Autumn/Winter Special: Gore Apparel

Mark Tearle

Introducing some choice cuts from the GORE BIKE WEAR^® product range in the CycleTechReview.com Autumn/Winter Apparel Special.

W L Gore Associates first introduced bike wear to their product family in 1985 – functional cycle wear with the three key elements of windproof, water proof and breath-ability designed and developed into the garments from the beginning. Gore Bike Wear is a brand with distinctive primary-colour Euro sensibilities catering to a worldwide market, synonymous with quality and affordability.

After 30 years in the business, I doubt very much that Gore need much of an introduction. Gore Bike Wear is highly regarded for reliable and innovative high-tech road and mountain bike clothing. They have a particular reputation for functional apparel that enables you to go out in all weather, leaving you with absolutely no excuses. We have received a generous bundle from Gore that should see us through to Spring.

PHANTOM 2.0 WINDSTOPPER® SOFT SHELL JACKET- £149.99

Gore says this jacket is a ‘One for all’. A versatile jacket with zip-off sleeves – windproof jacket, jersey and vest all in one. Listed as the ‘Athletes Choice’ on the Gore website it’s a ‘comfort fit’, meaning it is loose fitting and offers freedom of movement. The shell outer is 100% polyester and has a Gore Windstopper membrane, the inside of the jacket is a 100% polyester stretch fabric, a mix of 85% polymide and 15% elastane.

The jacket features:

• 3-compartment patch pockets on back
• Soft and versatile GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Product: windproof, water-repellent and highly breathable
• Reflective print on sleeves
• Reflective print on back
• Stretch inserts for optimum freedom of movement
• Wear-resistant elastic binding on sleeve-hem and on hem
• Zip-underflap
• Additional short sleeves
• Detachable Raglan sleeves
• Reflective logo on front and back

OXYGEN GORE® WINDSTOPPER® JACKET – £174.99

This tight fit jacket (athletic and very close to the body cut) is very much like a traditional soft-shell. It has an inner fleece-lining and is made with soft and elastic GORE® WINDSTOPPER® fabrics. Gore claim it to be completely windproof, water-repellent and breathable.

The jacket features:

• 2 side mesh pockets
• Reinforced hem for easier closure of the zipper
• Reinforced collar for easier opening of the zipper
• Two core zipped adjustable ventilation
• Soft and versatile GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Product: windproof, water-repellent and highly breathable
• Gripper elastic on bottom hem
• Zip tags for easy opening
• Zip-underflap and zip-port
• Ergonomically shaped collar
• Reflective logo on sleeve
• Long back
• Small, zipped pocket on back
• 3-compartment patch pockets on back

OXYGEN 2.0 GORE-TEX ACTIVE JACKET – £199.99

The GORE-TEX® Active jacket is lightweight and is said to offer “maximum breathability for the dedicated performance oriented road cyclist who trains in all weather conditions”. A slim fit cycling cut provides a more race-y fit, and it has two zipped side openings at the rear to allow for easy access to the jersey pockets.

The jacket features:

• Long back
• Reinforced hem for easier closure of the zipper
• Reinforced collar for easier opening of the zipper
• Reflective print on sleeve cuffs and collar rim
• GORE-TEX® Active Product: Lightweight, extremely breathable, durably waterproof and windproof
• Reflective print on sleeves, sides, and back
• Reflective print on shoulders
• Partially elastic hem
• Zip tags for easy opening
• Zip-underflap and zip-port
• Ergonomically shaped collar
• Reflective logo on front and back

ELEMENT 2.0 THERMO BIBTIGHTS+ – £89.99

These thermo bibtights are double layered with a full mesh bib construction – first impressions of these tights are favourable, they are incredibly soft against the skin. The pre-formed pad insert is highly breathable and designed to protect your delicate parts from the wind.

The bibtights feature:

• Flat-lock seams
• ELEMENT MEN seat insert with breathable, windproof front that is preformed for pressure relief
• Mesh bib tunnel design with no seam close to skin, reduces friction, stops material from digging in
• Wind and spray protection panel in crotch and center back
• Reflective print on back
• Additional layer of thermo-stretch-functional fabric in knee-area
• Pre-shaped knees
• Reflective logo on front

UNIVERSAL WINDSTOPPER® MID GLOVES – £49.99

A mid-glove for when conditions necessitate the need for gloves, they also feature gel-padding in the heel of the hand for shock absorption and silicone coating in the fingers for grip.

Glove Features include:

Each of these apparel items will have their own review in due course once I’ve had a chance to thoroughly test them. In the meantime check out Gore’s promotional ‘Into the Elements’ video.

Gore

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