Cool gilets??

[nimchimpsky82]

Out on a loop of the Wirral yesterday wearing a L/S merino base layer and a normal S/S jersey, every now and then I could really feel the chilly sea breeze get through to my bones. I decided that on getting home I'd start looking for a light/mid-weight gilet to hopefully stay a little bit more insulated and warm.

There appears to be plenty of good stuff out there, but almost all of it looks pretty drab. Based on the kinds of jerseys you can get from places like http://www.prendas.co.uk or http://www.foska.com I'd assumed that similarly funky designs would be available for gilets -- but I'm disappointed at what's available. The closest thing I've found is this, from PBK:

In it, I'd feel a bit like Spiderman

The other one that's caught my eye is Mavic's Helium, which looks like something that might be worn by a Stormtrooper (or by someone at an S&M party, as my gf remarked ):

I've checked for reviews, and about the Mavic at least one person complains that despite getting it in the smallest possible size (for them) the back flaps about like a bin bag.

Is there more cool stuff out there, or will I have to accept that gilets are generally just a bit boring?

 

[Pottsy]

I've got one of these, it's great:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Pearl_Izumi_Zephrr_Vest/5360038016/

 

[yello]

Is there more cool stuff out there, or will I have to accept that gilets are generally just a bit boring?

Depends what you mean by cool but there is, imo, a helluva lot of variety in colours, logos etc. How's this for starters..?

For me, with a gilet the most important thing is that it can be stuffed into a jersey pocket if it does start to get warm. I also like to have a thru-pocket (I don't know if that's what they are called!) too, so I can get to my jersey pockets if needed. A 2 way zip is useful as well, so you can undo it from the bottom and allow a bit of venting (I find they can flap around if you undo them too much from the top). Colour-wise, I tend to go for something simple and bright (yellow, orange, red, etc). By definition for me, a gilet is warn on mornings or evenings when it's chillier AND the light is less so anything that makes me a little more visible.

I do like those Mavic Helium gilets but they're a little pricey for me.

 

[nimchimpsky82]

Depends what you mean by cool but there is, imo, a helluva lot of variety in colours, logos etc. How's this for starters..?

For me, with a gilet the most important thing is that it can be stuffed into a jersey pocket if it does start to get warm. I also like to have a thru-pocket (I don't know if that's what they are called!) too, so I can get to my jersey pockets if needed. A 2 way zip is useful as well, so you can undo it from the bottom and allow a bit of venting (I find they can flap around if you undo them too much from the top). Colour-wise, I tend to go for something simple and bright (yellow, orange, red, etc). By definition for me, a gilet is warn on mornings or evenings when it's chillier AND the light is less so anything that makes me a little more visible.

I do like those Mavic Helium gilets but they're a little pricey for me.

Thanks for your considerations Yello -- I didn't even know that things like thru-pocket exist, so that's useful.

The gilet in the photo certainly isn't bad. It's on sale too -- though alas only in size S, and is apparently exclusive to Prendas.

 

[jay clock]

having looked at that one with the ads on it your idea of cool is obviously different from mine! Unless it is cool as in 'appearing as an extra in a 1989 Wham video'

I have just got a second one of these as they are super light and have a combo of hi-viz and refective stripes http://shop.mymoti.com/205/products/CRAFT_Active_Run_Safety_Vest_Male_192480_.aspx

 

[nimchimpsky82]

having looked at that one with the ads on it your idea of cool is obviously different from mine! Unless it is cool as in 'appearing as an extra in a 1989 Wham video'

Wham weren't actually recording in 1989 anymore. What it says about me that I know this I do not wish to think about

Anyway, my idea of cool is actually closer to the PBK and Mavic jerseys I posted. Also stumbled across these two just now, which I really like:

I have just got a second one of these as they are super light and have a combo of hi-viz and refective stripes http://shop.mymoti.com/205/products/CRAFT_Active_Run_Safety_Vest_Male_192480_.aspx

See, I'm sure this is very safe and functional, but it looks a bit like a roadworker's jacket to me. To each his own, of course.