Gore Power Trail Thermo Jersey

The Gore Power Trail Thermo Jersey is a cold weather model supposedly designed for cross-country mountain biking or road cycling, and it performs very well in both contexts.

As well as our bright green sample, the jersey also comes in other colours, including blue, black and red, which some might prefer. Aesthetics aside, it's made from a polyamide/elastane mix – essentially a sophisticated, stretchy synthetic weave that retains its original shape very convincingly.

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Water-repelling silicone grippers at the sleeve and base mean there's no risk of it riding up or allowing Mother Nature to sneak inside either. The outer shell has a slightly unusual though not unpleasant texture that will resist damp, misty weather and spray, but anything showery calls for a micro jacket.

Accompanying the usual splashes of Scotchlite, the colour co-ordinated decals turn luminous, which is a nice, subtle addition. However, I would have liked the option of tethering a little flashing light aboard the rear pocket on overcast rides.

While we're on the subject, this is a really big poacher's type capable of gobbling multi-tool, spare tubes, tyre levers, CO2 cartridges, mini pump, patch kit, energy bars, keys and even a banana without obvious signs of indigestion. Really efficient packers might even squeeze a micro jacket inside.

Access is via a side zipper, which prevents valuables bailing come the first bump and seems reasonably user friendly in gloved hands. However, it's less convenient when foraging for door/lock keys, or for stowing a 700ml bottle on longer rides.

Up front we have a 'media' or nelson type pocket designed to harbour phones, MP4 players and similar tech. It's drilled for headphone cabling, if you like some musical accompaniment as you ride or to chat hands-free.

I'm pleased to report it will also cope with long zoom compact cameras pretty convincingly. And another small but useful feature is an integral lens cloth for keeping glasses and other optics mist and smear free.

Gore describes the fit as 'Comfort' and our medium sat just the right side of snug, with sufficient length in the arms and tail when hunkering low on the drops. Ditto the soft, fleece collar, which keeps cold and wet from sneaking inside.

Alternating between wearing it over merino and polyester baselayers, the jacket's moisture management proved noticeably superior to cheaper yarns, especially at higher speeds in milder weather. That said, dropping the zipper a few inches proved a godsend when temperatures climbed into the low teens, but that familiar warm glow around my armpits and lower back was the soggiest I got.

At the other extreme, the weave retained a consistently ambient climate when the mercury struggled beyond 4°C during some 4am blasts.

> Check out our guide to the best winter jerseys here

Scenic short cuts through overgrown singletrack and bridlepath have made negligible impression on the fabric, and generic road/trail spatter has vanished in low temperature machine washes.

Overall, the Power Trail Thermo Jersey seems a very competent bet for road, cross and mountain biking and fits beautifully. Which is precisely what I'd expect from this end of the market – it's certainly worth the money, but not quite a bargain.

Verdict

Comfortable and generally well designed cold weather jersey that copes well on or off road