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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frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 4:43 pm

@Chris

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).

AWESOME!!

The orders need to be in by Jan 6, is that right? When could we expect deliver and when might the next order be?

I think we'll have to push the close date out a week to Sunday January 15, but that still puts delivery to Seattle on March 1-15. If your kit is looking sketchy for delivery, I'll hand-carry it to you (and anyone else doing KT who has a kit order in this batch.)
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 4:46 pm

@sgt

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.

You're too kind. We are sometimes slow in selecting our gear, but its only because we're making absolutely certain we're getting the right stuff together. Thanks for the compliment.

@ChrisO
Bugger. That misspelling is spread out all over the Gear page! I'll be doing some editing tonight, it appears. Thanks!
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 4:55 pm

@VeloVita

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.

This. Not to focus too much on the V-Gilet specifically, but I was absolutely amazed at how well the arm stripes lined up between it and the jersey:
Ron says:

Jan 4 2012 at 4:56 pm

Why is anyone doubting the utility of a gilet? They are fucking amazing. Useful in many, many different conditions. While the V-gilet is damn nice, if the Budgetatus is running low, just pick one up used. That's what I did for one of mine. Nalini made, very nice, and saved around $100 off the original price.

If time is money quit debating whether or not you need one and just get one. I don't care where the heck you live. I've lived in three different places with three different climates since I've become a Velominati and my gilet has been used in all of them.
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 5:03 pm

@Kambei

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

The following gentlemen disagree with you.
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 5:23 pm

@The Oracle, @King Clydesdale

Living where I live (SE Wisconsin), I don't think I will ever see a reason to plunk down any hard-earned coin on a gillet. I could see myself using it during maybe two weeks in spring and autumn. While I can certainly imagine that such a garment would see extensive use in certain climates, I don't know about its usefulness in a place where you're either too damn cold or too damn hot for 98% of the year. And, it's not like we have any mountains around here where we have to worry about it being colder at the top!

This leads me to think in general about allowances that must be made to the garment-centric Rules and posts here on the basis of climate/geography. I can tell you that I've violated several Rules on my most recent outdoor rides. Not only have I violated the Rules, I did so with abandon and cheerfully, as those violations made it possible for me to actually engage in the very activity that the Rules are all about.

And yes, I have tried to Rule #5 it through 20 degree temps with 30 mph winds. That ride lasted five minutes before I turned around, put on two layers of tights (thermal and windstopper), another thermal layer under my cycling jacket, another layer of gloves, a balaclava, thick wool socks that came up to my knees and windstopper booties over my Sidis. I looked ridiculous, but I know that I saw at least one guy with bike racks on his car looking at me with envy as I rode by.

Sorry, but the climate thing is bullshit and has no relevance to The Rules. What, so people living in Hawaii should ride shirtless and we'll pretend that looks good? Every time we talk about clothing, someone claims their special little climate is an exception, and every time they're wrong.

I was raised in Minneapolis, MN - not much different from your SE Wisconsin climate. i rode year round. Knee warmers, arm warmers, gilets, cotton caps - they see much use in Spring and Fall. Even when I'm riding in SW Wisconsin (which I do several times a year), I'll wear my gilet on the descents. As Gianni says, try descending even in warm weather with a wet jersey. Or start your ride at sunrise. Or end it at nightfall. You'll find yourself using a vest at least 5 of the months you ride.

There's no Rule forbidding wearing tights, or jackets or gloves. The Rules regarding clothing are about what Looks Fantastic and what doesn't; what makes you look like a hardman or that to dress in one's Flandrian Best, we should wear knickers and arm warmers with a cap. No Rules. MN Winter rides saw tights, thick gloves, sometimes even a thick air block jersey. Do what you need to to ride; but its no excuse for not taking care to match your kit and do your best to look as good as possible.

One last and important note to remember: Elle McPherson wouldn't look good in a balaclava, you don't either.
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 5:27 pm

@scaler911

@Buck Rogers

@Nate
Het Neiuwsblad - and I have quite a programming job in front of me as I've managed to forget about the notion of scoring across years, so I have some refactoring to do. I'll get the calendar updated soon.

As for the Broken Chain award, we were going to do a few posts on it, and maybe we will after all. We'll give it some think.
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 5:29 pm

@pakrat

Which Castelli vest is this? Is this the Fawesome or Fusione?

The new Gear pages allow for full product descriptions, so it does say now:
http://www.velominati.com/gear/winter-v-gilet/

But its the Castelli Wind Vest.
Oli says:

Jan 4 2012 at 5:34 pm

@Ron

@frank

I'm with Ron and Frank, et al. Just because you don't think you need a gilet doesn't mean you don't. Give it a try, you might be surprised.

Further, the climactic reasons for needing one are just ridiculous - are you seriously suggesting your seasons turn so fast you're either way too cold for a gilet or suddenly you couldn't wear one without perishing from heat exhaustion? Don't make me laugh!
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 5:35 pm

@Ron

Why is anyone doubting the utility of a gilet? They are fucking amazing. Useful in many, many different conditions. While The V-gilet is damn nice, if the Budgetatus is running low, just pick one up used. That's what I did for one of mine. Nalini made, very nice, and saved around $100 off the original price.
If time is money quit debating whether or not you need one and just get one. I don't care where the heck you live. I've lived in three different places with three different climates since I've become a Velominati and my gilet has been used in all of them.

Please see the first paragraph of the article:

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.

In this scenario, the doubters are the ones who don't have the gilet yet. Once you get your hands on one, you suddenly understand its versatility.

@Adrian

We use Gillets in Malaysia, average daily temperature is 32+degC (90+F), for decending the mountain routes around Kuala Lumpur. All that other stuff (arm warmers, long sleeves etc) would cook you. The specialist hot weather Gillet with a windproof front and open,breathable back are particularly good. Long live the Gillet!

And you're name is Adrian, no less! Thrilled to have one around who isn't a tool.

Is traffic in Malaysia anything like that in India? We have several V-Kit owners who live in India, and I've been in India and seen serious cyclists there first-hand. It seems like utter suicide to me, though!

@Oli

@Ron
@frank
I'm with Ron and Frank, et al. Just because you don't think you need a gilet doesn't mean you don't. Give it a try, you might be surprised.
Further, the climactic reasons for needing one are just ridiculous - are you seriously suggesting your seasons turn so fast you're either way too cold for a gilet or suddenly you couldn't wear one without perishing from heat exhaustion? Don't make me laugh!

Wow, I've never seen the Oli-vibritron fire from my side of the discussion! Its cool!