There are two kinds of people in this world: those who own a properly-fitting, lightweight gilet and those who don’t. Those who own one know this is an indispensable piece of kit.
The gilet is typically one of the last items that enters into a Cyclist’s wardrobe, long after arm warmers, knee warmers, and long sleeve jerseys have found their way into the kit bag. It’s just a vest, after all, and can’t possibly serve much purpose beyond Looking Pro, can it? It can, in fact.
A vest is an incredibly versatile unit that serves to stave off all kinds of Fuckness – be it from wind, rain, or cold. Furthermore, the sleeveless design makes it easy don or doff, and packs away nicely; a lightweight gilet can be folded flat (first in half, then in thirds) and slipped between the jersey and bibs, keeping the rear pockets clear and accessible for tools and food.
In short, the gilet is a Four-Season Fuckness Stopper that accompanies me year-round, one which I personally hold in higher regard than the long sleeve jersey:
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
Absolutely. I've skipped past the armwarmers and went straight for the V gillet. Form and function incarnate.
Couldn't agree more. Down here I see many riders wearing long sleeve jerseys but the gillet is way more versatile. Loving the one I got for Xmas. Thanks for that tip about putting it under the jersey. I was wondering how it was going to fit in my pocket.
This is one piece of kit I need to get serious about picked up, that's the truth. I hate wearing my jacket (super thin and only rain resistant, not proof) and often need to pack it away mid-ride as I warm up, but it takes up an entire pocket.
No. No. No. I've spent the week convincing myself to be good and only buy an SS Jersey in the next batch of V-Kit. I'd convinced myself that over the last month I'd done pretty well for cycling kit and going for the that the V-Bibs as well would be pushing the expenditure envelope too far. Now you've gone and fucked me by suggesting that there is no way in the world that I can do without the Gillet. Worse still being half the price of the V-bibs it would be so much easier to do some man maths that would totally justify the additional expenditure. I've literally just finished booking my travel to the Keepers Tour (which has somehow evolved to include a side trip to Paris afterwards with the family).
The orders need to be in by Jan 6, is that right? When could we expect deliver and when might the next order be?
Get one. You won't be sorry to have it in your kit collection. Mine gets tons of use. Generally speaking they are inexpensive to boot.
Awesomeness, Frank! You said it all perfectly. And, you got me! It was one of the last things to enter my cycling wardrobe. COMPLETELY indispensable. I am continually amazed at how much Fuckness it gets me through. Cold, wind, rain. For something weighing a few grams, I can't believe what it manages to do for me. Saved me on many occasions.
I'm proud owner of two gilets. One I got used for about 1/6 of the original cost. It's made by Nalini, has a bit more adverts than I'd like, but when it stops the Fuckness, I can't complain about being a moving billboard. The second one I just picked up a few weeks back. It's a Spiuk with reflective strips. I'd rather not be in a hi-vis gilet with reflectors but you know what? In the winter when lighting is weird, it works like magic. I can hear and feel and see drivers giving me much more room and respect. I pull it on over a ls jersey or even a jacket when the lighting is bad. Works wonders.
Strong piece, Frank!
Specifically, get a V-Gillet. Frank has selected Castelli's best fabric for this essential piece of kit: breathable, windproof, with just a hint of flex. And NO flapping if properly fit (I hate the sound of flapping kit). I have another Castelli gillet in this fabric, and I ordered the V-Gillet hoping it would be this exceptional material. In my neck of the woods a gillet is worn on at least 60% of rides, especially anything that starts before 9 am. I have a bunch of them.
OK so putting my sub-editor's eyeshade on again...
Unless it is an American spelling of which I am unaware, it should be gilet with one 'l' (pronounced zhillay and sounds suave and French) not gillet with two 'l's (which would be pronounced gill-et and sounds vaguely fishy).
They do rock - it is about the only thing I wear over a jersey in Abu Dhabi, but even then pretty rarely and not enough to justify buying one.
I already have a nice Ground Effect gilet from NZ which does me fine for the six times a year it gets worn.
@ChrisO
your right. 1 L. Gilet
Great reverence article. It can't be stressed enough, however, the aspect that the gillet/gilet be properly fitting - snug under the armpits, across the chest and short enough in the front that it doesn't bunch up. In short, it should fit just like your jersey.