Gore Bike Wear Countdown Active Shell Insulated women's jacket

Described by Gore as “a trendy and light attractive all-round and tour jacket” the Countdown Active Shell available in both men's and women's versions is an unusual proposition. It’s not often that you see a seriously insulated (using incredibly effective synthetic Primaloft insulation) jacket aimed squarely at the cyclist, rather than the more general outdoor user.

It is an incredibly warm jacket, offering insulation, windproofing and water resistance. For on the bike use, it is really best suited to slower, more gentle rides in cold conditions. In the coldest temperatures it’s useable as a riding jacket, provided you run cold, and there’s no doubting you’ll stay warm enough, but even with its really good breathability, it’s hard to avoid getting a little damp. However, it is as a warm layer for tours, long winter social rides and shopping errands that the jacket really comes into its own. It’s so warm and light (432g for the large size), and packs down small enough to stow in a pannier or small rucksack, that it’s ideal for preventing the dreaded cool down during a mid-ride break. It’s also an excellent jacket to have on hand for after events, races and long rides, as the insulation warms up very quickly and the jacket is machine washable at 30, so any amount of post-race sweat isn’t going to spoil it, as would be the case with a down jacket.

As Gore say, it is an attractive jacket, with a neat contoured shape, not too much bulk and a low key sporty feel to it. Some of the 5 colours look better than others, with the stand out colour being a bright green that sold out almost immediately! The reflective accents at the shoulders and along the back do give a slightly Star Trek feel to the styling, but not excessively. Features are just what you need and no extra, with a zipped side pocket on each side, a soft fleecy backing for the neck and fleece lined pockets to warm chilled hands quickly. There's also a generous rear zipped pocket, with an integral mobile phone pouch.

The fit is sleek, with no excess fabric, as you’d want from a jacket of this type, but it’s worth trying before you buy to check the cut suits. The size Large I tried equated roughly to a generous size 12. Sleeve length is excellent, with no exposure of wrists or tightness, and the articulated shape makes for good comfort whether riding or otherwise. Torso length is also sufficient to cover your dignity on or off the bike, even though the tail is only slightly shaped.

Verdict

A great jacket to pack along for breaks on cold weather tours, shopping trips and post events, but a little on the warm side for wear when riding at pace.