By Rick Schultz
GOREWEAR sent me some clothing to try out. Similar to models as last year but improved materials. As always, GORE clothing is top quality and works as intended. Following are two additional items sent and tested.
GORE Thermo C5 Bib Tights+ Model #100643
https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/c5-thermo-bib-tights-100643
MENS SIZING: XS, S, M, L, XL
OTHER STYLES AVAILABLE: Windstopper C3 Bib Tights+, C3 Thermo Bib Tights+, C7 Windstopper Pro Bib Tights+
COLORS: Black/Black, Black/Yellow
MSRP: $170 USD
RATING: 
Hot:
- ADVANCED Brand Core seat insert with GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Cup
- GORE WINDSTOPPER Cup Technology highly breathable, preformed windproof front for optimum comfort
- Stretch material for freedom of movement
- Mesh insert in back for optimum ventilation (prevents overheating).
- Fast drying material
- Inseam length 71.5 cm / 28.1 inches.
- Weight: 10.6 oz.
- Main Fabric: 84% Polyamide, 16% Elastane
- Mesh: 75% Polyamide, 25% Elastane
Not:
- Some might find the $170 price a little steep, but remember, this is a high-quality product.
Thermal Bib tights slightly on the slimmer side, but still comfortable for most cyclists. These will keep you nice and warm, there is even a seat insert with Gore Windstopper that will keep you warm and ‘fairly’ dry cycling in the rain and/or snow. This strip of Windstopper is as wide as the chamois and starts at about 4” in front of the chamois and about 7 inches past the rear of the chamois.
The straps are comfortable and stay in place. I like the vented back as well since I tend to quickly overheat with bibs and vests that use solid material. As with all tights, they will tend to bunch a little in the knees when cycling. There are no zippers of Velcro at the ankles, just elastic to hold these tights in place. Their new design allows for minimum seams – the less seams, the more comfort.
All-in-all, very comfortable and warm.
GORE Phantom Jacket Mens Model #100645
https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/phantom-jacket-mens-100645
MENS SIZING: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
OTHER STYLES AVAILABLE: C5 Gore-Tex Infinium Thermo Jacket, C5 Gore-Tex Infinium Thermo Jacket, Spirit Jacket
COLORS: Black/Yellow, Black/Red, Gray/Black, Light Blue/Dark Blue, Dark Blue/Gray
MSRP: $200 USD
RATING:
Hot:
- GORE-TEX INFINIUM fabrics with GORE WINDSTOPPER which is totally windproof, breathable, and very water resistant
- Aero road cycling ‘slimmer’ fit
- Longer sleeves and longer ‘dropped’ tail
- Stretch panel in back to aid in fit
- Tall thermo collar
- Elastic grip on bottom hem
- 3- back pockets, plus secure zip pocket on rear
- Material-backed front zipper to prevent cold air from passing through
- Reflective details.
- Weight: 15.9 oz.
- Shell: 100% Polyester
- Stretch Fabric: 84% Polyester, 16% Elastane
Not:
- Some might find the $200 price a little steep, but remember, this is a high-quality product.
This jacket has a secret! This Windproof jacket is Ideal for long rides on days with changeable temperatures. Why? Because this jacket has detachable long sleeves converting this full-long sleeve jacket into a short-sleeve version. When you warm up, just unzip the long sleeves, and convert the jacket to a short sleeve version. If the weather starts cooling down, just zip the sleeves back on again.
At 15.9 oz, this jacket is light, warm, and comfortable, and is also fairly water resistant and windproof which all help to keep you warm and dry. This jacket runs a little on the small side, meaning that I usually wear a LG jersey but, for this jacket I needed to use an XL. It is specifically made a little snugger so there is not a lot of extra material flapping in the wind. I also highly recommend wearing just a simple lightweight base layer sleeveless shirt (like their model 100019 – https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/m-base-layer-sleeveless-shirt-100019) since you don’t want a lot of extra layers of bulk under this jacket. It fits and feels the most comfortable either with no shirt or just a simple base layer.
Coach Rick Schultz is an avid cyclist who has trained, raced, and coached in Southern California and now resides in Bend, Oregon where he works as a bike fitter and bike fit educator. Rick is an engineer by trade and a prolific cycling product reviewer. He’s the author of Stretching & Core Strengthening for the Cyclist in the RBR eBookstore. Check his coaching site, www.bikefitnesscoaching.com. Click to read Rick’s full bio.