After hearing a rumour from a riding buddy that Gore Bike Wear were going to release a new super breathable, fully waterproof material, I knew that it would be ideal for damp UK winter conditions. The new three-layer laminate technology has an inner layer, which offers excellent comfort next to skin whilst braving the worst of the rain and wind in a British winter.

The Fusion Active Shell is a more substantial shell than some of their other minimalist offerings. Features include a more generous cut, long sleeves with Velcro closure, an elasticated bottom hem, chest zip pocket and fleece lined zip cover to prevent chin chafing.

The more generous fit means that layering is possible and the high neck keeps out the elements. Though it is labelled as a mountain bike jacket, I have found myself using it on the road in preference to my other shells. Even when ‘over layered’ and doing hard aerobic sessions, the fabric seems to suck moisture out leaving the inside of the jacket dry. I have managed to out-sweat the jacket on occasion but it’s definitely an exceptional feature of this product.

As you would expect, Gore have attended to the visibility requirement of evening riding in the winter with a splattering of reflective detail. The design prompted numerous comments from night road ride companions who had their full-beam on to inspect the layer.

I have had several very positive experiences with Gore fabrics and Gore Bike Wear garments. So much so that the fabrics are my default choice for waterproof outerwear. I’d keep an eye out for the Gore Active Shell labels on new garments across all brands, the new material is for sure the best I have used to date.

When looked after, Gore’s fabrics wear well; my Oxygen II jacket is still going strong and is a great option for stuffing in a jersey pocket for when you think rain is likely (most of the time in the UK). Not only does this result in good value for money (£/use), but the environmental credentials are also boosted.

Useful information

• UK RRP £220 | US MSRP $280
• Gore Size Charts
• Gore dealer locator
• Video showing Gore bike Wear’s Fusion GT AS Jacket