At a time when brands are all upping their specs and upping their waterproof jacket game the Gore Power Trail still sits head and shoulders above others that I’ve tried. That’s because it’s the jacket I find myself inevitably coming back to ride after ride. Simply put, it just feels right.
- Best waterproof jackets for cycling | Tried and tested jackets rated by our experts
- 7Mesh Inc Revelation Jacket review
The cut is immaculate — under the arms seems to be the hardest thing to get right on a bike jacket, but this is perfect — raise your arms and the body of the jacket stays put.
The shape of the arms articulate with yours in the riding position and with a semi-fitted cut there’s enough room to add layers, but it doesn’t feel sloppy when you don’t. The construction quality from Gore is always high but the detailing here is also impressive.
The hood is designed to go under rather than over a helmet, with a stretch inner band and narrow turn-back on the outer that channels water down and away from your face.
The construction quality from Gore is always high but the detailing here is also impressive
Once I tried it, I was converted to the under-not-over hood design, which felt better than even the best cut alternatives. The zip pulls have been improved over previous years to be longer length, and the one chest pocket is generously sized — making both easy to use.
The three-layer Gore-Tex Active Shell fabric has a durable feel in the hand (note, three-layer waterproof fabrics have a lining that’s bonded to the inside layer of the membrane. It feels smoother than the usual ‘rubbery feel’ and helps protect it).
It feels robust but still has very high levels of breathability. So much so that I’ve found myself using this jacket (rather than my usual softshell or windproof jacket) on rain-free days that needed the windchill taking off.
- Weight: 311g (Large)
