bought one pair of these because of the steep discount and i loved them so much i bought a second pair immediately after because i knew they'd be going out of production at some point (gore is going out of business). they're nice and flexible around the knees, really soft material that kept me warm in 40-50 degree weather and has an extra flap of material to keep your junk from being blasted by cold air.
I've been rockin a couple of pairs of castelli winter bibs and while they are working fine, they felt so restrictive due to binding around around the knees.
I have been using Castelli clothing for some time but this is the first time I have tried this particular type of jersey. As I live and ride mostly in Texas in the summer sun I have become more aware of the need to get good protection against UV and this jersey style certainly provides what I need.
I am very sayisfied with this purchase, it has the level of quality and style expected of Castelli clothing but the breathability and UV protection I need for riding in Texas.
Both the material and the fit are more like a slightly thicker thermal jersey than a jacket. Temperature-wise it's good down to the low 50s, maybe high 40s. Decent wind resistance and a little bit of insulation. But that's about the limit of usefulness for this "jacket" because there is absolutely no room to layer--an XL fits tighter with nothing underneath than my L thermal jerseys from other brands. Given Gore's reputation as true-to-size this one is weirdly Italian-esque. I'd still give it 4 stars since you can just size up, except for one other significant issue--the collar is uncomfortably tight when zipped all the way up, and if you zip it down a few inches to give your neck breathing room, the collar is too stiff and the zipper ends up attacking your neck. Overall I ended up keeping it at 50% off, but I wouldn't recommend it to others.
These have been my main shorts for probably over a decade and three design changes now. If I'm doing anything over 60-70 miles there is zero chance I'm wearing anything else. While I wouldn't pay full price for them, they go on sale for 1/2 price several times a year, and that makes them the best value shorts I know of. That said, these are not for everyone. As many reviews mention, the legs are extremely short and that is compounded by the lack of leg grippers, so if you have long skinny legs I would recommend looking elsewhere. The latest generation is also a bit smaller, so if you're borderline you may want to go with the larger size.
