Winter Clothing Round-Up With GORE: Getting Rolling – by Guitar Ted
In the Northern Hemisphere, things are taking a colder turn in terms of the weather. That means as cyclists we will be reaching for our cold weather gear to extend our riding season into Fall and Winter. We recently received a kit from GORE featuring a few items that can make cold weather cycling more fun and more comfortable. Let’s take a look.
GORE-Tex Infinium™ Phantom Jacket: the GORE-Tex Infinium™ Phantom Jacket is really two things in one. This jacket features zip-off sleeves which extends its usage on days that might start out cool, and then warm up. The jacket features GORE windproof technology and is water resistant, yet is breathable. It is recommended for 41°-59°F temperatures. These are a list of features as found on GORE’s website for this jacket.
- Active fit
- Front zip with black reflective material
- Modern, aero road cycling fit: lengthened sleeves and dropped tail
- Reflective details
- Secure zip pocket on rear for keys or valuables 3-gusseted back pockets
- Close fit high collar
- Detachable raglan sleeves with broad cuff
- Elastic grip on bottom hem
- Stretch panel in back to aid in fit
- GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ fabrics with GORE® WINDSTOPPER® product technology: totally windproof, extremely breathable and durably water resistant, lightweight protection
First Impressions: I’m somewhat familiar with this jacket as Grannygear had told me about his several years ago and raved about it. I can see what the ‘fuss’ is about now. I will say that the stretchy fabric fits close, and this is truly a ‘racy’ feeling garment. The XL size sent had long enough sleeves to fit my long arms and still not feel like they would creep up on me in a stretched out position on the bike. I like the rear pockets as you are not getting under this jacket to get anything out of a rear jersey pocket without unzipping the Phantom Jacket first.
The Phantom Jacket comes in four color combinations and costs $200.00 USD.
C5 Thermo Bib Tights+ : These bib-tights from GORE are a new item and feature the Elastic Interface cycling pad which is a really high quality insert. The C5 Thermo Bib Tights+ also feature a panel of WINDSTOPPER® in the groin area. These are recommended for 41°-59°F temperatures. Here following is a list of features from the GORE website for these bib-tights:
- GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Cup Technology: highly breathable, preformed windproof front for optimum comfort
- DWR treatment of the fabric
- Fast drying material on bibs
- Inseam length 71,5 cm / 28.1 inches
- New draped design with reduced seams and increased stretch comfort
- Reflective details
- Mesh insert in back for optimum ventilation
- Slim fit Spray protection along the groin and inner thigh
- Stretch material for freedom of movement
- Thermo-stretch functional fabric
- ADVANCED Brand Core seat insert with GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Cup
First Impressions: The C5 Thermo bib-tights have pre-bent knee construction and GORE claims these are a little less form fitting, but not baggy. The extra spray protection in the groin area might come in handy in those times when it is cold and you are not running fenders. The fit is spot on in the Large but pretty tight on the legs. I probably am a ‘tweener’ and maybe should have gotten the XL? But then the legs may have been too long? Hard to say. I’m 6’1″ with 34″ inseam, for reference.
The C5 Thermo Bib Tights+ are available in two colors and the price is $170.00 USD.
GORE-Tex Infinium™ Stretch Mid-Gloves: Another new offering for this Fall/Winter, The GORE Infinium™ Stretch Mid-Gloves are windproof, water resistant, and breathable protection for your hands. Made for the same temperature range as the items above, it is a great choice for cycling, running, or XC skiing. Here is what GORE says about these on the website for the gloves:
- GORE-TEX INFINIUM™
- Stretch Glove product technology
- Contemporary look
- High tactility and robustness at palm for optimal grip
- Reflective details
- Touchscreen sensitive material on thumb and pointer finger tips
- Warm, brushed backer
- Elastic wrist
First Impressions: These gloves are XL’s and fit my hands well, not too loose, and not skin tight. This is important to me if I want warm hands. Skin tight is no good in the cold. The cuffs are about two inches longer than Summer gloves which aids in overlapping with jacket sleeves and therefore keeps cold winds at bay at this critical juncture. The palms are not padded at all but have a nice, grippy silicone treatment. The feel of this glove’s interior material is almost velvety. It certainly feels warm and luxurious. The touch screen compatibility is amongst the best I’ve ever tried with a glove.
The Stretch Mid-Gloves come in three colors and are $60.00 USD.
