Forum menu
Thinking about those in between days when it’s too hot for a jacket but there’s still a nip in the air . Trouble is most of them seem designed for road riding not MTB , also I don’t want to pay more than £50 for basically a jacket without sleeves 🙄🙄🙄🙄
Have a look at the Alpkit gilet
The fact that they are designed for road riding has never impacted me using them off road.
Best one I've got is an Endura
The Polaris AM one is quite good. Definitely not roadie shape and the mesh back panels being at the sides rather than the full back gives better protection from mud and water off your rear wheel.
Yes, and get some arm warmers to go with it. Two awesomely versatile bits of clothing, especially on those cold mornings that turn into warm days, (like today for my morning/afternoon commute).
Exactly which ones I can't advise.
I've got an Aussie Grit one and I love it - not had one before and I wonder why! So versatile, both on the road and off road
Yes, you do. As packable as possible, so you don't ever think it's a hassle to take with you if in any doubt.
And +1 armwarmers too. 4 seasons kit reduced to the size of a can of coke.
Just ensure it's got some form of windproof material in the front.
I've a few, from a cheapo Decathlon to a really nice Gore. The Gore's the best but the Decathlon is nearly as good.
Got the alp kit one. It's okay for the money. Got a nice little pocket too.
Agree with above , arms and gillet covers about 90% of my riding options.
Keeps you warm enough to get to temp and easy to strip down.
The Aussie grit one was good too but skinflint sizing.
Have an Altura one which was about £35. Windproof front and mesh back. Used a lot and will buy another if it got damaged.
My Paramo one refuses to die and seems to be a good balance between windproof and warm. It could maybe do with being a size smaller, but this way I can use it as a layer over a fleece or (as it is relatively thin) use it as a layer under my commuting jacket.
Some good options here thanks , so size wise I normally go Large in a jacket as I like a bit of room and length at the back but is that defeating the object with a gilet as you need a tight fit ?
Endura pro sl is on offer at around £50 at the moment... really good quality gilet.
It's all about the zip. Some have utterly rubbish zips that disintegrate at the first sign of grit. Not a problem for road use, but useless off road. So the 2 that have lasted are a louis garneau one and a champion systems one. Sturdy zips ftw.
I've got an Altura one which is a bit too roadie cut (high at the front) and a bit too lightweight, and a Aussiegrit one which is a great fit, but a bit too heavyweight...
Yes, you need one. Much nicer than sticking newspapers up your jersey. Get whatever folds up smallest, then you're much likelier to take it with you on those maybe/maybe not weather days - and those are the Exact sort of days gilets are made for.
+1 for the endura gilet - a really versatile and packable item. I use mine lots - never seem to be too hot in it in the spring / autumn and it keeps me toasty in the winter.
Super versatile bits of kit, I use them a lot. I have a super lightweight on that folds up to the size of a tennis ball that is perfect when I know I'll end up taking it off once I warm up (this one, though mine is white), and a heavier waterproof one that is great when the weather may turn and/or it's a bit colder.
2nd the shout of arm warmers as well, another really versatile bit of kit that is perfect for spring/autumn conditions.
Mock them all you like, but roadies know how to dress to deal with changing conditions.
most of them seem designed for road riding not MTB , also I don’t want to pay more than £50 for basically a jacket without sleeves
If it's just a jacket without sleeves (which it is) how would an MTB one be different from a road one?
isn't the mtb version the same just 2 sizes bigger ?
isn’t the mtb version the same just 2 sizes bigger ?
That and with bright yellow trim for added gnar.
My Gore windstopper is my most used bit of kit....
Small and light but enough to keep the wind of my tits.....
Another vote for the "yes, you do need one". I've got a Decathlon gilet which does the job, folds down nice and small too.
One thing to check is access to back pockets if you use them a lot while riding. Mine doesn't have any access which personally isn't an issue as I tend to stop to eat, but if I were regularly trying to get gels or whatever out while moving it would be a pain. Other gilets either come with pockets or have an elastic flap which just covers your jersey's pockets.
