Flapping vest
 

Has anyone modified a cycling vest that is flapping around behind the shoulder?

I bought a small Pearl Izumi PRO barrier lite vest. The vest fits like a race fit. Love it. However, it doesn't have vents on the back. On higher speed plus somewhat strong wind, it will start flapping around. Other than that, I like the vest as it is light and somewhat transparent so my team jersey isn't completely covered. I cannot return it as I already cut the tags.

I was thinking of adding vents on the back by making several strategically-placed holes. Maybe I could use a hole puncher or a hot steel rod to make the holes. Has anyone done anything like this? The vest is cheap enough so I am willing to use it for this experimental solution.

Please advise! Thanks in advance.

If a vest is flapping on your shoulder then it's too big. Correct cuts and sizing combinations can make it hard to find exactly what works best but it can be done. You haven't found the perfect fitting vest yet. If you want to make that one work then make it work. If you think cutting holes in it for vents will help then do it. Otherwise it will just end up being a piece of gear you own but hardly ever wear and a good fitting vest can be worth it's weight in gold....which really isn't much but you get my point.

This isn't that funny, but I just lol'd quite loudly at work.

Is it only used as a wind barrier? I have a super thin one I use for wind. It fits pretty tight, but still flaps. I wear a base layer, then the vest, then the jersey. No more flapping and it still blocks the wind.

Don't fear the flap.

The back of my wind vest is basically mesh. No flapping. The arms don't flap either, which is a little bonus.

Yup. That's the stuff.

I've had good results taking in the side seams

to reduce the flap of jerseys etc.

A narrow zig-zag stitch keeps things stretchy, & just leave the original seam & fabric.

Duct tape.

Seriously, back in the first half of the 19th century motorcycle racers wore leather jackets and pants that flapped at speed, so they wrapped them with tape. As I recall, it was Geoff Duke who first had his leathers tailored so there was no need for tape.

Ok, totally off topic. I'll go get some more coffee now.

I have a Pearl Izumi PRO vest from (tag says) Fall 2012, and except for the flapping at the shoulder/arm hole on fast descents it is perfect otherwise. While the front doesn't pooch up when I bend forward, the bottom/back quarter of the arm hole changes shape enough to let air under it when your arms are anywhere but straight at your sides. I just got used to it -- as it only became a nuisance at 30mph+ air speeds. It has a way better fit than any of their (PI's) other vests in my experience.

And to fix it I think (part of) the arm hole needs to have elastic so it takes the shape when bent over ... or it should have been cut for the riding position.

Ride your CAADs close to your vest.

Only time I ever wear a vest on the bike is when it's blistering cold out. I wear a down vest ($35 at Costco!) over my wind breaker. Keeps me warm without overheating me. Also squishes down in a stuff sack and fits in a bottle cage. Anyway, it does not flap. I suspect yours is too loose around the shoulders.

A proper fitting vest won't flap, except for maybe the collar. As mentioned above, some creative stitching could correct the fit to solve your problem.

Maybe some pushups and upright rows will tighten up the shoulder portion.

Or try wearing it backwards.

Like anotherbrian said, the vest fits tight. A race fit. There is no room on the sides. I like the fit except there is no vent. When I am riding with my back almost flat, it flaps just enough to make that dreading flapping noise.

According to my observation, this flapping issue is caused by the lack of vents and the fact that the arm holes are relatively stretchy. It is enough for air to get inside through the arm holes. Behind my head is a vacuum. Due to pressure difference, the air naturally flows toward behind my head, along the shoulder. However, since there is no vent to allow the air to escape, it lifts the vest along my shoulder and escapes through the neck hole.

My plan is to make holes along the shoulder line (say 10 holes total) using a heated precision pick and pierce the vest to relieve a built-up pressure in the vest. Hopefully, well-placed 10 holes are enough to balance the flow. If the rate of air flow coming in > going out, I might need more than 10 holes or bigger holes. At the end of the day, it is a $35 (price of the vest) worth of experiment.

I was thinking the same thing. Hit the gym. Lat pulldowns and rows will fix that vest right up.

Let us know how it goes,

with pics if possible.

Duct tape, fixes everything. Now available in many colors to compliment your cycling garb.

I also got a PI PRO Barrier Lite vest and had the same problem. Fits good around the waist but the rest of it was baggy on me and frankly, it felt like I was wearing a glorified garbage bag. I got sick of it and didn't really ever wear it so I tried their Aero vest and it fits really good. Nice and snug but not too tight either and somewhat breathable.

I think the main problem with the Barrier Lite is that the material is fairly plastic like wear as the Aero is more of a fabric, but still blocks the wind well.

Kudos

Properly placed bobby pins to attach vest to jersey. Problem solved :D