Gore Alp X jacket - Gore tex or not?

Roc1

So after a good waterproof/windproof jacket and Gore seem to do two variations of the Alp-X range, one is the more expensive gore tex:

http://www.goreapparel.co.uk/ALP-X-2.0-GORE-TEX®-Active-Jacket/JGALPX,default,pd.html?dwvar_JGALPX_color=3599&start=15&cgid=gbw-men-geartype-jackets

the other is windstopper:http://www.goreapparel.co.uk/ALP-X-2.0-WINDSTOPPER®-Soft-Shell-Zip-Off-Jacket/JWALPB,default,pd.html?dwvar_JWALPB_color=0199&start=3&cgid=gbw-men-geartype-jackets

the above are all about £50 cheaper elsewhere on the net, but wanted to see if the extra is worth it for the gore tex one?

there is also the phantom 2.0 jacket they do which is about £100.

Cheers

njee20

Your links don't work.

There are 2 jackets, the Alp-X SO (the second link) which is a softshell Windstopper jacket, and the Alp-X waterproof (the first link). I own the waterproof, but find it far too hot to ever wear on the bike unless it's a very steady ride in freezing temperatures. I have several softshells, including a Gore Oxygen (but not an Alp X) and think they're brilliant.

For my money it'd be the softshell every time.

Roc1

Ok thanks reckon a softshell will be great and save me a few quid too! The Phantom sounds like a good jacket so will be between that and the alp x so jacket I think?

felix.london

Just got the Gore Contest 2.0 from Bike-Discount for £60 delivered. Again a softshell/windstopper but suites me fine over here as not much rain at all.

Very impressed with it so far - especially at that price!

Wrote a mini review here;
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12882825&p=17926959&hilit=gore+bike+wear#p17926959

njee20

FWIW I wear my Oxygen in the rain and don't find it cold, you get wet eventually, but paired with a Merino baselayer it's warm enough down to sub-zero temperatures I find.

BG2000

I 2nd the Gore Oxygen jacket - just buy one, you'll never regret it. Gore-Tex PacLite in my view is the best (I also have normal Gore-Tex and eVent clothing which isn't as good).

The Oxygen is as waterproof as you'd ever need a cycling garment to be. It's that same old compromise - if the jacket is any heavier, you'll get just as damp from sweat. So keep the jacket lightweight as it's more comfortable and easier to keep packed in your rear pocket - exactly what the Oxygen is designed for (we're talking Gore-Tex PacLite by the way, which is a slightly lighter weight implementation of Gore-Tex).

Maybe if you're doing more MTB and standing around waiting for slower riders at the top of climbs, then something like the Alp-X might be better, and I think it's got some pockets, which the Oxygen hasn't.

felix.london

BG2000 wrote:

easier to keep packed in your rear pocket

:shock: whatever floats ya boat matey

Roc1

mmm think i'll be needing some pockets and it will be for mtb'ing, so maybe the alp-x soft shell or the phantom softshell would suit as they seem to have moderate water resistance. i'd be wearing a merino base layer so one of these jackets would prob be all i need to wear out in winter...

cheers

felix.london

Contest 2.0 still available form B-D but only in yellow and €10 more than I paid for my blue one;

£70 delivered;
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k751/a76632/contest-2-0-as-windstopper-jacket.html

njee20

I 2nd the Gore Oxygen jacket - just buy one, you'll never regret it. Gore-Tex PacLite in my view is the best (I also have normal Gore-Tex and eVent clothing which isn't as good).

To make it clear, that's not the jacket I'm talking about. I don't like the PacLite jackets, find them far too sweaty. I like the Oxygen SO softshell, which does have pockets - 3 normal ones and 2 mesh side pockets.

grenw

Got a Phantom and it's one of the best bits of bike clothing I've ever bought. Keeps you dry in all but the heaviest rain (for around half and hour or so) and is incredibly warm without making your sweaty.

Not sure of the difference between that and the Alp X. Think its lighter and more road biased? (the Phantom that is).

All I usually wear unless it's really cold is a t shirt underneath. Never worn more than just a base layer.

njee20

The Phantom used to be an MTB jacket, I've got an older Phantom Plus N2S which is brilliant, but it only has one big zip pocket on the back, making it a PITA for road use.

May well have changed though.

camerauk

I have the Gore Phantom 2 softshell its fantastic keeps all but very heavy rain off for around 2 hours
Only every wear a base layer when its sub zero
Also the arms zip off if you get to warm and they can be put in one of the 3 rear pockets
Only thing I will say against it is the pockets don't have zips on them but thats not really a problem, so far not had anything fall out yet

john10012

I have a Mountain Equipment Firefox Active Shell jacket and it's fantastic. I don't get too hot in it and find it quite good for breathability too. I do all sorts in the jacket inc running and mountain use. Can't recommend Gore Tex Active Shell highly enough. Mountain Equipment fit is perfect for me as well. I previously had a Montane e-Vent jacket which was also a great jacket, highly breathable and waterproof but the fit wasn't so great. If you're in a downpour or harsh winter conditions I would rather be in the Active Shell with good layering underneath than a softshell especially if we get a bad winter this year. Remember 2 and 3 years ago?

Long_Time_Lurker

I have the Alp-x SO - great bit of kit. Fits well (a bit baggier than their road kit), wind and showerproof - but not waterproof. A 2 season jacket, which turns into a gilet. No good as a waterproof, or when the temps drop under 4 degrees C.