Gore Bike Wear Phantom Jacket
By James Sharp

Riding in cold, damp weather can be miserable. But, it doesn't have to be. With the right clothing it can even be--dare I say it?--enjoyable. Gore Industries has known this for quite a while and their textiles--starting with Gore-Tex--have helped to transform the athletic garment industry. Their Windstopper fabric is designed to prevent air from penetrating the outer shell, keeping the wearer warm without having to use as many layers or as much bulk. Gore Bike Wear uses this fabric in their Phantom Jacket.

The Phantom Jacket is really an amazing piece of work. It is a softshell, so it's water resistent in addition to blocking the wind. The sleeves zip off, but rather than turning into a vest, there are short sleeves underneath making the jacket a full zip short sleeve jersey with a windproof front. There are three pockets out back. The rear of the jacket is also very breathable, facilitating sweat evaporation. As you'd expect, there are reflective graphics all over the jacket for nighttime visibility.

The Phantom is the perfect jacket for light rain and temperatures down to about 40 degrees (Fahrenheit) without more than a jersey underneath. While it does work well when the weather is moderately wet, it is a soft shell and doesn't do so well in a downpour, so don't throw away that traditional rain jacket just yet.

I loved the rear pockets. All three are easy to access and having pockets like this in a jacket adds needed storage for extra gloves, hat, etc. that I always seem to carry when the weather is chilly and damp. Besides, the sleeves zip off and you'll need somewhere to put them.

Speaking of the sleeves, I found that they were easy to remove--easy enough that I could do while riding--but took a bit longer to put back on. That being said, I never found the zippers obtrusive, even when I was using a hydration pack. With them removed, the vest--though that's a misnomer since there are short sleeves under the long sleeves--does a nice job of keeping the wind off your torso.

Summary: Gore Bike Wear's Phantom Jacket is as good a jacket as I have used, as long as you don't ask it to keep you dry in pouring rain. But then, that's not what it's for. It's meant to keep you warm and dry in light rain and windy conditions while breathing well enough so you aren't drenched in your own sweat--and it excels in that task. It is comfortable and versatile with much bulk. The Phantom is perfect for early spring and late fall rides. Without the sleeves, the er... vest is perfect for late spring or summer morning rides. The Phantom retails for $160.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com; more of his ramblings and a look at upcoming reviews can be found at his blog--Lactic Acid Threshold.

For more information, contact:
Gore Bike Wear
E-mail: gorebikewear@wlgore.com
www.gorebikewear.com