Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket Men's review: well-priced protection from the cold but not heavy rain

SQUIRREL_13163186

The Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket has proved warm and insulating on cold winter rides.

Those wanting a jacket with a more relaxed cut will also appreciate its fit, while it comes at a decent price of £160 / $220 / €180 (especially considering Gore’s often premium pricing).

That said, the outer fabric doesn’t shrug off rain as well as other winter jackets and the aforementioned cut can leave a lot of bunching at the front.

Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket Men's details and specifications

The Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket is designed primarily for cold weather, with a fleece lining covering practically all of the inside of the jacket.

This is different from many other jackets, which have strategically placed insulation to balance warmth with temperature regulation.

Gore says the outer fabric has a PFC/PFAS-free water-repellent treatment, although it’s worth remembering the brand focuses on eliminating PFC/PFAS chemicals “of environmental concern”, which is a slight distinction from removing them completely.

This also appears uniform across the whole jacket, rather than being thinner in less exposed areas and thicker in wind-facing ones. Overall, it makes the jacket feel quite thick and lightly padded.

The jacket has a tailored collar and wrist cuffs, to help keep draughts at bay while allowing thick winter gloves to fit over the top easily. The waist features a simple silicone gripper to hold it in place.

The zip is backed by a thick draught excluder, but there’s no zip garage at the top. It strikes through the Gorewear branding at the top.

You’ll find three pockets on the rear, with a smaller zipped pocket overlaid on the right rear flank.

There are reflective strips throughout the jacket and it can be had in high-visibility ‘Neon Yellow”, alongside four less glaring colours.

Gore offers the jacket in five sizes (S-2XL), although it’s worth bearing in mind it sizes true-to-size with a reasonably generous cut, despite Gore’s suggestion that it has a slim fit.

Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket Men's performance

The Spinshift Thermo Jacket has proven warm and insulating on cold test rides.

While Gore doesn’t specify a recommended temperature range for the jacket, I saw readings as low as -2ºC on my test Wahoo Elemnt Ace and felt comfortable with a Merino wool baselayer underneath.

I could feel cold air sneaking through the jacket’s fabric when riding with effort (and at speed), but this served to keep me from overheating rather than making me feel cold.

The relaxed cut will appeal to many people who don’t want to feel shrink-wrapped into a tight-fitting garment and don’t mind a little excess folding up in front of them while riding. If you want a racier cut, there are plenty of better options.

I found the pockets to be handily deep for carrying all the food and spares I’d ever need, on top of what goes into my saddle bag.

The neckline and cuffs are well-tapered and create a draught-excluding seal from the elements. I felt cocooned in the jacket and protected from the coldest temperatures.

That said, the waterproofing isn’t class-leading – the DWR treatment beads water off for a short while, but the fabric underneath seemed to absorb it after that.

I never had water make it all the way through, but on the evidence of my testing, jackets such as the Sportful Total Comfort (£250 / $299 / €269.90), Santini Vega+ (£240 / $300 / €250) and Assos Mille GT Hashoogi Winter Jacket S11 (£265 / $335 / €300) feel more resistant.

That said, all three are a good chunk more expensive than the Gore jacket – the Altura Endurance Blast is similarly priced (£140 / €175), but is even less water-resistant.

How we tested | winter jackets

I tested this group of winter jackets through November and December 2024. While these months have been unseasonably warmer than average, I chose the coldest days to test thermal insulation and the warmer days to assess breathability.

Testing temperatures ranged from -2ºC with freezing fog to a balmy 14ºC, and included the usual unpredictable mix of light drizzle and heavy showers. This put the DWR treatments and any waterproof membranes to the test.

I also assessed cut, overall fit and sizing, as well as details of the design such as cuffs, collars, and pocket size and access.

Jackets on test

• Rapha Men’s Pro Team Winter Jacket
• Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket
• Sportful Total Comfort Jacket
• Santini Vega+ Winter Jacket
• Assos Mille GT Hashoogi Winter Jacket S11
• Van Rysel Men’s Winter Road Cycling Jacket Endurance
• Endura Men's Pro SL 3-Season Jacket
• Altura Men’s Endurance Blast Jacket

Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket Men's bottom line

The Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket is best for riders who don’t want a tight, figure-hugging cut.

It majors on warmth and insulation, although it breathes reasonably well in the coldest temperatures.

Rain resistance isn’t the jacket’s strongest suit relative to many rivals, but it’s also pretty well-priced compared to the best all-in-one weather beaters. If you intend to avoid the rain but don’t mind riding in the cold, the Spinshift Thermo could be an appealing option.

SQUIRREL_13163186