Which Gilet?

gary.hounsome

Hi i'm looking at purchasing a Gilet for those cool mornings and the it's been quite windy these last few months.

£40 is my limit as i require some arm warmers to suit, a waterproof jacket and bib tights over the coming months.

I have two options so far unless anyone has other opinions:

dhb Windslam £38.99
Endura Laser £28.99

Is the dhb worth the extra tenner? Or would i just be best trying both out for fit etc?

nferrar

To give you a slightly left-field option, why not try a windproof base layer? This one to be precise http://www.wiggle.co.uk/craft-zero-extr ... ase-layer/

It's fine in warm weather up to low 20's c, feels slightly odd the first time you put one on but not uncomfy and only gets a bit clammy on the chest on a long hot climb IME. It means you get the chill protection without having to carry a gilet (although I have a couple of gilets I never use them any more) but is no hotter than a normal mid-weight summer base layer. Only place I'd use a gilet now is somewhere like the Alps in summer where they're baking uphill and freezing downhill.

McBain_v1

I'd second the advice of nferrar - go with the windproof base layer. I have a Gore wind proof vest and it's fantastic.

flasher

but, it's way easier to take off a gilet and stuff it in your pocket.

My choice, Castelli Sottile 8)

martincashman

+3 on the windproof base layer, have two good quality gilets but still found the cold getting to me on windy days, bought a windproof base layer and it seems to offer better protection without the added drag, plus I can keep my favorite Jersey on show.

maddog 2

you have to try on IMO.

Craft were too long and baggy lower down (for me)
Mavic were almost just right but the back wasn't stretchy enough
Endura were ok for mtbing but a tad flappy for road work
Campag are absolutely spot on fit but would benefit from some newer designs IMO

sloppyschleckonds

Go for one that you like the look of, matches your bike and fits the best.

carbon337

Anyone tired something cheap like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cycling-Gilet-White-/180665198093?pt=UK_Cycling_Clothing&var=&hash=item6fc3d2103a

I ordered a jersey and I'm waiting to see what its like for commuting. For £10 it may be worth a shot

gary.hounsome

Thanks for the advice, i already have a base layer which i wear for my 10 mile commute and always in the winter when its really cold.

However i feel a Gilet will come in useful on those longer rides where the temperature changes as it will be easier to remove and stuff in my pocket.

onlyonearrow

This might be worth a look:
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/montane-slipstream-gilet/fuseaction/products.detail/code/14110086/group/910/level/3

I picked up one in a Cotswold clearance store last week for £30 and am well pleased with it. Very light and packs into a tiny stuff sack for pocketing.

millereski

I have recently been trying the new RH+ gilet and have been quite impressed so far. It comes in at £45 but has very good breathability on the back and I would say its worth the extra money if you can stretch to it.

http://www.sukasport.com/product/31/rh-team-gilet.asp

FSR_XC

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... IORZGIL262

Looks like a decent bit of kit

TMR

This: http://www.solocc.com/product.cfm?cid=15&pid=24

The blue and red ones are only £25.

sloppyschleckonds

The Mad Rapper wrote:

This: http://www.solocc.com/product.cfm?cid=15&pid=24

The blue and red ones are only £25.

Nice spot, white would have been decent for autumn riding. Pretty sure they come up small when I tried one last year

TMR

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Nice spot, white would have been decent for autumn riding. Pretty sure they come up small when I tried one last year

Yes, they look tight on the models - get a size up.

dweben

I've had a couple endura lazer gilets (black for mtb, yellow for the commute!!) and they're ok but with a couple flaws. Good ventilation and they're pretty rugged, but the zip always catches on the fabric and the collar sticks up a lot of the time which gets annoying...

I replaced mine with a pearl izumi gilet which fits better, same ventilation, no zip issues and packs down to a tennis ball size. Much better and roughly the same price. Only oddity is the zip is left handed but you get used to it.

johnbirkby46213

Now at the risk of being hounded out, several years ago I spent less than a tenner (I think) at ALDI on one of their Gilets. Everyone said that it would be useless (it hasn't been), that it would fall to bits (it hasn't) and the zip would break (I do admit to fastening it up carefully!). Because of all the doom-sayers, I bought an extra Gilet (next time they became available) for the 'inevitable' demise. It is still unworn.
Horses for courses.
If you want a functional garment, it's great. See me wearing it the photo link
If you want a fashionable garment, you would need to take the advice given above.

Linds

Slight thread hijack - but I'm also after a gilet, but am debating whether to go for a waterproof or a Windstopper/slammer type fabric.

I've already got a HighVis waterproof and a pacelite type (Aldi) waterproof-ish jacket, so most rain isues are covered.

Any thoughts as to whether the Windstopper/slammer ones are worth the extra wedge.

Ta

BeaconJon

onlyonearrow wrote:

This might be worth a look:
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/montane-slipstream-gilet/fuseaction/products.detail/code/14110086/group/910/level/3

I bought this exact item 2 weeks ago. For the money it seemed fine if a little thin and it rode up my back quite a lot. Large chunks of the stitching came apart the 1st time it went in the wash, so it's gone in the bin.

Buy cheap, but twice!

I wont be buying any cheap kit again.

prawny

I've got the basic Altura one, it's great and fits in my pocket. I think it cost £23 from ribble.

In_the_big_ring

carbon337 wrote:

Anyone tired something cheap like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cycling-Gilet-White-/180665198093?pt=UK_Cycling_Clothing&var=&hash=item6fc3d2103a

I ordered a jersey and I'm waiting to see what its like for commuting. For £10 it may be worth a shot

I've bought one of their jerseys before as a cheap training top and have no problems with it. Just bought that gilet, I'll let everyone know what its like when it arrives. Worst case I send it back for a refund as they have a 30 day returns policy.

carbon337

An update - i bought above ebay gilet for £10 and its champion. I think they are quite large fitting but the size guide is accurate so use that.

Little pocket to pack it in is built in. Doesnt appear too sweaty but i only put it on after an intensive training ride on the homeward bound warm down.

There jerseys are good too.