Herrenwesten

A gilet concentrates insulation around the body’s vital organs at the core. It does this without restricting arm movement, which makes it the practical choice for high-output pursuits where arms need to stay free and the torso needs warmth, like climbing. Worn as a mid-layer beneath a hardshell in sustained cold, or as a standalone piece in transitional weather, a gilet delivers targeted core warmth in a form a full jacket cannot match for freedom of movement.

This depends on how you wear them. An insulated gilet, like the Bastion Gilet, worn as a mid-layer beneath a hardshell performs well in winter cold, concentrating warmth on the core where it matters most. As a standalone outer layer, fleece and soft-shell gilets like our Mantra or Wraith Gilets suit mild conditions and transitional weather better. 

Three situations suit a gilet particularly well. When temperatures drop but activity levels are high enough to keep arms warm, a gilet adds core insulation without overheating the whole body. In transitional conditions, when a full jacket is too much, it bridges the gap effectively. And in sustained cold, an insulated gilet beneath a hardshell retains heat at the core whilst keeping the overall layering system lighter than a full insulated jacket. 

Your regular size works for most applications. If you plan to wear a gilet as a mid-layer over a thick fleece or jumper, sizing up gives you room to layer without restricting movement or compressing the insulation. Compressed insulation performs below its potential: if the fit is tight enough to reduce loft, you lose warmth. As a standalone piece, your usual size is correct. The decision comes down to how you intend to wear it.

Packability depends on the gilet’s construction. The goose down fill of the Bastion Insulated Gilet makes it incredibly packable with a high warmth to weight ratio. By comparison, fleece gilets like the Moorland and Mantra Gilets are less packable, with a lower warmth to weight ratio and are better for day trips rather than overnight expeditions.

ThruDark's gilet range covers five distinct types. Insulated gilets use either goose down (Bastion Down Gilet) or synthetic fill (Ithax Gilet) for thermal performance. Fleece gilets, such as the HeriTech Moorland Fleece Gilet, suit active use in moderate cold. Wax cotton (HeriTech Hinterland range) provides durable protection in field conditions. The Dissident Utility Vest covers the workwear end of the range.