Danny Shane Pro Line Gilet

The Danny Shane Pro Line Gilet is a warmer-than-average windproof waistcoat that will suit those with deeper pockets, in both senses of the word. It's relatively heavy and bulky for a gilet (170g), filling a jersey pocket completely. Given that you can get a decent gilet for £30, it's expensive too.

Like most gilets, the Pro Line is a an effective windbreak for your torso and neck; add arm-warmers and you're ready for a wide range of conditions. The extra weight and bulk over a typical nylon gilet is a drawback, not because another 60-70g is a big deal in itself but because that puts it in windproof jacket territory. Endura's Pakajak is 160g and packs slightly smaller. You wouldn't need arm-warmers either.

The Pro Line gilet works best as a garment you'll keep on rather than removing half way into a ride, so it that respect it suits cooler conditions. The fabric seems thicker: it has a softshell, Gore Windstopper feel. (It's 75% polyester and 25% polyurethane in the main, with a polyester-elastane mix for the stretchy panels.) It's not mesh except underneath the arms. That makes it nice to wear when it's chillier.

The fit is cycling friendly: nice and close, with enough elastication in the side panels and silicone-grippered hem to hold it snug to the body. The collar is high enough to keep out draughts, and the gilet doesn't flap noisily in the wind like some cheap ones do.

Its shower resistance is good. I wore it in persistent drizzle while riding a bike without a rear mudguard. It got filthy, to the extent that I'd have doubts about how pristine those white panels would remain, but I stayed warm enough and dry enough.

There are three jersey-style rear pockets. They're really useful, as it can be awkward to get at jersey pockets underneath a gilet while you're riding along. One of the pockets has a zipped pocket backing on to it. That's ideal for stashing your phone, as it won't then leap into a hedgerow or underneath a car if you hit a pothole. The zipped pocket has a media port. The pockets have reflective piping along the top, and there's more around the rear zip.

I didn't particularly like the black and white colouring. It's reasonably visible, however.

At the time of writing, the price was reduced to £71. That's still about £20 more than I'd consider paying for a gilet: £50 gets you a rainproof Endura FS-260 Adrenaline Race Gilet or an Altura Night Vision Gilet plus change.

Verdict

Thicker, penguin-coloured gilet for cooler conditions, if the price doesn't put you off