Gore Phantom or Oxygen

bails87

I've got an Altura Nevis, which is fine for when it's raining, but seems like overkill when I go out and it's dry so I only really need the windproofing and not the full on waterproofness.

I've decided to treat myself to either the Gore Phantom reviewed here
Or the Gore Oxygen which is reviewed here.

Anyone got any experience of either? I'm pretty skinny, so the very slim fit of the Oxygen won't be a problem, and might actually be better suited to me.

Would the Phantom be 'too much' and be a replacement for the Nevis rather than something that can be worn under it on really grotty days?

el_cartero

just wear a t shirt?

bails87

Yeah, thanks.

bobpzero

couldnt tempted you to buy an Assos Airblock 851 Jacket? from ribble http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Assos-JACKETS-CYCLE-Assos-Airblock-851-Jacket/ASSOZJAC500
either that or something of castelli

bails87

Bloody hell! £90 is most definitely the upper limit, so thanks but no. (£20 off at Wiggle when you spend £100 until tomorrow night btw)

If anyone's got any other suggestions for something that can be worn with just a base layer underneath then let me know, but these were both very well reviewed..

The Phantom is more versatile with the zip off arms, and it's still a slim fit so won't be baggy on me. I'll go for it if it's the same thickness as the Oxygen I think.

simmo3801

Hi Bails I have the phantom and have found it excellent in the recent icy blast we've been having here in Scotland. I can honestly say that with just a Nike tech s/sleeved top underneath I have never been cold. Quite the contrary in fact I have found it a little warm for autumn riding. As you say the zip off arms and full length front zip are good for regulating temp. On the whole I would say it was well worth the money. I got mine after extensive searching online for £75. I have a couple of Assos tops for road riding and had an Assos 851 jacket but I would actually say I prefer the Gore!

XCMark

I've got the phantom and it is the best bit of bike wear i own by a mile, when this one dies i'll be getting another, it is really versatile and the quality is great.

pdid

XCMark wrote:

I've got the phantom and it is the best bit of bike wear i own by a mile, when this one dies i'll be getting another, it is really versatile and the quality is great.

Agree, I have owned one for the last few years. I have ridden at llandegla when it was -5 in the carpark with just the phantom and a baselayer underneath. Superb bit of kit, it`s designed so that you can wear it next to the skin when it`s a bit warmer.

bails87

Thanks guys, that's great to hear, think I'll go for the Phantom then.

bails87

Right then, we have a conundrum. I'm right between sizes.

Gore Sizing Chart wrote:

______________S _____¦____ M _____¦____ L _____¦____ XL _____ ¦____ XXL _____¦____ XXXL
1. Chest ______83-88 ___¦___ 89-94 ___¦___ 95-100 __¦__ 101-106 ___¦___ 107-112 ___¦___ 113-118
2. Arm Length _76.5-78 __¦__ 79-80.5 __¦___ 81.5-83 __¦___ 84-85.5 __¦___ 86.5-88 ___¦__ 89-90.5

My chest is somewhere between 93 and 95cm, and my arms are around 82cm. So I'm right at the very bottom of large, or the very top of medium.

Seeing as it's a slim fit, and I'll be wearing a layer underneath, should I go for the Large? Or order one of each and return one? :twisted:

Guisamo

I've got the Oxygen, and it's great for Spring/Autumn keeps you warm if you need it, windproofing is good and I don't seem to sweat in it. Usually just wear a short sleeve base layer underneath.

I'm usually a medium but went for a large in case I wanted to layer up and it's a nice tailored fit.

Before I got a waterproof jacket I used it on cold wet days with a thin shower proof top over it and temperature underneath is fine. Can't fault any of the Gore stuff I own. Mine was only £70 from hargroves in the sale about 18 months ago but still looks like new. You can't lose whichever choice you make.

nferrar

I thought the Oxygen was just a Phantom without removable arms but looks like the Oxygen is more expensive so maybe not. I have a Phantom and really like it, I've never had a need to remove the arms though so if there is a version say £10 cheaper without detachable arms that would be my choice...

pdid

I`d order both. Costs a couple of quid to send it back and you`ve got peace of mind.

gr4fiksm4n

I demoed a phantom at one of the meridas where they have the try before you buy gore tent thingy.

I was so impressed with it, the softshell material was unbelievably waterproof and the zippy off arms are a nice touch. I haven't actually got round to buying one but it was a great bit of kit for a diverse set of conditions. Might be too warm for summer but then we always have summer long sunshine don't we so you wont need it!

bails87

Cheers guys

Definitely going for the Phantom then. Just got to decide colour now.........

pdid

bails87 wrote:

Cheers guys

Definitely going for the Phantom then. Just got to decide colour now.........

Don`t get yellow

Mark_K

Another vote for the phantom I've had mine a year now and used it in snowy -3 conditions with just a merino l/s base layer underneath and never been to cold, however it will only stand up to light to med rain showers but then its not meant to be a full waterproof? I've also had a few tumbles in mine and its held up well to the abuse

gr4fiksm4n

It was the blue one I tried, I thought it looked nice. Grey/black is a safe bet but i personally have so much black clothing I am getting sick of it.

