Some of the most comfortable and effective garments we own are made of Gore Windstopper, so this recent offering from Gore Bike Wear caught our eye straight away. As the name suggests it is designed for mountain bike trail riding, and as such has a hood, a couple of waist pockets and women's cycling cut.
It has only taken a few rides to cement this very capable jacket into our riding essential list, with the thin yet stretchy Windstopper fabric performing in just about every environment we throw it into. Put a warm baselayer underneath and if working hard it can go down to almost freezing point without needing more, yet put a thin one on and open it up occasionally it can ride comfortably up to 12 degrees or so on a more casual outing. The bulk of UK conditions lie somewhere between those temperatures, so it has ended up on our back for a lot of rides. Showers are easily shrugged off and of course any chill winds are kept at bay completely, repelled by the high collar and lycra cuffs and hem. Very effective, yet very comfortable.
Attention to detail really make a difference too. The hood being held in place by a small yet effective magnet on the back stopping it ballooning in the wind when riding - one of our pet hates with lightweight hoods - and each zip is furnished with a glove friendly tag to ease adjustment on the move.
Subtly feminine accents don't shout this is a women's jacket, but rather whisper it. An attractive pink lining to the hood and pockets on our raven brown model peek out occasionally, small stitched in pink stars are dotted here and there too, but it is the distinctly feminine cut that really gets the women on our test team enthusing over the Power Lady.
It hugs body shape without clinging too tight, meaning it is not looks great, but has just enough freedom to fit a few thin layers underneath and not feel too claustrophobic. Gore always produce garments with a great fit, and they haven't let us down with the Power Lady Windstopper.
We can always judge how good a jacket is by how hard it is to get back from the team at the end of the test, and the Gore Power Trail Windstopper was nigh on impossible. Top notch fabric with a truly excellent feminine active cut are combined with a close attention to detail in every part of this jacket to make it one we literally used day in and day out. Expensive but, with the amount of use we are getting, worth every penny.
