Reviews

Bontrager Race Windshell Vest – review

An excellent gilet: lightweight, windproof and water resistant

The Bontrager Race Windshell Vest is a reassuring piece of kit to keep the chill out or for when you’re not quite sure what the weather is going to do. It’s lightweight, windproof and water resistant – and, as a result, has become a regular addition to my jersey pocket ahead of a ride.

The first important thing to note about this gilet (we’ll call it a gilet from now on, not a vest) is the fit is excellent. It’s not a super-close cut but, crucially, it is close in the right places (notably around the back of the neck and under the arms) and minimises the opportunity for air to get trapped. There’s nothing more annoying that pulling on a protective windproof layer, only to feel like that windproofing is working again you by dragging you to a standstill.

The Bontrager Race Windshell Vest boasts an excellent fit

Specification
Price: £34.99
Sizes: S-XXL
Size tested: M
Website: Trek

The gilet is made from Bontrager’s Profile Wind fabric, apart from under the arms where a mesh is used to help with ventilation.

As we’ve already alluded to, the main body of the gilet is windproof and does a good job of keeping a stiff breeze out, while the fabric also has a DWR finish, which is pretty effective in misty rain. It will saturate in a downpour, but it offers a decent level of protection for the type of weather when you don’t want to pull on a rain jacket.

The hems are all elasticated, which helps with the fit, and finished with a soft material. The lower hem has a silicone beading which helps in keeping the back down, and there’s enough room in the fit and cut for the gilet to fit over full-loaded jersey pockets.

Speaking of pockets, there’s a handy chest pocket with a small hole to thread headphones through, if you want to pop a smartphone in there and listen to music. This also doubles as a stash pocket, if you want to stuff the gilet into itself for storage, but the lightweight fabric means it’s just as easy to roll up and bung into a jersey pocket.

Other details include a full-length front zip, useful for venting if you get too warm. The zip has a good size toggle which really helps when pulling the gilet on or opening it up. You’ll also find a few reflective elements (including the Bontrager logo) but these could be larger to add more clout, particularly as a gilet like this is a piece of kit you’ll often reach for in low light, when the temperature is likely to drop.

Finally, the build quality is high and there is an air of toughness to the piece, with double stitching throughout and no loose threads to cause a problem.

A handy chest pocket can be used to thread a phone and headphones through, and doubles as a stash pocket for folding the vest back in on itself and away

Conclusion

A gilet is a really handy piece of kit if you’re out for a long ride and want a lightweight, protective, windproof layer, or if there’s an early morning or evening chill in the air. The Bontrager Race Windshell Vest is an excellent example of a simple but effective gilet.