The Gore Bike Wear Phantom III Lady Jacket is a welcomed addition to any serious biker's armamentarium of clothing options. The Windstopper Soft Shell technology protects your body from the chilling effects of wind, providing a comfortable outer layer for the widest range of weather conditions.
I found in the cold, the high collar effectively insulated my neck from wind chill. The fabric is water resistant and did a great job in light rain, high wind situations. At the same time, it allowed maximum breathability, and prevented overheating and perspiration build-up. The full-length zipper has a semi-lock slider, thus I was able to regulate my body temperature with precision by the zipper rise. As I warmed, I opened and locked the sleeve attachments to provide further venting. As I heated, I easily removed the outer sleeves and, unlike most other jackets, which convert to a vest, the Phantom III jacket converted to a Windstopper jersey. The remaining short sleeves are functional with elastic cuffs that kept them in place.
The Gore Bike Wear Phantom III Lady jacket has a slim fit, holding tight enough to the body while allowing for full movement freedom. It has been specially designed for the curved female body in the cyclist posture. In fact, the long sleeves have pre-shaped elbows to eliminate binding and chafing (if only these folks could invent an underwire bra as effectively we would all rejoice!) The tightly woven fabric is very durable with wear-resistant elastic binding on all hems and is machine washable. For easy visibility it has reflective piping on the back and sleeves and a zip back pocket for essentials.
Rear view of the Gore Bike Wear Phantom III Lady Jacket.
I personally had some difficulty pertaining to fit. I am a climber/broad shouldered gal and the shoulder and underarm areas are just a little small and suffocating for me. A larger size helps to eliminate this problem, but then the fit on the chest and waist is too big. But then, this jacket is made for bikers and not climbers! Another fit issue is that the underarms are too tight when not in the cyclist position, i.e. in a walking position. However, this binding is eliminated when in the cycling position.
This clearly is a well-designed and versatile jacket! At MRSP US$169, this it may be one of the best investments for your biking attire. It protects from the elements of wind and water, and easily converts to a jersey. This allows you to focus on and enjoy your passion - biking - without worrying about the weather!
