Q36.5 Adventure Vest review: highly insulated core protection

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.