Hi,

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Gore jacket on sale but I'm uncertain about the fit, never having owned any Gore tops. Their men's sizing chart says

Size S M L XL XXL
Chest 32.75 - 34.75 35 - 37 37.5 - 39.5 39.75 - 41.75 42 - 44
Waist 28.75 - 30.75 31 - 33 33.5 - 35.5 35.75 - 37.75 38 - 40
Hip 33.5 - 35.5 35.75 - 37.75 38 - 40 40.5 - 42.5 43 - 45
Arm length 29.75 - 30.75 31 - 31.75 32 - 32.75 33 - 33.75 34 - 34.75
Inseam 30.75 - 31.25 31.5 - 32 32.5 - 32.75 33 - 33.5 34 - 34.25

My chest size (38-39) indicates I should get a large. However, all of my current cycling clothes are medium, so I'm reluctant. Do Gore tops run small?

Thanks

Al Gore's jackets run small, but that's because he is a tub o' lard now after resting from that internet invention and fabricating all the global warming stuff.

All humor (or lack thereof) aside, if this is your first real foray into the world of cycling apparel, you will find wild swings in sizing standards. Best advice I can give is to go by the chart and review the return policy closely.

I have two pair of bibs I cannot (and would not) return because they are too big. They wear well under thew bib tights in winter, but you really roll the dice when buying clothing online.

Gore jackets run large. I have a 40" chest and have a medium Gore jacket. It could be tighter but I am thin and like a snug fit.

I would have to agree with the above. I am a 200 pound fatty at 5'11" and the large fits pretty loose. I like it though because it leaves room for base layers in the really cold. The arms are tight though. Great jacket overal. I have the phantom in yellow and red and wouldnt hessitate to get another one since they are 60 bucks in chainlove.

I think it depends on the model. The one i have (Gore Xenon AS i think) has a very "racy" fit and a small fits me very well (130lbs 5'7).

My experience so far is that they are close to most brands. I wear a large in most things and have a large gore jacket. That said, it's a snug fit which is desirable in cycling apparel. If you need room for bulky layers you may need to size up. Also keep in mind that a lot of cycling wear comes in different "fits" such as race fit, club fit, semi-fitted, etc. and different jackets will also.

Same here.

I'm 5'9" 170 and find the Gore Phantom medium to be a bit loose. Plenty of room for layering. Fortunately the fabric and construction is such that it doesn't inflate or flap.

I have a Phantom jacket. It was tight when I first bought it, I hung it in the closet for 6 months and by then I'd done enough riding and shed enough flab that it fit fine. I have about a 42" chest and I'm wearing the large, often over a base layer + a jersey. So if you're really 38-39 I'm guessing medium should be fine. Though as someone else pointed out, maybe some models run tighter.

BTW the Phantom is a great jacket, I wear it through the California winter as a long sleeve windbreaker, and in the summer on foggy and windy days I zip off the sleeves and keep wearing it with just a base layer.

I have found this to be very true. I'm 5'10" and float between 165 and 170 lbs. Depending on the measure in their sizing chart, I am all over the place.

I have a Balance III jacket that fits great in medium. I just bought Phatom jacket and the XL fits me best. The medium and large both fit ok, but were very tight in the shoulders.

Having had some difficulty with their sizing in the past, and given that I got free shipping on the Phantom, I ordered a medium, large, and XL and returned the two that did not fit. It cost me around $8 to ship them back, so it was cheap insurance.

It fits like most other companies, PI, Sugoi, etc. I wear a medium in all of them.

Run very large. I am 6'3, 210. I need to replace my Gore jacket as there's a ton of extra fabric for the belly I finally got rid of...

Can't speak for their jackets, but their jerseys and shorts fit me (and that's hard to do with my skinny/tall self) perfectly in size small. Not loose, but also not too short on me.

Have to agree. Usually wear XXL and I would have needed a XXXL at least in the Phantom.

I sell this stuff and have samples in my closet. Gore, Sugoi, and Garneau I get and suggest one size larger to customers. They try them one and without fail, hundreds of times, they need one size larger. I also have them if they are roadies, get into a position as if they are riding. Standing straight up it feels fine, bent over the shoulders pull, they get a bigger size.

In my experience, quality jackets and jerseys cut for roadies are short in front and tight across the chest when standing but fit right when in riding position.

Well, it's in the shoulders that usually gets people. That's from about 50 years of experience. And about10 dealing with customers. Not everyone is buuilt like you.