GORE-Tex Infinium™ Thermo Split Gloves: Regular gloves not enough for you? These split style mitts, (which are a glove inside), might be the ticket for you then. Once again, these are windproof, water resistant, and breathable. The recommended temperature usage range is anything below 40°F for these Thermo Split Gloves.Here is what GORE has on their website concerning these for features:
- GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ Stretch Glove product technology
- 3-finger compartment for increased warmth
- Insulated pointer finger
- Neoprene cuff
- Reflective details
- Silicone printing for increased grip
- Split construction: thumb and pointer finger are separated
- Touchscreen sensitive material on thumb and pointer finger tips
- Elastic wrist GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ fabrics with GORE® WINDSTOPPER® product technology: totally windproof, extremely breathable and durably water resistant, lightweight protection
First Impressions: These mitt/gloves are pretty form fitting, but not ‘tight’, if that makes sense. There is a slight amount of silicone grip applique here, but mostly there are reinforced areas where you might expect high wear. The interior feels furry, although that isn’t really fur, but it feels warm. The fingers slip right into the separated places, or ‘gloved’ portions of the interior, without bunching up or separating from the exterior construction. Again, the touch screen compatibility is really good. Not quite as nice as the Mid-Glove, but close. Impressive piece here. I’ll be curious as to how they work when it gets really cold here.
The GORE-Tex Infinium™ Stretch Glove comes in black/neon yellow, (although our sample is all black?) and costs $80.00USD.
GORE WINDSTOPPER®Base Layer Shirt: This base layer is made specifically for cooler weather and features WINDSTOPPER fabric on the front. It is recommended for 41°-59°F temperatures. Here is what GORE has to say about this piece on the webpage for it:
- GORE® WINDSTOPPER® insert on front, over shoulders and on kidney area
- GORE® WINDSTOPPER® product: totally windproof, extremely breathable and durably water resistant
- Flatlock seams
- Minimised seams for less chafing
- Next-to-skin comfort
- Quick drying material
- Reflective logo
- Thin and soft fabric
First Impressions: The hand feel of this base layer is not like most base layers. It feels almost like it is a jacket/shirt, but with a light, meshy back. The material is slightly stretchy and the base layer fits snug but allows good freedom of movement.
The WINDSTOPPER® Base Layer Shirt comes in black or white and goes for $80.00 USD.
As cooler weather settles into this area I will be getting these pieces out and using them on gravel rides. Once I’ve had enough time in each, I will come back with a final verdict and let you all know how these items worked out for me.
NOTE: GORE sent over the items in this post for test and review to Riding Gravel at no charge. We were not paid, nor bribed for this post and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and views throughout.
One thing I wasn’t able to make out from the Gore website is whether there are any more breathable inserts in their jackets claiming breathability. I have a Gore Windstopper jacket with a slightly brushed lining (like a light softshell), and with a reasonable biking effort, I can easily take it down into the 20s soaked in sweat. I would bake at anything over 40F, especially as it has limited venting options.
Maybe I sweat too much on the bike, but I haven’t found Windstopper much more breathable than a fully waterproof jacket. In fact, it would work OK as a rain jacket except for the lack of seam taping.
@PStu – I haven’t found that to be the case so far with the Phantom jacket. Worn on two days with plenty of wind, temps in the 30’s (below recommended) and have had no issues other than being slightly cold, but apparently that’s to be expected. Heavy sweat produced here as well.
“The C5 Thermo Bib Tights+ also feature a panel of WINDSTOPPER® in the groin area. These are recommended for 41°-59°F temperatures. ”
Thermal bib tights with a windproof groin at 59F?
@Andrew – I hear some folks are quite sensitive to cold in that area of the body. YMMV
I have an older Phantom jacket, and my one complaint is that it is really tight in the underarms.
How do you find the fit?
If you have connections at Gore, I’m also curious if they’ll have a new Phantom jacket for women for this winter. So far, they’ll only added colors to last year’s line, which didn’t fit my wife well.
This year’s mens jackets are said to have much improved fit.
@Tyler – Ironically, I also have an older Phantom Jacket. I’ll tell you that in comparison, the fit of the old to new is very similar, especially in the shoulder area, so I do not think you would see any differences there.
On the women’s fit, I have no idea, but I will ask my contact. If I get an answer I will chme back in here.
Cheers!
I have the previous model of the Phantom and I think it’s a pretty good jacket for Midwestern fall into winter. Depending on the temperature, I’ll wear a base layer for 45 and up and add a jersey for below 45. The zippers for the sleeve removal can also be used to vent like pit zips. The Windstopper fabric definitely blocks wind which is great for me in Illinois. I’m 5-6, 145 lbs and the medium fits me well with room for layering and I don’t notice tightening while riding in the drops on a ride today.