Price: £120 / $145 / €125
Rear pockets: No
Weight: 89 grams - S
Fits into a pocket: Yes
Colours: Ten
Sizes: XS-XXL
With November knocking at the door, and the sunlight weakening in my part of the world I'm just starting to layer up a little more or reach for heavier weight kit. That definitely includes gilets which I test pretty much constantly.
The Draft Team Vest, or gilet depending on where you come from, they mean the same, is a lightweight, easily packable gilet from Australian brand MAAP. The Draft Vest has been on the market for a few years, and MAAP has recently released some new insulated gilets which I will be testing soon.
The Draft Team Vest is light, very light, it comes in at 89 grams for my size small sample and doesn't have any pockets. We'll get into a bit more detail below but to give you an idea it's perfect as an outer layer on milder, windy days, or if you want to keep things light and don't want to overheat.
There are a whopping ten colours to choose from including violet, bronze green and citrus, I've tested the stylish navy option with white logo's which I really like the look of.
I've just finished reviewing the Van Rysel Windproof Gilet Racer, the best budget option in our best cycling gilets guide. Price-wise we head north with the MAAP Draft Vest which is priced at £120 / $145 / €125.
Design and Aesthetics
The Draft Vest is constructed from a mix of Polyamide and Elastane. MAAP has used a ripstop fabric for the gilet, a woven textile which uses a reinforced thread to strengthen it. Up close, the torso and side panels of the gilet have a small square pattern from this process. The gilet is lightweight, and I haven't caught it on anything to test the ripstop but it still looks perfect after over a year of testing and washing, and importantly the logos are intact and without any cracking or peeling.
The back of the gilet meanwhile is a soft, stretchy, transparent mesh. Allowing heat to escape and preventing overheating if you're working hard. Lots of small circular perforations also feature on the torso sides and at the top of the shoulders which MAAP says is to aid temperature regulation too.
The hem is elasticated and features a sticky gripper to keep it in place, the arm openings are also nicely elasticated, contributing to a fitted cut. There's a good amount of elastic 'snap' in the hem and the gilet is indeed fitted. If you want a tight-fitting, yet comfortable gilet this one will fit the bill. The fit is along the same lines as the Spatz BurnR2 gilet.
There's also a nice quality zipper and zip guard, a two-way YKK unit with a blue plastic puller cover also embossed with 'MAAP'. The zipper is a cam lock unit which means when the zipper puller is pointing downward, you shouldn't be able to undo it accidentally, it's probably not that important real world, I'm not sure I've ever wished for a cam lock zipper. More importantly, though, the zipper can be undone from the top one-handed whilst riding which is a nice advantage, sometimes material folding and bunching prevent you from being able to undo a zipper one-handed and is an inconvenience, but not so here. With the gilet not having pockets, easy access to a jersey will be needed, and the zip definitely aids this and makes life easier than some other options out there.
There are two white MAAP wordmarks on the front and rear of the gilet, both are vertical and fairly large, they look excellent alongside the rich navy colour of my sample, but I'm a sucker for white and blue. MAAP has become well known for their neutral, pastel tones which have been very popular over the last few years amongst cyclists. If these are not you, there is a wide range of different colours to choose from with the Draft Vest.
Performance
One of my first spring rides in good weather this year was whilst wearing the Draft Vest. My tyres were humming on dry tarmac, wearing fresh white socks and shoes and the stylish navy Draft vest up top in the milder spring temperatures helped me feel a million dollars.
The Draft Vest gives you a few style points. Why? I'd put it down to the fitted, zero flap cut which helps you feel sleek and fast on the bike. Choose a colour you like the look of and it makes for an attractive option. I'd be saying this if there was a different logo on the chest too, it's a well-cut and stylish-looking vest
Aesthetics is only one part of the equation though, how does it actually perform? In short, very well. Although it's probably a slightly more specific piece of kit, you will have to decide if it warrants the heavier price tag for you.
For me, the Draft Vest is a good option for a few different types of riding, but outside of these scenarios it may be found a touch wanting.
First off, it's a great option for dry and or windy weather when the temperatures are milder. Classic lightweight gilet weather in short. MAAP states its temperature range is 14-20C or 57-68F. So if you're carrying it as an extra bit of protection for the cafe, long descent or when there's a slight chill in the spring air, it's perfect. A really nice, premium option. It also packs small enough that it can share pocket space with a pump or similar in your jersey.
Going back to the prescribed temperature range, I have used it in sub-14C conditions and even just inside 10C on more intense rides where you generate more heat. With a heavierweight base layer, jersey and arm warmers it will work well if you want to feel fast and wear less on the bike in colder conditions.
If you're going out, doing a hard ride or session and heading home in the cold it will be just fine and look after you. If you are doing a harder session as part of a longer ride it does lack some warmth once you turn down the tempo and cool. Even in the cold, I often finish a hard ride sweating and stop for a coffee. When I start again after I've cooled down to ride home, I find myself wanting a warmer option to pull on to stay warm. No pockets means you can't carry a lightweight jacket or similar, not in the gilet at least.
On the lack of pockets, it isn't a massive issue, but I tend to prefer at least one pocket on a gilet, it just makes life easier. If this is your top layer, reaching for bars and gels, your phone or keys means undoing the zipper, which granted is easier with the two-way zip or just pulling the gilet up and over your jersey pockets. If for instance, you're on a longer ride, this means getting to your food at least every hour which may become an annoyance.
As mentioned, the gilet has washed and worn well for me over a long period. The logos are still box-fresh, which is good news and I haven't had any other issues, so if you are investing, I can tell you there have been no nasty surprises or QC issues for me.
Value
Perhaps at face value the £120 / $145 / €125 price tag for a thin, pocketless vest/gilet may be a stretch and it is indeed a heavier price tag for a lightweight gilet.
Under the microscope though, I think the design and quality of the Draft Vest stack up. The ripstop material is durable and has been hard-wearing for me. Despite its weight, the logos are still perfect too, it's always frustrating when something starts peeling after a few washes, especially when it wasn't cheap.
The cut and sizing are really good, as discussed it's performance-focused and feels great on the bike. The user-friendly zipper is also a strength and makes jersey pocket access easier, it's also very easy to undo one-handed.
If you want one and like what it's about I don't think you will regret the purchase.
Verdict
I really like using the Draft Vest in milder conditions or when layering for more intense sessions in the dry. It looks great and does its job very well.
When you start to look under the hood, it becomes clear the design has been thought about and despite its lightweight construction, the gilet is tough and well-made.
I wish it had at least one pocket, which I think would make it even more user-friendly, but gilet pockets are hardly a major inconvenience, perish the thought I could even pull over and admire the scenery whenever I want to eat a banana or energy bar this winter.
