Gore Oxygen Windstopper Softshell Jersey

The Gore Oxygen Windstopper Jersey does indeed stop the wind. Whether the various design and fabric choices are to your liking is another matter...

Gore's Windstopper fabric can be found in many garments. It's claimed to 'protect from wind and weather' while providing for 'maximum breathability'. In addition, Gore says your 'heart rate is up to eight beats per minute lower with WINDSTOPPER clothing than with less breathable fabrics'. I asked Gore about this rather startling claim and was advised this came from "Gore Windstopper Physiology Research dating from 10 years back (study with the University of Edinburgh) which isn't valid anymore. Legally it was valid back then, but since then the products have changed (also includes the material, where it's been made, the Quality standards) it no longer is for today". Take nothing at face value... marginal gains are all well and good, but not when they're based on outdated research.

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All that said, yes, it stops the wind – dead. On quick rides without a shell or gilet, the sensation was akin to a hand pressing against your chest, vacuum-packing the jersey to you. If you aren't wearing a baselayer this could lead to a feeling of clamminess depending on your sweat.

The design's a bit different to the norm – in front there are two small angled pockets for gels or whatnot, which curve around almost halfway between your side and navel.

The garment is pretty much all Windstopper apart from a kite-shaped section on the back, running between the armpits and down through the middle pocket.

Under the arms is a light mesh, and the sleeves themselves are finished with a double-layer gripper that fails to grip anything. This was most notable when paired with the Gore Universal Windstopper armwarmers (review to come), which likewise didn't grip much. This results in wind getting in where you'd expect none to be, given both garments are called 'Windstopper'.

Other design features are generously deep triple pockets, but whoever decided to put the valuables pocket zip in the middle of the pocket needs talking to – it makes for adding or removing a decent-sized phone in a waterproof case very tricky. There's simply no reason not to put the zip at the top or side.

Your riding companions will be under no illusion that it's a WINDSTOPPER jersey, thanks to the very large letters down each arm and smaller on the left shoulderblade. These, and some extra bits down the arm/back join, and a flap over the rear pocket zip are highly reflective, which is a night-time plus.

The main zip has a windproof flap but no garage for the very small pull – the size of which is an oversight on a garment you'll be venting pretty often if my experience is anything to go by. The silicone grip-strip around the rear hem keeps things in place, while the almost total lack of flatlock stitching on a garment with so many panels is a bit of a scratchy let-down for those who don't wear baselayers.

Being a 37in chest/33in waist, I'm right on the medium-large Gore sizing cusp. On test was a medium, but that was definitely not tight on me so size smaller than you would normally. I felt the collar was quite low, again a strange design choice for a garment whose raison d'etre is to keep you warm. Gore says this is a 'tight' fit, 'very athletic and close to the body'. Maybe it's my exposure to Italian brands and racier UK brands such as Hoy-Vulpine, but if this is tight and athletic then I'm Chris Froome.

During a two-hour spot of bridleway bashing in an overcast 14-17°C, I had to unzip to keep cool. This was over the top of a 150gsm merino base, and as I usually run cold and wasn't really fanging it that day (under 80% max heart rate), it was a surprise to be so warm. To the extent that I felt a little sweaty down my back.

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On a reasonably quick ride, the Gore wetted out quickly in a light shower, and took half an hour to dry again in good sun and wind. Wind molecules are larger than water molecules (who knew?) so the Windstopper membrane lets water in. On this ride I wore the excellent Lusso Dryline baselayer and didn't feel overheated in the Gore even during a PR attack of the steepest hill around, the aptly named 'Killer Hill' replete with 20% midriff bookended by 15%+ knees and shoulders.

So what's the verdict? For £120, the Oxygen Windstopper is probably on the expensive side for what it does, and the design choices are, in some respects, slightly strange – the rear pocket zip and loose fit, for example. The obvious comparison in windproof, fast-riding tops for me was the Endura FS260-Pro SL Classics Jersey, which excels at everything for only a tenner more, but you get arm warmers thrown in. Perhaps time for Gore to reinvent what is a popular jersey, given that the competition has upped its game.

Verdict

Well made jersey that might work for you – but understand the fit and features