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Gilets
dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet
dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet

dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet

8
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Tue, Jun 07, 2016 19:46

First Published Jun 7, 2016

2
£30.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Ideal 'pocket stuffer' gilet for those days when you might get a bit chilly
Weight: 
72g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk
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Dhb has taken the humble windproof gilet and added plenty of little details to make the Aeron Super Light an excellent investment for its 30 quid price tag. This orange version is bright, too, if you like to stand out.

With its 100 per cent polyester construction, the Aeron might not seem anything revolutionary in the gilet market, but it has lots of little things that add up to create a great pocket filler.

> Buy this online here

I'll start with just that: the Aeron comes with its own little pocket on the inside to stuff the rest of the gilet into. Ram it in there and you're left with a garment no bigger than a handful, which is easily stuffed into a rear jersey pocket without having to stop. This means you can carry it with you on those iffy weather days, and as it weighs only 72g, if you don't use it it's not like you've been lugging a heavy weight around.

People will know if you've had it in your pocket for a while, though, because it creases up something chronic.

dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet - back.jpg

The fit is what dhb classes as performance – that's what its Aeron range is aimed at – but it's not super-snug. It leaves a little room around the torso for a jersey underneath without having material flapping about. The elasticated armholes are cut tight to stop any draughts getting in, while the tail is dropped very long for those efforts in the drops.

dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet - riding.jpg

The neck is also high to stop the breeze getting in and is finished with a small rim of fleece material to stop irritation. You'll also find a garage for the full length zip to stop it digging into your throat.

dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet - collar.jpg

The front and rear panels keep any wind at bay, which is most noticeable when riding into one of those chilly northerlies. You remain warm and toasty.

Polyester isn't renowned for being the most breathable material and that is why dhb has added mesh panels to both sides of the gilet to remove any body heat overload, which they do well. I never felt clammy or sweaty in the Aeron.

> Check out our guide to the best cycling gilets

The Aeron comes in four colours, with this orange being the brightest, and it certainly stands out on a misty morning. If you want something a little more subtle you can go for blue, black or white.

Overall the dhb Aeron is a good gilet, with those little design extras turning a pretty basic concept into a decent one, and for £30 I reckon it offers very good value for money – you can certainly find similar ones for an extra 15 or 20 quid.

Verdict

Ideal 'pocket stuffer' gilet for those days when you might get a bit chilly

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet

Size tested: Medium

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?

Wiggle says, "Toiling up hills inevitably leads to a build up of sweat that can then chill you to the bone on the long descents that follow. However, reaching for the Aeron superlight gilet, weighing just 67 grams (size M), will keep you protected from the dreaded windchill as you sweep downwards. It's extremely low volume makes it simple to carry in a pocket, packed neatly away in it's own integrated pocket. It's always there when you need it."

There is a lot to like about the dhb as it's effective against the wind and the fact that it scrunches up so small means you can carry it easily in a small pocket just in case you need it.

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

Super lightweight, windproof protection

Micro-volume, packable into integrated pocket

Mesh side panels for breathability

Elastic armholes to keep wind out

Reflective dhb logos on front chest and upper back

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Everything looks well put together with tidy, robust stitching at the seams.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Impressive windproofing and not overly sweaty thanks to the mesh side panels.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

The material feels rugged and should resist most scuffs. Smooth running zip too.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10

Looser around the torso to allow for a jersey with close fitting elasticated armholes to stop draughts. The Aeron manages to keep a performance orientated fit though.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

The sizing comes in pretty spot on for a medium, but if you want to go for a super-slim fit, drop a size.

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10

At 72g you barely notice it.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10

Soft feeling material and light weight means you don't pay any attention to it.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Thanks to its fit and quality I'd say it represents very good value for money.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

A simple 30 degree wash and left to dry naturally. Mud spray washed out without staining.

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

Does exactly what you need a windstopper gilet to do.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The attention to detail.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Creases very easily when stuffed in its own pocket.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

The overall concept of the polyester windproof gilet is nothing new but it's the attention to detail that makes the dhb Aeron Super Light stand out. Zip garage, fleece lined collar, packable – those type of things. And the price.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Mason Definition

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet 2016
dhb Aeron Super Light Gilet
Dhb 2016
dhb
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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2 comments

Avatar
Gourmet Shot | 8 years ago
0 likes

Looks like a bin bag

Avatar
Vili Er | 8 years ago
0 likes

The fit on these is terrible. I normally wear a small in the Aeron range it was very flappy. Even the XS was too big. It's anything but 'performance fit'. Back to the drawing board dhb.

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