[This review is for the new, Gen 3 Izoard] I had hoped to purchase this gilet for riding LEJOG in September, but they were sold out. I ended up buying the Izoard Pro, which I wasn’t too keen on, but ended up being perfect for that ride. Because I’d had in mind to originally buy the regular Izoard, I couldn’t resist the “Buy” button when I saw they had new ones in store. When it arrived today, I wasn’t disappointed. The Medium fits me perfectly (I am 5’8″ 65kg, 38″ chest and 32″ waist). It has a slightly relaxed fit, but is still snug. It fits perfectly over two layers (baselayer and fleece) and will be ideal for casual wear off the bike and also for riding. The zips run very smoothly and (not mentioned in the description) the Gen 3 has TWO chest zip pockets – one inside, one outside. Amazingly, as it’s cheaper than the Pro, it is reversible – though I’m not 100% keen on the bronze reflective colour (I would have preferred the orange that the previous version had). It has a nice long tail at the back for riding, but not so long that it looks daft when worn with regular clothing. Notably, the rear pocket is actually two pockets, as it is divided in the middle – so it’s not the cavernous single pocket in the item description. That doesn’t bother me too much but if you are looking for a single, big rear pocket for maps or similar, the Pro might be a better choice. I’m absolutely chuffed with the sizing and quality of the new Izoard. Below are some important Izoard vs. Izoard Pro differences, if you are swithering between the two: Pro is snugger and probably therefore more suited to road riding with Lycra shorts; regular Izoard is better if you want something to also wear casually off the bike. During LEJOG, I wore it often during constant drizzle and it never really soaked through (water-resistant, but not completely waterproof). I won’t be wearing the regular Izoard outside until spring, so can’t comment on its functionality on the bike. Pro has no collar, regular Izoard has a collar. This wasn’t as big a deal as I thought it would be, as when I wore it on the bike during LEJOG, I didn’t even notice it. In comparison, though, the Pro does look a bit less stylish if you wear it with regular clothing. Overall, if you’re looking for a dual-use gilet (on- and off-bike), the regular Gen 3 Izoard is best but if you are just wanting an on-the-bike gilet, the Pro is best, and particular best-suited if you wear Lycra gear (if you’re a gravel rider, regular Izoard is probably better, being more relaxed fit).
