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Madison Roam Men's Gilet hits all the right off-road notes: windproof, packable, & effortlessly stylish.
My appreciation for the review is is being swamped by a sudden dawning realisation that Ben Haworth and Benji are in fact the same person.
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I've just bought the Endura MT500 Freezing Point gilet , it too has Primaloft , got it for £51 👍
I'm hoping that being the MT500 it will be a better fit than the roadie versions I've tried and banish my hatred of them !
I've just bought the Endura MT500 Freezing Point gilet , it too has Primaloft , got it for £51 👍
I'm hoping that being the MT500 it will be a better fit than the roadie versions I've tried and banish my hatred of them !
I've got one of those - it's superb and definitely not a roadie cut. Not that packable but for shoulder season it's something I tend to wear throughout a ride rather than take it on and off again. I've got a lighter shell-only Gore gilet for warmer conditions that's more akin to this Madison one.
Really bugs me when clothing reviews don't include the size of the garment and weight and height of the reviewer
If the small amount of PrimaLoft in the front 'doesn't do very much', what's the point of it other than adding bulk, weight and cost? Fwiw, I'd take a Polartec Alpha gilet over PrimaLoft every time. Meaningful insulation that doesn't have a detrimental impact on breathability or wicking, it sounds from the review that the PrimaLoft in this is a token thing. Or have I missed something?
TLDR: if the PrimaLoft doesn't do anything, what's it doing there?
If the small amount of PrimaLoft in the front 'doesn't do very much', what's the point of it other than adding bulk, weight and cost?
I ordered one yesterday as the zip's bust on my (very) old endura humvee. I'll let you know when it arrives.
Got it, tried it on. I think the primaloft panel is in the right place for holding a little more warm air where you really need it - the "leading edge" of your torso into the wind, and if you're running hot while riding, unzipping it to the sternum means the primaloft is not really going to be contact with you. Two thumbs up in my book, but it's obviously not going to do much to keep you warm in a chilly pub garden.
Not 100% sure I'll keep it - it's exactly what I was hoping for and fits nicely, but spidey senses say if it ends up in a drawer, it'll be because I don't much like the collar - I think the more traditional higher collar you get on most gilets works well, plus the elastic hem material on this one is a little constrictive and scratchy. @benji - did that loosen up/soften up after a bit and wear and washing?
Hey @nedrapier, ta for the feedback and apologies for taking over a fortnight to read it... As per my earlier post, Polartec Alpha gilets are really good if you want something that adds some insulation without impacting on breathability and wicking. They also make very effective mid-layers worn under a windproof or waterproof in colder conditions ime. PrimaLoft is great static option I think, but not so great on the move, even the 'Active' version.
I was really keen on a Polartec Alpha gilet but read lots of reports of the fabric being fragile and it put me off
My Aussie Grit gilet is great when you just want to take the wind off a bit but I’d like an option with a bit more warmth for spring/autumn night rides
10 ride update: I love it. Evening rides with lake swims in the alps, riding 3200 - 1400 off the lifts in the drizzle, rainy near-autumn rides at home. I might even get another for just-in-case. Worries I mentioned above about neck rub have not materialised.
Just about stuffs in a big shorts pocket (Morvelo RAD). Zip is really smooth, much nicer than a coil zip, which is really important for getting the most out of a gilet; being able to tweak 2 or 3 inches up and down mid-climb with one hand to keep the airflow how you want it. Saves time deciding what to wear on a ride: just go on the lighter side and adjust with the gilet on the go.
Fit is great for me, slim build 5'11, the extra warmth on the chest in the cold or wet is peachy.