Cycling vest

[tjk23]

Looking for a recommendation for a cycling vest. Want something packable for cool mornings.

[quattro]

I have a wind vest I purchased from Ornot, very nice material, works great, folds small and reasonably priced.https://www.ornotbike.com/collections/mens-featured/products/stone-blue-house-wind-vest

[Davist]

I have a pearl izumi "pro barrier lite" vest I like very much, can find them around $50 or so on Amazon.. fits the bill for me light and packable, no pockets no mesh back, real minimal..

[AngryScientist]

my rapha vest is probably my single most worn piece of cycling kit. i really like it.

[sparky33]

Q36.5 (https://abovecategorycycling.com/collections/mens-jackets-1/products/q36-5-vest-l1-essential)

[BikeNY]

Not sure how much protection you're looking for, but these are super pack-able, very visible, and cheap right now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Giro-Mens-New-Road-Wind-Vest-Large-Orange-Bike-Cycling-Lightweight-NWT/152876951874?epid=1231144542&hash=item23982d2942:g:KNgAAOSwFLBaZl6a

I keep one on my road bike at all times!

[Keith A]

I don’t own one yet, but I really like the idea of the Louis Garneau vest that has an opening in the back for access to your jersey pockets. A friend has one and loves it.

[OtayBW]

I've been looking to replace my ~20+ yo, crusty Bellweather, but it seems hard to find one that has either a small breast pocket, or an opening in the back. Not sure this needs to be a ~$200+ item for me as well.....

[tsarpepe]

Q36.5 (https://abovecategorycycling.com/collections/mens-jackets-1/products/q36-5-vest-l1-essential)

Of course! How can life go on if you don't spend over $200 on a cycling vest?!

[FlashUNC]

Of course! How can life go on if you don't spend over $200 on a cycling vest?!

It's an incredible vest. And depending on where you live, well worth it.

Downside is it's not super packable. I'd suggest the ChptIII vest if you're concerned about packability.

[OtayBW]

It's an incredible vest. And depending on where you live, well worth it.

Downside is it's not super packable. I'd suggest the ChptIII vest if you're concerned about packability.To me, a gillet is a 'transition' piece and is therfore all about packability. If I can't roll it up tight and stick it easily into a jersey pocket, I can't use it...but, like I said, that's just me....

[Likes2ridefar]

I got a Castelli perfetto vest last year on sale for about $50 I really like.

[sparky33]

Of course! How can life go on if you don't spend over $200 on a cycling vest?!

True, it is ridiculous, but it works, fits and feels great. There is probably a $100 vest that is pretty good too.

[572cv]

The most packable vest/gillet I've ever had was a lightweight number from Mavic. But, there's always a tradeoff, and on this one, the material didn't snug up to my shoulders and was noticeably noisy (flapping) at speed. So, its about packable, but also about fit. The best compromise so far for me has been one I got on sale from Rapha. Best fit, and packable enough. It goes with me on pretty much every ride in the spring and fall.

I did take the old Mavic to a seamstress, and had the shoulders taken in. I'll be trying it again this season to see if that worked.

[R3awak3n]

Another vote for rapha. THe new classic and brevet have pockets which to me is a must have. They also have insulated ones which is pretty nice but I just have non insolated ones and they have been great.

[Vientomas]

I have the Ornot vest ("gilet" for the continental types). Very packable and also wind resistent. Generally satisfied with the product.

I have recently been liking La Passion products and became aware of them after purchasing the Ornot gilet. La Passion has a gilet also. https://www.lapassione.cc/collections/mens-collection/products_gilets

My exerience has been that the La Passion items I have (bibs, jerseys and jacket) appear to be of a higher quality in terms of contruction than the Ornot items I have (bibs, jerseys and gilet).

[joosttx]

Q36.5 (https://abovecategorycycling.com/collections/mens-jackets-1/products/q36-5-vest-l1-essential)

This

[abr5]

I have one of the Catella Lowe (https://catella.cc/product/catella-mt-lowe-seamless-vest/) vests. It's packable but adds a surprising amount of warmth on cold mornings with its wind blocking front. I end up wearing it way more than I thought I would, and more than I have any other vest.

[rwsaunders]

I like the Rapha vests with pockets and my fave is a POC vest for MTB'ers that allows access to your jersey pockets and has a rear zip pouch as well. Don't mind the retail price as you can find them for $50-60.

https://www.pocsports.com/us/products/resistance-pro-xc-wind-vest/52520.html?dwvar_52520_color=Carbon%20Black&cgid=apparel-vests#start=1

[cgolvin]

I have both a Rapha light wind gilet and an insulated one. Both are eminently packable; the insulated one is surprisingly warm for how light it is and has a nice integrated band that allows you to wrap it up in a tight package to stow in your jersey pocket.

[brockd15]

I got a Castelli perfetto vest last year on sale for about $50 I really like.

