GORE OXYGEN ACTIVE

Price £ 199 | $249.99 > www.goreapparel.co.uk

GORE IS ONE of the most famous names in outdoor wear, if not bicycle racing. The Oxygen is the most race-orientated waterproof jacket in their range, with a close fit and a cut tailored to life on the drops.

It tested very well in keeping rain out in the worst weather conditions and even emerged unscathed from an end-of-ride hose pipe dousing. Repeated machine washing has had no effect on its performance so far.

Some waterproof jackets do a good job of keeping rain out but leave you drenched in sweat because of a lack of breathability but not so the Oxygen, thanks to the legendary Gore-Tex fabric. It’s completely windproof, too, and in milder winter weather, say 5-10ºC, I’m comfortable with just a merino wool base layer. The Oxygen is a close fit so it isn’t flappy, though the Gore-Tex Stretch material means it’s in no way restrictive. The cut is very high at the front and very long at the rear which is ideal for a road bike position and keeps the spray off your backside.

The only reflective details are the small Gore logos on the chest and lower back, though this orange colour is very visible anyway. In total, eight colour options are available. Our only criticism is the lack of any pockets though that’s the case with many rain jackets.