Which Gore Jacket?

Shezzer

I'm thinking of splashing out on a Gore jacket and would appreciate any advice / recommendations. I seem to have narrowed it down to the Oxygen SO and Phantom.

Phantom - like the sound of a more comfortable fit so I can layer up easier and also like the versatility of removable sleeves. Concerned though that the sleeve zips may let cold air in.

Oxygen - seems to get great reviews and I love the styling BUT I'm concerned it may be too tight to layer up enough to stay warm. Yeah, yeah, I know, pedal harder!!

Anyone used the Gore Tool jacket? Liking the sound of the fleece lining but its supposed to be an MTB jacket and I'm wondering whether it'd be any good on the road.

Would appreciate your thoughts before parting with my hard earned £££.

TheTalkingTurboTrainer

I have an Oxygen. I also have an Assos Airjack 851. The Gore is carried in my back packet for when it rains and the Assos is obviously worn in the cold.

There have been very few occassions when I've worn them together because to be honest I think I'd cook. I have done it before though (I think?) and it was OK.

I also did a training camp in the Pyrenees in '07 whilst training for the Etape. It was in May so 'theoretically' not cold enough for the Assos which I left at home. We got caught climbing Port de Bales in a snow storm and in rain on other days and all I had on was a thermal top, long sleeved jersey and the Gore and I don't remember getting cold (I certainly wasn't movement restricted). OK I was climbing and I admit that as soon as I turned around and headed down (we had to abandon Bales 2km from the top one day) I froze. Of course, it was sub zero and snowing so I was always going to freeze!!!

I think you'll be fine though. Want me to stick them on tonight and sit on my bike and report back as to how it feels just to be sure?

maddog 2

I've tried on both and I bought the Oxygen (I've now got two of them) plus I have two of the older N2S Phantoms.

The fit of the Phantom is 'squarer' than the more 'roadie' Oxygen. I went into the shop to get the Phantom as I love my older Phantoms but I just couldn't get on with the fit. The large was too baggy round my belly and the medium was too tight on the shoulders. But the Oxygen was spot on.

It comes down to belly size and shape I suspect. The Oxygen is much better fitting on my body and I can wear a LS base layer underneath easily, or indeed nothing at all underneath. As for cold weather performance. I'd say with a decent base layer you could easily go down to close to freezing no trouble. Overall, I'm very impressed.

Having said that, I still think the older Phantoms are more breathable.

Hudster

I have a Phantom. Gore are quite funny with their sizes so I would try one on before you purchase it. I had to go a size down, and I can see the criticism about the shape of it being square, but it doesn't flap around.
I've had it about two years now and I've used the removable sleeves once. It maybe something you use more, but I just never seem to. It's quite hard work putting them back on, so I'll only take them off if I really need to, otherwise I roll the sleeves up. They zips don't let any air in and there is a sleeve behind them. I like the massive pockets on it (designed for carrying the sleeves if you remove them).
It's quite warm and with a base layer will be good for close to zero degrees. I usually wear it on it's own and it's very good at keeping the wind out as well as light drizzle.
I certainly want to try the Oxygen on when I come to replace it.

robmcsweeney

I've got a simple gore windstopper jacket that fits fairly snugly and it is brilliant for keeping warm. -- I'm assuming the new ones are even better.

I wouldn't worry too much about being able to get a lot of layers underneath the jacket. If it fits well, keeping the wind out makes a hell of a difference to your temperature.

Other great things about it are how breathable it is and how comfortable the cut when you're on the bike.

The jacket's going into its third winter of commuting now and looks worn, and is beginning to lose a bit of its shower resistance, but still keeps off a shower for half an hour.

And in case you're wondering - I don't work for the company!

Garry H

I use the Oxygen and it is a close fit, however, I can still comfortably wear a Merino baselayer underneath once the mercury really dips. It has really good pockets as well.

Scrumple

Got the Gore Phantom and the Gore Contest windstoppers.

The phantom is great for commuting in the cold morning, and coming home with the sleeves in the back pocket.
The contest is identical, but has fixed sleeves. It is my staple in this weather.

Waterproof? Forget them unless you want to ride in sheeting rain. The windstoppers keep you dry in moderate weather and breath much better. I carry a montane featherlight for most of the year, as a stop gap for showers.

The oxygen is the biz if you know its going to chuck it down, or you set off in bad rain. Using it with a windstopper is overkill. For me it is windstopper all the way unless it is 99% going to rain like mad.

GyatsoLa

Just to confuse matters, I have the Gore Cosmo jacket, which seems to be designed to fit somewhere in their range between the Tool and the Phantom. It has a pair of rear zipped pockets instead of triple patch pockets along with a Napoleon pocket and side pockets (And a little one on the arm) - and it doesn't have removable arms. I got it because I wanted a jacket more 'regular' looking for commuting and touring. Its priced the same as the Phantom on Wiggle (although oddly enough, the Gore website suggests it should cost £80 more). It has a slightly looser fit than the pure roadie kit Gore produce (in general I find their sizing a bit on the large side - I fit a M when I'm usually an L with other brands).

My Cosmo is a fantastic jacket, super comfortable, plenty of room inside for layers (although unlikely to be necessary as its so warm) and very breathable. It is though more of a 'general riding' jacket than a pure roadie or mtb design.

That said, having looked at the Gore website, I think this years design is quite different from the one I bought on Wiggle - possibly last years model.

Garry H

Scrumple wrote:

The oxygen is the biz if you know its going to chuck it down, or you set off in bad rain. Using it with a windstopper is overkill. For me it is windstopper all the way unless it is 99% going to rain like mad.

He's comparing the Phantom and the OXygen SO. The Oxygen SO is a windstopper, not to be confused with the Oxygen, which is a waterproof :P

Scrumple

Garry H wrote:

Scrumple wrote:

The oxygen is the biz if you know its going to chuck it down, or you set off in bad rain. Using it with a windstopper is overkill. For me it is windstopper all the way unless it is 99% going to rain like mad.

He's comparing the Phantom and the OXygen SO. The Oxygen SO is a windstopper, not to be confused with the Oxygen, which is a waterproof :P

:oops:

http://www.gorebikewear.co.uk/remote/Sa ... MenJackets

Best place to see the claimed fit and details... to avoid confusion.

Shezzer

Thanks for all your advice folks. It is indeed the Oxygen SO (windproof) that I'm looking at and think that'll be the one I go for. My initial concerns about warmth have been allayed ... its great to be able to speak with people who already use these jackets.

Thanks again!

Scrumple

its windchill that makes you cold, combined with the sweat. These jackets are fab... I only wear a base layer to reduce wash times!
As for the zips letting in the cold... nope!