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Especially at this time of year, as the weather takes a damper turn, it’s of paramount importance that any regular cyclist arms himself with a good waterproof jacket.
And if you want a brand you can rely on in this regard, you won’t go far wrong with Gore-Tex, which boasts a wide array of excellent waterproof, breathable jackets. A Gore-Tex cycling jacket may cost a little on the steep side, but remember: you’re paying for guaranteed quality from an established market leader.
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If you feel you need to equip yourself with a Gore-Tex jacket, whether it be for your daily commutes or your mountain bike adventures, we’ve picked out three of our favourites for both men and women below:
What is Gore-Tex?
Gore-Tex is a trademarked fabric invented in 1969, which is both extremely waterproof and breathable.
Perfect for all-weather use, it is a lightweight fabric which repels water, while allowing water vapour to pass through it, thus keeping you dry and cool simultaneously.
Indeed, Gore-Tex promise that each of their products provide at least three core benefits: waterproof (even in the heaviest storms), windproof and breathable.
On top of those guarantees, many Gore-Tex jackets also offer additional perks such as a lightweight, durable design and insulation, keeping you warmer for longer whatever the weather.
How Does Gore-Tex Work?
Every square inch of the extremely thin Gore-Tex membrane has nine billion pores, with each of these holes 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water.
As a result, water, rain, sleet or snow just can’t get in – and stay in – its products; this applies just as much to Gore-Tex trainers as it does to their jackets, too.
Plus, all of these pores are each about 700 times bigger than a molecule of water vapour, which means sweat can escape much easier if you up the ante or if the temperature rises.
There are three types of Gore-Tex material:
- Gore-Tex – the most versatile and cheapest, but heavier and less breathable.
- Gore-Tex Active – extremely lightweight and breathable, but doesn’t provide the same level of protection against the weather. Best for aerobic activities like running and cycling.
- Gore-Tex Pro – the most advanced fabric, offering great breathability, durability and protection from the elements, but very expensive.
Skip to women’s jackets by clicking here.
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Top 3: Gore-Tex Cycling Jackets for Men
Best Men’s Gore Waterproof Cycling Jackets
1. Rapha Men’s Explore Hooded Gore-Tex Pullover (£250 / $345)
‘A waterproof hooded rain jacket with a chest pocket for storage, designed for year-round adventure‘
- Available in dark yellow, brown or dark navy
- Relaxed, comfortable fit
- Elastic hood to wear underneath helmet
Let’s kick off with this Gore bike wear jacket by Rapha – which, admittedly, doesn’t come cheap, but is at least on sale (at time of writing), so don’t delay if you love the look of it.
This lightweight, three-layer jacket is, of course, highly waterproof and breathable, with a softer, more relaxed fit to keep you comfortable both on and off your bike.
Plus, it features an elasticated storm hood which can be with or without a helmet (if so, underneath it), a large chest pocket, and reflective stripes on the side panels and dots on the rear to keep you visible.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, the jacket can be packed away into your pocket, or into an integrated stuff sack which can double up as a pillow.
Grabbed your attention? Have a read of our full review of this Rapha Gore bike wear waterproof jacket here.
2. GORE Wear Men’s C3 Active Jacket (Price not available)
Perfect leisure cycling jacket whatever the weather
- Available in eight different colours
- Permanently windproof and waterproof
- Extreme breathability
Whichever of this coat’s lush eight colours you prefer, you’re bound to be in your element as you brave the elements on your bike.
Don’t be put off it’s a particularly dismal day weather-wise – this coat is permanently windproof and waterproof, and has great breathability, thanks to its Gore-Tex Active fabric.
That’s not all. It also boasts an extended back section as a splash guard, an adjustable waistband and sleeves, and pockets on the chest and back. Plus, thanks to its reflective detailing, you’ll be seen no matter how dark it gets.
- Versatile men's jacket for sports activities in all weather conditions, For the leisure-oriented cyclist - Comfort Fit
- Suitable all year round, Permanently waterproof, windproof and extremely breathable thanks to GORE-TEX Active technology
- Extended back section as splash guard, Drawcord adjustable waistband, Adjustable sleeve width
3. Marmot Men’s Knife Edge Hardsell Rain Jacket (Price not available)
A jacket tailor-made for rainy days
- Available in nine different colours
- Lightweight, waterproof and windproof
- Adjustable hood and zippered front pockets
Our third and final recommendation for men’s Gore-Tex coats is this hard-shelled Marmot jacket, ideal in wet weather since water droplets and dirt just drip off it.
Whether in ‘victory red’, denim, ‘royal night’ or any of its six other colours, this lightweight jacket offers total freedom of moment, small packing size and guaranteed waterproof and windproof functions.
Made of 100 per cent polyester, it also has an adjustable hood with a high raised collar, adjustable sleeves and two under-arm zippers which enhance moisture transfer, two raised waterproof zippered front pockets, and adjustable sleeve cuffs.
As good for cycling as for plenty of other sports, or indeed simply for everyday wear.
