Gore C5 Gore-Tex Shakedry 1985 Insulated Jacket

The Gore C5 Gore-Tex Shakedry 1985 Insulated Jacket comes with a hefty price tag but it's a seriously impressive foul weather option. It's completely waterproof, provides ample insulation for the coldest days, and is breathable enough to wear on every ride up to 10-12°C. The only snag is the lack of pockets for carrying all your ride essentials.

• Pros: Fantastic performance, keeps rain out, warmth
• Cons: Price, lack of pockets, could be more reflective

Gore's Shakedry needs little introduction, a game-changing two-layer waterproof fabric that offers stunning breathability with 100 per cent water resistance, impressive packability and low weight. It actually makes riding in the rain fun!

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In this insulated version, the waterproof outer shell has been combined with a Polartec Alpha insulation layer to provide the rather novel appeal of complete rain protection with enough warmth for the coldest rides. And guess what? It's a combination that really works well. It combines the benefits of a waterproof shell and an insulated jacket in one smartly designed top that makes dressing for bad weather, whether cold or wet, a doddle.

Don't think it's just aimed at wet weather, either. Because the Shakedry and Polartec Alpha provide excellent breathability and superb warmth, you can wear the jacket in all and any weather without worrying about being inappropriately dressed. You'll be prepared for any eventualities, kept warm when it's cold, and dry when it's raining. It's really well suited to the vagaries of a British winter.

I've tested Polartec's Alpha down insulation numerous times in other jackets and I've always been impressed with the warmth, breathability and low bulk. The same is true here – I've worn it on frosty morning rides with just a baselayer underneath and been comfortable.

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If you normally layer up for a ride, carefully choosing the right mix of layers to suit the conditions, well, you don't need to do any of that with this jacket. Just slap it on over a short sleeve baselayer and you'll be fine.

It'll keep you warm but you won't drown in your own sweat unless you wear too much underneath – I did notice a build-up of heat on some rides with temperatures in the 10-12°C range. Stay below that and don't wear too chunky a baselayer and you'll be fine.

On to the fit and, for me anyway, it's excellent. That's a size small in the photos and I found the shape and fit around the body, shoulders and arms spot on, with good length in the sleeves and a generously tall collar, with two small Velcro tabs to cinch it in.

The tail is dropped a little bit, but the elasticated cuffs are perhaps my favourite feature, with an inner material that ensures a close fit around the wrists for comfort and preventing cold air sneaking in.

My only issue with the Shakedry is how and where to carry all your ride essentials. Typical cycling jackets have three rear pockets, and even if they don't, chances are if you're having to layer up for the conditions then your jersey underneath will.

The Shakedry 1985 Insulated jacket only has one meagre pocket, large enough for a phone and not much else, and because you really don't need to layer up, it raises the question of where to carry all those essentials. In my view, you have two possible solutions: you can wear a short-sleeve jersey underneath and use its pockets, or you can strap everything to the bike.

With food and spares in a bike bag or backpack (Gore doesn't advocate wearing a backpack because of the fragility of the Shakedry fabric, but so far it's been fine), the jacket works brilliantly well, particularly for off-road rides, whether on the cyclo-cross, gravel or mountain bike, coping with the fluctuations in intensity and making it easy to dress for every ride.

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As regards durability, so far it has been very good. Gore says the Shakedry fabric needs to be treated with care and, as I said above, doesn't recommend using it with backpacks, but I've been using it with one regularly on the mountain and adventure bikes I've been testing and it's not shown any signs of distress or premature wear. I've even crashed in it (the lengths I go to for product testing!) and it's completely undamaged. I'll update this review in a couple of months if any concerns are raised.

Conclusion

I love the fact that I can wear the Insulated jacket in any weather and it'll keep me dry and warm, with adequate breathability and a superb fit. I even like how it looks with the classy grey and a few splashes of colour, although some more reflectivity would always be appreciated (it also comes in black). But the lack of pockets makes it tricky to use for traditional cyclists who don't like carrying anything on the bike or in a bag.

Unless you can live with that single pocket, I'm minded to think that, much as I love this jacket, the better purchase might be a normal Shakedry jacket and a decent insulated mid-layer jersey. That's precisely the combo I use on a regular basis, treating the Shakedry as a windproof jacket rather than just saving it for the rain.

Verdict

Superb performance in rain and cold weather, but the lack of pockets could be an issue