TESTED: Specialized S.W.A.T. Women's Mountain Liner Vest

SWAT’s the big deal anyway? SWAT technology, specifically “Storage, Water, Air and Tools” is arguably Specialized’s latest and greatest in parts and accessories, their range encompassing both road and mountain bike along with a new apparel line. 

The AMB crew tested the Women’s Mountain Liner Vest, which is about as difficult to get your mouth around as it is to get your head around. In order to revolutionise parts and accessories, Specialized is really aiming to reinvent the wheel in terms of portaging necessary bicycle-related goods, with their SWAT range. The WML Vest is an unusual beast, comprised of a crop bra-type undergarment paired with a “VapoRize” mesh vest that attaches via clips at the shoulder to the bra. The vest itself has a full length zipper and features three pockets and a ‘pump loop’ to make sure your air source doesn’t go AWOL on the trail.

First impressions had me wondering which market Specialized were targeting with this product. The XC crowd, with their fancy form-fitting ‘three pockets as standard’ jerseys surely didn’t require even more pockets, and downhillers don’t ride for long enough to need spares…which of course leaves everyones favourite cycling sub-culture to market to; the gravity riders and trail shredders. Their baggy jerseys and their ‘ride all day’ attitude make them prime candidates for the reinvention of carrying spares, which is a job regularly delegated to the hydration backpack (though in recent times even the bum-bag has made a bit of worrying reemergence in gravity circles).

The idea with the vest is to wear it under your baggy jersey, stuff it full of spare tubes and pumps and pickle sandwiches, and ride off (shreddingly) far off into the distance while talking about how ‘stoked’ you are on the ‘mad’ trails today.

It’s a big ask to reinvent the wheel, but as 29ers and subsequently 27.5”ers have shown us, it’s not impossible.

Wearing the vest for the first time on a gravity-fuelled ride, I personally was quite happy with the fit of the garment. The bra was modest but comfortable and the vest was light and well fitting. The size tested was a small, which was true to size. Showing it to other female riders who were intrigued with the concept, the reception to the bra was sub-par. Being small-chested the bra suited my needs well, however I would estimate anyone with a bust size larger than a B-cup may struggle for adequate support with the WML Vest and may need reinforcement with a second sports bra.

The pocket room was equal to that of a conventional XC jersey and as such allowed me to carry a spare tube, 2 CO2 canisters, a phone, a multi-tool and some variety of snack without problems. I tried the ‘pump loop’ and can attest that it does indeed hold a pump in place. 

The problems I run into with it are in the application. For example, with those who wear bib shorts how would one position them? Over the bibs makes sense in order to facilitate easy access to stored goods and reduces that awkward jostling of pockets that happens when the bibs are worn on the outside, however with the crop bra tethered to the vest, the many layers makes getting dressed quite complicated. My preference would be to have the bibs on the outer, for quick pit stops, however as mentioned the contents of the vest need to sit either in the bibs or awkwardly outside.

Overall, this is a nice bit of kit for the discerning trail rider/gravity lady who enjoys the baggy tops and would prefer to be free of a hydration pack to carry spares, and also prefers to wear shorts rather than bibs. It may be a niche market, but I am sure there are women out there matching this exact criteria who would love this vest.

Hits: 

Fit (for smaller busted rider)

lightweight mesh

Does indeed add capacity for those wearing baggy jerseys

Misses:

What to do with the bibs?

Bra is flimsy and would not adequately support medium-large busted riders

RRP: $89.00

From: Specialized Australia