I also use one of these, and like Angry, the vest is my most used piece.
I can't think of anything more I'd want from it....weather resistant, packable, great fit, versatile, hi viz (big one for me). I actually have an unopened spare in the drawer waiting for the first to wear out.

[oldturd]

Search and State makes a good one (just plain black, and great fabric) but it only has a single horizontal zip pocket instead of the traditional three if you can live with that.

[buckfifty]

The Rapha gilet is really nice. I also have a cheap one from Cadence Collection that is packable into a pouch with snaps to attach anyone. It's a bit thinner and has a mesh backing to vent a bit

[pdonk]

I have had good luck with both a louis Garneau vest and biemme vests. Prefer the biemme as they have a mesh back and pass through slits to reach my pockets.

Both squish down well to pack in a jersey pocket.

Wear my biemmes more also because the colours are bright and usually when I need a vest it is darker out.

[fellowsun]

Has anyone tried this Mission Workshop vest: https://missionworkshop.com/collections/cycling/products/interval-microlight-waterrepellent-windshell-biking-vest?variant=34307124681

[cderalow]

use a rapha brevet vest here.

Wish I had the newer version with pockets.

[flying]

The older Garneau Nova vests were really nice. Good protection in front vented back & two pockets which I liked

You can still find these really cheap ($25) online at various shops or ebay

[jasonification]

I don’t own one yet, but I really like the idea of the Louis Garneau vest that has an opening in the back for access to your jersey pockets. A friend has one and loves it.I actually picked one of these up at my LBS on massive clearance! Excited to try it out

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

[beaverstuff]

This vest idea I had never thought of before - neat!

[booglebug]

Catella and Q36.5 here, both nice, Catella packs very small

[timto]

I recently picked up one of these - from Lawrence and Patricia who are the couple behind Cima Coppi as well.

I love how it feels! It's extremely packable and the fit is excellent but I'm equally as happy that I have a vest I can wear off the bike too. I think it looks beautiful and I get compliments on it tons.

https://everjourn.com/en/bike/21-waxed-cotton-gilet-m.html

https://everjourn.com/432-thickbox_default/waxed-cotton-gilet-m.jpg

[Tickdoc]

my fav is a cheap used castelli rosso corsa cervelo team issue I got off the classifieds here. Super light weight fabric packs into nothing and no flappy. I have four or five other vests and none of them perform like this little lightweight wonder.

I think I'm gonna cry when it finally gives way.

[tjk23]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess another issue I have is the price of some of these. I guess I was dreaming when I thought I should be able to find one for $40-$50.

[sjbraun]

VOLER- mine has three external pockets, very convenient and it doesn't flap in the wind

[jasonification]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess another issue I have is the price of some of these. I guess I was dreaming when I thought I should be able to find one for $40-$50.I picked up the LG one for 17. If you want I can check the lbs if they have any in your size

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

[thunderworks]

FWIW, just posted a a nice vest in the classifieds . . . $35.

[72gmc]

Boure vests are basic, well made and effective for wind. Nice collar, three pockets. I like a vest with pockets.

https://boure.com/jacketsvests.html

[Lionel]

I have both a Rapha light wind gilet and an insulated one. Both are eminently packable; the insulated one is surprisingly warm for how light it is and has a nice integrated band that allows you to wrap it up in a tight package to stow in your jersey pocket.

I've been pretty impressed with the insulated Rapha gilet. As you say very warm for its weight.

[pgrizzwald]

Vests are good, but I much prefer an awesome lightweight wind jacket. I’ve had the Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Wind Jacket for the past 2 years, and it’s amazing. Mesh back, crazy light and packable, ventilation is perfect and it’s wind proof on front and sleeves. No need for vest and arm warmers combo with this piece. Covers everything between 45-65 for me.

[CunegoFan]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess another issue I have is the price of some of these. I guess I was dreaming when I thought I should be able to find one for $40-$50.

I have some Altura vests I found on one of the UK sites for that price or less. They are no nonsense; they just work. These things are not exactly rocket science. It does not require $200 of R&D plus manufacturing expertise to make a windproof front and breathable back

[gdw]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess another issue I have is the price of some of these. I guess I was dreaming when I thought I should be able to find one for $40-$50.

Bike Tires Direct, a forum sponsor, has Pearl Izumi Elite Escape Barrier vests on sale for under $50.

[scoobydrew]

The Black Bibs has vests for $40. Colors limited to only black and gray though.

https://www.theblackbibs.com/shop/vestblk

https://www.theblackbibs.com/shop/grayvest

[Elefantino]

One of the most packable, most visible and most wind-cutting vest I've tried is from a Tokyo company called Lion de Kapelmuur. Really nice stuff. Unfortunately you can't buy it here. If anyone wants a size XL yellow vest that fits like a L, though, hit me up.

That said, I like the Castelli Superleggera best. Fits glove-like and packs to nothing.

[VC Slim]

Primal Wear has a nice $60 vest. One of the few vests out there with a two way zipper. Also three pockets in the back and a lined neck.