C5 GORE TEX INFINIUM THERMO JACKET & C5 T HERMO BIB T IGHTS

£169.99 ★★★★ 1/2 £119.99 ★★★★ 1/2 Pro-level cold-weather kit

The Infinium Thermo jacket has a race-jersey close fit but with plenty of stretch in the fabric, and all its forward-facing panels are windproof. Combine this with a soft, patterned fleece lining and you’ve got a top performer.

The arms are cut slim and long and the usefully angled cuffs sit well over lighter, full-finger gloves or easily slip under heavyweight winter ones. To aid visibility the cuffs feature a neat dot-matrix black reflective print, which is also used on the flanks and on the Gore logos on the rear pocket, chest and shoulders. Gore offers the Infinium in hi-vis yellow too.

The full-length zip is protected by a wind flap and the high collar has a structured zipper garage to prevent skin irritation. Three rear pockets give plenty of storage, with a fourth storm-zipped waterproof pocket for valuables. The pockets sit above a dropped tail that provides perfect coverage when paired with the C5 tights. Water resistance is decent for light showers and road spray but it’s not fully waterproof. Combined with a rain shell, however, we’d wear the Infinium throughout winter, whatever the weather.

The matching C5 Thermo bib tights offer similar levels of windproofing as the jacket, using Gore’s Cup Technology to protect your sensitive areas. A preformed double-skin section has a soft fabric back and Gore Windstopper fabric outwardly facing. The windproofing is backed up with a warm, fleeced fabric.

The Gore-designed pad is made by market-leading pad specialist Elastic Interface. The angular-shaped pad mimics the shape of a channelled saddle, which on the bike is comfort personified. The full legs and torso section all have a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, while the groin and rear panels use a thicker water- and abrasion-resistant fabric.

The high waist and back join to a lighter mesh back and braces that grip well and don’t roll. The legs consist of multiple panels with an articulated cut that works well on the bike. The cuffs don’t have zips, instead relying on the stretch of the material for fit. For visibility on the road, we appreciate the long 240mm triangular reflective print panels on the back three-quarters of the calves.

As a pairing the jacket is very much the superior garment, but the bib tights are also very good value for what is now considered to be a midrange price point.