Gore Xenon jacket sizing

adm1

Does anybody here own a Gore Bike Wear packable windproof jacket?

I am looking at buying a lightweight jacket for a ride from London to Paris this month and would value people's opinions on sizing and general quality.

I am looking primarily at the Xenon 2 jackets. I am 5'8" with a 42" chest. Gore's sizing chart puts me firmly in XL territory, which kind of worries me as I would have though Large would be a closer size. Does anyone know if the sizing is accurate on these? I do want a snug fit to go over a short sleeve jersey. I also want a jacket that packs away as small as possible when not being worn - I think these should fit the bill?

Any opinion on these jackets (or good alternatives - not lookng to spend over £100 here) ? I plan to mainly use a short sleeve jersey, with this jacket for early morning/evening and if it gets too chilly. I already have an Altura Pocket Rocket waterproof to go over the top if it rains.

smidsy

Im 5'10 with 40 chest and Large is OK - I would not want to be any bigger in the girth!!!.... If that's not too impolite :-)

Mr Dog

Gore gear is real quality stuff. The sizing is US/GB rather than euro, meaning it mirrors high street clothing sizes. The Xenon range is race fit, very close fitting. I'm 174cm and 61kg and wear medium in Xenon gear. Best idea is to pop into a stockist and try the stuff on if you're unsure about sizing. Better get it right rather than exchanging/posting stuff back, or even worse having expensive stuff just hanging in your wardrobe 'cos it dosen't quite fit'.

adm1

Hmm....looks like it'll be XL then. I'd better nip down to my LBS over the weekend and see if they have one to try. And then sadly buy it over the internet as the pricing will be nearly 2x that of bike discount.de....

springtide9

I'm 42" chest and 6' tall and have a Gore Phantom Soft Shell in Large. I actually don't consider it that tight across the chest and I definitely wouldn't want an XL.

Looking at the size chart:
http://www.gorebikewear.co.uk/remote/Sa ... art?flag=1

When I got mine people mentioned that the sizing around the waist was as important as the chest. So I would probably give one a try before buying :-)

adm1

Pah....so now I looked at the waist measurement too (as I definitely don't want a baggy waist). I am XL in the chest, but only M on the waist according to that size chart.

I need to go and visit the bike shop for a try on...

springtide9

adm1 wrote:

Pah....so now I looked at the waist measurement too (as I definitely don't want a baggy waist). I am XL in the chest, but only M on the waist according to that size chart.
I need to go and visit the bike shop for a try on...

That's sounds like me. 42" chest. 32" waist (and 85 kg)

I think a Large will be fine as it is with me - the top half on me isn't that tight tbh. But the phantom I have is a soft shell so there is a bit of give in the jacket anyway.

adm1

I tried on a few Gore jackets today at various bikeshops. Large was a good fit in all types, but not as close fitting as I had thought, although nobody had a Xenon, which I understand is a tighter cut. So I've ordered one online. If it's a bit of a "racier" cut, it should be just what I want. Even if it isn't it will still be fine.

Right - that's that sorted. Now onto getting a pair of long fingered gloves, some leg warmers and a bar bag.

twoodley

I know this is a bit late but I only wear Gore tops, and mainly Xenon.
All mine are XL and I am 6'-4", 46 Chest, 36/38 Waist, and 105kg (Better known as lardy).
You will not need an XL. You might even get away with a M

adm1

So.....in typical fashion this purchase has gone slightly pear shaped....

Jacket arrived today, but was actually a gilet instead. It looks like Gore's fault as the product code on the outside of the bag is clearly for the jacket version. Anyway....I tried it on anyway. I know it says race cut, but it was clearly too small - not just snug, but constricting, even with noting underneath.

So - it's been sent back in exchange for a jacket with sleeves in the next size up. Lucky I don't actually need it for a couple of weeks! Fingers crossed....

smidsy

I did try to say that an XL would be in order - perhaps i should have been more direct ;-)

adm1

smidsy wrote:

I did try to say that an XL would be in order - perhaps i should have been more direct ;-)

I did take your point....but then I tried on some Gore stuff in the local LBS and the Large was fine. Looks like the Xenon (which they didn't have) actually has a much smaller cut than the stuff I tried on. Ah well, it'll all come good in the end....

drlodge

I've got 42" chest and Gore Large seemed the right fit for me when I tried on some jackets yesterday. Since ordered a "Gore Bike Wear Contest 2.0 Windstopper Active Shell Jacket" size Large from Evans, as its easier to return - there's a store round the corner from my office.

adm1

drlodge wrote:

I've got 42" chest and Gore Large seemed the right fit for me when I tried on some jackets yesterday. Since ordered a "Gore Bike Wear Contest 2.0 Windstopper Active Shell Jacket" size Large from Evans, as its easier to return - there's a store round the corner from my office.

Thats exactly what I did! Tried on the Contest jacket and another one that I cant remember the name of in my local Evans (and another LBS too), Large was a perfect fit.

However the Xenon vest had a MUCH smaller cut. In fairness, they do state it's a "race fit" and they do specify the XL for a 42" chest on their website.... caveat emptor and all that!