equipe Race gilet in race without fear of turning into a parachute. Packability is excellent and considering the fit, function and price, it is hard to beat. A superb option.

For more details visit the Endura website.

One of the lightest gilets I've had the pleasure of testing, it’s no surprise that the Mavic Aksium vest stuffs down plenty small enough to fit into a jersey pocket, packing into a ball about the size of a clenched fist, a close match to the ultra-packable but much more expensive Huez Starman gilet.

The front, sides, and shoulders are constructed from Mavic’s Wind SL fabric, which does a great job of providing a layer of windproof protection that is the equal of any most other gilets on the market. The taped zip also adds to the protection.

As an added bonus, the Wind SL fabric has been given a DWR (durable water resistant) coating which adds a degree of protection should you be caught in an unexpected shower - a feature more commonly seen on more expensive gilets such as the Rapha gilet. Yes, this isn’t going to keep you dry through heavy, persistant rain, but then that’s not what the Mavic Aksium vest is designed for. Instead the DWR coating is great for light showers, and even better for once the rain has stopped and your main concern is staying protected from the wheel spray from the rider in front of you.

Unlike other similarly priced gilets such as the Madison Road Race gilet and the Endura Equipe Race gilet, Mavic has chosen not to equip the Aksium vest with any pockets, instead opting for two decent-sized openings to allow access to your rear jersey pockets. However we found them to be a little too high up the back, maiking them a little tricky to access on the move.

For more details visit the Mavic website.

Part of their new top-end range of performance clothing, this new dhb Thermal Gilet is a seriously warm piece of kit that will keep the shivers at bay while not leaving a dent in your bank balance. We loved the bibshorts and long sleeve jersey  from the range, so were looking forward to putting this gilet to the test.

At the heart of the gilet is the thermal, fleece-lined fabric which does an excellent job of keeping the winter wind out and your hard-earned body heat in. Obviously if you’re looking to stick with this gilet through the depths of winter then you’ll need to pair it with some decent layers underneath, but such is the warmth of this gilet, you won't need much.

One of the problems with cheaper models is loose fitting collars and arm holes, letting in all the cold air which the main body of gilet aims to keep out. Thankfully this is not the case with the dhb Thermal Gilet: the collar fits snugly and is comfortable thanks to the fleece lining, while the arm holes are slightly elasticated meaning they should fit well over whatever piece of clothing you wear underneath.

>>>10 of the best budget winter cycling jackets

Three rear pockets provide a good amount of storage space for phones, energy bars etc. and have big enough openings to make them easy to access even in bulky winter gloves. The main zipper is also easy enough to open and close thanks to the reasonably large toggle, meaning no problems struggling to pull down the zip as you work up a sweat on a climb.

The only possible issue with the dhb Thermal Gilet is the colourscheme, which is striking to say the least. The striped grey main body of the gilet remains the same while you choose either red, yellow, or blue for the side panels and accents, a look which will go well with other pieces in the dhb Professional range, but perhaps not with the rest of your cycling wardrobe.

However, with a very reasonable price-tag that’s only a smidgen over £50, and the great performance we’ve come to associate with the dhb Professional range, sartorial elegance can be a secondary concern.

The mild autumn may not have been great for testing winter jackets (sorry about that), but it's certainly allowed us to get the miles in while clad in the dhb Flashlight Windproof Gilet.

Primarily aimed at commuters, this new design does a good job at keeping a nippy early morning breeze at bay. We found it to be comfortable in temperatures between the high single figures and mid teens, and could possibly push this further with a bit of windchill. The main body of the gilet also comes with a water-repellant Teflon coating, providing good protection from road spray.

If the front of the gilet does a good job at keeping cold air out, the back is just as adept at getting hot air out. With a large mesh panel dominating the rear you're never at risk of overheating, as is the case in some boil-in-the-bag gilets. This does make the dhb gilet unsuitable for colder temperatures, but if you're after a more heavyweight gilet then you'll be shelling out more than the £34.99 that will buy you this one.

Should you insist on wearing the dhb Flashlight gilet as the mercury continues to fall, then the loose fit will enable you to add a few layers underneath. It may not be the most aero gilet out there, but this makes it a versatile addition to your wardrobe as you pair it with other piece of clothing depending on the conditions.

The slightly loose fit also makes it very comfy to wear, and allows it to be pulled around a bit without becoming tight if you're commuting with a rucksack. One of the nicest touches to increase comfort is the fleece lined high collar, which is soft to the touch and helps to add a bit of warmth, while a chin guard at the front prevents irritation from the full length YKK zipper.

Like the rest of dhb's Flashlight range, this gilet features 3M Scotchlite reflective patches in an attempt to make you more visible in low light. The largest patches on the gilet are placed on the side panels, ensuring that you're nice and visible at junctions and when turning across traffic. However for some reason dhb have chosen to place only two small reflective logos on the rear of the jersey. Of course if you're doubly concerned about being seen after dark then you can purchase the fluorescent yellow version, but even this has a large black mesh panel on the rear with no additional reflective touches.

The other missing feature form the dhb Flashlight gilet was the lack of a rear pocket or two, or at least access easy access to your jersey pockets. This oversight is especially disappointing considering dhb's identically-priced Windslam gilet includes three rear pockets (as well two zipped front pockets). The upshot of this is that getting hold of any bars/gels etc means lifting up the bottom of the gilet before fiddling around in your jersey pockets - not something for a commuter to be doing in heavy traffic.

Of course the lack of rear pockets means that the bulk of the gilet is greatly reduced, making it easy to stow away once the temperature starts to rise. However as vital as this is in any good gilet, a compromise such as a zipped opening or a single rear pocket would have offered the best of both worlds.

The dhb Flashlight gilet is available in blue, charcoal, or fluoro yellow, and in either a men's or women's version.

Polaris's Venom Echelon is a close-fitting gilet made up with stretchy, soft shell fabric that provides good wind protection while a nice big stretchy mesh panel on the back keeps you from overheating.

The elasticated armholes and gripper hem make for a good fitting gilet.

Constructed with just one zip pocket on the back and accessed from the side, it proved to be tricky to use, especially on the move, this meant using my jersey cargo pockets underneath.

As a minimum a gilet like this needs to have one stuff pocket in which to place warmers or a shower proof jacket and thus increase the modular use of the gilet.