Nobis Lily review: a light and breathable women’s gilet that also works as a base layer

First impressions

One great solution for keeping your torso warm without overheating when you’re getting active outdoors is something like the Nobis Lily – an insulated bodywarmer (also known as a vest or a gilet) as your midlayer, rather than a full jacket.

The duck down used to insulate the Nobis’ Lily is sourced from Canada as a by-product of the poultry industry, which will put people concerned about the ethics of down use at ease.

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Whether or not you like the looks of a gilet, the simple Lily is definitely very easy to wear anywhere – while it’s quilted, it doesn’t add any bulk, and it’s available in muted, city-friendly shades of muted burgundy, navy or plain black.

This is an expensive piece of kit – look out for discounts, especially in the shoulder seasons – but it’s so versatile you’re likely to wear it every day from autumn to winter, so it could well be worth the splurge.

In the field

The Nobis Lily is our top choice if you’re in the market for a down gilet, as it’s so light you’ll barely notice you have it on, but it does a brilliant job of warming you up without weight and still lets the body breathe, thanks to the warm, ethically sourced duck down used.

The Lily is very easy to layer with, and we found it highly breathable on test, making it ideal for fast-paced sports where you work up a sweat but are still likely to feel the cold, such as snow sports. It’s also ideal for keeping warm without hindering movement when you’re adventuring outdoors all day in changeable temperatures.