Rodhouse Bodywarmer, water-repellent and windproof sleeveless gilet

Our take on this bodywarmer

This Rodhouse sleeveless gilet keeps things simple and does them well. It blocks the wind, sheds light rain and packs into its own pocket. For cool mornings by the water or trips around town, it is the layer to keep within reach.

The gilet at a glance

• Rodhouse sleeveless gilet, men's cut.
• Polyester pongee shell.
• Padded polyester taffeta lining.
• Water-repellent and windproof fabric.
• Listed weight: 300 g.
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL.

• Closes with a large zip.
• Two zipped side pockets with flaps.
• One inside pocket on the left.
• Packs into the right inside pocket.
• Drawcord at the waist.
• Hemmed armholes.

At the water and around town

A layer against the wind

The bodywarmer keeps your core warm and leaves your arms free. That helps when you cast and retrieve all day. With no sleeves, nothing gets in the way of your movement. The polyester pongee shell stops the wind. On a bank or a pontoon, wind is what chills the body fastest. The padded taffeta lining adds warmth without making the outfit heavy.

The fabric is water-repellent. Drops from a light shower bead up and run off. For long rain, wear a rain jacket over it. The gilet also fits under a thicker jacket when the cold sets in. The waist drawcord stops air from coming up from below. On a dry, windy day, the gilet is often enough on its own over a sweater.

Pockets, packing and fit

The two side pockets close with a zip and a flap. Keys, phone or a small lure box stay in place. The left inside pocket takes your papers or wallet. The right inside pocket has another job: the whole gilet packs into it. It then takes up little room in a backpack or in the car.

At 300 g, you can bring it on every trip. The large zip opens fast if you walk a long way and warm up. Hemmed armholes give a clean finish around the arms. The men's cut runs from S to XXL. Designed first as a city bodywarmer, it works just as well day to day as it does by the water. It belongs to the clothing line of Rodhouse, a shop that specializes in fishing and rodbuilding.