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review
Gilets
Tenn Outdoors Cycling GiletTenn Outdoors Cycling Gilet

Tenn Outdoors Cycling Gilet

7
by rob_simmonds
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Aug 26, 2012

1
£34.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Basic but useful and a decent price for a versatile item of technical bike clothing
Weight: 
120g
Contact: 
www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk
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I've been testing kit from budget online sellers Tenn recently and while I've been really impressed with the jersey I've reviewed, the gloves were lacking in quality and performance. This lightweight Tenn Outdoors Cycling Gilet is somewhere in the middle. Finish and quality aren't top notch, but it performs well and at £17 on Amazon (ignore the RRP) it's about as cheap as you'll find.

A gilet is one of those bits of kit that you might never bother with, until you try one. It keeps enough chill off your chest to maintain core temperature, but doesn't stifle or restrict in the same way as a full jacket. I got very excited by the Endura Convert jacket that I tested last year and the Tenn gilet is a lighter, standalone item that you can carry around in a pocket. Not as sturdy or waterproof as the Endura, but more practical in other ways.

It's made from a very light and thin fabric ('technical nylon' apparently) which means you can tuck it into the rear pocket and stash it away when not needed. Tenn say it's showerproof, which is probably being a little generous. Getting home after a moist commute I found my front slightly damp, but really I wasn't too bothered. The fabric does do a pretty good job of stopping the wind, so even if your front gets damp, you shouldn't catch a chill. There are a few reflective bits, just enough to be useful, and a rear pocket (the same one the gilet stuffs into for storage). It's not very deep and doesn't zip, so be careful what you put in it.

I took it on a long audax and having an extra layer that fell short of a full waterproof was a real bonus. The only complaint I have is that the zip is a bog-standard item and readily snags up in the light backing fabric unless you take a bit of care, tricky if you like to adjust your ventilation as you ride. A chunkier zip, or stiffer backing fabric would solve this but then, you are only paying £17.

Fit was generous but not too billowy, ideal for tourists, commuters and audaxers. Racers might find it a little too flappy though.

If you've not experienced the joy of a gilet, this is about as cheap as you'll get and it's well worth the money.

Verdict

Basic but useful and a decent price for a versatile item of technical bike clothing.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Tenn Outdoors Cycling Gilet

Size tested: Medium, Black

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?

"This cycling-specific ultra lightweight gilet is the ideal solution to keep you comfortable whilst riding when the conditions change, it can be stowed away in a pocket and brought out when a shower hits."

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

'Technical nylon fabric'

Reflective bits

Mesh underarm ventilation

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Construction quality was where I thought the weak point would be on Tenn stuff but I couldn't find any fault with the gilet.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Definitely keeps the wind off. Not quite so great in wet weather though.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Weighs almost nothing.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Excellent value.

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

Very good.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

VFM, good performance.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Snaggy zip was a pain.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Basic, but decent performance and a bargain. What's not to like?

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 5' 8  Weight: er....85kg

I usually ride: Kona Dew Drop, Dawes Century SE, Carlton Corsa  My best bike is: Guess SC1 scandium

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, Audax and long distance solo rides

 

Tenn Outdoors Cycling Gilet
Gilet
tenn outdoors

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1 comments

Avatar
JCornford | 12 years ago
0 likes

We would advise for a race fit to choose one size down, with the size chart suggestion being more suitable as part of a heavily layered system.

"a rear pocket (the same one the gilet stuffs into for storage). It's not very deep and doesn't zip, so be careful what you put in it."

We have now added a Velcro closure to this pocket to make it more secure.

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