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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Buck Rogers says:

Jan 4 2012 at 2:40 pm

@Nate @Adrian et al: I know it is no longer called "Het Volk."

Although I think that we all agree that it should be.

As for countdowns, it always seems that the real season starts with MSR which starts in 72 days, 10 hours, 5 minutes and 29 seconds.

(see timer at the right on this link)

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/MilanoSanremo/it/
pakrat says:

Jan 4 2012 at 2:55 pm

Which Castelli vest is this? Is this the Fawesome or Fusione?
Nate says:

Jan 4 2012 at 2:55 pm

@Buck Rogers

@Nate @Adrian et al: I know it is no longer called "Het Volk."
Although I think that we all agree that it should be.
As for countdowns, it always seems that the real season starts with MSR which starts in 72 days, 10 hours, 5 minutes and 29 seconds.
(see timer at the right on this link)
http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/MilanoSanremo/it/

Agree on all points.
Adrian says:

Jan 4 2012 at 3:12 pm

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!
King Clydesdale says:

Jan 4 2012 at 3:19 pm

@The Oracle

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.

+1. I tend to agree. This year I went from shorts and short sleeve jersey to tights, wool, oversocks, full fingered gloves, and base layers in the matter of two weeks. And the last thing that gets cold on me is my core.

But the garment makes sense in some places, sure. But these are those places dominated by a marine airmass and have varying micro climates. A marine airmass shows much slower fluctuation in temperature throughout the year then the continental one, especially when you have valleys and ridges to trap the moisture and warmth in.

You can see this in a quick climate comparison (Note that since the legend changes on the right, the graphs are a bit deceivingly similar. In fact they are very different):
Seattle:

Note that since the legend changes on the right, the graphs are a bit deceivingly similar. In fact they are very different.

Spokane:

As you can see, by distancing yourself from the ocean, you increase that range of your temperature variation.

So for me a gilet is of little use as the seasonal contrast here doesn't really give much opportunity for use.
hungsolo says:

Jan 4 2012 at 3:24 pm

I own 3 gillets and zero long sleeve jerseys. I ride in temps from the high 30's F to 105* F here in Nor Cal USA. I have never once needed anything warmer than a baselayer, vest, and jersey with armwarmers. In fact, I think this is a corollary of rule #5.
scaler911 says:

Jan 4 2012 at 3:43 pm

@hungsolo

I own 3 gillets and zero long sleeve jerseys. I ride in temps from the high 30"²s F to 105* F here in Nor Cal USA. I have never once needed anything warmer than a baselayer, vest, and jersey with armwarmers. In fact, I think this is a corollary of Rule #5.

Where in NorCal? Far enough to be in the State of Jefferson?
hungsolo says:

Jan 4 2012 at 3:46 pm

@scaler911

no not quite!! Just outside Sacramento towards Tahoe. Do you live in Jefferson (Oregon or CA side)?
scaler911 says:

Jan 4 2012 at 3:55 pm

@hungsolo

@scaler911
no not quite!! Just outside Sacramento towards Tahoe. Do you live in Jefferson (Oregon or CA side)?

Up by El Dorado? I have family there and in Portola. I get down that way a couple times a year to ski.
I actually live in Vancouver WA (suburb of Portland with a with a decidedly more hillbilly slant). I grew up in Yreka, Weed (that still makes me laugh) and Mt Shasta City.
hungsolo says:

Jan 4 2012 at 4:11 pm

@scaler911
Exactly where I am! Next time you're here if a bike is available let's go for a ride!