Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Classics jersey

The new Gore Oxygen Classics Jersey uses a Windstopper material to block out wind and rain, with a figure-hugging fit and suitable breathability for year-round bad weather cycling.

The jersey (and the matching bib shorts – review to come) are named after the Spring Classics when the weather can mean low temperatures and lots of wind and rain. When the weather is constantly changing, as it can do frequently in a British spring, autumn and even summer, the new Oxygen Classics Windstopper is a really good jersey to reach for.

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There are a lot of foul weather jerseys on the market these days, but where the Oxygen Classics jersey differs is in its very lightweight construction and superb breathability, giving it almost year-round potential. Castelli's Gabba 3 is listed as 291g for a large (we tested the Gabba 2 in 2015), while Ashmei's 3 Season Jersey is 213g (and £220).

It's made from Windstopper and keeps out rain and the wind when riding in changeable conditions. It's not going to keep you dry in a sustained downpour but does deal with short showers extremely well, saving you having to pull on a jacket or gilet. In fact, it totally eliminates the need to wear or carry a gilet on breezy days, which goes some way to justifying the price.

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As I've said, it scores highly on its lack of weight and bulk, and is way more breathable than many other foul weather jerseys. Breathability is one of its trump cards. There are also mesh inserts under the arms to improve ventilation as well. I wore it the other day with the temperature nudging into the low 20s but with plenty of rain forecast and I didn't overheat at all. And when the rain came, it kept me dry.

The fit is a bit of a mixed bag. It's excellent in the torso, with the stretch of the fabric ensuring a nice figure-hugging shape. The sleeves – longer than regular sleeves for a bit more protection – are a little on the baggy side, but maybe that's just because I have pipe cleaner arms... It does mean the sleeves are easy to roll up when pulling on a pair of arm warmers, and they didn't negatively impact performance.

The tail is dropped down a bit lower than the front, and the tall collar provides a little extra neck coverage. The waistband is elasticated and there's a grippy material at the back that keeps the jersey firmly in place and stops it slipping around.

Cargo capacity amounts to three rear pockets and one zipped pocket. The pockets are generously sized, the middle one easily taking a rolled-up waterproof jacket, and I'm a fan of zipped pockets – it's always nice to have someplace safe to store the house keys, especially when riding off-road on the adventure bike. You can load up the pockets and they don't sag.

It's a really nicely made jersey and has proved very durable for the couple of months I've been wearing it, which has included riding in some truly grim conditions and also plenty of off-roading and battling overgrown bridleways and hedgerows.

Despite the high price, there's a lot of tech and features packed into this jersey and its performance is so well suited to the mixed bag that is British weather that I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Verdict

Excellent lightweight and breathable foul weather jersey