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133g Water Proof Gore-tex Active Cycling Jacket Available now

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Click on the image to start GIF/photos c. Gore

The Gore-tex membrane finds its strength in the fact that the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) layer has over 9 billion (with a ‘b’) pores per square inch. Because of the sheer number of the pores, the actual size of each one is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet yet 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapor. Naturally that allows sweat to escape while preventing water from getting in.

Previously, this membrane had to be sandwiched or laminated, between the inner lining and outer fabric. This resulted in a very durable, waterproof shell, but it added weight and bulk. With Gore-Tex Active, that waterproof membrane is built into the lining and does not require an outer layer. Gore-tex calls this a “permanent water beading surface” which not only eliminates the outer layer from absorbing water but keeps the weight down to a minimum…

JROFOC9900_10_ONE_GTX_Active_Bike_Jacket JROFOC9900_11_ONE_GTX_Active_Bike_Jacket

Likely one of, if not the lightest fully waterproof jacket for cyclists, the Gore-Tex Active Bike jacket comes in at a packable 133g. Designed with an ergonomic fit specifically for cycling, the jacket is built with longer sleeves, a drop tail, and a collar meant to keep water out when in an aerodynamic position. In full black it isn’t exactly hi-viz, but it does include reflective accents and logos. When not in use the jacket can be stowed in the front pocket.

JROFOC9900_13_ONE_GTX_Active_Bike_Jacket

ShakeDry MattLoook

Since the water beads up on the surface of the jacket, rain can simply be shaken off with your best impersonation of a wet dog. When it’s not covered in water, the jacket has a matte finish. One of the best features seems to be the claim that this jacket will not lose it’s water repellency over time and will not require additional treatments to keep the inside dry.

JROFOR9900_12_ONE_GTX_Active_Run_Jacket JROFOR9900_11_ONE_GTX_Active_Run_Jacket JROFOR9900_10_ONE_GTX_Active_Run_Jacket

As promised, Gore-tex active will also be available in a Run (MTB?) jacket which is slightly heavier (158g) thanks to the hood. Available today on Goreapparel.com or in select retailers, the Bike jacket will set you back $300 while the Run is $330.

 

 

 

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23 Comments
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Hezky
Hezky
8 years ago

Any word on durability? Would wearing a backpack wear down the exposed waterproof membrane?

Pedaltrash
8 years ago

wow that’s cool. And costly.

Question
Question
8 years ago

Cycling in the rain with no reflective bits?!

scentofreason
scentofreason
8 years ago

For $300 I’d prefer to get wet…

rupert3k
8 years ago

I think I’ll stick with my existing Gore Bike Wear Gore-Tex jacket which only cost aud$170 and rolls up as big as a small aluminium can.

Trail Dog
Trail Dog
8 years ago

Wow that makes so much sense. The achilles heel of all waterproof/breathable garments is the face fabric; once wetted out it kills the breathability.

onion
onion
8 years ago

Sounds promising, but the exterior membrane looks quite a bit like the interior of the old Paclite material, which is particularly vulnerable to abrasion. I wonder if this new stuff is any different? Otherwise your $300 waterproof jacket is quickly compromise by scuffing your elbow.

Roy
Roy
8 years ago

A roadie jacket for riding in pouring rain in black, WTF were they thinking, road kill? Black for rainy mtb riding in the mud is great! but then it should be cut completely different, stand up to pack straps and fit looser to fit the demographic. This is a dumb as the new Cervelo launched earlier.

Tim
Tim
8 years ago

WTF Gore? An all black jacket with no reflective bits that I’m supposed to wear in the rain? On a bike, in traffic? NFW, at any price. Better wet than dead. Make a “don’t run me over” yellow option, with some good reflective bits here and there and I could reconsider.

TJ
TJ
8 years ago

So… its just the same ol’ not-actually-breathable Gore membrane? The one that is great when you’re sitting around a wet camp, but 90% as bad as a plastic bag if you’re doing something hard, like, I dunno, riding a bike? Or is it something more like eVent or Neoshell?

pTymn Wolfe
pTymn Wolfe
8 years ago

@Roy- haha, agreed. I would bet that the same customer would be interested in both products.

