Now, I’m not a gilet girl, in all honesty. I always thought it peculiar to have a garment missing components be so popular, but I was open to the idea. Especially when running in the colder months, it’s vital to tread that line between being warm and not sweating too much.
The idea behind this comes from a theory that sweating may cool down your body temperature and cause you to catch a chill. This is definitely something to consider if you’re in a single-stage race or long training run and don’t have access to a drop bag.
The fleece is a lovely cream colour (biscuit brown) with neon yellow taping. When zipped, the neck rises to the jawline with some breathability, meaning you can still wear a jacket and buff beneath. I think the colour is feminine, contrasting with the bright or black you usually find in gilets.
I wore this following a 20-mile training run when I was refuelling. I found the jacket warm and cosy on top of a base layer. It is a great layering option for post-race as your body begins to cool. I wore this over a hoodie later in the evening and only found myself cold as the November sun began to set.
Especially when moving from inside to outside, I didn’t feel the cold as much as I expected to. The weather was a warm autumn day with no clouds, which I think is peak weather for this garment. I wouldn’t want to wear this in rain or damp conditions as I feel it would be unable to keep me warm as its not waterproof.
The material is a soft fleece, made to feel much like sheepskin. This is amazing as it’s made from 100% recycled polyester. This product is certified by the Circular Textiles Foundation and can be 100% recycled.
The Gilet is also part of the BAM ’73 Zero Take Back scheme, where you can send back clothing for free to be recycled when it reaches the end of its life.
Since 2006, BAM has been creating Bamboo-based products to create a sustainable collection of clothing that can be recycled and have minimal environmental impact. Bamboo absorbs five times more carbon than hardwood trees. It needs half the land cotton to produce the same amount of fibre, and it doesn’t need irrigation or pesticides.
I have worn the gilet on longer training runs this December when the weather has been fair. I wore it over a base layer and long-sleeved top and found I handled my temperature adequately. However, I knew the material would become damp quickly, which would be rather heavy for an ultramarathon.
Nevertheless, I think it would be a good layer if you’re doing a shorter training run. It would also be excellent for dog walkers as it has big pockets; when I was running, there was no movement, so I didn’t worry about anything falling out.
I also think using this during a 200+ mile race may be beneficial as a layer to stay warm during rest stops and eating stations.
This fleece is an excellent layer for those looking for something cosy and warm following a Winter and early Spring race like cross country or fell races. It is a great way to support the environment while still maintaining quality.
BAM 73 Zero Fleece Gilet
Biscuit
£79.00
