Bontrager RXL Windshell Vest

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Bontrager RXL Windchill Vest has been designed to offer protection from the wind and showers. It is lightweight and can be packed down and stashed easily. It will keep you protected when you need a bit more warmth on the chest but a jacket would prove to hot or bulky. It will also allow you to get home or to your destination should the showers catch you out.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The RXL Windchill Vest is made from a Profila Wind fabric which is lightweight and stretchy. It also offers protection from the wind and is water-resistant. To prevent over-heating there are vents on the back of the neck on the collar and under the arms where you'd expect them. The idea is give the rider maximum ventilation without sacrificing protection.

To keep the Bontrager Windchill vest done up you have a full length YKK zipper, re-known for being the best on the market, which when it is done up has a draft flap. On the rear of the RXL is a drop tail which is just over 11 cm deep providing extra protection where all the grit and grime get thrown up off the road. The bottom of the vest is kept in place with what Bontrager term a powerband hem.

The RXL Windchill Vest is well made, the seams are well sealed so there is no loose material or stitching. The hem is stretchy and effective and the Profila material used in its construction makes for a very lightweight vest. The zip can prove to be a little fiddly, even without gloves on.

With ventilation built into the RXL under the arms and on the back of the neck, you are to maintain a good temperature. The wind protection is good even in strong, chilly winds. The only flaw in the make-up is the YKK zip. Generally these are well made but for some reason on the Windchill Vest it proved to be fiddly to use, especially in gloves.

The RXL has been well made and seems robust enough to cope with the usual cycling demands. You can be taking the gilet on or off with some regularity so it needs to be well made but at the same time light enough to offer protection without compromising your comfort.

The Bontrager RXL is both lightweight and easy to compact into a small ball to stash in your pocket should you need to discard it.

Given the lightness of construction you can easily forget your wearing it. It provides a snug fit but still does a decent job of keeping warm and dry.

There are plenty of options that are more expensive but the Bontrager has proven to be good value. Well made, lightweight and does a decent job.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The gilet is easily one of the better versions I have tested and is certainly up to the job of keeping the wind out courtesy of the profila material used and will keep the water off too.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit and performance of the RXL are very good.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I have a thing with zips and at times the zip on the RXL gets awkward. It can also be even fiddlier with gloves on. The search goes on for a great zip.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Lightweight, effective including some reflective safety elements on the rear make this a handy item for any showery ride.