Categories: Accessories and GearReverence

Reverence: Gilet

A properly-fitting gilet is an indispensable piece of kit

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:

In Winter it is an ideal insulation barrier, adding warmth to a long or short sleeve jersey, or bridging the gap between the two during Spring and Fall
In Spring and Fall, the wind-breaking capabilities make for a great rain barrier in (depending on your climate, Winter as well)
In Summer, its lightweight nature makes it the ideal garment to stave off the chill of an early morning start or to bring along for warmth on cold mountain descents

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

xyxax says:

Jan 7 2012 at 8:41 pm

@Buck Rogers
She's 5'3" and can kick my ass (though she has to loosen up her hamstrings before doing so).
DerHoggz says:

Jan 7 2012 at 8:57 pm

@xyxax
What size frame is that? (Yours) The headtube looks massive.
motor city says:

Jan 8 2012 at 2:12 am

@frank
and @scaler911
Since the subject of chickens has already been brought up.... a link to our set up is here if you fancy a look...http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=393509
xyxax says:

Jan 8 2012 at 3:34 am

@DerHoggz
The frame is listed as a 66 cm by Gunnar, though top tube is 61cm and seat tube is 63. HT is a statuesque 25 cm. In the winter, we use it to store grain.
DerHoggz says:

Jan 8 2012 at 5:48 am

I'm guessing the 66cm is from BB to the top of the HT, that is a compact frame, right?
Rob says:

Jan 8 2012 at 6:40 am

@xyxax
What a day 60Ëš! did you get up to the Runcible Spoon?
xyxax says:

Jan 8 2012 at 7:22 am

@DerHoggz
Exactly. Their frame sizing correlates to stack (664 mm in this case).

@Rob
Simply glorious. What a "winter" so far. We didn't make it to the Spoon this time, but it will be a destination as we increase distance. See you there?
Rob says:

Jan 8 2012 at 7:30 am

@xyxax
In the spring - I will repeat the Spoon ride I did with the peeps from L.I.
Right now I am up in Northern Dutchess/Columbia county.
BrianG says:

Jan 8 2012 at 10:57 pm

While I hate to ruin a perfectly good conversation about chickens and such, the topic at hand has prompted a question from me...

If one were to purchase a gilet and rain is not a primary concern, should the gilet have a mesh back or not? Are the mesh-backed garments too cool for a winter day of 5-15C, or is a non-mesh back simply too hot and stuffy?
scaler911 says:

Jan 9 2012 at 8:23 am

@BrianG

While I hate to ruin a perfectly good conversation about chickens and such, the topic at hand has prompted a question from me...
If one were to purchase a gilet and rain is not a primary concern, should the gilet have a mesh back or not? Are the mesh-backed garments too cool for a winter day of 5-15C, or is a non-mesh back simply too hot and stuffy?

Personally, if I was going to use it for 5-15C I'd get one without a mesh back. But I've got both. I use the mesh back one (albeit rarely) for cool late spring mornings or shove it in my pocket if I'm planning on a long decent after a big climb, say McKenzie Pass Oregon.
If you can only fund one, get the one without mesh. IMHO.

Just wanna stay on topic........