S_J_P

Thanks a lot :evil:

I've been after a Phantom for ages, but just couldn't justify the £100, now they're offering £20 off I just couldn't refuse!

I notice that Wiggle have some "old season" Phantom II's in Blue, Black, and Grey colourways only for £89.99 and in the Wiggle Q&A's it's been stated that they're identical to the £99 ones, but lack the more outrageous colours, so I've now got a grey Phantom on order along with a set of brake-pads for £85 8)

Andy140

I have the Oxygen, great jacket sung fit windproof and very water-resistant (beads and rolls off but I suspect it would get through in the end.)

Rode in temp +2/+4 with just a HH warm base layer without problem.

Not tried the Phantom so cannot compare jackets, but I do have other items of Gore and found it all excellent.

S_J_P

Just a thought....

Millets were selling-off Nikwax Polar-Proof a few weeks ago for £1.99 (usually £7.99) a bottle which is sufficient to waterproof half a dozen jackets. It's supposed to work on woollen and synthetic garments and has done wonders with my fleeces and hats which now bead water like genuine waterproof garments :shock: As the Phantom's alredy reasonably water resistant, a douse with Polar-Proof's likely to improve it still further.

Rushie

I have the new Oxygen 4. It's very waterproof, very windproof, and very fitted. Excellent on the bike but you do look like a tool walking around in it at the caff mid-ride with the big drop tail and short front. It also has no pockets and even the orange isn't as bright as I'd like. But for what I want to use it for - stick it on and forget about it on long road rides - it's bloody brilliant. I'm 5'11" and the large fits me perfectly, and there is room enough for a base layer and a jersey underneath (as necessitated by the recent sub-zero conditions).

njee20

I've got an old Phantom which is good, but mine only had a zipped pocket, which I don't like, seems they've addressed that. Also got an Oxygen, which is nice, better fit, more pockets (although not enough IMO) and generally better than the old Phantom.

Also got an Assos 851, and frankly apart from having more pockets it's no better than the Oxygen, not as warm certainly.

Can't comment on the current Phantom, but frankly I'd get the Oxygen again.

bails87

S_J_P wrote:

Thanks a lot :evil:

I've been after a Phantom for ages, but just couldn't justify the £100, now they're offering £20 off I just couldn't refuse!

I notice that Wiggle have some "old season" Phantom II's in Blue, Black, and Grey colourways only for £89.99 and in the Wiggle Q&A's it's been stated that they're identical to the £99 ones, but lack the more outrageous colours, so I've now got a grey Phantom on order along with a set of brake-pads for £85 8)

Seriously good spot there. So I can buy another tenners worth of stuff, and still spend £80

bails87

Ordered, in grey too!

bails87

I'm off to the Long Mynd tomorrow to give the jacket a proper test, but on the short rides I've had so far it seems great. Comfy, fits well, keeps me very warm considering how thin it feels, but it's easy to avoid overheating by opening the zips. I even managed to take an arm off and reattach it without taking the jacket off (admittedly while standing in front of the bedroom mirror!)

But I'm really posting to give some praise to Wiggle.

The jackets and my other stuff were delivered really quickly. I tried on the medium, it fitted perfectly, so I sent the large back at lunchtime on Wednesday.

23 and a half hours later I had my money back. :shock:

Unfortunately, the £20 off voucher had been applied to the large jacket, so I only got £70 instead of the £90. So I sent them an email yesterday evening after work, because with the one jacket and other bits and pieces, it still qualified for the £20 off .

At 8:50 this morning I had an email letting me know the £20 had been paid back to me.

So well done Wiggle, I'm seriously impressed!

Briggo

Endura MT500 Jersey/jacket, just as good and a lot less. (£55)

Ive ridden out with just a l/s baselayer and the MT500 during the winter days and never once felt freezing cold or overheated.

daniel_b

I ordered a Phantom, but the medium was too large for me, I sent it back, but then as it was on it's way Wiggle had a stonking offer on their 'Winter set' which was the Amberley jacket, a base layer, and a very nice long sleeve jersey, which with discount worked out at around £57 (They had the £15 off orders over £75 at the time)

And then I also saw this which sealed the deal:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Runcton_Windproof_Long_Sleeve_Cycling_Jersey/5360040347/


Having felt the quality of the Gore, no this is not in the same league, but then it is less than a third of the cost - I bagged mine for about this much before christmas, and it's a wonderful bit of kit.

And having bagged all 4 garments for less than the price of a phantom I was rather chuffed I must say

Zip off sleeves, good fit, very wind resistant, not tried it in the rain yet, but have used it for both cycling and running, and it is one of the best pieces of sports clothing I have ever bought, quite tempted to buy another as one of the reviewers says.

I realise it is not waterproof, but I usually carry a montane shell, so that's no bother for me.

Cheers

Dan