I've never 'got'

Gilets. I genuinely have no idea what their purpose is, could someone explain why just having your torso covered is good?

Good for manual work in the cold. Arms free to do stuff. Also decent for outdoor layering for scrambling, etc. as 3-4 layers on arms can be restrictive.

They do make you look like a dork though. Or a Han Solo wannabe.

What's the benefit for cycling over a light jacket?

That I couldn’t tell you. I only do jackets on the bike.

Less sweaty

FEWER ffs.

So basically to fill the space when it's too warm to wear another full layer but too cold to comfortably not?

Wear it over a jersey and base layer in the morning when it's still a bit chilly, e.g. in autumn. Often best to go modular, so you can take off arm warmers, for example, without taking off the extra layer over the jersey, which can then come off later. Also easier to put on than a jacket in the last couple of hundred metres up the Stelvio, as it happens.

Gilets keep your core warm. Perfect for days when you start early in the cold, then it warms up later, or for rides where you want an extra layer due to it being cold.

Oh cycling ones for cycling?

You've just killed all my bitter scathing comments about people who wear puffer ones.

Cycling gilets are great for this country. The front is windproof so it protects your chest from wind chill and keeps the cold from your vital organs. The backs are often mesh or breatherble so vent heat away well. If there's some light or short lived rain they stop the part of you that gets the most water getting as wet.

It's a bit like the way arm warmers are great, even though you initially think, "why on earth don't you just wear a ls jersey"?

You've just killed all my bitter scathing comments about people who wear puffer ones.

Please share anyway.

Gilets. Or Paedo Vest as they're also known

Basically what all those who follow have said

Thanks gang, I knew I could rely on lufguss to convince me I need to spank some money on a new piece of cycling paraphernalia.

On a bike my arms are usually colder than my core so I’ve always wondered at the purpose of cycling gilets myself.

Know what you mean, but supposedly if the core is warmed the extremities benefit. Meh

Gotta wear the puffy ones cos fashun innit, can't be caught without trousers rolled above the ankles to show off all your edgy trad tattoos that everyone else also has.

I wear a gilet in the house or the office or under my coat when I'm cold.
I dont know why I'm cold. I don't like putting the heating on if I can help it.

Also have slightly rolled up jeans. No leg tatts though.

I think I have two, possibly three of the Uniqlo down gilets, very handy layer that you can chuck on or shove in a (large) pocket.

I often lose one for a while, shoved in a pocket of a bag, hence absentmindedly getting another one when cold.

It is depressing to wear a coat indoors at home but somehow not depressing to wear a gilet.

If you’re doing manual work outside in the autumn or winter, a gilet is a must. No flappy sleeves to get in the way and your body stays warm.

Same with hardcore office work.

Nobody wants chilly nipples.