Advnture Verdict
This light – and lightly insulated – gilet is best worn on milder days in spring or fall, but it does boast the added bonus of being reversible, so you get double the colorways.
Pros
- +
Reversible design
- +
Slim and easy to layer
- +
Cut longer on the hips
Cons
- -
Low neck
- -
Limited warmth
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Craghoppers CompressLite V Vest: first impressions
Fancy two gilets for the price of one? Lucky you, because Craghopper’s CompressLite V Vest is fully reversible, so you can swap between the navy blue (or raspberry) and the white sides from day to day.
The gilet itself is lightweight, slim-fitting and easy to wear over long-sleeved base layers, and the lack of bulk makes it comfortable to pop under form-fitting waterproofs and tight cycle jackets.
At just 265g, the CompressLite won’t weigh you down – but it also offers less warmth than a more padded vest, so it works best as part of a layering system, or worn alone in warmer weather.
• RRP: 82 (US) / £60 (UK)
• Fill: Synthetic
• Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL
• Waterproofing: None
• Colors: Navy & White / Raspberry & White
• Compatibility: Useful as a mid layer under a waterproof or alone for casual use
Craghoppers CompressLite V Vest: on the trail
On test for our best women’s gilets buying guide, the CompressLite V proved to be a decent vest to reach for when we wanted a touch more warmth without any bulk for a walk outside. But it was also great for use indoors when the temperature dropped and we needed to keep cosy at the desk (and the neutral reversible colorways mean that you could probably even wear this gilet to work).
We also like the longer length, which adds warmth around the hips. The only thing we’d change about the design is that the neck is cut quite low – we prefer a high neck for extra warmth and wind resistance.
If you’re after a casual, lightweight body warmer this is a nice choice, but for dedicated outdoor exploring we’d pick something more padded – and more insulated.
