GOBIK Armour Vanta, thermal jacket

In this article: review and opinion of the GOBIK Armor Vanta 2021 unisex thermal jacket.

Armour Vanta is a double-layer thermal jacket with a wear temperature range of -5 to +10 ºC, which makes it the most extreme model from the Spanish manufacturer. Its outer layer is resistant to water and wind, while the inner layer is responsible for providing warmth. This model also inaugurated the collaboration with Polartec, a leading brand in technical fabrics, using two of them: Alpha® and NeoShell®. It comes in a unique unisex version in black.

New King in the North?

Until its arrival, the Skimo Pro jacket held the highest position in GOBIK‘s winter garments, but Armour is presented in the kingdon as a new suitor, making things very difficult for him.

Armour Vanta is the new jacket for extreme temperatures from the Yecla (Spain) brand. And it comes with very very powerful news. We are talking about the collaboration with, nothing more and nothing less, the American manufacturer Polartec, the undisputed world leader in the development of technical fabrics for extreme temperatures, surely you have seen their logo in a multitude of leading brands of mountain equipment.

Polartec fabrics

With Armour Vanta and the Envy jackets, a new collection is born in GOBIK called Black Edition, created for cyclists who face harsh weather conditions: low temperatures, wind, rain… But without a doubt, the great novelty of this series of garments is the use of exclusive Polartec materials, specifically:

Polartec NeoShell®

A revolutionary membrane that achieves a perfect balance between waterproofing (10,000 mm) and breathability, always so important in intense sports such as cycling. One of the keys to this great perspiration is that it lets through a controlled amount of wind (0.1 %), which allows it to improve evaporation and regulate internal temperature. In fact, it holds the record of being the most breathable waterproof fabric in the world. Another very important point in our discipline is comfort. NeoShell® achieves this thanks to its good elasticity, adapting to our body much better than the classic technical mountain clothing.

Polartec Alpha®

It was developed for US special forces, who required superior insulation in contradictory situations, as extreme temperature changes occur in combat, with continuous start and stop conditions. Active Alpha® insulation provides consistent warmth while allowing great breathability. It is a perfect fabric for a discipline such as cycling, where the body produces a large amount of heat in intense moments, such as climbing a mountain pass, followed by a sudden cooling when starting the descent, where physical activity ceases and adds the effect of wind.

The combination of both fabrics in the Armour Vanta gives this jacket an incredible ability to adapt to extreme and changing conditions, dispersing body heat and humidity like a car radiator and preventing cold air and rain from entering the interior.

Double Zip System

To further increase the temperature range of this jacket, GOBIK has devised a clever double zip system. The first one completely isolates the garment, preventing the entry of wind and rain. But if the weather improves and the temperature rises or if we do our best, we can use the second option, which reveals a mesh through which the air will enter, cooling our body:

Armour Vanta in detail

We begin our usual tour of the details of the garment.

The very elaborate neck area is surprising, with a first inner layer that is very soft to the touch and a second outer layer that follows the outer NeoShell® layer. Here we can also appreciate the warm Alpha® inner padding and the double zip system:

The shoulders are seam sealed with a silicone strip that also gives the garment a very personal look:

New from the manufacturer is the inclusion of Japanese YKK zippers, with a bomb-proof closure and of course waterproof. Specifically, the model is the Vislon® AquaGuard®. In the photo we can also appreciate the new logo that this collection presents, with a beautiful iridescent detail that changes color according to the light:

The cuffs have the same soft material as the neck with a good length, perfect for winter gloves. It also highlights a large reflective area, which will increase our visibility at night. The inside of the sleeves, although not seen in the photo, is filled on the front with Polartec Alpha, making them very comfortable:

Already in the back area, we have a ventilation opening under the neck, which will help to expel the heat generated inside:

The lumbar area has 3 large pockets where we can safely store our belongings and a large lower skirt, which will protect us in the event of rain and extend our nighttime visibility with a large reflective logo:

And finally a great detail, 2 inside mesh pockets, to be able to isolate part of the cargo from the rain and cold. For example, they are ideal for storing an extra pair of gloves and keeping them warm:

On Route

We have tested the Armour Vanta on several outings with very cold temperatures, around 0ºC with a merino inner layer. Taking our old Skimo Pro as a reference, we can say that the difference is very palpable. The use of technical mountain fabrics that only a leading brand like Polartec can develop, allows us to enjoy insulation and warmth advantages that are a step forward in cycling.

When dressing in winter we have always talked about layers. Dress in them and add or subtract according to your level of activity or effort. What if you didn’t have to layer up? What if there was a fabric that was able to warm you while standing still and could eliminate excess heat when you move? Well this is what happens with the Polartec Alpha®.

From the first moment, you notice the jacket is warmer and more comfortable than the typical cycling jackets, but it is when the climb arrives where the difference becomes considerable. Before we had to open the zipper to ventilate, due to the feeling of overwhelm that occurs in a great effort, with the Armour Vanta this is not necessary, the garment manages to evaporate all the extra heat without problems, it seems magic. But we got to the top, we started the descent, and we are still hot and isolated. We have not tested anything like it.

As if that were not enough, all this is achieved with a very light weight. Even being a double layer jacket and integrating a double zip system, it weighs 400 g in size L, this is 30 g less than the Skimo Pro.

Sizing

The fit of the Armour Vanta is Perfect Fit, which in the Spanish manufacturer is intermediate, that is, garments with a very tight fit, ideal for users with a thin complexion. In my case I am using size L with my measurements that are: 77 kg of weight, 105 cm of chest and 190 cm of height.

The good design of its proportions is remarkable, with a very high front waist that once we get on the bike avoids all kinds of bags in the abdomen. Also its extraordinary fitting, it feels great on the road, with spectacular comfort and freedom of movement. It is a pleasure to get out of it with it, being very well fixed to our waist, but with that extra point of slack in the sleeves and body.

Durability

We know from friends who have mountain garments with Polartec Alpha® and NeoShell® that they have used and washed regularly and are practically like new, so we consider that the garment and its fabrics have great resistance.

Final verdict

There is nothing remotely quite like this jacket. Its technical qualities are unbeatable. The technology of its fabrics, the double zip system and the double layer allow you to enjoy an extraordinary temperature range, much wider than previous models. We can use it practically from autumn until well into winter. Without a doubt, a giant step forward in GOBIK winter models.

Good route!

Any question? Find me on Instagram: @llargobike

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