Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Gear Reviews

    Hincapie Arenberg Zero Vest Review

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellDecember 1, 2014No Comments4 Mins Read

    The vest is the most versatile piece of cycling gear there is. I have several flavors and each one has a purpose — some for rain and wind and others for warmth. The Hincapie Arenberg Zero Vest is one part weather protection and a hefty dose of warmth to boot.

    Hincapie Arenberg Zero Vest Features:

    • Textured, 4-way stretch MTX Wind Repel™ fabric provides a conforming fit and insulation from cold temperatures
    • HyperOptic Roubaix™ reflective treatment for superior visibility
    • Super Roubaix™ back panel for added warmth and breathability
    • Weather protective center front 2-way zipper with internal storm placket
    • Enhanced ergonomic design improves riding comfort and element protection
    • Three generous back pockets
    • Weather protective hem, cuffs & collar seal out the elements
    • Price: $150

    2015 Scott Solace 30 and Hincapie Arenberg Zero Vest

    Arenberg Zero Vest Delivers Mega Protection

    On the spectrum of protection, the Arenberg Zero Vest errs on the more protective side. Not only is the fabric highly water-resistant, it is also thick and warm. It actually fills a great niche where other vests leave off.

    With the extra warmth, the Arenberg really does extend the capability of long-sleeve jerseys or short-sleeve/arm warmer combinations  since it does a fantastic job at keeping your core warm. The fabric is also stretchy and moves with you — standing, sitting and chilling. On the frontside, the MTX Wind Repel fabric features 4-way stretch with excellent wind and water protection. I can’t feel even a touch of wind penetrating the vest, but it remains breathable — even on warmer days.

    The tall collar is both a bonus and a little bit of a functional limitation. On the plus side, the collar’s height and protection — particularly on the backside of the neck — delivers warmth and keeps core heat inside. But, on long climbs or if temperatures rise, that same collar traps heat and makes for a warm neck.

    The backside features Super Roubaix fabric that is brushed on the inside for improved moisture wicking and warmth. It does a fantastic job of moving moisture out. With three backside pockets, the Arenberg Zero is a bit of an anomaly in vests as many don’t feature pockets. These pockets were nice to have, but proved difficult to access at times. I couldn’t reliably reach for the pocket opening every time. That said, it was nice to have a double zipper to access the inner jersey pockets, when necessary.

    Zipper garage at hem caused trouble

    For some reason, the vest features a zipper garage at the hem (something you usually only see at the top of the zipper to protect from chin chaffage). I had a heck of a time getting the zipper started and unzipping the zipper fully while on the bike — particularly due to the wraparound fabric garage and that fact that the zipper doesn’t extend all the way to the hem. It stops almost an inch upward, as you can see above. If you’re used to unzipping and zipping while on the bike, this one will be a challenge.

    As far as fit goes, this one is spot-on with all Hincapie garments. I’m 5’11” and 170 lbs and the medium Arenberg Vest fits perfectly snug without turning me into a sausage. It has a nice length and simply envelops my jersey just as expected. It’s also nice to have a handful of reflective elements for extra visibility — never a bad thing. The only other drawback is that this vest doesn’t compress really well, so stashing it away requires a large pocket.

    The Good

    • Great weather protection
    • Love the tall collar for warmth
    • Perfect fit — length and size
    • No wind penetration
    • Great having three rear pockets

    The Bad

    • The overall hem/zipper garage area is a bit of a train wreck
    • Doesn’t compress very small
    • Had a hard time reliably reaching into the pockets

    The Bottom Line: Hincapie Arenberg Zero Vest

    No doubt, the Arenberg Zero Vest is the warmest vest in the stable. It blocks wind aplenty and keeps weather at bay with a tall collar and soft touches. The biggest miss is the zipper garage at the hem, which makes for difficult zipping and unzipping — especially while on the bike. If you always stop for wardrobe changes, you’re golden with this weather-shedding vest.

    Buy Now: Available at CompetitiveCyclist.com

    ShareTweet
    Hincapie vests
    Previous ArticleThe North Face Illuminated Reversible Jacket Review
    Next Article RockyMounts BrassKnuckles Bike Rack Review
    Jason Mitchell
    • Website
    • Twitter

    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

    You Might Also Like

    Pearl Izumi Interval Jersey Review

    July 1, 2022

    2023 Trek Madone SLR Drops Weight, Adds IsoFlow

    June 30, 2022

    All-new Shimano 105 Di2 Unveiled

    June 29, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.4

    Roval CL 50 Disc Wheelset Review

    September 13, 2019

    Hoka One One Anacapa Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

    November 2, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021
    9.2

    Reynolds Assault SLG Carbon Wheelset Review

    July 28, 2017
    9.0

    Canyon Endurace CF SL 8 Disc Di2 Review

    August 13, 2020
    9.1

    3T Exploro RaceMax 1x and 2x Review

    April 28, 2021
    9.4

    Shimano GRX RX810 1x Gravel Groupset Review

    June 3, 2020
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Pearl Izumi Interval Jersey Review
    • 2023 Trek Madone SLR Drops Weight, Adds IsoFlow
    • All-new Shimano 105 Di2 Unveiled
    • Gore Wear TrailKPR Daily MTB Jersey Review
    • Review: Patagonia Strider Pro 5″ Running Shorts
    • Fresh Wheels: Santa Cruz Hightower 3
    • Tifosi Swank XL Sunglasses Review
    • Lizard Skins Monitor Traverse Gloves Review
    • Trek RSL Jersey Review
    • Gore Wear Fernflow Shorts Review
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2022. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.