seattleleaf

So the only "precipitation" this jacket has seen so far is the stupid human trick shower test. That's right...I hopped in the shower with a tee and this jacket on to test the waterproofness. After a few minutes not nary a drop got in. Impressive. The style is good and it doesn't scream "Tour de France Wannabe" in any way. I look forward to actually putting the eVent fabric through it's paces...if it can keep me remotely dry (evac the sweat) I will be impressed. I've seen some question as to sizing. I'm not a "svelte" cyclist by any means. My chest is 44" and my belly is 43." The XL gives me a nice athletic fit with room for a mid weight jersey underneath if needed. The sleeves are a touch long (33" dress shirt) but not bad. The drop tail is fricken sweet.

Look for this on Bonktown if you're a real cheapster.

No sure how the other reviewer was wearing these, but I find they stay up and in place perfectly. I believe they are intended to be worn under the elastic leg band of you cycling shorts. They may slip if worn with baggy shorts, but I never ride with them so I wouldn't know. Performance wise, I prefer these to any lycra or synthetic product I've owned. Wool is just terrific at regulating temperatures and in changing ride conditions (cold start to warm end) these wooly buggers fit the bill. If you have big sprinter legs, get the large. If you have lanky climbers legs, get the small or medium. There is only a 2 inch difference in length between the small (14.25") and large (16.25") but I believe there must be a difference in circumference as well. According to Ibex, these should fit mid calf to mid thigh...if you need more protection they make leg warmers. The price may seem steep, but I truly cherish my wool cycling garments, and these and the matching arm warmers are no exception.

If you need a set of arm warmers and are looking at these and reading this review just go ahead and select your size and order. I have used lycra and various other synthetics, including a Gore Windstopper arm warmer, but I have never been impressed. Either the garment was too airy and wind chilled, or too insulting and sweaty. So far these Ibex wool arm warmers have been warm and dry. They are great for changing conditions where the ride may start cool and blustery and end up warm and sunny. Plus these are made in the USA with sustainable practices...the thought of which makes my granola go down easier before I head out for a morning ride.

I'm generally pretty soft in my reviews and can usually find some nice things to say, but not in this case. I don't know what Gore was thinking with this product. The concept is great and totally sold me, but practical application is absurd. First, the sock is bulky...kinda like a hospital bootie. This would be fine if it was going OVER the shoe, but these are meant to go inside. Problem is, cycling shoes are traditionally tighter than a normal shoe, and especially so when it comes to road shoes. I couldn't get the shoe on with my normal smartwool sock so I had to go with a super-thin summer sock. My doubt level was rising before I ever clipped into the pedals. For the first half hour or so of my maiden voyage, the socks were fine. They cut the chilly wind and my toes were OK, if not immobile due to the cramming nature of this "sock." After about an hour, trouble set in. These DO NOT breathe...and I have pretty ventilated shoes. Though the wind was being blocked, these were the equivalent of riding with a wet towel wrapped around my feet on a 40 degree day. Needless to say, by the end of my two hour ride, my toes were numb. Either from cold or from being stuffed like ground pig into a salami. There are better, cheaper options to be had or sure. Whoever designed these things never put them through any real-world QA. I can't think of a single application they would work for unless you cut out the bottom and wore them OVER your shoe with a nice insulating sock. I'll just get my money back.