I had a cheap green one from Decathlon that was awesome
For summer, a super lightweight packable one like an Endura pak-a-gilet. For spring and autumn I use a Lomo gilet (super value) as it's a bit thicker and warmer. Use it on and off road and it's very useful to have
Endura pro sl is on offer at around £50 at the moment… really good quality gilet.
Give us a clue!
I have a montane one - must be getting on for 15yrs old. Probably my most worn bit of kit.
I don’t want to pay more than £50 for basically a jacket without sleeves 🙄🙄🙄🙄
After I bought a gore humvee convertible jacket I haven't looked back. Set off with a waterproof jacket and when it gets too hot I remove the sleeves and back panel which folds up small and exposes the mesh backing. It's an amazing bit of kit i picked up in the sales for £35. I ofter just set off without the arms when I know its not going to rain. I sometimes just zip the arms down and leave it connected like a big pit vent.
I used to always carry a packable waterproof just in case, now i just take this. Great quality zips too which you expect from gore. I don't think they make it anymore but I'm sure they do something similar.
https://road.cc/content/review/137826-endura-hummvee-convertible-jacket
However, it doesnt pack down as small as a gilet and arm warmers but it does replace a waterproof jacket. Maybe not a summer solution.
Another vote for cheap decathlon job
gore humvee convertible jacket
gore or endura?
gore or endura
Sorry, mixing my brands up. It's endura but I also have a road gore one but that's a road fit and not suitable for mtb.
bought one in the Alpkit sale because it was cheap - have used it lots more than i thought i would..
I have a montane one – must be getting on for 15yrs old. Probably my most worn bit of kit
I had one of them. Died last year. Similar age.
Another vote for Endura pro sl gilet, it's my go to piece of kit. Paired with arm warmers that's seems to be my standard kit for any type of cycling.
It’s endura but I also have a road gore one but that’s a road fit and not suitable for mtb.
Why would it not be suitable for MTB?
I've got an Altura one, which I use a lot. It's waterproof on the chest ant tail (why not) and has a mesh back, which is great as it is nearly always used with a backpack.
I have an Aussiegrit one which is a great fit, but a bit too heavyweight…
Really? The Aussie Grit one I bought is too lightweight/roadie - looked great but has torn along the side of the zip seam.
For roadie use super light/packable is important but off road I want something that isn't going to tear the first time it sees a bramble, and doesn't need to pack so small as I'm going to shove it in a camelbak. Loads of the roadie ones now are stupidly expensive and made of fancy waterproof/breathable fabrics. Just needs to be windproof, ideally with a mesh back. It really doesn't need anything coated or fancy for that.
I've got an *ancient* Pace Racewear one that's does the job (high fleece lined collar too) but the zip is on it's last legs.
I have a montane one – must be getting on for 15yrs old. Probably my most worn bit of kit
I had one of them. Died last year. Similar age.
Oh no - how'd it die?
are we dangerously close to that rarest of STW beasts, consensus?
Get a gilet. Get arm warmers. Sorted.
are we dangerously close to that rarest of STW beasts, consensus?
Get a gilet. Get arm warmers. Sorted.
Dare I mention knee warmers....
I have an altura one, windproof, not MTB specific but that has never been an issue, sure I didn't pay much for it, in fact I think I bought it on a whim because it was a cheap deal.
Anyway I came here to talk pockets
Beware!
On mine one side has a pocket and the other side has a zip to access your cycle Jersey pockets beneath I assume. Didn't realize that. Lost a bike light i stuck in the 'pocket' on the commute home.
I got a cheap DHB one from wiggle a few years back.
It's been used a hell of a lot!
No, you don't need gilet, you need several!
+1 for the Alpkit one.
Yes!
I've got a very old Gore one, windproof front with a mesh back, which I generally use on the MTB. Have a couple of more generic road ones which are also windproof.
If you're thinking about chillier weather, I bought one of these after freezing my nads off on a long road ride in January
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Endura/Pro-SL-Primaloft-Gilet-II/NMZ3
(shop around as they do come up cheaper) and it is probably the best bit of kit I've bought. I've not used it on the MTB as I run quite warm, but I've worn it on every road ride since January (temps up to about 12 celcius) and it's never felt too hot or cold.
Don't use arm warmers as I just wear a long sleeve top, but do use knee warmers on the road bike and love them.