Review: Proviz - Born to Shine | Gear

Proviz Sports, specialists in premium reflective apparel, have launched a new sportswear range as part of it’s Born To Shine campaign. The collection includes new and innovative athleisure wear as well as updated colourways and design tweaks to their existing hero products.

Born to Shine

Proviz Sports aims to support those looking to start a healthier change to their lifestyle or encourage those already well into their active journey. One of the main barriers to exercising for many across the UK is a perceived lack of safety. The Born To Shine athleisure apparel continues Proviz Sports’ commitment to empower customers and make a positive difference in their lives.

Anthony Langly-Smith, Co-Founder of Proviz, said: “We’re really excited to be able to support new and existing customers with a range of athleisure that is as functional to their chosen activity as it is stylish. The last few months have reinforced just how important exercise is, and we believe our Born To Shine range enables active people to do so in a safe way.”

Classic Running Gilet

Athleisure apparel launched this summer includes male and female hoodies, t-shirts and leggings which merge Proviz Sports’ heralded functionality with sleek designs. New to Proviz Sports’ running collection is the Classic Running Gilet and the guys at Proviz were nice enough to let us test out this newest addition first-hand.

The all-important specifics – Classic Running Gilet

High spec Breathability & Waterproof fabric
Breathability rating: 20,000+gm/24hr
Waterproof material: Waterproof rating: 20,000mm
Large amounts of reflective trim
Lightweight: 200g
Two side pockets
Zip guard
Elastic waist
Four-way stretch material
Seam-sealed

RUN247 say: The gilet is available in 5 colours – Black, Blue, Pink, Red, Yellow. Now, I’m not a runner who likes to layer up and the idea of a gilet has never been at the forefront of my apparel needs; it always felt like something else to consider when to put on or take off with little benefit in the coldest months and too much for the summer months and everything in between. That being said this gilet, made with a very breathable yet waterproof fabric, is incredibly lightweight.

There’s a wonderful elasticity across the entire garment, with the waterproof layer on the inside. The sleeve cuffs (I guess arm-holes are more appropriate for a gilet) and the waist section are fully elasticated trim and those sections alone hold the entire gilet steady and in place when it’s on.

Lightweight design

There are two pockets on the gilet. They are quite sizeable, not overly huge so that you have to rummage around for whatever is in there but a nice enough size to be able to comfortably store a few items in each, phone, keys, snacks etc. I didn’t stuff them full with too much. I felt the lightweight design of the gilet might mean if too much were in the pockets it would probably drag the whole thing down. That’s by no means a bad thing and speaks more about the overall sleekness of the gilet as opposed to it’s pocket construction; they are a welcome addition and very handy if used wisely.

The reflective material runs the entire length of the waist band and cuffs, as well as having a few other sections. A band across the chest and back, a stripe outside each pocket, Proviz logo front and back, and a row of dots across the lower back. It’s a tough ask to create a nice looking piece of clothing that is chock full of useful reflective points without it becoming overbearing and undesirable. Conversely to have too few reflective spots and it be absolutely pointless. With this gilet Proviz have got it just about spot on in both quantity of reflective material and its strategic placement as well.

Breathable

After the weather we’ve had over the past few months, mostly dry and hot, it was tough to put this gilet through its paces in terms of what it is really designed to do – dark light and wet weather – I’ve been out in the heat and it’s stood up well in terms of allowing me to carry what I need to and the breathability of it meant I wasn’t stewing myself slowly! The overall verdict so far is that this is a great piece of sports apparel and has me intrigued to see what else the new Proviz range has to offer (details below). Now, I’m looking forward to the closing in of nights and end of summer to really get the best use out of this gilet.

New colourways – Classic Waterproof Running Jacket