Gore Phantom Jacket
I’ve had the Gore Phantom jacket for 14 months and to be honest until the last couple of months it has seen very little use. However, now when I have got used to it it has become a popular item of bike kit.
The Phantom jacket is a totally wind proof except for the central back panel, it also has a shallow tactile fleece lining and zip off arms. While not advertised as waterproof it has proven shower proof in the recent downpours. The construction of the jacket is what makes it both good and bad as it can be very warm if it is used as a conventional mtb jacket. The fit is relaxed, I’m not the smallest mtb’er and the XL is not a snug fit.
My usual mtb atire is a couple of old threadbare merino base layers and then depending on the weather a heavier merino shirt with a Race Face mtb top or just the base layers. When I first got the Phantom I used it in place of a conventional jacket eg on top of all the merino layers, big mistake, I rapidly ended up becoming uncomfortably hot. In view of this the phantom was consigned to the cupboard at the bottom of the mtb clothing pile.
The recent strong winds make riding uncomfortable so I dug out the windproof Phantom and following advice from other owners I wore it on top of a single tatty merino layer, it was a revelation. Worn like this the Phantom is snug and warm but not at all too hot and the temperature is easily regulated by opening and closing the front zip. I now reach for the Phantom jacket for cold weather rides and only leave it at home if I’ll be riding on the exposed South Downs in rain or if the weather is warm.
Would I buy another? perhaps, I certainly don’t find it as indispensible as others seem to and I don’t find it as versatile as my gillet. If it was waterproof that would be an extra benefit but could make it less breathable. In conclusion it gets a lot of use but I have a nagging doubt that it is not really the type of kit that suits me.
