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review

dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet

8
£100.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Race-cut and packable gilet offering excellent protection
Race cut – no bagginess or flapping
Impressive protection from wind and rain
Expensive
Very short front won't suit all
Weight: 
88g

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The dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet features a race cut which prevents rustling and material flapping, with a super-short front best suited for holding an aero position in the drops. The gilet is lightweight and packs down small, making it easy to stuff into a jersey pocket, yet despite this it offers surprisingly impressive protection from both wind and rain.

You could be forgiven for wondering how much benefit the Aeron Lab, at just 88g, can really offer when conditions turn less than ideal. However, after six weeks or so with the gilet I've been thankful to have had it stuffed in a jersey pocket on plenty of occasions.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof gilet packing.jpg

I think the fact that it's so easy to take on rides is particularly important; I've worn plenty of gilets that offer good protection but are impractical to store when not needed, and so get left at home – the very good Lusso Aqua Challenge, for example. The dhb packs down to a size that comfortably fits into all but the very smallest of jersey pockets, and is now the first thing packed when conditions look anything but perfect.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof gilet rolled.jpeg

As with most of dhb's Lab range, expect a close, race-cut fit that's designed for holding an aero position rather than wandering around the local cafés.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet - back.jpg

Other than the cut, the gilet shares many of its features with the slightly more relaxed Aeron Rain Defence gilet, and just like that one is available in blue or orange for people wanting something a bit more visible.

Although I was expecting an aggressive cut, I was still surprised by just how short it is at the front, sitting at about my belly button, with even dhb's own Lab jerseys protruding by about an inch. Although this won't be to everyone's taste, when in the drops it makes absolute sense, preventing any excess material and therefore bunching or bagginess around the chest.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet - hem.jpg

A small amount of stretch around the arm holes and shoulders keeps things fitted in these areas without being restrictive.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet - shoulders.jpg

A dropped tail also ensures maximum possible protection from road spray coming off the rear wheel.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet - tail.jpg

dhb gives a recommended temperature range of between 8 and 25°C, and thanks to a classic British summer it's been possible to test all of it – sometimes in one ride! I wouldn't choose to wear it right up to 25 degrees – if it starts raining when it's that hot then I'd rather just enjoy the hot shower; up to 18 degrees seems more realistic before it will simply be more comfortable with it off.

At the other end of the spectrum, when paired with a decent baselayer/arm warmers, 8°C seems reasonable. The gilet does an excellent job of keeping out the windchill even on fast descents, and 30,000mm waterproofing does an equally excellent job of keeping you dry. Taped seams help, although I did notice a tiny amount of ingress through the zip, but all in all the gilet performed admirably and far better than many 'waterproof' jackets I've tested.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet - collar.jpg

Breathability is good too – it's rated at 30,000g/m2 – and the double zip means you can unzip from either the top or bottom for added ventilation. This also makes accessing jersey pockets underneath it easier.

For snacks and quickly storing the odd item, the gilet itself has two pockets, one on either side, with drainage holes to ensure water doesn't stick around. The lack of stretch of the material in this area does mean that heavier items will drag the gilet around, and I wouldn't store anything too valuable in them as they aren't elasticated at the top, but they'll do for temporary banana storage. The slight angle of the pockets makes access extremely easy.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet - pockets.jpg

Other features include reflective accents, those being the text on the back as well as two vertical stripes, but limited to just the small logo on the front.

2021 dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet - arm.jpg

A section of microfibre across the back of the neck adds to the quality feel, and the zip pulls may not look like much but are easy to use even with numb hands or while wearing gloves.

At £100 the dhb is by no means cheap, its price putting it in competition with typically more expensive brands. Few offer the same combination of weather protection and race fit, though.

> Buyer’s Guide: 19 of the best cycling gilets

Rapha's DWR-treated and even lighter (55g) Explore Lightweight Gilet is £85, but has a more relaxed fit, while its Pro Team Lightweight Gilet (review to come) is £90 but doesn't offer rain protection.

If you don't require full-on waterproofing, you can spend a lot less: the Stolen Goat Palace Bodyline gilet will save you a fair bit at £65.

Conclusion

My overriding feeling is that the Aeron Lab gilet has a very specific time and place: hard rides when speed is important, and for this it fits the bill perfectly. If you're not going to use it for that purpose then there are far cheaper gilets out there, especially if you don't require the race fit, and more versatile options if you're not going to hold an aero position the entire time while wearing it.

Verdict

Race-cut and packable gilet offering excellent protection

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road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

dhb says: "Waterproof protection for cycling needn't be heavy and poorly fitting, the dhb Aeron Lab Superlight Waterproof Gilet proves you can enjoy a race-bred fit, impressive protection from the rain and do it all without being bulky."

The gilet is ideally suited to those either racing or when speed matters.

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

From dhb:

Suggested temperature range 8 to 25 degrees C

3 Layer waterproof fabric - taped seams

Breathability 30,000 g/m2-24hr -Waterproof 30,000 mm H2O

Superlight and packable - 85 grams (size medium)

2 back pockets with laser-cut drain holes

Reflective logos and trim

Breathable Stretch centre back panel to enhance fit and comfort

2 way lightweight centre front zip for venting use

Long glove-friendly silicon dipped zip pulls

Silicone elasticated gripper at hem and elasticated armholes

Information

100% Nylon

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Very waterproof, very windproof and breathability is also impressive. Tick, tick, tick.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Very nice – elasticated areas ensure no flapping, and dropped tail offers ample protection, but the front is very short.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
6/10

Expect a race cut. The dhb size chart is accurate but follow its advice: 'If you have an athletic cyclist's physique and want this performance feeling, go for your normal dhb size. For riders with a larger frame or those who prefer the fit of dhb Aeron kit, we suggest you go up a size.'

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

It's got quite a niche job. I wouldn't for example choose to wear this gilet on the easy Sunday club run, the aero cut limits its use to hard and fast training sessions and races.

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

No issues.

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

Very well, and is so packable that you're likely to always have it with you.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The waterproofing – it's better than most jackets.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I like being aero and I like riding fast, but the short front does look a bit silly when you stand up at the end of a smash fest.

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

It is expensive for a lightweight gilet with no thermal credentials, but its performance is excellent, and cheaper competition rarely combine this much weather protection with such a good fit.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It performs its purpose extremely well. The protection from wind and water is excellent and the fit is tip-top if you're after something that won't flap around. It is expensive, though, and the very short front is impractical for anything but in the drops.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 23  Height: 6ft  Weight: 74kg

I usually ride: Specialized venge pro 2019  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,

Jamie has been riding bikes since a tender age but really caught the bug for racing and reviewing whilst studying towards a master's in Mechanical engineering at Swansea University. Having graduated, he decided he really quite liked working with bikes and is now a full-time addition to the road.cc team. When not writing about tech news or working on the Youtube channel, you can still find him racing local crits trying to cling on to his cat 2 licence...and missing every break going...

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1 comments

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sparrowlegs | 2 years ago
1 like

For a really lightweight, windproof and water resisitant layer I'd have a look at the DHB Lab Featherlight jersey. It can be used as a jersey but I use mine as an emergency outer layer as it covers my shoulders (something I wish gilets would address). It packs tiny, is form fitting, has pockets and like I've said, covers the shoulders. That, along with some Endura Adrenaline overgloves and you're covered for those chilly early starts and bouts of rain.

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