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 three items sent and tested. Next issue will be three more.
GORE Thermo Mid Socks Model #100230
https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/m-thermo-mid-socks-100230
MENS SIZING: 3.5-5.0, 6.0-7.5, 8.0-9.5, 10.5-12.0
OTHER STYLES AVAILABLE: LONG Socks
MSRP: $30 USD
RATING:
Hot:
- Moisture wicking technology.
- Wool material
- Insulated Warmth & Durability
- Medium padding level in sole
- Grip band around midfoot & arches to keep sock from moving
- Minimal seams for more comfort
- Achille’s tendon protection channel, i.e., built in groove for Achilles
- Toe and heel protection, i.e., added padding
- Sock height from ankle 16 cm / 6.3 inch.
- Weight: 2.2 oz.
Not:
Some might find the $30 price a little steep, but remember, this is a high-quality wool sock.
This sock is made from a mix of materials including merino wool, gaining the benefits of insulation without it turning into a ‘thick’ sock. We’ve all ridden ‘thick’ socks, they don’t fit too well into your low volume cycling shoes, they bunch up in certain locations, and they sometimes cause your feet to slip around. The first thing I noticed is that these fit very well into my cycling shoes. They are no thicker than a quality pair of cycling socks from DEFEET or SOCKGUY, and, unlike athletic socks, these are form-fitting and very comfortable. With the ‘mild’ winters we have here in Southern California where your feet are too cold wearing standard cycling socks and too warm if you wear booties, these socks fill the gap between and are perfect for winter cycling.
GORE Windstopper Base Layer Long Sleeve Shirt #100323
https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/search?q=100323
MENS SIZING: XS, S, M, L, XL
OTHER STYLES AVAILABLE: Turtleneck, Shorts, long-sleeve/short-sleeve T-Shirts, Sleeveless (see below)
MSRP: $90 USD
RATING:
Hot:
- Elastic GORE WINDSTOPPER insert on front, at sleeves, over shoulders and on kidney area
- Thin, soft, and very comfortable
- Minimal seams for less chafing
- Highly Wicking, Quick Drying
- Flatlock seams
- Main Fabric: 100% Polyester, Stretch Fabric: 88% Polypropylene, 8% Elastane, 4% Polyamide
- Weight: 5.1 oz.
Not:
- Some might find the $90 price a little steep
This form fitting base layer is just what is needed for those brisk mornings where a lightweight vest is too cold, and a micro-fleece lined vest is too hot. I use this under my jersey with a lightweight vest as the outside covering. Once I get warmed up, I can take off the vest and this affords me to stay at the perfect temperature, no jacket required.
Made from two different technologies where one stops the wind (FRONT) and the other lets your body breath (BACK OF SHIRT and ARMS). I’ve tried regular long sleeve Under Armour – type base layer shirts which feature one solid piece of material and I sweat buckets. I need a shirt that breaths on the back and this GORE base layer works perfect.
GORE Windstopper Base Layer Long Sleeve Shirt #100025
https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/m-gore-windstopper-base-layer-sleeveless-shirt-100025
MENS SIZING: XS, S, M, L, XL
OTHER STYLES AVAILABLE: Regular (non-Wind stopper) Sleeveless Shirt
MSRP: $65 USD
RATING:
Hot:
- Elastic GORE WINDSTOPPER insert on front, over shoulders and on kidney area
- Thin, soft, and very comfortable
- Highly Wicking, Quick Drying
- Minimal seams for less chafing
- Flatlock seams
- Main Fabric: 100% Polyester
- Stretch Fabric: 88% Polypropylene, 8% Elastane, 4% Polyamide
- Weight: 3.6 oz.
Not:
Some might find the $65 price a little steep, but remember, this is a WINDSTOPPER Shirt
This is basically a sleeveless version of the GORE Windstopper base layer long sleeve shirt and my Favorite GORE cycling product! When the chill of the early morning subsides, you tend to over-heat quickly. For this scenario, a sleeveless shirt provides the perfect blend of providing the perfect warmth as you start stripping off layers and stripping off warmers. This is a product that you wear next to your skin, so you need something that is light, thin, soft, comfortable, breathable and moisture wicking – this product as it all!
So now that winter is almost here, it’s time to ensure your cycling comfort and enjoyment by wearing the right clothes.
Coach Rick Schultz is an avid cyclist who trains, races and coaches in Southern California. Rick is an engineer by trade, and in addition to being a coach, he’s a bike fitter and prolific product reviewer. He’s the author of Stretching & Core Strengthening for the Cyclist and Bike Fit 101: Your Toolset for a Great Bike Fit in the RBR eBookstore. Check his product reviews website, www.biketestreviews.com, and his coaching site, www.bikefitnesscoaching.com. Click to read Rick’s full bio.
In the last item, the sleeveless shirt, you first say “ OTHER STYLES AVAILABLE: Regular (non-Wind stopper) Sleeveless Shirt”
Then you a) describe it as a wind stopper shirt, and b) justify its $65 price because it’s a wind stopper shirt.
Can you clarify/correct the first statement?
The Gore socks may be ideal for southern Cal but I suspect not in colder regions. I’ve tried many different wool, wool blend and merino wool socks over the years but my feet still got cold. The best socks I’ve found are the Alpaca wool socks made by Follow Hollow. They are on the expensive side but they keep my feet warm. They fit very well especially if you have a larger foot as I do and are comfortable to wear in my cycling shoes. Their performance socks use 70% premium Peruvian Baby Alpaca Fiber, 27% Nylon and 3% Spandex. I have yet to find a sock that uses as much Alpaca material. Usually much less wool and a blend of acrylic, polyester, and/or nylon. I assume that’s way they keep my feet warm. You can check them out at followhollow.com