Ozio Jaque Vest Review

An essential accessory in any cyclist’s kit, the sleeveless vest comes in two forms: the summer version, light and windproof only, and the winter version, designed to keep you warm when the thermometer drops to a level where the summer vest no longer retains heat. It is in this form that the Ozio brand offers to accompany cyclists with its product named Jaque.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – Photos: 3bikes.fr, www.ozio.eu

The Ozio range obviously includes a summer version (Autan model, available HERE) whose use is intended, by definition, more for cool starts in the warmer season or for descents. In these conditions, the cyclist benefits from the windproof function to avoid feeling the cooling associated with their speed of movement.

The problem arises when cold replaces coolness, or simply when the intensity of the ride decreases or is zero, such as during a prolonged stop. The windproof function is then no longer sufficient because a thermal function is missing. This is precisely what winter vests offer: thicker, they truly keep you warm. The usual problem encountered is their poor management of body temperature rise and perspiration, combined with the fact that they ultimately provide too much warmth to the torso and back, but the difference with the cold sensation on the arms is often too marked. Finally, they are generally too bulky to be placed in a jersey’s back pocket. Thus, the assessment is often not very flattering for this product, and this is one reason why most cyclists prefer to adopt a real winter jacket as soon as the cold sets in.

Well-thought-out features

In the case of the Ozio vest, the user will immediately notice an interesting aspect: the zip can be opened from the top (traditionally) but also from the bottom: a big plus for accessing the back pockets of the jersey underneath, but also a good opportunity to ventilate in an area (the stomach) where perspiration is often higher due to the extra thickness of the bib shorts or tights. Furthermore, primarily for fit reasons, as admitted by the brand’s creator, the lower part of the vest does not have a membrane: an asset therefore to accommodate various cyclist body types because this fabric is more elastic than the padded parts, but also an additional way to promote heat evacuation when the temperature and/or intensity tend to increase.

Another aspect distinguishes this Ozio vest from other thermal vests: it is packable, to the point of being able to store it in a back pocket. Of course, it takes up more volume (and weight) than summer vests, but this is an inevitable consequence of the extra warmth.

Finally, during the test, the orange color was particularly appreciated for early morning starts and late returns, due to the better visibility this color provides. For those who find this bothersome or simply to match a neutral or club outfit, it is always possible to opt for more classic black or navy blue, available in the catalog. In any case, between the visible color, the thermal aspect, and the sufficiently packable side, ultra-distance cycling enthusiasts will find an excellent road companion to meet their specific needs. Indeed, in addition to the need to be seen in all light conditions, long-distance cyclists must prioritize clothing with a good bulk/warmth ratio, especially because they have to deal with significant temperature variations.

Features that prove their effectiveness while riding

In use on the road, the Ozio Jaque vest provides excellent comfort, with a pleasant sensation of entering a cocoon. While the brand states that it is possible to ride from 3°C, I personally found that it was necessary to reach around 5/6°C to benefit from the features, by combining it with a long-sleeved thermal base layer and a long-sleeved jersey. On the higher end and depending on the intensity level, around 12°C seems to be a certain limit, or even slightly more if riding with a short-sleeved jersey and arm warmers, for long descents. Another point helps in the fight against the cold: at the neck, the fabric rises very high, which completely reduces any air entry at this level.

The fabric on the front perfectly fulfills its windproof role, while at the back, it prevents heat loss. When the effort becomes more intense, there is no sensation of overheating, but it is necessary to play with the two sliders of the zipper, which allows air to pass through to the back, an area where breathability is obviously not as good as that of a purely summer vest. But this is the price to pay to stay warm from 5/6°C without the inconvenience of a thermal jacket that would become almost unusable above 10°C. Here, the vest can quickly end up in the pocket… to be potentially reused if conditions demand it.

Only the absence of integrated pockets on the vest (even as an extra) is regrettable. This is Ozio’s desire to keep the vest’s price within very acceptable limits (109 €), but given the possible use on long rides in changing conditions, it would not have been superfluous to have three additional pockets in total, for example to store a warmer pair of gloves and a rain jacket. This is precisely the kind of option that could be offered in the catalog: with or without pockets.

The test results show that the Ozio Jaque vest proved perfectly up to its specifications: warm, visible (in this color), packable, and sufficiently breathable, its versatility will be highly appreciated for covering a wide range of temperatures and uses. But Mr. Ozio, wouldn’t you also like to offer us a version with back pockets?

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