Gore Bike Wear expands Gore-Tex Active Shakedry waterproof jacket range

Cycle clothing has gotten much better in the last couple of decades, and one company doing than most to make combatting bad weather more tolerable is Gore Bike Wear. 

It pioneered the waterproof jacket and last year took it to a new level with the stunning One Active fabric. Instead of the typical three layers, this new fabric uses two layers and Gore has ditched the DWR treatment for a new permanent beading surface. 

- Buyer’s guide: The best waterproof cycling jackets

This means the jacket is much lighter so it packs down very small, no bigger than an inner tube - it can fit in a jersey pocket with space to spare.

But the big benefit is that not only is it 100% waterproof and windproof, but it’s highly breathable. Breathability has long been the Achilles heel of all waterproof jackets, but this new fabric is the best yet. It’s possible to wear it for many hours without overheating or getting wet. 

The new fabric first debuted last year and it has now expanded the range with the One 1985 GTX Shakedry jacket (£230) and the One Lady GTX Shakedry Bike Jacket (£220).

- Review: Gore Bike Wear One Active Bike Jacket

The former is a tribute to the year, 1985, that Gore-Tex created its first ever bike jacket called the Giro, while Shakedry refers to the ability to literally shake the jacket dry when it’s been rained on.

This jacket gets a few more features than the minimalist one I reviewed last year bit it’s still very light. It’s a close fit but not as race fit as the original, and there’s a 2-way front zipper so you can get extra ventilation when you need it. There’s a back pocket which doubles as a storage bag when the jacket isn’t been used. And there’s a healthy number of reflective logos and details to help you stand out at night.

The One Lady GTX Shakedry Bike Jacket is one of two women’s jackets using this new fabric (there’s a running jacket as well). It’s available in six sizes from XS to XXL and has a female-specific cut and shape, with a dropped tail and tall collar. There’s one rear zipped pocket.

Reviews coming soon. More info at www.goreapparel.co.uk/gore-bike-wear/