Q36.5 Rain Shell Vest

The Q36.5 Rain Shell Vest is a waterproof cycling vest for wet and windy rides when a full jacket would be too much. It covers the torso and leaves your arms free to vent. Q36.5 makes it in a snug cut that packs down small, so you can leave it in a jersey pocket until the weather turns.

Weather protection

The vest is made from a polyamide and elastane fabric (80% polyamide, 20% elastane) that Q36.5 lists as waterproof and water repellent. All of the openings and seams are built to stop water from getting in. The collar is the main example. It uses two materials, a soft inner layer against your skin or a high-collared jersey and an outer layer in the same waterproof fabric as the rest of the vest. Q36.5 calls it a hermetic collar and says it forms an airtight seal when fully zipped. The zipper is water repellent as well.

Armholes, hem and fit

The armholes use dual-layer construction with added elasticity, designed to block water and wind at an area where vests often leak. At the hem and the back, a dual-level elastic holds everything in place. The upper level keeps the vest snug at the waist, and a lower grippy elastic stops it from riding up while you pedal. Q36.5 describes the fit as snug against the body without feeling constricting, so measure your chest and waist and compare them with the size chart rather than guessing.

Visibility and packing

A reflective logo and reflective rear inserts add visibility on wet roads and in low light. Q36.5 describes the vest as lightweight and easily packable, and it is intended for heavy rain, seasonal showers and wind protection in the shoulder seasons. The brand also says the fabric breathes, so moisture shouldn't build up inside if you wear it for a full ride.

Q36.5 offers the Rain Shell Vest in Black and Olive Green, for both men and women. It suits riders who want a shell for changeable weather and prefer to keep their arms free, or who plan to layer it over a long-sleeve jersey on cooler days.