Chris L
Chris L
8 years ago

To the “but it’s black” crowd: sorry but the color doesn’t make nearly as much a difference as you think. Also have you ever noticed how many motorcycle jackets are black?

Reflective material is a totally different matter but even here you need to keep in mind that not all reflective material is the same. Most cycle clothing uses a reflective ink which tends to become useless after several washings. If being seen is important you should invest in a reflective vest or sash made from the more durable vinyl like reflective material that won’t fade or break down over time. Also lights will do more to help you be seen than the color of your jacket.

I ride on an extremely busy bike commuting route in Seattle (where it’s dark at 4:30 this time of year) and the neon yellow jackets are no more visible in the dark and/or rain than any other color. OTOH the reflective vest/sashes can be seen a very long ways off, often well before you can tell the color of the jacket.

Dingo
Dingo
8 years ago

Just use a blinky and a headlight (deleted).

Dude
Dude
8 years ago

Double (or triple) tail lights, 3m reflective tape on fenders helmet etc, and wear black because it doesn’t look permanently dirty the first time you have a road side flat or brush against something wet and grimy. Lots of PNW roadies train that way. It’s all about the tail lights day and night.

Gorden
Gorden
8 years ago

Maybe put a little Volvo Life Paint on in for better visibility

Tim
Tim
8 years ago

Read else where that the use of packs are not recommended, the outer membrane is not durable enough.

Also the black color is the only color that they could make right now with the manufacturing process.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal
8 years ago

Looks like an interesting piece of gear for alpine mtb riding when getting wet=hypothermia. But $100 more and only 8g lighter than the Marmot Essence waterproof/breathable jacket, it’s a tough sell.

Velociraptor
Velociraptor
8 years ago

This is how Gore’s new membrane stacks up:

“Breathability”
1. Polartec NeoShell
2. eVent
3. new Gore-tex Active, O2 Rainwear (3M ProPore) $20

Durability
1. Polartec NeoShell
2. eVent
3. new Gore-tex Active, O2 Rainwear (3M ProPore) $20

Weight
1. new Gore-tex Active, O2 Rainwear (3M ProPore) $20
2. eVent
3. Polartec NeoShell

JR
JR
8 years ago

All these haters, but these jackets are going to be sold out by the end of the day.

John
John
8 years ago

I’m excited to work on a version of the fabric where the waterproofing doesn’t need to be “recharged” (or have it just plain wear out). Not every project has to be perfect for everyone’s use case. It’s still progress…

dmc
dmc
8 years ago

I really don’t get the ‘anti black’ brigade, the colour makes less difference than you may think. As previous comments have alluded to, black motor bike jackets, black cars etc are a constant on the roads but I still see them. What about grey on a dull day, any difference? It’s all about using your head and appropriate lights/reflective for conditions.
I’m pretty sure most of the accidents or fatalities I’ve seen online don’t all feature people dressed all in black, in fact it’s generally the opposite.

Fraser C
Fraser C
8 years ago

OK guys, here is the pesky physics of breathable fabrics; when you wear a layer like this jacket on the outside your sweat will not be vapor when it reaches it, it will be condensed as solid droplets. That means you are in a bath of your own sweat and not dry, unless you either:
A) Wear it closer to your skin, with other layer(s) above it to pass the sweat vapor to while warm enough that it is not yet condensed
B) Only wear it on warm enough days that sweat won’t condense inside it!

Rubber queen
Rubber queen
8 years ago

Motorcycles have massive lights front and back, indicator lights, and move faster than traffic … So it doesn’t matter what the rider wears. They will be seen or the rider can be out of danger with a twist of the wrist.

Even with that you will see most Moto rain wear is pretty much fluro with reflective bits or black with reflective bits.

All black without reflective bits = death suit.

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