- 2.5-Layer design rain Jacket, offers protection from rain and wind; It scores high marks with a low weight, small packing size and unrestricted freedom of movement thanks to Angel Wing movement
- Thanks to the dual-layer GORE-TEX Paclite membrane and 100% taped seams, this hard-shell jacket is absolutely water and wind-proof; thanks to the dwr treatment, water droplets and dirt simply drip off
- This functional jacket has an adjustable hood with a high raised collar, Adjustable sleeves and two zippers Under the arms which provide for optimal moisture transfer
Top 3: Gore-Tex Cycling Jackets for Ladies
Best Women’s Gore Waterproof Cycling Jackets
1. Rapha Women’s Explore Hooded Gore-Tex Pullover (£250 / $345)
‘A waterproof hooded rain jacket with a chest pocket for storage’
- Relaxed, comfortable fit
- Elastic hood to wear underneath helmet
- Waterproof and breathable
Our first women’s recommendation has basically the same benefits as the men’s Rapha jacket – for starters, it looks and feels great, and is highly waterproof and breathable.
And likewise, it comes with an elasticated storm hood, a large chest pocket, and reflective stripes on the side panels and dots on the rear.
And yes, you can also store this jacket away into your pocket, or into an integrated stuff sack so it can act as your pillow for the night.
And while it doesn’t offer the same range of colours – it seems to be navy or nothing in that regard – it still ticks most of the same boxes as its male counterpart.
2. GORE WEAR Women’s C5 Gore-Tex Active Jacket (£84.39)
Versatile jacket, ideal for more ambitious cyclists
- Available in three different colour combinations
- Permanently waterproof, windproof and extremely breathable
- Practical back pocket with zipper
Another which is ostensibly a female version of the same design, this Gore-Tex cycle jacket has plenty in common with the aforementioned C3 men’s coat.
Suitable whatever the weather, its Gore-Tex Active technology provide permanent waterproofing and windproofing, as well as superb breathability.
This Gore cycling jacket also an extended back section which acts as a handy splash guard, a practical back pocket with a zipper, reflective detailing for extra visibility, and a zip tag to easily open the jacket.
Plus, its array of colours are particularly striking – you can buy it in either red and black, neon yellow and black, or luminous orange and black. Whatever you prefer, you’ll no doubt stand out.
- Versatile women's jacket for ambitious racing cyclists and mountain bikers, Ideal for training and racing in all weather conditions - Form Fit
- Suitable all year round, Permanently waterproof, windproof and extremely breathable thanks to GORE-TEX Active technology
- Extended back section as splash guard, Practical back pocket with zipper, Can be worn with a rucksack
3. Marmot Women’s Knife Edge Hardsell Rain Jacket (Price not available)
Excellent weather protection and total freedom of movement
- Available in ten different colours
- Lightweight, waterproof and windproof
- 100 per cent polyester
And finally, you have the choice of ten stylish colours with this Marmot women’s coat, which works as great as it looks.
A 2.5-layer jacket, it offers great protection from the elements, unrestricted freedom of movement, and is made to last thanks to the dual-layer Gore-Tex Pac lite membrane and 100 per cent taped seams.
Like the men’s jacket, it comes with an adjustable hood and sleeves, as well zippers under the arms, but also offers plenty of extra perks: two raised waterproof zippered front pockets, adjustable Velcro sleeve cuffs, and a hem drawstring, to name a few.
- 2.5-Layer rain Jacket, offers ideal protection from rain and wind; It scores high marks with a low weight, small packing size and unrestricted freedom of movement thanks to Angel Wing movement
- Thanks to the dual-layer GORE-TEX Pac lite membrane and 100% taped seams, this hard-shell jacket is absolutely water and wind-proof; thanks to the dwr treatment, water droplets simply drip off
- This functional jacket has an adjustable hood with a high raised collar, Adjustable sleeves and two zippers Under the arms which provide for optimal moisture transfer
Gore-Tex – FAQs
Who invented Gore-Tex?
Gore-Tex was invented in 1969 by Wilbert L. Gore and his son, Robert W. Gore.
It essentially came about as a happy accident – Bob Gore discovered a new form of polymer made of large molecules that repeat to form long chains.
He found that, by yanking a material called PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), the polymer stretched by 1,000 per cent to create a microporous structure we now know as Gore-Tex,
How is Gore-Tex made?
It’s all about layering fabrics. When the Gore-Tex membrane is laminated to an inner and or outer material, it becomes a Gore Fabric.
Gore-Tex swapped the polyurethane layer typically found on raincoats with a Teflon membrane which bonded with the nylon outer layer. This where those millions of pores are found, thus facilitating brushing off water and passing water vapour away from your skin.
Gore-Tex fabrics have different numbers of layers bonded together, depending on their eventual use. Two-layered fabrics are often soften and lighter, while three layers are made to last longer and are generally more durable Gore cycle wear.
How to clean Gore-Tex?
Always read the label, of course. But if still in doubt, here are some general tips:
- Make sure you have: a washing machine, liquid detergent, a dryer, an iron, towel or cloth, and water repellent treatment.
- Before washing, zip up the front, pockets and pit zips completely. Ensure any loose flaps and straps are also fastened.
- Machine wash at 105°F/40°C, using a small amount of liquid detergent. Rinse twice and minimize spinning.
- Tumble dry on a warm gentle cycle, or line dry your outerwear. (Not at a high temperature, though).
- Once dry, tumble dry for 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment.
Is Gore Tex 100 per cent waterproof?
No product can promise 100 per cent waterproofing, but Gore-Tex is about as close as you can get with its multi-layered membrane systems of nine billion pores.
If waterproof is what you want, Gore-Tex is what you need.
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