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review

BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet

5
£66.50

VERDICT:

5
10
Not cycling specific and limited reflectives – but it's warm, comfortable and ideal for multi-sport use
Windproof and water resistant
Decent venting
Relaxed fit for all kinds of activities
Minimal reflectives
Elastic band around the middle gives a weird fit
Weight: 
241g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet is a multi-sports garment that's the right fit and shape for urban riding and other cycling disciplines that use an upright position, and where aero isn't a factor. It's well made, a good wind blocker and works well with the brand's wearable lights, though it lacks the number of reflectives I'd expect for a piece of kit designed for night time use.

For more options, check out our guide to the best cycling gilets.

> Buy now: BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet for £66.50 from BodyLite

The NightVision Gilet isn't designed with any particular sport in mind, and has quite a relaxed shape without being baggy. That, plus the lack of a dropped tail, make it suitable for cycling round town and on bikes where your riding position is quite upright.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - back.jpg

The material used is water resistant, and it'll cope with some light rain or a very quick, heavy downpour, and it blocks the wind well too.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - chest.jpg

When riding in temperatures above 10°C, say, or if you are pushing the effort a bit, it can get warm, but mesh panels down the sides and venting on the rear do a decent job of helping airflow.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - side.jpg

In terms of sizing BodyLite says to go up a size on its website and I'd concur. I should take a large, but the XL here is probably as fitted as I'd want to go. The main reason for that is that around the front section, above the stomach and below the chest you'll find an elastic cord which I'm guessing is there to stop the gilet snagging under the weight of a NightVision Light – a light I reviewed at the start of the year; it's designed to attach to the Velcro pads fitted on the front and rear of the gilet.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - velcro.jpg

I found it gave a bit of a weird fit to the gilet, making it feel restrictive unless I slackened the tension right off.

For a piece of clothing called NightVision I was expecting way more reflectives, as per Altura's range with the same name, but this gilet only has a few sections at the bottom of the rear and on the pockets on the front. If you don't buy the light as well then there isn't exactly a whole lot of 'night vision' going on.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - tail.jpg

As you can see from the photos, it is primarily black with yellow details, or pink detailing if you prefer.

One thing it definitely has going for it is that it is well made throughout. The stitching is neat and tidy, and my pull test didn't see any of them in danger of ripping.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - hem logo.jpg

There are small details included, too, like a zip garage to stop neck irritation, and a baffle sits behind the zip to keep out the cold.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - collar.jpg

The pockets also have zips, so you can keep things safe while running or riding.

2023 BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet - side panel.jpg

Competition-wise, it's not easy to compare with many others we've reviewed as they tend to be pure cycling gilets with a closer fit.

Altura's Nightvision Storm Thermal Gilet does have a looser fit, and Stef found it cosy, if only above average overall in the final scoring. It now costs £65.

Back in 2022 we reviewed a gilet by Ridgecrest, which are made in the UK. They too have a looser fit like the BodyLite but are more cycling specific. They are still available via an eBay shop and cost £39.95.

If you're after a lot of reflective detailing then Proviz is a good choice. Its Reflect360 is fully reflective and has a looser fit than many cycling gilets, and it costs just £49.99.

Conclusion

Overall, the BodyLite isn't cycling specific, but if you want a gilet you can use for various activities then you'll find it to be weather resistant, warm, well ventilated and well made. For a garment intended for use in the dark, though, I'd like to see more in terms of reflective detailing, so it wouldn't rely so much on having to purchase the NightVision light.

Verdict

Not cycling specific and limited reflectives – but it's warm, comfortable and good for multi-sport use

road.cc test report

Make and model: BodyLite Gear NightVision Gilet

Size tested: XL

Tell us what the product is for

Bodylite says, "Introducing the NightVision Gilet by Bodylite. This innovative gilet is designed for those who refuse to let low light conditions hinder their outdoor activities. This jacket is also perfect for people who want to fit in but who also want to stand out at the right time!

Constructed from a blend of 88% Nylon and 12% Spandex, it offers both flexibility and comfort. The side body venting, along with a vent on the upper part of the back, ensures optimal airflow, keeping you cool and fresh.

The main body of the jacket is water-resistant, allowing your body to stay dry and comfortable as well as cool. Plus, with NightVision compatibility at both the front and back, you'll be visible and safe during those twilight adventures.

Stay stylish, comfortable, and safe with the NightVision Gilet, because your outdoor experiences should never be limited by light."

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

Material Composition:

Main Body: 88% Nylon & 12% Spandex

Mesh: 80% Polyester & 20% Spandex

Weight:

270 Grams

Enhanced Ventilation:

Features side body venting for improved airflow

Additional vent on the upper part of the back to maintain comfort during physical activities

Water-Resistant Design:

The main body of the gilet is water-resistant, providing protection against light rain and moisture

NightVision Compatibility:

Equipped with NightVision technology at both the front and back for enhanced visibility during low-light conditions

Optimal Comfort and Flexibility:

Crafted from a blend of high-quality materials to ensure flexibility and comfort during outdoor activities

Stylish and Functional:

Designed with a balance of style and functionality to keep you safe and looking great during nighttime adventures

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

It sizes up a bit small, but Bodylite mention this on its website.

Rate the product for weight:
 
6/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
6/10
Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

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

Washing threw up no issues.

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

It keeps the elements out while offering good venting.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good at blocking the wind.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not enough reflectives.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Cycling-specific gilets can be had for much less from the likes of Proviz or Ridgecrest, although Altura's Nightvision gilet is around the same price as the BodyLite.

Did you enjoy using the product? Not really.

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Not from a cycling point of view.

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's decent quality and does a good job of protecting you from the elements, but from a cycling point of view it's pretty average.

Overall rating: 5/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 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,

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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