Gore are masters of material and the C7 utilises this vast knowledge in the polyamide and elastane body of the shorts which is impressively thin and light but still supportive and durable. Maximum breathability is achieved through an array of stretch mesh and laser cut holes in key areas - at the upper and lower back, in the thighs and on the bib straps as well as cool to the touch, wicking material.
All that high-tech material is also super stretchy thanks to a healthy dose of elastane making the C7 Vent shorts move with you and feel comfortable to wear - almost like they're not there. Flatlock seams add to the minimalist, and as a result, incredibly comfortable feel.
We were impressed as well by the chamois which is again fairly pared back to the essentials but is still super comfortable on shorter rides - endurance athletes might want to look for something with a bit more bulk like the C7 Long Distance. On those shorter rides the chamois has never failed to impress, staying in place thanks to a 'central torso architecture' and 'three point chamois anchoring system'. Ok, this sounds very much like marketing spin, but being able to focus on the ride rather than constantly adjusting clothing is something worth shouting about, especially if, like in this case, it really works.
The silicone grippers on the ends of the 9" inseams grip like crazy - utilising a couple of continuous inches of dappled silicone rather than thin strips, once again meaning that you can put these shorts on and ride without being distracted by ill fitting, poorly designed clothing.
All in all, in case you haven't already got the picture, everything stays firmly in place where you want it to - a testament to Gore's knowledge and understanding of the needs of the cyclist.
Being so impossibly thin the bib straps are super comfy once they're untangled and arranged but it's a bit of a faff getting them sitting right - a minor beef that's not a deal breaker but it's always worth spending time doing this before heading out.
In summary we love these shorts. They've performed faultlessly in the recent balmy weather and as the temperatures drop they'll be utilised as liner shorts for our daily commute, extending their usefulness into the winter months. Although top budget they really are top performers, if you want the best then you've got to be willing to pay the premium.
