Nalini 3L Reflex vest overview: A visibility-boosting gilet for autumn and winter

I’m doing loads of darkish highway rides now we’re into November right here within the UK. Being seen is turning into extra of a consideration for me as I trip at the hours of darkness. Typically, I wish to put on lighter equipment that also retains me heat. 

Till it will get actually chilly, gilets are a great way to attain this, a gilet paired with a base layer and or arm heaters and a jersey is a good way to maintain your equipment light-weight however your core heat.

The Nalini 3L Reflex Vest, or gilet, is a medium-weight piece with Stormshield cloth and a big reflective again panel. This supplies good cold-weather safety whereas serving to you keep extra seen to motorists and different highway customers.

The gilet is priced at £120 /  €139 and is made in Italy. I have been testing it long-term and am prepared with my in-depth overview. For our US readers, I requested Nalini about pricing and it is at present TBC for the US market. 

Head to my greatest biking gilets information for extra gilet choices. 

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Design and aesthetics 

The  3L Reflex gilet which is made in Italy is manufactured from a Polyester and Elastane combine, while the reflective again is a Polyamide and Elastane combine. 

The physique, sides and neck space of the gilet look stable, however maintain it as much as the sunshine and you will notice it’s a two-layer Stormshield mesh cloth. The bodily really feel is medium weight for me, by that I imply it is heavier than a skinny, light-weight gilet just like the MAAP Draft I lately reviewed and makes a barely rustly sound. Stormshield is a Windtex membrane that’s wind and water resistant while additionally respiration properly, it is also made in Italy. 

The again panel is the place the 3L Reflective cloth is used. Materials like this normally have some kind of coating that displays mild. A mesh column runs vertically down the center of the again, so as to add some breathability. 

On the rear, there are three good-sized pockets which is able to cope with gloves or rain jackets with no drawback. They’re additionally lined by the reflective materials. 

There’s a two-way YKK zipper, which lets you open up the underside and eliminate some warmth if wanted. I’ve discovered this zipper to have a little bit of a behavior of unzipping from the underside when you tweak it or calmly pull it. The gilet match isn’t tremendous tight and doesn’t trigger the unzipping. The zipper simply does it at occasions, however I can’t say it’s prompted me any points. It appears to occur extra off the bike than on it. 

There’s additionally a pleasant tall, soft-lined collar which supplies good safety in colder situations. One factor on sizing, In case you are a dimension small you will want an ‘M’ right here, the gilet sizes up just a little bit small. I am all the time a small, however am sporting a Medium within the photos.

Branding-wise, issues are delicate. There’s a rubber ‘Nalini’ roundel stitched onto the entrance chest and a Nalini wordmark on the underside of the center pocket. The gilet is all black aside from the again panels which in common mild are a silvery/gray color. 

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Efficiency 

I’ll sort out the reflective component of the gilet right here first. When mild hits the reflective again patch it produces a reflective shimmer, but it surely isn’t blindingly vivid. I spent just a few hours on darkish, unlit Worcestershire lanes lately with some clubmates and quizzed them on the gilet afterwards. Shining a light-weight on the jersey can solely provide you with a lot of an perception. 

When driving on my wheel they discovered the gilet was noticeable and stood out, however made the purpose that it’s extra delicate. If you happen to’re searching for a brilliant vivid reflective piece, this isn’t it. I like the actual fact it is not blinding although, it is there, but it surely’s not OTT. Nalini does have a ‘mirror’ gilet which is majorly vivid if that’s what you’re looking for. 

Reflectiveness apart, the gilet performs properly in cool and colder temperatures which I believe is its major focus, although you may after all use it in spring and summer season. I see it as extra of an autumn/winter piece although.  

It provides heat and safety properly on cooler days and does hold the wind at bay. Paired with a spread of various weight base layers, jerseys and arm heaters it has stored me comfy and guarded. The excessive neck additionally lends a sense of consolation and safety. The seams aren’t taped or sealed, so while the fabric will cope with some water, in a heavy downpour you’re going to get moist.

Because of the reflective again panel and breathability of the fabric total I discover the gilet does nonetheless get just a little sweaty when you’re driving a bit more durable. The fabric retains the wind off properly, however I discovered the pockets particularly bought fairly moist and have been nonetheless just a little moist the subsequent day after my trip. For much less intense driving it’ll hold you comfy, however you may in all probability anticipate some moisture when you’re pushing on; remember the two-way zipper is there when you want it. 

Worth 

With an RRP of £120 / €139, it is honest to say it is a extra premium gilet price-wise. 

A few of the causes for which may be the Made in Italy tag, and the Stormshield and 3L reflective materials used. 

It is definitely a high quality quantity and nonetheless appears to be like model new after over a 12 months of use and performs properly, however this could possibly be winter jacket cash. If you happen to worth a very good gilet then it could be a stable purchase for you. 

Verdict 

The 3L Reflective vest is an efficient gilet, that provides stable chilly climate safety. If you happen to’re fascinated with a bit of equipment that may support visibility at the hours of darkness, it is a very nice choice with out being totally boil within the bag or blindingly vivid. 

There’s something of a trade-off I believe concerning the reflective materials and breathability, particularly when you’re getting a sweat on, it hasn’t been a large drawback for me and I’ve solely actually seen once I’ve stopped driving at a restaurant or related. 

Now the nights and mornings are darker it is a good choice to have, and I really feel reassured I am that little bit extra seen to motorists from behind.