Gore-Tex jacket recomendations?

Triathlon Forum
1

It’s that time of year (again) :

(she) “what would you like for Christmas ?”
(me) “Hmmmm…Lemme think about it”

(me) (thinking about it) - what I want, I cannot ask for.

Anyway - I’d like to get a Gore-Tex winter jacket to be
used primarily for running (since I’m going to be
training for a Spring Marathon), but will use it
for Winter cycling too.

I checked out a few sites on-line, and the choices
are overwhelming.

Who can recommend one they like ? Why ?

What features are important ?

and finally - WHERE can I get a good deal ?
(i.e. I hate to pay full price)

Thanks in advance folks,

Dan in (Chilly) Illinois

2

hmm. well, for “cheaper” shells I would check out www.mec.ca their stuff is ok, but not eye-gouging prices like the big names. I’m not so sure about a gore-tex shell to run with. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ has some good deals, I think the rei site too.

features? well, my cycling jacket has a loop at the end of the sleeves so you can make sure the sleeves don’t ride up, it also has a bum flap (that’s not long enough). hmm, most shells should have venting in the pit area (two zippers preferably), if you plan on possibly skiing, a snow “skirt” helps block crap from coming in, … for running I would try to get something “soft” and light. I’ve heard good things about the Marmot Pre-cip too.

I prefer my mountain hardwear shell I had gotten long ago to my newer mec one, simply due to fit. Better shoulders, (range of movement). But neither are really useable for running in my book.

3

GoreTex is overpriced and overrated.

There are numerous other similar fabric technologies out there that work as well or better, for less (sometimes a lot less) $.

Also, if it is for WINTER use (below freezing), then you don’t even need waterproof/breathable (which for my $ has always been “2 lies for the price of one”), and would likely be better served by a soft-shell (Schoeller or comparable material) jacket, since they breathe WAY better than any W/B material, period. And you will be sweating, eventually, so this is key.

Here are some suggestions, YMMV:

W/B jackets - Marmot PreCip, Lowe Alpine Triplepoint (I got one at STP for like $50 last year, it rocks), stuff like that.

Soft-shell - Cloudveil is the mack-daddy of this category, but Marmot, Mtn HardWear, TNF, Arc-Teryx, etc - all the usual suspects - make 'em too. Mammut is another, but they like A-T are very pricey.

Cheapest suggestions:

W/B - Rainshield O2. No frills, fits like a garbage bag, but it has a full front zip, hood, is actually waterproof, light (5 oz) and stoopid-cheap ($20-$30), just not mega durable and no pockets or pit-zips. They make a “cycling-specific” model for a few bucks more too.

Soft-shell (ish) - Marmot DriClime windshirt. This is the swiss army knife of clothing, you can wear it as base, mid, or outer layer, it breathes very well, is light, and reasonably cheap ($99 new, mebbe $60-70 on least year’s stock if you can find it). Fairly water resistant (light rain only), windproof, it does whatever job you need it to.

Disclaimer - I own: Lowe Alpine jacket, Rainshield O2, Cloudveil Serendipity, and Marmot DriClime windshirt. I dig them all, but I won’t make a penny if you buy them, however.

4

hey dan,

first ask yourself whether you want a running jacket or a gore-tex jacket. the two are not the same. gore tex, even xcr, does not breath or stretch enough for running. a good soft shell will do wonders. if you’re willing to splurge, check out the cloudveil serendipity jacket. with the schoeller fabric, you get a boatload of strech, much better breathability, and almost waterproofness. how almost waterproof is it? if you keep it clean, wash it often (powder detergent for all tech stuff, few minutes in the dryer), it will repel rain up to a downpour. and if you do get wet, it dries out much, much faster.

schoeller is almost windproof. but when i say almost windproof, i mean it can get cold if you’re really flying down a hill. i find wind slips through at around 25-30mph. cycling and running jackets are different. even still, in my opinion, a soft shell is the way to go. check out www.cloudveil.com.

i also really like the sporthill stuff - maybe a bit more wind resistant than schoeller, and more reasonable pricing. a few places make solid soft shells now. i think that the softshell is a much better option for anything aerobic. i do ride in my softshells in the winter, and they are great. perfect for running in the wicked cold, skiing, hiking, really good for cycling.

if you go soft shell, check up on the fabric. schoeller dynamic is really really good. sporthill’s proprietary fabric is also really good. patagonia’s new one is supposed to be pretty killer, but i haven’t tried it. and you can always do the breath test to see how windproof it is - try to blow through the fabric. same thing works with a water bottle for waterproofness - but be wary that you have to maintain a jecket well to keep it this way (i.e. keep it washed, maybe retreat it a few years down the road)

hard shells are good for really cold alpine skiing and for downpours. softshells are good for everything else. and for running especially, you don’t need a water or wind proof jacket. just resistant should do the trick.

o course, after i say this, someone will come out with a miracle fabric that does everything, and is waterproof, and breathes, and is windproof, and stretches, and actually has a fireplace built in. the fireplace might be nice…

and on the skiing note, we just got a dusting today in new hampshire - i cannot wait for some real snow to head out. dumb finals…

darrell

my disclaimer - when i’m not schooling away, i work retail at two outerwear shops, one that sells cloudveil, the other sporthill and everything else.

5

I just got a sugoi softshell cycling jersey. the front is windproof the back is breathable light pile. I was impressed with my first ride. It actually kept me warm and I got back to the house dry and not all sweaty. The weather was 40F but no rain.
the ultra packable microfiber shells work well as a running shell. I bought my wife one that weighed in at 50 grams I have a Patagonia Velocity shell which I wear all winter in seattle. It easily goes in a jersey pocket. It soaks through eventually but weighs nothing. It even works for a 1 day climb of mt. rainier.
check sierra trading post website for last years styles. That’s where I got mine.

6

I just bought a Gore bike wear , Function jacket / vest. I used it for a week, I am impressed. It has 3 layers - windstopper ( its a layer not a coating ), with black mesh 1/8 " hole pattern inner lining,Very nice . In 45 - 48 Degree nights its like no wind at 20 mph , you can ride hard for a few miles 22 MPH -24 and just stop ,Warm without feeling clammy or damp steamy. It seals up well waist/neck / cuffs, It has zippers on the sleeves, one long pocket across the back / zipper, with some reflective piping. It was $139.00 ,I got it for 108.00 , long sleeves .cutt long in the back to cover

The best its in a dull blue, a small logo , So you don’t look like a circus clown. if you wear it in a non - ride -run use. I normally wear a thin Base layer long sleeve shirt ,under it.

http://www.bicyclinghub.com Has a Campy base layer lg. slve. In gray for 34.50 ? its skin tight and thin, 2 layer poly something,

7

I agree with all the other posts on here about Gore-Tex (i.e. it is not that good). Nevertheless, I do have a few Gore-Tex jackets. The best one that I have owned is a simple unlined Gore-Tex shell made by ODLO. I think they primarily make ski wear, and my jacket is probably a cross country jacket. It is longer in the back so has good coverage on the bike and sleeves are long cut to allow for CC ski movement so cover well on the bike also.

8

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I have decided against Gore-Tex, and found a great deal (at REIOutlet.com)

on a Sugoi jacket ($22.00)

Dan