For many riders that brave the elements, rain jackets are a necessary evil. Traditionally more loose fitting and do not breath as well (or at all) compared to jerseys, it’s a compromise of balancing protection from the rain and comfort while riding. GORE Wear has fought to overcome this compromise with their GORE-TEX products, and their new C7 GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY STRETCH Jacket takes it a step closer to perfection.
Through mixing their SHAKEDRY and new GORE-TEX Fabric with Stretch technologies, the brand has created a completely waterproof jacket that remains breathable and fits and functions more like a jersey than a traditional rain jacket. The combination also keeps the weight and bulk low, and reduces the sound typically associated with waterproof rain jackets.
“I’ve been waiting for this jacket and technology to come to production for a long time: it’s ultra-lightweight and super breathable; it fits into any jersey pocket, it’s completely waterproof and it fits like a second skin thanks to the stretch inserts,” said GORE Wear ambassador Fabian Cancellara.
You’ll find the new STRETCH material placed at strategic points on the jacket to move with you and help fit a range of body types. The panels along the sides from the shoulders to about mid-back, and the under arm panels help the jacket move with you as you change positions on the bars. Whether you are on the drops, the hoods, or the tops, the jacket will follow your body’s position to keep a close fit. The front STRETCH panels at the bottom help the jacket move with your body as you pedal and stretch as needed when you are riding with loaded pockets.
The rest of the jacket is made up of GORE’s GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY material. The outer surface of the SHAKEDRY material repels water, making it waterproof and windproof, while still maintaining a light, breathable, and packable material.
With the stretch and breathability of the jacket, it can be worn in a variety of conditions. Whether you are getting hit with a hot summer day’s downpour or blasted by a cold winter wind, the jacket is designed to be able to work with different layering schemes. It’s packable natures also means you can easily stuff it in your pocket when it is not needed, and quickly get it on early and still keep an optimal temperature.
“On the GORE Wear C7 GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY STRETCH Jacket we used as much GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY material as possible and as much STRETCH as needed. We tested countless prototypes to find out how much stretch we really needed to achieve the result we wanted,” explains Clemens Deilmann, Head of Design at GORE Wear.
Beyond the properties of the jacket’s material, GORE added reflective touches to make the rider visible from all 360 degrees. This is especially important since conditions tend to be darker in poor weather, making visibility to motorists and other road users essential. The all-black coloring and simple reflective logos mean it will match with just about any kit out there, helping break the vanity barrier for the matchy-matchy cyclist.
At $369 USD/£392.99, it’s not a cheap jacket, but the added benefits over other jackets out there and the versatility of use helps to justify the cost if you find yourself riding in harsh conditions. It is available now through Competitive Cyclist, Wiggle and GOREWear.com
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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