Gore C7 Windstopper Pro jacket review

Gore makes use of its technical fabrics in its range of cycle clothing, with the C7 Windstopper Pro jacket being an excellent example. As you’d expect from its name, it’s made with Windstopper fabric which… stops the wind.

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That means that it’s comfortable on cooler runs, without too much added bulk. It’s also breathable enough that you don’t get sweaty inside when working hard. In fact, the C7 Windstopper Pro jacket is designed for harder winter rides, with a racing cut that includes a dropped tail and a shorter front, well suited for extended efforts in the drops.

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There’s a good level of warmth too though, with the sleeves being made of a heavier fleece-lined fabric than the rear. The side panels are unflocked, for a bit of extra vapour transfer, while the lightweight fabric of the front-facing windproof body panels is backed up with a thin layer of Polartec Alpha quilted insulation. The same Polartec Alpha insulation extends over the yoke at the rear, so there’s extra warmth over the upper back, to keep your shoulders warmer when you’re riding in a low position. It’s the same insulation as used in the Gore Shakedry Insulated jacket and adds little extra bulk.

In fact, the entire Gore C7 Windstopper Pro jacket is designed for a close, racing fit. It was just about OK on me, but you might find that you need to size up if you’re not a racing snake. As you’d expect, there’s a nice stretchy bottom gripper and a backing strip for the zip to keep out the cold. There are the usual three plus one rear pockets too.

To avoid overheating, there are two long zipped vents in the front of the jacket, while the sleeves too include long, backed zips which can be undone to increase cooling. Although the test jacket and the yellow-accented version major on black and there’s an all-black version too, Gore includes pixelated reflectives at the cuffs and on the raised back of the collar, where the fabric also helps keep wind and rain from running down your back. The jacket is DWR treated too which, along with a taped seam over the joint between the arms and the shoulders helps keep drizzle out.

It all adds up to a quality technical cycling jacket that will keep you comfortable in all but the coldest conditions, but at £230, the Gore C7 Windstopper Pro jacket comes with a premium price tag to match.