Machines for Freedom All-Weather Vest

Kate Agathon

This summer, I moved to the high country and quickly realized that a cycling vest is a nice thing to have to cut down wind on my speedy descents down mountain passes.

When I lived in the Front Range, I rarely wore vests for wind protection. When I did wear vests, it was mostly to keep my core warm in the cooler months. But once the mountains became my regular place to ride, a cycling vest became a must.

 

I recently wore the Machines for Freedom All-Weather Vest on a ride to Swan Mountain, and later to Vail Pass.

I liked it immediately because of its longer cut (I like my layers to cover me) so I knew it wouldn’t ride up or chafe (something I had experienced in the past).

 

The redesigned Machines for Freedom All-Weather Vest just looks good.

 

Specifically, it looks less like a cycling vest, and more like just a casual vest. Even the redesigned yoke looks refined and decidedly un-duster like (I have always disliked the classic drapey yoke).

 

Additionally, the updated 4-way stretch fabric is lightweight and wasn’t restrictive. I could wear it over both a regular jersey and a long sleeved thermal jersey with ease.

One feature that I especially appreciated were the two spacious rear pockets where I could keep my phone and other essentials (it’s surprising how common it is to include small pockets on cycling vests if they’re included at all).

 

While I felt a tad warm during a hilly section, on the descent I was very thankful for the wind stopping power of the vest. Now I finally realize why so many cyclists in the mountains wear vests in the summer months.

Finally, Machines for Freedom acknowledges riders of all sizes and offers the All-Weather Vest in a variety of options, from XX Small to XXX Large.

 

Fitting true to size, the Machines for Freedom All-Weather Vest is now a staple in my cycling wardrobe both for its function and overall style.

 

Other features:

• Redesigned in new all-weather fabric that is wind resistant and water resistant for protection from unexpected weather.

• Top quality, self-locking, zippers for easy hands-free zipping.

• Reflective details for low light visibility.

• Available in three colors (watermelon, citronelle, and black).

 

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Utah the Adventure Dog.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, fat biking, snowshoeing, camping, peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers, road cycling, and Nordic skiing. After suffering two major knee injuries within four years, Kate hopes to return to alpine skiing next season.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

We also heard she has a (slight) obsession for blue heelers.