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.

Next Portland Oregon Cogal »

Previous « La Vie Velominatus: Romanticization

View Comments

Kambei says:

Jan 4 2012 at 10:23 am

I'll need more convincing then that friends! I find its appearance to be in the tights category and not at all V.
G'rilla says:

Jan 4 2012 at 10:52 am

@Chris
Are you starting in Paris? I'm flying into Paris at 8am on the Friday morning and plan to take the TGV to Lille. It would be cool to meet up if anyone else is going that route.
doubleR says:

Jan 4 2012 at 10:53 am

@ChrisO

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).

Unless you are a Spanish-speaker. In that case, it would be pronounced "gee-yet."
RedRanger says:

Jan 4 2012 at 10:58 am

@doubleR
that may be one way to say it in Spanish. I use the other word, chaleco.
Gianni says:

Jan 4 2012 at 11:08 am

@Kambei
I've learned the hard way that the gilet is a life enhancer and life saver. Keeping the torso warm with it's windproof front alone makes cold descents survivable and even pleasurable.

Years back four of us did a looong spring ride which turned out to be colder than all but one of had dressed for. One had a vest and the rest of us suffered the whole long way. The ride sucked so much but that ride made me understand the gilet's magical power. And with Frank's brilliant stowing method, there is no down side to bring the gilet as insurance. They are the best.
Kambei says:

Jan 4 2012 at 11:26 am

@Gianni

Ah, the power of anecdotal evidence. I'm sold!
Gianni says:

Jan 4 2012 at 12:00 pm

@Kambei
Anecdotal is one thing, try the descent from altitude in damp jersey method. Some lessons are better learned from empiric experience. Do you live in a place that has a cold windy spring? It would afford you the perfect environment for this kind of research.

Also, when Frank is this bully on a bit of kit, that means a lot. Seattle is a prime place for gilet wearing.
Chris says:

Jan 4 2012 at 12:04 pm

@G'rilla
I'm getting the Eurostar from London to Lille on the Friday morning, getting in at 11:26. Probably not too far off your arrival time. I'm not staying at the official accommodation but if there both in the same direction it might be worth sharing transport. If not there's certainly scope for a first beer of the tour!

@Dr C is flying in from Ireland but I'm not sure when and @roadslave is coming in from London. I'm sure there'll be others arriving by rail from the UK.
scaler911 says:

Jan 4 2012 at 12:35 pm

@Gianni

@Kambei
Anecdotal is one thing, try the descent from altitude in damp jersey method. Some lessons are better learned from empiric experience. Do you live in a place that has a cold windy spring? It would afford you the perfect environment for this kind of research.
Also, when Frank is this bully on a bit of kit, that means a lot. Seattle is a prime place for gilet wearing.

Nipple Lube! Portland is only a tiny bit dryer.
The trick @Kambei, is getting a vest that fits properly. If it's all flappy then yes, it's like tights. If it fits proper, you shouldn't notice you're wearing it except for the fact that you're not freezing to death on a 20K decent.
sgt says:

Jan 4 2012 at 12:47 pm

@Gianni
I smell troll...