Gore Xeon Jacket Fit Advice

[Miranda]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17549

Question for you ladies that may own, or have tried on this jacket. I have wanted it for a while as a wind shell. I love the packability that comes with it.

Think I'm right inbetween sizes. I tried on a med in a diff Gore jacket at LBS. Fit fine, so thought a med on TE on sale, yeah!, would be ok. Not. Too short in the vertical length, and a bit tight in the underarms. Part of this I think is related to bust line. Plus, I naturally have a long torso.

Large was sold out here, now I see why, probably most popular size, so I painfully reordered from Terry Gore Store at full price, ouch. Large came today, vertical length better, but now seems it might be too loose in the lower torso. What to do. Terry's description says if you like a looser fit, order up. OK, that's sorta what I did by default for vertical length.

But wondering before I cut the tags off it and make the offical "buy", is all the extra looseness going to be bothersome with wind on the road? Any thoughts appreciated. Thx!

[koala]

I have been using this jacket for 2 seasons now. Which size would work best for you probably depends on what you plan on wearing underneath. I would put on a sports bra (it flattens you out somewhat) & your jersey (short sleeve or long) & see how it fits. In fact, put it on & get on your bike in a riding position to really check it out, before you cut off tags.

I like this jacket best for spring & fall wear with just a short-sleeve jersey underneath. Most likely I will take the jacket off at some point in the ride, so the packability is great. No base layer under the jersey (too many layers), and I don't wear it with a long-sleeve jersey (I get too hot on the arms, need that area clear to cool off).

To answer about the extra material, yes, I think extra fabric hanging on the larger size would be bothersome if it flaps around. You want the body & arms to be snug around you when you ride. You bought this jacket to use in windy conditions, so in strong winds flapping like a sail is annoying.

For overall length, it is supposed to be shorter in front. You will find this is very nice on windy rides. Longer in front means the fabric would double up & bunch around your waist, so you collect a pool of sweat down there & get clammy. Short in front means when you lean over, you will have just enough coverage for one layer of fabric (plenty!). The drop tail should give you some coverage in back.

I ignore "size up". I don't want a looser fit. I bought looser fitting cycling clothes when I was first starting out, because I mistakenly believed I would be more comfortable this way while doing an athletic activity. I was wrong. You don't want something choking you. But in order for performance apparel to work, it has to "hug" you. So put it on, get in a riding position, and it should follow the contours of your body without extra fabric hanging around. A proper fit will allow the garment to "disappear" when you are out riding.

[lph]

Hi Miranda,

I have this jacket, and had to size up. The size S was just too snug on my hefty arms and shoulders, especially bent over in cycling position.

The larger size made the jacket's tail very long and a bit loose, and I was worried about it flapping. I did a little seamstressing to get the perfect fit, and it wasn't really hard. I just made a small fold along the seam on either side of the front, from just below the bust widening down to the hem. Taped it down and sewed a straight seam on the inside.

[Miranda]

Thx girls for those thoughts. Still deciding what to do about the jackets. I can sew a little bit myself. So, the alteration idea might be the trick. :)

[mj15]

I just ordered the Lady Alpine Gore Bike Wear Jacket. If anyone has purchased this...does it run true to size or not? I am so tired of finding several fits for one size.