Wind vest recommendations
#1
Señor Blues
Thread Starter
Wind vest recommendations
I have tons of jerseys and several cycling jackets but I've never used a cycling vest. I'm thinking I might want one to block wind on a cold morning (~40°F) that eventually warms up into the 60s or higher. For this reason pack-ability will be a factor. Also, I'm looking for the following:
- excellent wind blocking
- good quality
- looks decent
- neutral color (not hi-vis anything)
- aero fit
- not pre-owned
- don't particularly want rear pockets
Price is not the main object. I'll pay for quality, up to a point. Having said that I'll be looking for a good deal on ebay or other closeout.
Any help would be most appreciated!
- excellent wind blocking
- good quality
- looks decent
- neutral color (not hi-vis anything)
- aero fit
- not pre-owned
- don't particularly want rear pockets
Price is not the main object. I'll pay for quality, up to a point. Having said that I'll be looking for a good deal on ebay or other closeout.
Any help would be most appreciated!
#3
Señor Blues
Thread Starter
I think I found what I'm looking for, made by Pearl Izumi. Thanks for the response.
#4
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I've been reasonably happy with Castelli Velo vest (pretty much the only Castelli item I've tried that I'd say that about),
not flappy, stuffs in it's pocket, 75g, & packs down to the size of an inner tube.
Maybe no longer available. Pearl Izumi should be OK, something cheap on Amazon worth a try.
Don't agree with the 2 way zipper- should fit tight, so no point.
not flappy, stuffs in it's pocket, 75g, & packs down to the size of an inner tube.
Maybe no longer available. Pearl Izumi should be OK, something cheap on Amazon worth a try.
Don't agree with the 2 way zipper- should fit tight, so no point.
#5
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The Black Bibs has a wind vest in black or gray for 40 bucks. Just received mine and it's really nice.
#6
Sr Member on Sr bikes
One of the cycling wind jackets I have is the Pearl iZUMi Elite Barrier Convertible Jacket. (Given to me as a gift) See the following link. The one I have is the florescent green with the black on the back. I am amazed at how well that thin, light material is at stopping the wind, and keeping the chill out. Down to about 30°F all I need is a long sleeved liner, then maybe a fleece, and this Pi jacket and I'm fine. It does resist the rain somewhat too. Although I've never done this, but on this model the sleeves and shoulder yoke zip off so that you have just the vest. They can be rolled up small and stuffed in the back pocket mid-ride. It might be just what you're looking for on your 30° to 60° rides.
https://www.pearlizumi.com/US/en/Sho...ket/p/11131513
Dan
#7
junior
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Anybody still interested in a wind vest, Pactimo has their Clothes-Out sale going on right now.... I've been impressed with the quality of their bibs, no experience with their vests.
https://www.pactimo.com/collections/...-jackets/vests
eric/fresno, ca.
https://www.pactimo.com/collections/...-jackets/vests
eric/fresno, ca.
#8
Non omnino gravis
I'm using something I would never ordinarily buy-- a Le Col gilet. It's superb, as you would expect. It's also north of $100, which is absurd. But they do those coupons via Strava Challenge several times a year, then hand you a sales offer-- it was the gilet and arm warmers for 100 British Pounds. After the Strava Coupon, it was about $70USD shipped for the gillet + warmers and I have no regrets whatsoever. They're far and away my favorite warmers, and since I got the gilet, I haven't worn my Pearl Izumi vest once.
#9
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https://www.ornotbike.com/collection...ind-vest-black
I have this, and I love it. Incredibly light and packable, but does a great job blocking the wind. Super fitted, so be sure you order the right size! Definitely race cut. Has rear pockets, but they don't add any bulk or extra material whatsoever.
I have this, and I love it. Incredibly light and packable, but does a great job blocking the wind. Super fitted, so be sure you order the right size! Definitely race cut. Has rear pockets, but they don't add any bulk or extra material whatsoever.
