Review: Gore Xenon Lady windbreaker

To reward myself for reaching 2500 miles this year a couple of weeks ago I splurged on the hotshot windbreaker that matches my road bike... :D

Pros: lovely bright red colour (not the orange in the picture) with good visible reflective stripes (did I mention it matches my road bike?). Extreme "cyclist cut", covers my back completely no matter how far I bend over, while the front is nice and short and doesn't bunch up. Completely windproof. Very lightweight and packable. Sleek closefitting sleeves with just enough velcro.

Cons: Expensive. Clammy. I mean, it breathes a bit, but synthetic closefitting windbreakers DO feel a bit like plastic bags once you start heating up under there. Tricky sizing - I had to go up a size to give room for my hefty rock-climber shoulders and back, and the bottom hem is a little sloppy on me now, especially since the back is so long. I might sew it in a bit, since it's also a tad broad in the waist/hips. Very narrow sleeves, lined with a bit too much mesh - the mesh is nice but when I put the jacket on over sweaty skin the extra mesh comes out the sleeve and gets stuck to my gloves, very irritating. Extreme cyclist cut means you look dorky beyond belief going into stores, wearing a bright red "badger tail"...

All in all: a nice jacket, but more "practical in case of wind" rather than "favourite, want to use it all the time". I like it, but I'm going to buy a vest as well which I think might get a bit more use.

I agree totally with your review, including the dorky badger tail, but, as someone of excessive height, I so love the concept that this is one jacket that won't leave a gap on my back getting cold. Thus, I wear the tail with pride and satisfaction :rolleyes:

But, what I wanted to add to your excellent review is that, alas, I have discovered that it is relatively water resistent. We got stuck in a moderate rain for almost 2 hours. The only parts of me that were wet were my arms and, as you said, that might have just been due to that "plastic bag" effect getting me from the inside out.

Hmm...but I also bought mine in celebration...hmmm...statistical sample space of two people says this is not a typical purchase...does anyone buy one just because they needed a jacket? ;)

heh, funny ;)

I didn't actually have a windbreaker, so I guess I could say I "needed" it. On the other hand I've used, and sworn by, my Gore Phantom jacket/vest for almost all weather conditions ranging from sub-freezing to almost summer.
Softshell is really nice for all purposes except packing into a small space.