Bike gilet Black Friday: windbreaker on sale

Three vests, three uses

The windbreaker vest, by far the most common here, protects your torso from the wind during descents and on chilly mornings while keeping your arms free; it folds into a jersey pocket. The high-visibility vest, fluorescent and retroreflective, makes you visible to drivers. The protective vest includes a back protector and padding on the chest to absorb a fall while mountain biking or BMX riding. A bright yellow windbreaker does not replace a high-visibility vest: only a vest with the CE marking meets the visibility requirement.

Choosing a windbreaker vest

• The back: a mesh back wicks away sweat during exertion, while a solid back retains heat better when stationary.
• The material: a lightweight, water-repellent fabric for mid-season, a waterproof vest for showers, or a vest filled with insulation, PrimaLoft or Polartec Alpha, for winter.
• The fit: close-fitting, with an elongated back, so it doesn’t flap in the wind. It is worn over the jersey; if you put it on over a jacket, take a size up.
• Storage: a lightweight model rolls up into the back pocket, ready for the descent.

High-visibility and protective vests

On a bike, a high-visibility vest is required outside built-up areas at night, and during the day when visibility decreases, for both the rider and the passenger, reminds service-public.gouv.fr. Choose one that is loose enough to wear over a jacket. The protective vest, on the other hand, fits closely under the jersey: check the length of the back protector and the size around the chest. The detailed guide remains available all year on the page bike safety vest.

Vest brands

Shot Race Gear, a French brand that outfits off-road riders, offers protective vests with D3O inserts in short or long sleeves, as well as the Airlight and Optimal 2.0 models.

Mavic, a historic brand from Annecy, names its windbreaker vests after its wheels, Ksyrium and Aksium Wind, in men's and women's fits.

Craft, a Swedish brand based in Borås, combines a water-repellent windproof front with a mesh back on the Essence Light Wind, all of which can be folded into a pocket.

Gonso, a Swabian manufacturer of cycling clothing, ranges from lightweight windbreakers to Softshells and vests filled with PrimaLoft, including a Neon model for visibility.

Agu covers both road and city, from Wind Essential and Breakaway windbreakers to Polartec Alpha insulating vests and the Compact Commuter Hi-vis & Reflection for evening rides.

Comparing discounts on a vest

The same vest often comes in men's and women's fits, and in several versions under a similar name, such as Light, Wind, or Adv from Craft. Before comparing two crossed-out prices, make sure that the version, material, and fit are identical: an insulated vest and a lightweight windbreaker do not fall into the same category, even when their names look similar. The elbow pads and knee pads from the Black Friday complement a protective vest, while glasses complete a road outfit. Once the promotion is over, the clearance picks up remaining sizes, and the new arrivals include the vests that are coming in.

Frequently asked questions

Is a fluorescent windbreaker enough outside built-up areas at night?

No. The requirement is for a high-visibility vest marked CE. A light windbreaker helps you be seen during the day but does not replace this vest once night falls.

Why a sleeveless vest instead of a jacket?

It protects the chest, the area most exposed to relative wind, without making your arms sweat. It can be taken off and stored while cycling or nearly so, making it the perfect accessory for days when the temperature varies.

What size windbreaker vest should I choose?

Is a windbreaker vest waterproof?

Not necessarily. Most are water-repellent: they repel a light drizzle, but not a downpour. A vest advertised as waterproof, with sealed seams, offers better protection from rain but breathes less.

Do discounts on vests continue after Friday of Black Friday?

The actual Black Friday is the Friday following Thanksgiving, and it's around this date that the promotion is focused. However, Vélo-Store continues its Black Friday discounts on vests throughout November, allowing time to check size and version before ordering.