Hi, I'm new to the forum and wanted to ask a question about Gore bike jackets.

having moved house, I'm currently commuting on a new route 10 miles a day (4 journeys in total), with an Altura Vision jacket that has stood me in good stead, but is proving too hot and sweaty now. It's also lost some of its waterproofing due to a washing-machine accident...

I'm set on replacing it with a Gore jacket but there seem to be so many options...

Just wondering if anyone has experience of the Countdown jacket (the one with a foldaway hood)?

Or any other specific Gore jacket recommendations.

I need it for year round usage, although in hot weather will probably just wear a thin relfective vest over my work shirt.

Many thanks.

Gore jackets fit very snug and the zippers are left handed. I would not get one with a hood. I can't see how that would not interfere with your vision. I think mine is a Path but I'm not certain. It is definitely cycling specific with pockets in the rear. It is a breathable soft-shell and the sleeves zip off for use in warmer weather. I liked it enough to get another. I have both XL and XXL and both are snug around the torso with very long sleeves. I can at least get a fleece under the XXL. With that I can ride all through the winter here. I've been out in 25*F like that. No matter how hard it rains you don't get worse than damp. I have an absolutely waterproof Columbia jacket and I get soaking wet in that because it doesn't breathe at all. FWIW.


H

Thanks ever so much for getting back to me. That's really helpful info. I suppose the thinking with the hood was that it would keep my head dry when rain falls through the gaps in my cycle helmet. Plus, extra warmth on frosty mornings. Given that they have a hooded cycle version, it shouldn't really interfere with vision, should it? Zip-off sleeves might be a good way forward. I'll look into that model too. Thanks again.

I have a Gore Phantom, which some might consider a jacket, others a jersey. I use it like a jacket, and it's one of my warmest winter gear. I have found that it fits pretty much true to size -- that is, American sizes rather than European. The Phantom has windblock fabric on the chest and sleeves, where you need it, and more breathable fabric in others. It is not waterproof but water resistant and does fine in light rain. A nice feature that I seldom use is the removable sleeves, which are nice if temps warm up a lot during your ride (or afternoon commute). You can often find it on sale for great prices, and it's available in several colors, including neon yellow, which is great for commuting.

Interesting. I am pretty sure that this is the model that I have. I have both the old and new design. The old sleeves zipped off to make a jacket and a jersey and the new sleeves zip off to make a jacket, jersey and vest. I wear mine in absolutely super soaker rain and am impressed with how comfortable I can remain. I make full use of the zip off sleeves in summer. And yes, the neon yellow is great. I had to get the new one in bright red, however. The price was too good to resist.

H

I bought a 2012 Gore bike rain jacket from chain reactions and it works out great.

Have you looked around at those outdoor gear products that are made to restore water repellant properties of fabrics? Something like that could make your Altura useable again or at least improve it to a useable back-up to a new Gore.

FWIW.....I tried "Trek 7" twice on a jacket with no improvements. Yes, I followed the directions.

Thanks for all these helpful comments.
Can I ask, how does the Phantom jacket bear up in heavier rain?
I am looking for something that would be for year-round usage here in the UK. So, fairly waterproof (ie heavy rain as well as light), plus degree of warmth too, and breathable.
The Path looks pretty good, but if the Phantom can handle decent rain then it looks more appealing. Most of my journeys are less than 30 mins.

Thanks

I wouldn't recommend the Gore Phantom as a rain jacket. The back is a breathable fabric that is not intended to be waterproof. If you can buy Showers Pass products, their Elite jacket is incredible -- waterproof but extremely breathable.

Thanks - just popped into local cycle dealer. They are recommending the new (as they would!) Power GT AS Jacket. Looks pretty good. More waterproof than Path and also new breathable fabric technology. Strangely they had never heard of the Gore Countdown with the stowaway hood and thought they could shift quite a lot of those if they had them in stock... Looking like the Power is the choice although another forum recommended Parama Quito and the Showers Pass Elite 2.1. Too many choices really...

I've found that north face has some pretty decent options. I have a north face triclimate, and a north face rain coat. The rain coat is made of hyvent, a woven breathable fabric. Works really well!

- Andy

I've had the Gore Alp X for about five years. I use it as my rain jacket spring thru fall, and my winter shell over various layers (I sized up). I love the thing - for me the fit is great as I am slim with long arms. Mine has an attachment for a hood, which was an optional purchase - I would never wear a hood (vision obstruction), but the current version looks like it may come with one. It wasn't cheap but it's lasted for hundreds of riding days each year so a great investment for me.

I also have the Phantom which I use as more of a cold-weather jersey in a smaller size than the Alp X. Definitely not waterproof though, more for wind and a few sprinkles.