#10
Senior Member
Sportful hot pack 6 vest or Assos blitzfeder vest are both nice ultralight packable gilets that unfortunately didn’t work for me because of sizing, they both run small and are meant to fit snug. if sizing works for you though worth a look.
#11
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If you get a vest without pockets you’ll want it to have a two way zipper because it makes accessing your jersey pockets much easier.
The best vest I ever had was made by Hincapie. Windproof front, mesh back, pockets, two way zipper, high collar, and reflective accents. It was a team custom item, I don’t know if they still offer it.
The best vest I ever had was made by Hincapie. Windproof front, mesh back, pockets, two way zipper, high collar, and reflective accents. It was a team custom item, I don’t know if they still offer it.
#12
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Well duh - thanks for mentioning this. The one complaint that I have about my vest (Search & State) is that getting in to my jersey pockets is a *****. I mostly chalked it up to wearing gloves (which I don't usually wear above 45° or so) and the lack of touch/dexterity, but unzipping the bottom a bit should make things easier.
#13
Señor Blues
Thread Starter
https://www.ornotbike.com/collection...ind-vest-black
I have this, and I love it. Incredibly light and packable, but does a great job blocking the wind. Super fitted, so be sure you order the right size! Definitely race cut. Has rear pockets, but they don't add any bulk or extra material whatsoever.
I have this, and I love it. Incredibly light and packable, but does a great job blocking the wind. Super fitted, so be sure you order the right size! Definitely race cut. Has rear pockets, but they don't add any bulk or extra material whatsoever.
Below are some web pics of the PI vest I just bought. I got it for under 50 bucks. Newer version costs twice that and is essentially the same. Per my reading, and the size I bought, I think it will fit rather snugly.
#14
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Castelli Pro Light
https://www.backcountry.com/castelli...wind-vest-mens
Impeccable fit. No pockets.
Black with red highlights is as close as this product is going to come to a neutral colorway.
-Tim-
https://www.backcountry.com/castelli...wind-vest-mens
Impeccable fit. No pockets.
Black with red highlights is as close as this product is going to come to a neutral colorway.
-Tim-
#15
Mother Nature's Son
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I have an old Nashbar wind vest that I really like. It has zip front pockets and a good size zip rear central pocket. It is yellow and has stains that will not wash out. Not a big deal. I have been shopping for a new vest but have not seen one that I like enough to purchase. For me, it makes no sense to have a vest that has no pockets. I am used to the front pockets and I carry chapstick, gum/lifesavers and tissues in them, easy access. The rear pocket I just use for phone, paper money,ID and what ever else I may need for that ride. I like the idea of convertible jackets but it looks to me like most of them are really tight in the shoulders and have read that as a con in the reviews of many of them. The other big deterrent for me is simply a matter of the price, crazy expensive for a lot of them.
#16
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I have no experience with the Pactimo offerings, but one has three pockets, one has magnetic closure for access to your jersey's pockets, and the third has no pockets
#17
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Lightweight and pocket-less.. a nice option.
https://www.probikekit.com/sports-ja.../11863171.html
https://www.probikekit.com/sports-ja.../11863171.html
#18
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Well maybe there is a point.
I have a vest with pockets & 2 way zipper- the pockets get confusing between putting stuff there & the jersey pockets, & I don't use the 2 way zip. It's bulky & barely fits in a jersey pocket when rolled up.
Also have a jacket that's light, with slots to access the jersey pockets, but it flaps & the slots are a PIA so a failed experiment.
I lift up the back of the vest to get to the jersey pockets- somewhat awkward but no more than the other options.
#19
Senior Member
I have tons of jerseys and several cycling jackets but I've never used a cycling vest. I'm thinking I might want one to block wind on a cold morning (~40°F) that eventually warms up into the 60s or higher. For this reason pack-ability will be a factor. Also, I'm looking for the following:
- excellent wind blocking
- good quality
- looks decent
- neutral color (not hi-vis anything)
- aero fit
- not pre-owned
- don't particularly want rear pockets
Price is not the main object. I'll pay for quality, up to a point. Having said that I'll be looking for a good deal on ebay or other closeout.
