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Cycling Weekly reviewed Rab’s £70 Cinder Windveil Biking Vest, a lightweight wind-resistant gilet aimed at gravel riders. Reviewer Andy Jones praised its fabric, collar and packable rear pocket, but found the sizing and riding fit poor, with oversized armholes and excess fabric. The review does not recommend it, while noting that fit may vary between riders.
Cycling Weekly has reviewed Rab’s Cinder Windveil Biking Vest, a lightweight wind-resistant gilet designed for gravel riding, and concluded that its fabric and packability do not offset problems with fit and on-bike usability. Reviewer Andy Jones said the vest’s large armholes and excess chest fabric let air in and flapped at speed, and the review does not recommend it at its listed £70 / $90 price.
The vest uses Pertex Quantum Air across the front, sides, shoulders and lower back, with stretchy, breathable Motiv Aero fabric across the upper back. Jones described the Pertex material as light, breathable, soft and quieter than many wind-resistant fabrics. A tall collar lined with Motiv Aero was another positive, offering what he described as a comfortable feel and useful structure.
Rab lists the weight of a size medium at 92 grams; Jones weighed his size small at 84 grams. The large horizontal rear zip pocket also serves as a stuff sack, and he found it easy to use, with space left over when the vest was packed. Other details include a colour-matched YKK front zip, a chin guard, Lycra-bound armholes and an adjustable rear hem cord.
The review’s main criticism was how the vest sat while riding. Jones said the medium initially sent to him was much too large, while the small still had excess material across the chest and stomach and armholes that gaped open. The rear hem cord also formed a flap when tightened, and its lock required two hands to adjust, according to the review. Because the front zip does not open from the bottom, riders cannot use it to reach jersey pockets without unzipping from the top.
Fit and Features Shape the Verdict
For riders choosing a gilet for changing conditions, wind protection and low weight are only part of the decision. A loose fit can catch air, undermine warmth and become distracting at speed; the reviewer reported that the vest flapped despite its light, quiet fabric. The large armholes also allowed cool air in, limiting the practical benefit of a wind-resistant front.
The review also points to small design choices with real riding consequences. A bottom-opening zipper can provide access to jersey pockets or allow ventilation without fully opening a vest. Jones found the lack of that feature inconvenient. These observations are the reviewer’s experience, not a test result that establishes how every rider will fare, but they give shoppers specific fit and access issues to check before buying.
lightweight wind-resistant biking vest
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Rab’s Move Into Gravel Clothing
Rab is known for outdoor equipment including down sleeping bags, mountaineering clothing and walking gear. Its Cinder collection extends that technical clothing range into gravel cycling, with products that include waterproofs, cargo bib shorts, jerseys and base layers. The review says some materials are adapted from Rab’s outdoor products, while other pieces were developed for the cycling collection.
The Cinder Windveil is available in men’s sizes S to XL and a women’s fit in sizes 8 to 16. The men’s colours listed are Light Khaki, Tempest Blue and Tuscan Red; the women’s range includes Green Slate, Plum, Tempest Blue and Tuscan Red. The source lists the price as £70 / $90. Jones cautioned that the sizing did not match his expectations and advised readers not to rely on his fit experience as a universal guide.
“The Pertex fabrics were very good: extremely light, breathable, and pleasant to wear.”
— Andy Jones, Cycling Weekly reviewer
gravel riding gilet with packable rear pocket
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Fit May Differ Between Riders
The review is based on one reviewer’s experience and does not establish how the vest will fit riders with different body shapes or preferences. Jones suggested that riders with a broader chest might find the fit more suitable, but this was speculation rather than a tested comparison. No broader rider testing or independent assessment of long-term durability is described in the source.
The source lists the product’s price, sizes and colour options but does not establish whether stock or pricing has since changed. The discrepancy between the reviewer’s experience and Rab’s size guidance also leaves open how reliably the listed sizing predicts fit. Prospective buyers should check current retailer details and, where possible, try the vest in a riding position.
men's cycling vest with adjustable hem cord
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Check Fit Before Buying
The review does not announce a product update or say that Rab plans to change the vest. For shoppers, the next practical step is to consult Rab or a retailer for current sizing and availability, then assess the garment over cycling layers and in a forward-leaning position. Armhole openings, chest fabric and hem adjustment are the specific areas the review identifies as worth checking.
Any later changes to the design, price or range are not covered in the report. The current verdict remains the reviewer’s assessment of the vest as reviewed: effective, lightweight materials and useful packability, alongside fit and access shortcomings that led him not to recommend it.
breathable cycling vest for changing weather
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Key Questions
What is the Rab Cinder Windveil Biking Vest?
It is a lightweight, wind-resistant cycling gilet in Rab’s Cinder gravel clothing collection. It combines Pertex Quantum Air panels with a breathable Motiv Aero upper back and has a rear pocket that doubles as a stuff sack.
What did Cycling Weekly like about the vest?
Reviewer Andy Jones praised the light, breathable Pertex fabric, the comfortable tall collar and the large rear pocket, which also makes the vest easy to pack away.
What were the main problems identified in the review?
Jones reported excess fabric across the chest, oversized armholes that gaped open, a rear hem cord that formed a flap and no bottom-opening zip for jersey pocket access.
How much does the Rab Cinder Windveil cost?
The source lists the price as £70 / $90. Current prices and availability may vary by retailer.
What sizes and colours are listed?
The men’s vest is listed in sizes S to XL, in Light Khaki, Tempest Blue and Tuscan Red. A women’s fit is listed in sizes 8 to 16, in Green Slate, Plum, Tempest Blue and Tuscan Red.
Source: rss
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