Out of the blue, vests are great, aren't they?
When I go for a ride, especially when the seasons are changing and I’m not sure what to wear, a vest is my go-to choice more often than not.
If it gets hot, I can unzip it to let the air in; if I’m descending or feeling the chill, I zip it up to keep the wind out completely. Of course, the convenience of being able to stuff it into a bag or pocket if it's not bulky is nice, but generally, you can adjust your temperature just by opening or closing the zip while wearing it. If you assemble your layers underneath properly according to the season, it will truly be a staple for your spring, autumn, and winter rides.
With that in mind, I wanted something I could wear hard both on rides and in everyday life, so we created this new vest under the RAL label. To put it mildly, it’s in top form.
RAL Reversible Vest
Colors: Blue/Navy, Red/White, Khaki/Olive
Sizes: M, L
Price: 24,200 JPY (tax included)
Reversible construction using TEIJIN Octa®︎ x Nylon
A reversible vest combining contrasting nylon fabric and TEIJIN Octa®︎.
The star of this vest is definitely Octa®︎, a polyester fiber developed by the Japanese textile manufacturer TEIJIN, famous for their catchphrase "There's more to TEIJIN than just...".
It’s a hollow, modified cross-section polyester fiber with eight protrusions arranged radially around a hollow yarn. You could call it a new generation of lightweight fleece material that combines various functions such as sweat absorption, quick drying, lightweight, heat shielding/insulation, and bulkiness.
We decided to be bold and use this fabric on the side opposite to the nylon.
The perfect balance of warmth, moisture-wicking, and lightness
When people think of a cycling vest, they usually think of wind-blocking nylon wind vests, while casual vests often tend to be padded, which makes them a bit too hot for riding.
We wanted to make a vest that works for rides and is also perfectly suitable for everyday wear. By leveraging the exquisite balance of warmth, moisture-wicking/quick-drying, and lightness of TEIJIN Octa®︎, we’ve created a truly unique piece.
Some of you might think, "Wait, doesn't it defeat the purpose to combine such a great material with nylon?"
It might look like a combination that would ruin the benefits of Octa®︎, but a vest inherently allows for easy temperature regulation through zips and ventilation at the armholes, so there are absolutely no negative factors here. Depending on what you wear underneath, it seems versatile enough for a wide range of seasons, excluding summer.
A silhouette for any occasion
The silhouette is extremely simple. It’s got that "just right" feel characteristic of RAL—you can wear it on a ride and head straight into town afterwards.
For a change of pace, you can flip it inside out and wear the Octa®︎ side out; the fluffy texture of the fabric allows you to enjoy a different look. As a bonus, it keeps your hands warm when you tuck them into the pockets.
By the way, the nylon side features a chest pocket, which is also packable, making it super useful for rides and trips.
There are three colors in total. For me, who was looking for the "just right" vest, this is truly the best of the best. I’m wearing it so often that I’m thinking of getting a second one in a different color.
I hope you all find your favorite color, too!
RAL Reversible Vest
Colors: Blue/Navy, Red/White, Khaki/Olive
Sizes: M, L
Price: 24,200 JPY (tax included)
