Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Classics Windstopper Bibshorts

Cycle clothing is advancing at a rapid rate and one of the leading companies is Gore Apparel. Its Oxygen Classics Gore Windstopper Bibshorts are a good example of its innovative approach to clothing design, combining a windproof bib short with an integrated baselayer, providing a protective barrier against bad weather.

Getting dressed for typical British weather can be a tricky old business before a bike ride, more so when the weather forecast just can't make up its mind. Gore's Windstopper material is ideally suited to breezy cool days with a risk of rain. We've seen it used plenty in jerseys and jackets to great effect, and it's a smart choice for these Oxygen Classics.

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Size-wise the shorts are good, comparing nicely with other similarly sized bib shorts. Gore has really worked the panel design, both the shape and placement of the panels, to provide the best possible fit, and it's mostly good. The only criticism I have is the lack of stretch in the fabric compared to regular Lycra means the material isn't pulled taut across the legs and doesn't conform to your body quite as well.

It's really only an issue when you're first pulling the shorts on – it's not restrictive but a little baggy if anything – but once you're in the saddle and pedalling along the road, they're comfortable from the first to the last mile.

At which point you realise the excellent padded insert has done its job so well you haven't noticed it, such is the impressive comfort it provides. It's the company's own Oxygen Light Men insert developed with Elastic Interface. It's made from a fast-drying, open-cell foam with a recessed channel and smooth transition at the edges. The shape is pre-formed and is claimed to be good for four-hour rides, something I can verify from testing it on rides in excess of that figure.

The other big story about the Gore Oxygen Classic shorts is in the top half. Instead of a pair of bib straps over the shoulders, Gore has designed a sleeveless mesh baselayer with a full-length front zipper and integrated it right into the bib shorts.

It might look and sound a bit odd but it really works, providing supreme comfort with no pressure over the shoulders or irritation, and it's as soft next to the skin as any regular baselayer. It's a lot more comfortable than wearing a separate baselayer and bib shorts and reminds me of the comfort afforded by one-piece outfits like Castelli's Thermosuit.

There are a few bib shorts on the market designed to excel in bad weather, such as Sportful's Fiandre NoRain bib shorts, to pick one example, but for truly horrid weather the thickness and protection of the Windstopper material make these Gore Oxygen Classics hard to beat when you want the best.

I've been using them for the past few months, and they've put in a stellar performance any time the weather has been suboptimal. They cope with showers really well, and in heavy downpours they keep you drier much longer than regular bib shorts do, though Windstopper isn't waterproof – it's only water resistant – so you will get wet eventually.

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best cycling bib shorts

It's on days with frequently changing weather patterns that they perform best. You don't feel the chill from the breeze at all, rain showers are kept at bay, and they provide more insulation on cold mornings. They are adequately breathable to cope with double digit figures, so cooler summer days as well as spring and autumn.

The Gore Oxygen Classics Windstopper Bibshorts are ideal for rides when it's cold, blustery and raining – hopefully not getting too much use in summer! – and comfortable for long rides. They're expensive but a worthy investment if you don't want to let bad weather stop you pedalling.

Verdict

Built-in baselayer and Windstopper fabric fend off bad weather, not unheard of in a British summer...