Gore Bike Wear Freeride Lady Jersey

There's a clue in the name for this jersey, yes Gore Bike Wear's Freeride jersey is designed primarily with mountain bikers in mind. That said, for recreational riding and touring, a more relaxed fit works well too.

The Freeride jersey is a summer weight top, with a nice balance between sporty styling and wearability. It's available in a variety of colours, so there should be something for everyone. The fit is contoured but not tight, with short sleeves and a sculpted but not overly shaped tail. Features are low key, but there's a zip at the chest for ventilation and a small zipped pocket at the rear with mesh lining, as well as some reflective accents. The fabric is 100% polyester microfiber and the top also has extra breathable mesh panels at key areas such as the rear of the shoulders.

In wear, it wasn't quite as comfortable as I'd have initially expected. The fit and cut are excellent, although if you prefer a slightly neater fit, it might be worth going down a size. The fabric, however, felt somewhat clammy against my skin in hotter conditions- a surprise given the lightweight and obviously breathable nature of the materials. Whilst it wicked sweat away from the skin quickly and effectively enough to not feel actually damp, it did leave my skin sticky and slightly uncomfortable. It would also have been nice to have had a slightly longer chest zip. Lacking a gripper at the rear, or more defined shaping, it's less suited to road riding, but that's not what it's intended for anyway and it suits more upright riding quite happily.

At this price it's looking on the expensive side for a jersey, but it is well made and a great looking top and if without too much difficulty you can find it for significantly less then list price - as much as 50 per cent less.

Verdict

Nicely shaped and good looking jersey for more casual riding and mountain biking but slightly disappointing in hotter conditions.