Looking for feedback on cold weather cycling jackets

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So my PI Gavia jacket came in the other day. Unfortunately, I ended up returning it. I got the jacket in a size L, because it was the biggest size they had on hand...even though I was pretty sure I needed an XL, which turned out to be true. The size L felt a wee bit too snug and too short-waisted on me. I kept wanting to pull it down more over my hips. I was wearing a loose thermal top when I tried it on in the store...it felt way tight. So I removed my shirt and just tried the jacket on by itself, and it felt a bit roomier but I still found myself "pulling" at it to give myself more room. I'm sure with an added baselayer underneath, it would have felt too constricting. If only it had been available in the XL, it would have been perfect...SIGH!!!!

So...while I was at Performance, I grabbed a men's Gore Tool SO jacket off the rack, in a size M. I loved the longer length (covered my butt well), loved the pit zips, and the fit was fairly good. The only downside to it, was that the hip area is a bit narrow (and I don't have large hips either). The size L felt too big overall everywhere...shoulders, torso, etc.

Anyways...I've decided to order a women's Gore Phantom SO in an XL in the Neon Yellow. So we'll see how that goes when it arrives.

Linda

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So the Gore Phantom SO (women's) jacket arrived at my doorstep today. I ordered it in a size XL. It was supposed to be an early birthday gift to me from my DH. Well...my excitement didn't last very long upon trying it on. Infact, I already have it packaged back up and ready to be dropped off at the UPS store tomorrow. Aside from feeling extremely short-waisted, especially in front...it felt snug overall. The only thing I liked about it, was the length of the sleeves were perfect for me. I'm so disappointed. Really thought I had found THE jacket. I am seriously thinking about looking into the men's Gore jackets, simply because they are longer and offer more room for layering. I tried on a men's Gore Tool SO jacket at my local Performance shop, and I liked it well enough and would have bought it had it not been red (I really want neon yellow). I can order it in neon yellow online, but it is a darn pricey jacket at $200. I'll have to see if DH gives me the "ok" first.

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That is a bummer. At least the weather is nice these days... tomorrow might be shorts and short sleeves weather.

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Reviving this thread for an update: the Gore Phantom SO jacket for women will get more reflective stuff next Fall/Winter season (from an answer from their customer support).

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Well, since this thread was revived...I guess now would be a good time to say a few things about my Gore SO Tool jacket that I received over 3 weeks ago. First off, it IS a men's jacket...so the styling and/or fit may not suit some women. Some of the things that I like about this jacket include - the pit zips for ventilation (a HUGE plus!!!), the 3 large rear pockets (big enough to stuff my bulkier gloves in, when the temps rise and I switch out to lightweight gloves), the longer length that covers my butt (I found most women's jackets to be short-waisted), the adjustable cinch-style neck opening, the Windstopper material (it really does work). There is really only 1 thing that I don't like - and that is I wish this jacket were made for women in a feminine cut. Because it is available only as a men's design, the cut is not very flattering (a bit boxy). I wish it had more shape to it, but then again most men are straight and boxy shaped...which would account for the boxy shape of the jacket. Other than that, it's a fantastic cold-weather cycling jacket that I would not hesitate to recommend to both men and women.

Linda