Cascada Guide Ultralight Vest: Leave the Sleeves

Cold weather cycling is in full swing and every time I gear up for a ride, I have to pause and ponder what to wear. Too much, and I'll break a sweat, too little, and I'll freeze. I've always been skeptical of vests or gilets. I mean, a jacket without sleeves—what's the point? My usual strategy is to rely on long-sleeve outer layers, but that hasn't always worked out. My simplified approach involves unzipping the front of my jacket during slower sections or climbs to avoid overheating. Unfortunately, this only works until heat and moisture build up in the sleeves. So, maybe it's time to try something new. Time to give this vest thing a try.

After a quick online search, I noticed that vests seem especially popular among road cyclists—which makes sense—they're compact and easy to carry in a jersey pocket. However, most racing vests didn't appeal to me with their tight, über bike-specific fit. Maybe a hiking vest would be a better solution for me? After some research, I narrowed my options to a few choices but decided to sleep on it before making a final decision.

The next day, as I scrolled through my Instagram feed an ad caught my eye—thanks Meta—it was a cycling vest with a casual fit and an appealing outdoorsy design. Very Intriguing. As it turns out, I already knew the company behind it! I own a shirt and a beanie from them, but the last time I checked their website this vest wasn't offered. Still unsure whether a sleeveless jacket would solve my layering dilemma, I took a leap of faith and ordered a Cascada Guide Ultralight Vest to layer up.

Who is Cascada?

Based in Mori, Italy, Cascada was founded by Carlo Bonetti and Maurizio Tranquillini, two passionate outdoor enthusiasts. Carlo and Maurizio extensively test their designs in the surrounding mountains and forests of Trentino. Their journal showcases some of their adventures and is a great inspiration for anyone looking for adventures in northern Italy.

Multi-use for the Multiverse

I don't see the need for highly specialized clothing for each activity and it's no secret that I'm a fan of multi-use apparel. Let's take shorts for example: Hiking, running, cycling, and working out in the gym—that would mean four different shorts which seems a bit much for me. Believe it or not, my favorite cycling shorts fit the bill for all these activities. I found that comfortable, not über-cycling-specific cycling shorts work best for this kind of do-it-all usage. The same principle applies to other clothing items.

So, what exactly makes a good multi-use design with an emphasis on cycling? For me, it's a comfortable fit that balances enough cycling-specific design to be functional on the bike yet offers the comfort and style needed for other activities. I'm happy that more companies are embracing this multi-functional style—call it lifestyle or adventure apparel. The Cascada vest fits this idea perfectly: it's equally at home on the bike, during a hike, or on a casual walk to the café.

Tailored For Adventure

The Guide Ultralight Vest has a comfortable fit and checks all my style boxes—but can it solve my original layering dilemma? From the instant I slipped it on, I was immediately impressed by the buttery smooth zipper action! A promising start. As mentioned earlier, dressing for the shoulder and winter seasons can be tricky. Ever-changing conditions make it challenging to find the sweet spot warm when the sun is out or cool when it slides behind the clouds. The warm summery breeze can quickly change to a rather chilly blow which is only amplified when you descend at speed. These two factors are where cycling apparel needs to deliver more protection than most other outdoor activewear.

The Cascada Guide Ultralight Vest is not built to shield you from heavy rain or storms. However, its DWR treatment does a great job of keeping light wind and drizzle at bay. For my needs, that's a big plus. Nearly every wind or weather-resistant garment I've owned came with the trade-off of limited breathability, making them better suited for relaxed pedaling, downhill stretches, or torrential downpours rather than high-intensity use.

I set out to find a breathable garment that I could wear as a core-warming layer. It only took a few rides to prove I had made the right decision. The result? The vest addressed my issue with sweaty sleeves, a common challenge when wearing long-sleeve jackets left open at the front.

The Fit

The sleeveless jacket meets my preferred style: a comfortable, slightly tailored cut that isn't overly loose or bulky when layered up. The only exception to my “keep it comfy & relaxed” rule is when wearing base layers. Once on, this vest virtually disappears. If I had anything critical to say, it could be a touch longer in the back and a hair roomer around the chest. However, Cascada does recommend sizing up if you intend to wear their vest as an outer layer.

Usually, I wear the vest as a mid-layer, adding a light shell when necessary. The light padding effectively keeps the torso warm, but may be too insulated on cool summer mornings or evenings—or situations where a light shell might be a more suitable choice.

The 100% polyester padded construction dries quickly—a big plus since damp clothing will chill your core when at speed. Weighing in at only 225g the $140 USD vest is made with an abrasion-resistant outer fabric and available in three simple two-color styles with no big logos. The two zippered pockets double as inner pockets, one of which allows the jacket to fold into itself for compact storage.

Final Thoughts

I have found the perfect layering solution for the shoulder season with the Cascada Guide Ultralight Vest. It looks too good to only use it for riding. I also appreciate Cascada's style and overall approach to multi-use apparel. Their designs reflect thoughtful consideration and craftsmanship—they focus on offering what makes sense, rather than trying to cater to every market trend. If you're into multi-use outdoor wear with a stylish, understated look, definitely check out Cascada.