{"id":56965,"date":"2023-12-04T10:00:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T09:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=755988"},"modified":"2023-12-04T12:46:09","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T11:46:09","slug":"high-mileage-heroes-simons-sportful-fiandre-light-norain-vest","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/high-mileage-heroes-simons-sportful-fiandre-light-norain-vest\/","title":{"rendered":"High-Mileage Heroes | Simon\u2019s Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain Vest"},"content":{"rendered":"

The perfect compromise between protection and performance <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 04 December 2023 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

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Sportful\u2019s Fiandre Light NoRain Vest has been my go-to gilet for the past decade or so and is one of the few pieces of kit in my drawer that sees almost year-round use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Constructed from windproof and water-repellent fabrics, it offers admirable protection from the elements.<\/p>\n

Yet, magically, the Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain Vest fits like a glove and is packable enough to be stuffed into a jersey pocket.<\/p>\n

So unless the weather on any given ride is guaranteed to be perfect, or so cold it warrants a proper winter cycling jacket<\/a>, chances are you\u2019ll see this gilet either on my torso or stuffed into a jersey pocket.<\/p>\n

Why Sportful\u2019s Fiandre Light NoRain Vest is so good<\/h2>\n
\"Sportful\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sportful\u2019s Fiandre Light NoRain Vest might be the perfect gilet for road cycling.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most cycling gilets<\/a> are low-tech pieces of kit.<\/p>\n

Usually made of crunchy fabrics thrown hastily together, the fit is invariably poor and they offer little protection from the elements beyond keeping the wind off your chest.<\/p>\n

They typically make up for this by being more packable than a wind- or waterproof jacket<\/a>, but compared to sleek, aerodynamically cut cycling jerseys<\/a>, gilets often disappoint.<\/p>\n

\"Simon\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The fit is excellent.<\/span><\/figcaption> Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In contrast, Sportful\u2019s Fiandre Light NoRain Vest is made from fabrics with loads of stretch and is cut slim.<\/p>\n

At 183cm tall and around 64kg, the size small fits me perfectly, with little excess fabric to flap in the wind and cause drag.<\/p>\n

As a result, it doesn\u2019t feel you\u2019re compromising performance for warmth when wearing it.<\/p>\n

\"Sportful\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The front panel is made from a lightweight windproof fabric.<\/span><\/figcaption> Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

On the Fiandre Light NoRain Vest, the front panels are made up of a slightly thicker, windproof material.<\/p>\n

Usefully, this extends up over the shoulders, so when you\u2019re riding low in the drops your core still gets protection from the wind.<\/p>\n

The large back panel, meanwhile, is a thinner, water-resistant (or NoRain, as Sportful calls it) fabric. This is essentially a stretchy fabric with a Durable Water Resistant (DWR) coating that helps keep you dry in showery conditions.<\/p>\n

As with Sportful\u2019s other NoRain kit (such as arm, knee and leg warmers), this treatment doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll stay bone dry in a thunderstorm. However, it can shrug off a shower and effectively has no drawbacks in terms of breathability.<\/p>\n

\"Sportful\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sportful helpfully includes three pockets on the rear, something overlooked on many gilets.<\/span><\/figcaption> Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The back also features three standard jersey pockets, which \u2013 if you\u2019re also wearing a jersey underneath with another three \u2013 doubles your carrying capacity (I could run a handlebar bag<\/a>, of course, but given I care about the aerodynamics of gilets, it should come as little surprise I choose not to).<\/p>\n

This is incredibly useful for big days in the saddle, because you can stuff the extra pockets full of food or a proper waterproof jacket, if the forecast isn\u2019t favourable.<\/p>\n

Lastly, it has a slightly dropped tail to help protect your lower back from road spray, which is very welcome when you\u2019re not riding a bike with mudguards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

BikeRadar\u2019s High-Mileage Heroes<\/h2>\n

High-Mileage Heroes<\/a>\u00a0showcases the products that have stood the test of time and become part of our everyday riding.<\/p>\n

These aren\u2019t reviews, but rather a chance to talk about the kit we depend on and the products we choose to use when we\u2019re not reviewing fresh gear.<\/p>\n

More from High-Mileage Heroes:<\/p>\n