I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity over several months to try out a couple of clothing pieces from Gore Wear. Originally, when I was given these pieces of clothing, I was pretty naive in my knowledge that Gore produced its own line of clothing. However, I have become confident in the products ability as performance pieces. I love the look and feel of each one of these products. I rarely buy clothing online because I genuinely need to touch and see a product in person before purchasing. They will be in my cache of ‘go-to’ clothing for some time.
GORE-TEX Active Hooded Jacket – This jacket is very versatile. I love how lightweight it is. I love how it can work well in the backcountry or downtown in the city. It has many of the same features as most outdoor jackets these days; cinched cuffs at the arms, adjustable hood with drawstrings at the neck and back of head. It does not have pit zips. Although a lot of outdoor rain jackets have this feature. The lightweight and breathability of this jacket doesn’t require them. It is very wind resistant and its overall durability is better than some other jackets I have used. The idea with this jacket is it should fall below the hips and has a drawstring at the waist to cinch adding a very flattering look. But it is designed for women with narrow hips. Given this is not my body type, I should have sized up, so the one I have been using simply stops at my waist. That being said, I wore this on the streets of London and remained dry. Plus, at the top of windy fourteeners without being cold.
GORE WINDSTOPPER Hybrid Pants – What I really like about these pants is their look. They are super sharp. I love the lightweight but soft shell material. I love the padding around the knees. I love the abrasive resistant material by the ankles. All great and wonderful features. The piece that is missing for me are the lack of pockets. I am a pocket girl. With these pants there are only two small front ones and honestly they don’t hold that much. I’m used to back pockets and even some type of slim slide pocket. I need places to hold my map, or lip balm or a snack. The two front pockets just don’t cut it. Additionally, I should have sized up. They fit and they are stretchy enough that I can move in them without much of an issue. However, I feel they are made for women with slim hips. I am not that woman.
Melange Shirt This shirt is fitted without being too tight. As a casual hiking shirt, I never had a problem moving in it. I wore it for multiple days in a row without feeling like it would start walking on its own. Its not an overly female shape but not overtly boxy either. For me, given my height, it sat slightly longer than my natural waist which allowed me to tuck it in without it riding up my back if I was sitting down.
GORE-TEX INFINIUM Soft Lined Long Sleeve Shirt The title of this product says its a shirt. Yes, it can be worn like one but it can also be worn like a mid layer jacket. Originally, I wore this for three days straight when I took my AIARE course over the winter. It performed so well, allowing me to move easily without constricting, that I wore it multiple times skiing. As I mentioned it was my mid-layer piece. I had a base layer next to my skin then this shirt, then a warmer jacket. I was never cold because of the material. Nor was I over heated. It is such a great piece. I’m looking forward to wearing it this summer as I hike fourteeners!