I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to feeling cold, so I rarely leave the house for a bike ride without an extra layer in my pocket, even when the forecast is perfect. This means that I’m constantly on the lookout for the perfect gilet or windproof jacket.
Castelli’s Espresso Vest is the latest in a long line that I’ve tried, and [spoiler alert] I’m very impressed. It sits somewhere between the heavier-duty membrane-style gilets and the superlight ‘Pertex’ type. It is still very packable and weighs 134g but fits far better than the typical lightweight vest and is much less ‘flappy’ and noisy too. Castelli rates it for use between 12°C and 20°C, but clearly, that depends on what you wear underneath it - I’d say that suggestion is about right for over a short-sleeved jersey.
