Gore Bike Wear Oxygen 2.0 Gore-Tex Active Jacket

The updated Gore Bike Wear Oxygen 2.0 Gore-Tex Active jacket brings in a few changes that ensure it should be at the top of your list if you're after a completely waterproof cycling jacket packed with smart features. It's an expensive investment certainly, but one that will never let you down in the most adverse conditions, and has the durability to ensure it's an investment that pays you back in the long term.

The jacket uses their latest Active Shell fabric, with taped seams everywhere. It's completely waterproof, as you'd expect - the heaviest and most prolonged downpours are easily kept at bay. The big downside with many waterproof cycling jackets when you're exerting a reasonable level of heat is the lack of breathability.

Need for breathability of course varies hugely from person to person, and is dictated by many factors such as activity level, temperature, weather and how long you're on the bike for. Some people run hot, others run colder, I definitely fall in the latter category; I need to wrap up with quite a few layers when it's cold.

Worn in a range of temperatures and on rides ranging from short blasts to all-day Audaxes, the Active Shell provides impressive breathability. Rarely did I notice any undue buildup of heat, never enough to lead to discomfort or the dreaded 'boil in the bag' syndrome that plighted early generation waterproof cycling jackets.

Care does need to be taken when choosing your layers, but I didn't find myself having to drastically altering my layering approach to factor in the Gore jacket, as you do with some inferior waterproof jackets. There aren't any ventilation ports, but the main zipper and the long zipped cuffs do provide a useful amount of ventilation when, or if, you need it.

The jacket is more than the excellent fabric; Gore has given the updated model some lovely details. The high collar keeps drafts out and the new cuffs are a generous size and length, and the zippers pull back to reveal an articulated cuff, so no problem removing the jacket over gloves. At the back of the jacket is a dropped tail to cover over your lower back and bum. There aren't any pockets, but there is a large zipped vent that lets you access the pockets in a jersey under the jacket.

The cuffs are covered in a generous slab of reflective and there are more reflective details scattered around the jacket, on the sleeves and body, which is a boon for commuters or cyclists training in the late evening.

The fit is good, with enough space to get a couple of layers underneath but it's sufficiently shaped and well cut that it generally sits closer to the body, keeping excess material to flap in the wind to a minimum.

It's not really a packable jacket. It's not intended as an emergency shell, so rolling it up into a jersey pocket is a challenge. It's breathable enough that you can wear it even after the rain has passed without fearing overheating.

When it comes to keeping dry, there are few jackets that offer protection quite as invincible as this one. It shakes off everything that comes it way, cocooning you from the weather. It's very impressive.

It's very expensive though: there's no getting away from that price tag. Take into account the excellent fit and features and the breathability, and it stretches away from most waterproof jackets. The Gore Bike Wear Oxygen 2.0 Gore-Tex Active jacket is a good pick if you want the best jacket for the worst weather

Verdict

Impressively waterproof and breathable jacket packed with nice features