Review--Velo Bella Vest

[Selkie]

I just tried out my new Velo Bella vest yesterday. What I liked: very good at both keeping my core warm (it was in the mid50s at sunrise when I started out) and the mesh fabric at the back was excellent at venting so as it got warmer, the vest remained comfortable. It's folds up nice and compact, so you can easily stash it if you decide to take it off. I wear a size Small and I found the cut a bit generous. The only bummers were: (1) the zipper is NOT multi-directional; (2) the elastic at the bottom rides up so you end up with "puff" at the tummy, if you know what I mean. I like that it's longer, but it's kind of self-defeating since it ends up creeping up your body to your waistline. If it had the dual-action zipper, you could unzip from the bottom to alleviate the problem.

[KnottedYet]

The PI Whisper vest doesn't have a 2 way zip, but neither does it have elastic.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=10404

I've worn it for one commute and one sunny-day ride so far, and haven't found anything to complain about.

[DeniseGoldberg]

...Velo Bella vest... The only bummers were: ... (2) the elastic at the bottom rides up so you end up with "puff" at the tummy, if you know what I mean.
I've learned over the years that if anything - jersey, jacket, or vest - has elastic in the waist that I'm not going to be happy with it - for exactly the reason that you mentioned. If I order something and I find out when it arrives that there is elastic in the waist, it immediately goes back!

Like KnottedYet, I also have the PI Whisper vest, and I have been very happy with it.

For days when I need to start out with sleeves too, I wear an Illuminite Switchback Combo jacket - which has zip-off sleeves, a big vent in the back, and reflective material on the sleeves and bottom edge of the body. That way I can just remove the sleeves and stash them in a pocket if I get too warm. I bought mine at REI, but they are all out. I did a quick search though, and found this jacket available at NIGHT-GEAR (http://www.night-gear.com/Detail.bok?no=46). As an added plus, it's on sale. And I see that there are also a couple of jacket/vest combos on the TE site too.

--- Denise