Boardman Jacket/Gilet Long Term Review

I would describe this as a medium-weight windproof top that is somewhat warmer than the fabric might seem at first look. A particularly good point about the weight of the fabric is that you can still easily get the sleeves and the main jacket stuffed into your jersey pockets when it’s time to take it off. I normally end up with both sleeves, in a left or right pocket with the body in the middle, still leaving a pocket for that ever essential flapjack. It’s has a zipped front with zip-off sleeves. The zips are decent quality and I haven’t had any problems with them getting caught in the fabric when I have been pulling them up and down one-handed. The sleeves are reasonably easy to unzip but could be better. I have been able to still keep riding whilst removing them but not always. Sometimes I just can’t get my arm in the right position to keep the fabric taught enough get the zip to pull correctly. On these occasions, I have stopped and it seems to instantly work again… I can’t really explain this honestly. The back has a hidden vent and the standard 3 back pockets of a reasonable size.

To start with the fabric was somewhat water repellent, and to my surprise water beaded and ran off quite well. After a few washes that has unsurprisingly gone and although it does soak up the water, just like any other windproof, it doesn’t seem to hold the water too badly. Once the rain stops it dries out fairly quickly, which again I think is a benefit of it not being a full-on heavyweight winter layer. This and a jersey are good down to 2 or 3 degrees but any colder and I would suggest you’ll need a third light layer. I would suggest probably a base layer, jersey and this on the outside. In terms of sizing, I’m a 40-inch chest and the large is spot on for me, with sensibly cut sleeves that don’t ride up when stretching out to the bars. Additionally, the back is cut slightly long so not to leave the small of your back exposed when in the drops.

After 4 months of reasonable use, the top displays no outward sign of wear at all and I would recommend it as a decent top within its price range (£35-£45). If you are happy to spend more, then there are definitely more refined designs out there with somewhat more breathable fabrics.