A gilet is a zipped vest that will keep the wind off your chest or disappear into a pocket when you don’t need it. Here are ten good ones

The main benefit of a gilet over a windproof jacket is that it takes up much less space when stowed. That makes it an ideal extra layer for cool starts or changeable conditions, especially when your luggage options are limited – on a road bike ride, for example. When the temperature rises, a gilet fits easily in a jersey pocket.

All gilets are windproof. That’s a gilet’s role: to keep the chill off your chest. Some are also showerproof, thanks to a durable water-repellant (DWR) coating, while others are properly rainproof. (Your arms will still get wet, of course, but by keeping your torso dry a waterproof gilet will stop you becoming chilled.) Some gilets are insulated, which improves cold weather performance at the cost of a little extra bulk.

Gilets are made from lightweight, quick-drying synthetic fabrics. Often the front will be windproof polyester, while the rear is mesh to improve breathability. Side panels (or all of the garment) may be stretchy to give the gilet a more tailored and less flappy fit. Unlike jackets, which may be worn over bulkier normal clothes, gilets are more commonly worn over close-cut cycling kit.

Most gilets have a high, close collar so that they won’t scoop air at the neck. Sometimes the collar is lined with a softer fabric. Elastic at the arm holes and hem keeps draughts out there, while the full front zip will often have a storm flap to keep the wind from penetrating.

Some gilets have rear pockets like a cycling jersey while others have none – or just a slit across the lower back of the gilet, through which you can reach the jersey pockets. Some have a small zipped pocket on the chest. Very few have hand-warmer pockets.

Colourful gilets are more conspicuous than black or earth tones during the day. At night, reflective details make you stand out more in headlights. You’re unlikely to use a cycling gilet for off-the-bike wear so garish colours aren’t a problem. Most gilets are machine washable at 30 degrees so long as you don’t use fabric conditioner.

The prices below are RRP. Don’t forget to factor in your Cyclescheme savings.

Van Rysel Men’s Hi-Viz Cycling Jacket EN17353 £29.99

Despite costing just £30, this gilet from Decathlon has a front that’s waterproof as well as windproof. The rear is mesh for better breathability. Hi-vis yellow colouring and reflective panels across the shoulders and lower back make it particularly suitable for use in traffic. The gilet has three pockets: two jersey-style rear pockets and a small zipped chest pocket. Sizes: S-XXL. Fit is regular rather than tailored.

Van Rysel Men's Hi-Viz Cycling Jacket EN17353

Oxford Endeavour Gilet Fluo £34.99

Another gilet aimed more at commuters than sports cyclists, the Oxford Endeavour is fluorescent yellow with reflective shoulders and a reflective stripe up the back. A relaxed cut means it will fit over normal clothing and should fit both men and women, but it’s made from stretch fabric so won’t flap about. The high collar is fleece lined for comfort. There’s a zipped chest pocket. Sizes: XS-4XL.

Oxford Endeavour Gilet Fluo

Hump Strobe Women’s Gilet £39.99

Made from two-layer waterproof fabric, the Hump Strobe is cut loose enough for use over normal clothes. It too is bright – either yellow or pink, with a reflective logos and rectangles. The front has a zipped chest pocket, while the rear has a vent to improve breathability. The collar is lined with tricot fabric. Hem and arm holes are elasticated. Sizes: 8-16. There’s also a men’s version in yellow or orange.

Hump Strobe Women's Gilet

Endura Women’s Pakagilet £42.99

Endura’s Pakagilet is a simple windproof shell with a tiny pack size. The front has DWR coating for shower resistance; the rear panel is mesh. Vents under the arm holes provide additional breathability. There are reflective details front and rear. There aren’t any pockets, although a small stuff-sack is supplied for stashing the gilet inside. Colours: yellow, coral, berry, Pacific blue or glacier blue. Sizes: XS-XL. Men’s comes in XS-XXL in yellow or black.

Endura Women's Pakagilet

Madison Roam Men’s Windproof Packable Primaloft Gilet £69.99

Primaloft insulation in the chest panel makes this gilet even cosier in cold conditions, and it will still keep you warm if it gets wet. It’s not waterproof, although there is a DWR coating to shrug off showers and road spray. The neck is semi elasticated for a snug but not too tight fit. The Primaloft insulation is highly compressible so the gilet will fit in a jersey pocket. Colours: moss green or lake blue. Sizes: S-XXL. Women’s sizes 8-16, moss green only.

Madison Roam Men’s Windproof Packable Primaloft Gilet

Lusso Aqua Challenge Gilet £80

Made primarily of Windtex Stormshield fabric with a four-way stretch, the Lusso Aqua Challenge is waterproof to 10,000mm. Although the material is warmer and heavier than a lightweight shell (size M is 185g), it will still fit in a jersey pocket. The back of the gilet is made from Lusso’s Static fabric, which has a reflective sparks pattern. There are three rear cargo pockets and a zipped security pocket. The high-cut neck has a chin guard for the zip. Colours: blue, black or yellow. Sizes: S-XXL.

Lusso Aqua Challenge Gilet

Altura Men’s Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Gilet £95

Like the Lusso gilet, Altura’s is waterproof 10,000mm. It’s made from stretch fabric that gives it a closer fit than the ‘semi fitted’ cut suggests. The front panel includes thermal fleece for improved warmth, and the gilet has a DWR coating to prevent it ‘wetting out’. There’s a secure rear pocket, which the gilet can be packed into when removed. Reflective print across the back and side panels makes this gilet stand out in headlights, while the lime colour is conspicuous in daylight. Sizes: S-3XL.

Altura Men’s Icon Pocket Rocket Waterproof Packable Gilet

Rapha Men’s RCC Brevet Lightweight Gilet £95

This is a lightweight windproof shell from a more premium brand. You’re largely paying for style and fit. It does, however, have bold reflective stripes across the chest (but not the back), and the pink colour is easy to see in all daylight conditions. Stretchy mesh panels at the sides and back provide good breathability and an athletic fit. There are three jersey-style rear pockets, and the zip is offset to one side to prevent the pull tag tickling your neck. Sizes: XS-XL. Women’s XXS-XL.

Rapha Men’s RCC Brevet Lightweight Gilet 

Gorewear Ambient Vest Women’s £99.99

Made of a lightweight, breathable fabric called Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper, the Ambient Vest is as minimalist as a gilet gets, weighing a mere 55g. The front is windproof and has a DWR coating, while the rear and side panels are stretchy mesh for ventilation and fit. It has a high collar and dropped tail like most gilets, but only the logo is reflective and there are no pockets. The cut is form fitting so it’s best worn over cycling gear. Colours: black, purple and black, green and black. Sizes: XXS-XL. Men’s XS-XXL.

Gorewear Ambient Vest Women’s

Castelli Aria W Vest £110

The Aria is Castelli’s lightest, most packable gilet, weighing just 60g and fitting into any pocket. Like the Gorewear Ambient it has a tailored fit that will suit sports cyclists better than casual commuters, and it has relatively few features. The front is windproof, the rear is stretchy mesh, and there’s some reflective piping. It does also have a rear pocket, however, and you can pack the gilet into this. Colours: silver grey, dark grey, moss brown. Sizes: XS-XL. Men’s: S-3XL.

Castelli Aria W Vest