Short answer: A winter gilet warms your torso and leaves your arms free, so it makes sense when you are on the move, in the chill of autumn and spring, and as a middle layer under a jacket. On its own you wear it over a sweatshirt or a long-sleeved top; in frost it belongs under a jacket, because it does not warm your arms. Most women’s and men’s NORDBLANC winter gilets have synthetic insulation, which keeps working when damp, and only a few models have down. Choose the size according to what you will be wearing under the gilet.
When should you wear a winter gilet?
A gilet suits anywhere that bulk in the sleeves bothers you or where you generate warmth by moving.
- Autumn, spring and mild winter. Over a sweatshirt or a long-sleeved top it is enough for a walk, an outing and the commute. Every NORDBLANC winter gilet lists everyday wear among its activities.
- Moving in the cold. When you walk you warm yourself up. The gilet keeps the warmth around your torso, and there are no sleeves to make you too hot.
- Under a jacket. In frost it adds warmth around your torso without adding bulk in the sleeves of the jacket.
- When it is not enough. When you stand for a long time in frost and wind, your arms and hands stay uncovered. A gilet without a membrane also gives no protection from rain and wet snow. For such days choose a full jacket using the guide How to choose a winter jacket.
Is a winter gilet an outer layer or a middle layer?
Both, depending on the weather. As an outer layer you wear it in dry weather and mild cold. As a middle layer you wear it under a jacket that protects you from wind, snow and water. A gilet for skiing under a jacket is a typical middle layer: you put it on over thermal underwear or a thin sweatshirt, and the ski jacket goes on top. The layer-by-layer approach is shown in the guide What to wear skiing.
Some winter gilets have a TERATEX® 10000 membrane with a water column of 10,000 mm, which is enough for rain and wet snow. It protects only your torso, however, so for a longer time outdoors a jacket with a membrane belongs on top. What the figures mean is explained in the guide Water column and breathability. If you are looking for an outer layer against wind and water, compare softshell and hardshell.
Which winter gilet suits which situation?
| Situation | Which gilet | What under it and what over it |
|---|---|---|
| Walk, commute, autumn and spring | winter gilet with synthetic insulation, short or long | under it a long-sleeved top or sweatshirt, nothing over it |
| Rain and wet snow in town | winter gilet with a TERATEX® 10000 membrane | under it a sweatshirt, in longer rain a jacket with a membrane over it |
| Frost and long spells of standing | winter gilet as a middle layer | under it thermal underwear and a sweatshirt, over it a winter jacket or coat |
| Skiing | winter gilet as a middle layer | under it thermal underwear, possibly a thin sweatshirt, over it a ski jacket |
| Cross-country skiing, running, cycling | sports gilet | under it a technical T-shirt or thermal underwear, over it a thin jacket depending on the wind |
| Dry, cold day, easy walking | winter gilet with down insulation (only a few models) | under it a T-shirt or thin sweatshirt, nothing over it, keep it away from the wet |
You will find winter gilets in the collections women’s winter gilets and men’s winter gilets. The table is a rough guide; wind, damp and pace also matter.
Down or synthetic winter gilet?
Most NORDBLANC winter gilets have synthetic insulation: hollow polyester fibre FURTHERM, and on some THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN insulation. According to the manufacturer, The LYCRA Company, it is made from recycled PET bottles and keeps you warm even when damp. Down, that is 90% down and 10% feathers, is found on only a few models.
With a gilet, damp is what matters most. When you move you sweat even under a jacket, damp down loses its loft, and synthetic fibres hardly absorb any water. A down gilet therefore suits dry cold and easy walking, and a synthetic one suits movement, skiing and changeable weather. The differences between the insulations and their care are covered in the guide Down or synthetic jacket?
Winter gilet with or without a hood?
Under a jacket a gilet without a hood or with a detachable one is better, because a hood bunches up at the back of the neck under a jacket and presses. If you wear the gilet on its own in wind and light rain, you will appreciate a hood with a drawcord.
Only a few winter gilets have a hood, for example a long women’s gilet with an adjustable drawcord and a men’s gilet with a membrane and a detachable hood. Check the features of each model on the product page in the Features section.
How long should a winter gilet be, and which fit should you choose?
A short gilet ends around the waist, does not get in the way of movement and fits easily under a jacket. A long gilet also covers the hips and suits town, walks and standing around outdoors. Long winter gilets are among the women’s models, and most of them have a TERATEX® 10000 membrane; only some have a hood, side zips or a two-way zip.
Most winter gilets have a Regular fit, that is, classic, and the close-fitting Slim fit is the exception. Among the features, an adjustable hem is useful for drawing the gilet in against draughts (only a few models have one), as is an inner chest pocket, which some gilets have.
Which size of winter gilet should you choose?
A gilet has no sleeves, so chest circumference and length decide. Try it on in the layers you will wear it in: over a sweatshirt it must not press under the arms, and under a jacket it must not bunch up in folds. Compare the measurements with the size chart, and the guide How to measure jacket size shows how to measure yourself. You can try on a women’s or men’s winter gilet in our stores.
Winter gilet or sports gilet?
A winter gilet is intended for everyday wear, a sports gilet for exercise.
- Winter gilet. Insulation of hollow fibre, THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN or, on a few models, down, and some with a TERATEX® 10000 membrane. It suits town, walks and wearing under a jacket.
- Sports gilet. Mostly made of POWERFLEECE or with hollow fibre, mostly stretchy, and most have reflective details. The activities include running, cross-country skiing and cycling, and some are ultralight with no insulation.
For cross-country skiing and running choose a sports gilet, and for town and under a ski jacket a winter gilet. Sports gilets are in the collections women’s sports gilets and men’s sports gilets, and all gilets together in the collection gilets. Clothing for cross-country skiing is covered in the guide What to wear cross-country skiing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear under a winter gilet?
Against the body wear a technical T-shirt or thermal underwear that wicks away sweat, and over it a thin sweatshirt or fleece. Avoid cotton, which soaks up sweat and chills. NORDBLANC winter thermal underwear is 96% polyester and 4% elastane, and the ranges are compared in the guide How to choose a baselayer.
Is a winter gilet better than a sweatshirt?
When walking and moving about a gilet is more comfortable, because it does not restrict your arms. When standing in the cold without a jacket, a sweatshirt, which also covers your arms, keeps you warmer. You can combine the two: NORDBLANC powerfleece sweatshirts are made of polyester with elastane, and every model lists both skiing and cross-country skiing among its activities.
Can you wear a winter gilet for skiing?
Yes, but under a ski jacket. A gilet on its own does not cover your arms and lacks the features of a ski jacket, such as a snow skirt or a ski pass pocket. You will find ski jackets in the collections women’s ski jackets and men’s ski jackets, and choosing one is described in the guide How to choose a ski jacket.
Can a winter gilet be washed in a washing machine?
Usually yes, the label decides. Put a synthetic gilet in the machine with the zips fastened, on a gentle programme and without fabric conditioner, shake it out after washing so that the insulation spreads, and leave it to dry hung loosely. With a down gilet drying is the most important part: it must be completely dry inside, otherwise the down clumps together. You will find the instructions on the Product care page.
How do women’s and men’s winter gilets differ?
Long winter gilets are among the women’s models; otherwise both ranges mostly have a Regular fit. The sizes differ: men’s are XXS–XXXL and women’s 34–48. The measurements are in the size chart.