Any help would be most appreciated!
- excellent wind blocking
- good quality
- looks decent
- neutral color (not hi-vis anything)
- aero fit
- not pre-owned
- don't particularly want rear pockets
Price is not the main object. I'll pay for quality, up to a point. Having said that I'll be looking for a good deal on ebay or other closeout.
Any help would be most appreciated!
Chest warmer from WarmFront. I'd get this anyhow - I use mine a lot more than I thought I would.
I also had Lou Binik from Foxwear.net make me a vest that has three jersey style pockets on the back, a chest pocket to slide my cell phone into and a two way zipper. The front is neoshell that is wind and waterproof but highly breathable and with mechanical stretch and the rear is midweight power stretch that vents heat super well. Power stretch is also stretchy so it makes the vest fit super close.
I wear this vest all the time and it rolls up to stash with ease in a jersey pocket. Cost is less than a commercially available standard one and it is custom made to fit me precisely. Negotiated the functionality with Lou over email and he makes it quickly. I think the whole time to get it from my first contact with him to riding with it was less than 10 days. Lou is trustworthy to a fault. He's made me tons of stuff over the years and most of it has become some of my favorite outdoor equipment.
With all of Lou's stuff, you pick the color and the specific fabrics. He'll send samples.
J.
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If you get a vest without pockets you’ll want it to have a two way zipper because it makes accessing your jersey pockets much easier.
The best vest I ever had was made by Hincapie. Windproof front, mesh back, pockets, two way zipper, high collar, and reflective accents. It was a team custom item, I don’t know if they still offer it.
The best vest I ever had was made by Hincapie. Windproof front, mesh back, pockets, two way zipper, high collar, and reflective accents. It was a team custom item, I don’t know if they still offer it.
A huge shout out / FYI -> You can get Hincapie custom in order size 1. Just need someone to do up your design.
#21
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I've never used a cycling vest. I'm thinking I might want one to block wind on a cold morning (~40°F) that eventually warms up into the 60s or higher. For this reason pack-ability will be a factor. Also, I'm looking for the following:
- excellent wind blocking
- good quality
- looks decent
- neutral color (not hi-vis anything)
- aero fit
- not pre-owned
- don't particularly want rear pockets
- excellent wind blocking
- good quality
- looks decent
- neutral color (not hi-vis anything)
- aero fit
- not pre-owned
- don't particularly want rear pockets
#22
Señor Blues
Thread Starter
Thank you for all your suggestions. I did follow up and do more research based on your input, and definitely checked all the links that you provided.
The PI vest came today. I ordered down a size and it fits quite snugly. I don't think it will flap. Two different fabrics used. See up near the collar and along the sides & bottom. That fabric is used more extensively on the back. Single rear pocket. I may end up using this a lot more than I had originally planned.
The PI vest came today. I ordered down a size and it fits quite snugly. I don't think it will flap. Two different fabrics used. See up near the collar and along the sides & bottom. That fabric is used more extensively on the back. Single rear pocket. I may end up using this a lot more than I had originally planned.
#23
RacingBear
Castelli Perfetto Vest: https://www.castelli-cycling.com/us/...451650819P-034
The best vest I have owned. Throw in head thingy, and it is quite comfortable in 40s. One note Castelli do run on slim side of things.
Another Alternative: https://www.castelli-cycling.com/us/...451650619P-085 Slightly warmer then vest + arm warmers. Can take sleeves off when it gets warmer.
The best vest I have owned. Throw in head thingy, and it is quite comfortable in 40s. One note Castelli do run on slim side of things.
Another Alternative: https://www.castelli-cycling.com/us/...451650619P-085 Slightly warmer then vest + arm warmers. Can take sleeves off when it gets warmer.