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 9:53 pm

@Nate

You good sir have never had the good fortune of experiencing the climate of the Upper Midwest in the US of A. Except for about 2 weeks a year, it's too hot or too cold "” a climate of extremes.

Also bullshit. The Upper Midwest is very pleasant through all of Spring and Fall - it has a reputation for being very harsh in the winters, but its also very harsh in summer. But the Spring and Fall is absolutely fantastic.

But as I stated previously, the upper midwest is where I discovered the gilet and it found use year-round (though intermittent in Summer and Winter). A true Four-Season Fuckness Stopper. (How fun is that to say?)
King Clydesdale says:

Jan 4 2012 at 9:56 pm

Well then if no one will bite on the climate arguement, which I still hold to be true personally, then the second half of the argument for me is core vs extremity temperature control.

I personally have no problems keeping my core warm, but have trouble keeping my extremities warm. In fact recently I find myself sweating at the head and core, but cold in the legs, arms, and hands. So why would I want a vest? I just cant remember a time when I went "damn I wish I had something to help keep my core warmer!"
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 9:56 pm

@all
Who was it that used the word "tricksy" today or yesterday? Just FYI, that has me giggling right now.
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 10:10 pm

@King Clydesdale
I don't want to speak for anyone else (other than that I did take up the argument) but if you have cold legs but a hot core, you are not riding right. Granted, we're not talking about the 20-30 minutes at the start and end of any ride where you're warming up/cooling down where, if you're dressed properly for effort, you may be uncomfortable. But aside from that, your guns should never be getting cold. At least not your quads or knees. Arms, hands, ears, sure. But legs? Something's wrong. Those are your pistons, baby. Your guns. They're doing the work. They're the heat source.

The only time I've had issues keeping the guns warm has been on rides where I really just coasted the whole way, and at the end of the ride, I had a full-body shiver going. I don't want to offer suggestions or play coach without having more details, but something isn't right if you're not keeping the guns warm on a ride when the core is pipin'.
ChrisO says:

Jan 4 2012 at 10:26 pm

@frank

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

Welcome... you know I'm very happy to proof-read stuff before it goes in the articles.
It doesn't take long - just as you or Oli look at a bike or rider and immediately pick out small details, I do much the same with words and punctuation. They leap out at me.
Personally I'd rather it was the bikes but we have to play with the cards life has dealt us :-)
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 11:02 pm

@ChrisO
As much as it bugs me to make mistakes, a major part of the magic of this place is the community working together to make it better. There are limits, but everyone contributes to the improvement of the organism and that's really, truly, amazing. After all, we're just a bunch of fuckwits and the longer we can work together to create the illusion that we have any clue whatsoever, the better.
Oli says:

Jan 4 2012 at 11:07 pm

@frank
Hmmm, not sure if you're quite correct when you say the guns are the heat source, but I certainly agree that when your core temperature is regulated correctly it's a lot easier to keep your extremities warm.

@King Clydesdale
Why do the pros shove old newspapers up their jumpers when they hit the summit of a climb? To keep their cores warm on the long descents. They don't (usually) stop to put on leg warmers or booties, but they do try and keep the cold off their chest and lungs. The gilet is just modern technology in place of that old 'paper.

Have you ever hiked? What do they stress you must keep warm to avoid exposure and possible hypothermia? That's right, your core...
frank says:

Jan 4 2012 at 11:17 pm

@Oli
That's whats' lightin' my fire!

@all
We seem to be having issue with our spam filter - please don't be alarmed if your post is flagged as "awaiting moderation" - We'll be working through the issue as best we can and get all your posts approved as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience!
Blah says:

Jan 5 2012 at 2:41 am

@King Clydesdale

Well then if no one will bite on the climate arguement,

I'm biting.
Singapore rides for me, starting at 5am, typically begin at 26-27C and end anywhere up to 32C. If I start later, the temp will be 30-32C.
The average high is 31C.
The average overnight low temperature is 24C, but that occurs
We have a yearly variation of about 1 degree (that means in 'winter' it'll be 30/31C, in 'summer' it will be 31/32C. Every day) and the only real difference is if it's raining or not. Rain is like a warm shower.

@Adrian lives in Malaysia, which is a very similar climate, and says he uses a gilet for descents. Singapore's highest point is 165m. There are no long descents.

There is no use for a gilet here for me.

I have a gilet, but it will travel back to Melbourne to stay with #2 bike there for when I visit a place with actual seasonal weather and some extended climbs (sort of).
mblume says:

Jan 5 2012 at 4:15 am

This thread is what I love about this "fuckwits" site. Article starts simple enough on a piece of gear but evolves into climate conditions around the globe/ proper heating of the body during exercise / Pro peloton faschion shots / faceless modelling of V-Kit by a Velominati / and mental pictures of Elle McPherson in only a baclava- I would guess she would have looked good despite any Rule Violations or microclimate paculiarity.