MAAP Atmos Vest Review: Super light, super packable, super waterproof

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.