Alé Nucleo Gilet

The Alé Nucleo Gilet is simplicity itself; there isn't much to it but it does a surprisingly good job of keeping the wind out, plus it packs away tiny when you don't need it.

• Pros: Windproof and packs away small
• Cons: Pricey for how little you are getting

The Alé is made from a mix of polyester (92%) and elastane (8%) and that, erm, pretty much sums it up. Well, you get a zip too, but that's about it.

The front of the gilet and the top and rear of the shoulders are made from a solid fabric that works as a wind blocker – ideal for when you head out early in the morning or are descending for a long time. It works well in temperatures down to about 10°C with just a summer jersey and a baselayer underneath.

It isn't the most breathable of fabrics but that is taken care of by the large mesh panel on the back. You can work pretty hard without getting too hot, as warmth escapes out of the back, or if you are climbing you can undo the full front zip to let the cool air blast right the way through.

The material is really soft, and with the whole garment only weighing 65g you barely notice you are wearing it. Should you need to take it off you can scrunch it to a size smaller than your fist and bung it in a jersey pocket.

The cut is pretty race orientated so there is very little fabric flapping about, and I also found the sizing to be pretty generous – unlike most other Italian brands.

There are no rear pockets because of the lightweight fabric used, so you'll need to reach under the elasticated hem to get stuff out of your jersey's.

The rear is dropped by a fair bit, which stops it creeping up your lower back when hunched in a racing tuck.

Value is the only aspect where things don't look so great: it looks quite pricey at 50 quid for something so simple. Lusso's Skylon Gilet offers pockets and some water resistant panels for £39.99, for example.

That said, at £99 the Neon Velo Lightweight Gilet makes the Alé look a bargain and it's also heavier.

> Buyer's Guide: 8 of the best cycling gilets

Overall, there are cheaper gilets out there, but the quality of the Alé is impressive; with that and its performance, it goes some way to justifying its price tag.

Verdict

Very lightweight gilet that does a great job of keeping the wind out, but a bit basic for the money