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Never thought I'd be a gilet wearer, but got a sugoi alpha last year and I've ended up wearing it at every opportunity I can.
Never thought I’d be a gilet wearer, but got a sugoi alpha last year and I’ve ended up wearing it at every opportunity I can.
Polartec Alpha is the best thing ever.
I like a gilet on and off the bike. Have a gore wind stopper gilet for cool mornings etc. Good also if it’s a bit drizzly etc. Rolls up pretty small and will go in a pocket.
Don’t flame me but also bought a rapha insulated brevet gilet last autumn and kept me toasty over the winter on the gravel bike. It just works, toasty and well ventilated with a double zip, good hi viz, looks nice, rolls up small. I got a deal on it through their industry scheme so better value.
I did try the alpkit thin gilet before I bought the gore one but it was a bit thin, cheap and nasty and the fit was weird. I guess it fits or it doesn’t but the zip was stiff as well. Also had an altura gilet but that was cheap and nasty.
My favourite is still my Aussie Grit lightweight gilet (Sadly no longer available).
Things a good cycling gilet needs (IMO):
-windproof front panels, otherwise lightweight stretchy fabric everywhere else. (Note don't just buy an armless plastic pac-a-mac)...
-mesh/perforated sections in the back and sides for ventilation
-at least two decent sized rear pockets (one zipped ideally)
-a full length zip
-a collard neck that when zipped up fully, provides some neck coverage (toweling or light fleece lined ideally).
+For me a 'generous' fit that takes account of the fact I'll probably be wearing a layer or two underneath, and I'm a little chunky in the middle (especially during the winter months).
For spring/autumn/winter keeping a pair of arm warmers and gloves balled up in the back pocket means that you always have the most flexible version of a 'jacket' possible.
They works equally well on or off-road, you see people boiling away in their lovely jackets when the weather is in a transitional state and appreciate the practical benefits of a gilet even more...
singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/do-i-need-a-gilet-if-yes-which-one/page/2/#post-11901883
I use a Mountain Equipment Switch jerkin with alpha front and waffle fleece back. Great for early morning starts. Packs into it’s own pocket and will fit in a jersey pocket if needed. The non-windproof back bit is just as important as the windproof front bit otherwise it becomes a clammy cold sweatfest. Still also using the Rapha brevet jerkin that came with the jersey 9 years ago. Just windproof but packs very small.
The Alpkit one is very light, works well and packs up to nothing. It is a basic wind break and not much more.
I have one and for 25 quid I think it is not bad value.
This thread has convinced me I need a gilet.
Swithering between the Altura Firestorm or Airstream.
I use a Mountain Equipment Switch jerkin with alpha front and waffle fleece back
Wiggle does a bike-specific DHB Polartec Apha gilet along similar lines. It's brilliant on or off road, on its own or layered under something else. Road gilets I don't wear on the mtb, two reasons: 1. They tend to be super packable, light and relatively fragile so they stow in a jerey pocket. 2. I buy road gilets to fit snugly or they flap around on alpine descents.
My fave mtb gilet is an ancient Haglofs one with a stretch mesh back and a Gore Windstopper front. Too heavy and bulky for road use, but relatively tough and durable.
Do you need one? Hell, y.. er, maybe.