Simple, and effective, Funkier's Evo Windbreaker Gilet is a great lightweight piece of kit for small money.
At £34.99, the Evo Windbreaker doesn't break the bank, which is good news: gilets are for throwing on and off when the temperature drops/rises, so scrunching them up repeatedly to stow in a back pocket can be a worry if you've spent much more on your body shell.
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The Evo packs superbly well into a rear pocket, making stowing very easy. The cut is also very streamlined, which helps you maintain your aerodynamic profile (if you have one) in the wind, with very little in the way of flappage. Helping it here is the weight – at 103g it's not mega-light compared with more expensive options, but in the real world it's genuinely unnoticeable.
It also comes with a relatively hard-wearing zipper too (don't worry, it still packs down), which also features an extra flap underneath to stop draughts sneaking in. It's easy to pull up and down on the move, and does everything you hope a zipper will with ease. Also helping to insulate you from draughts are the flat seams – they're not taped, but do an adequate job.
Even the hems are well made, and keep a comfortable shape around the arm holes and hem, staying in place neatly, while also hugging around full jersey pockets. Throw in a lightly reflective nature to the fabric as well (also seen at the seams around the zip), and the basics are well covered.
At this price point, not surprisingly it has a couple of shortcomings. Firstly, it's not breathable save for the mesh rear panel – so while it's excellent at keeping rushing air out, it's also very good at keeping moisture in. As a result, when you do remove it to scale a climb, you can feel quite chilly at first as the cool air hits your damp jersey.
Secondly, it's not stretchy. I'm normally a large in tops – with stretch taken into account – but sized down to a medium here for a better fit (though it was then a little snug). It's worth bearing in mind that if you want a tighter, more aero fit, then buy one slightly on the smaller size compared with your norm.
> Check out our guide to the best gilets
On the plus side, it is water resistant (on the non-breathable panels) and features a sizeable pocket at the rear for storage, should the weather demand you keep it on. Another feature is the carry bag stored within the pocket, helping the gilet to pack in on itself for storage or tidy stowing.
Overall, it's generally comfortable to wear despite the lack of stretch in the overall fit, easy to wash – just stick it on with your normal kit and it'll be fine – and looks good over the top of a range of kits, especially in the translucent and fluoro-orange colourway.
Verdict
Decent value effort from Funkier, but it could be more breathable
Make and model: Funkier Evo Windbreaker Gilet
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Funkier says: "A complete shield against the wind, that protects you at all speeds and in the most adverse weather conditions"
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Features:
- Orange/Transparent front windbreaker
- Reflective front zipper
- Reflective strap on the back + reflective zipper
- Breathable mesh at the back
- Water resistant zipped back pocket
- Comes attached with a small pouch for folding in the vest
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Construction is good, seams aren't taped.
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Keeps wind at bay very well, but it's just not breathable enough, which limits its appeal.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
No complaints: it washed fine with my regular kit and came out looking like new. It doesn't even crease that easily, which is an extra plus point.
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
A good fit, with no excess fabric. The back is long enough to encompass full jersey pockets, too.
Rate the product for sizing:
5/10
Comes up at least a half-size too big on me, so I recommend adjusting your size depending on your aero (or non-aero) needs.
Rate the product for weight:
7/10
Not super-lightweight, but still relatively unnoticeable when packed away.
Rate the product for comfort:
6/10
Not amazing in this regard, simply because you sweat a lot in it, despite the breathable mesh on the back.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
£34.99 is relatively cheap, and the bottom line is this gilet does a job. Good value.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very easily, without issue.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Good, just with a lack of breathability being the major sticking point.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Fluoro orange is cool, and the overall cut is very streamlined.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Lack of breathability, lack of stretch in the fabric.
Did you enjoy using the product? Largely, yes.
Would you consider buying the product? No, I'd want more breathability, because I tend to ride at a high(isn) intensity most of the time.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, if they wanted a cheaper option for slower paced riding.
Use this box to explain your score
It's a good gilet at a good price; more breathability would bump up the score.
Age: 26 Height: 188cm Weight: 83kg
I usually ride: Specialized Allez Sport My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding
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