ALÉ Ladies Thermo Cycling Vest
by Larisa Chinces
Sitting nicely within the ALÉ Clima Protection 2 range of garments, this gillet certainly looked like a good quality garment. It’s not a fully windproof vest, more of a thermal wear to give added warmth, so it’s probably best suited for late winter and early spring, or those colder days through the year.
I tested the black garment, which did look really nice and went well against the bib tights. It sits nicely alongside other jerseys from their range, but is just at home on a warmer day in early spring, with the long sleeved seamless baselayer as its partner. It’s made from the same SuperRoubaix fabric as the Colour Block jersey, but with a neat addition of more technical aero fabric under the arms and to the sides, which helps with breathability and fit. In effect, this lighter weight material ensures that when you’re wearing this as a third layer, you don’t feel too bulky. It isn’t waterproof, but Alé cater for this elsewhere in the range.
The 3 rear pockets are well placed and cut with a hemmed and elasticated edging to ensure that items stay inside, but using a very strong elasticated fabric that really does hold items firmly in place. Our only recommendation back to Alé would be an additional small zipped pocket for keys and coins. Importantly, the ladies vest is designed for ladies, which sounds ironic but isn’t always the case, with poor design where ladies need it. No, it tapers nicely at the waist, and the panels are designed specifically to fit the female form, sitting comfortably across the chest and tapering towards the waist. I’m quite a slim waist 😉 and I like my cycle clothing to accentuate this and show me off to my best, as well as to perform superbly.
Yes, I’m fussy, but we ladies deserve to be looked after by our gear, and this ALÉ cycling vest does just that; showing off our style and fitting so comfortably across us, without restricting movement or feeling tight. The hem is narrow elasticated with a silicone padding gel. you in neatly. The full length zipper is strong and stops with a round neck finish, meaning that you don’t feel too wrapped up. It’s a simple cycling vest, intended to give you added warmth and some style at the same time. The neatly cut and tightly trimmed arm holes around the shoulders are spot on for tying things together and making you look stylish and chic, whilst keeping you warm.
Autumn, winter and early spring can be a tricky time for knowing what to wear. Alé clearly understand this and have produced a super stylish accessory garment just for this purpose.
