Almost 40 years ago, Bill Gore revolutionised the cycling clothing market. With his American company, he brought the first textiles with a PTFE membrane onto the market. They were not only designed to keep the rain out, but also to wick away the cyclist's sweat. A revolution. Gone were the days when the body and its sweat were sealed in a plastic bag, like a sausage in a skin. The product was continuously developed and improved over the years. However, the structure remained largely the same and consisted of three layers: the lining, the membrane and a textile outer fabric.
One Gore-Tex Active: two layers, no more outer fabric
However, Gore is talking about a revolution in the evolutionary stage that has now been presented. The new One Gore-Tex Active material dispenses with the outer textile layer. In principle, the jacket is the membrane - and it should not only be lighter and more breathable than all previous Gore products. The new material is also said to be unable to soak up water, even without post-treatment, and thus permanently repel rain. Gore calls this effect "Shake Dry". So if a biker next to you shakes himself like a dog that has just taken a dip in a pond, you can assume that he is travelling in the new One Gore-Tex Active and wants to get rid of the raindrops on his jacket.
One Gore-Tex Active win
Our sister magazine, TOUR, is giving away a copy of the new jacket from the first, strictly limited edition for the market launch exclusively and only for subscribers. Click here To the competition
Extremely light and very special
Gore has tailored the fit of the new rain jacket even more uncompromisingly to the position on the bike than with previous products. This means that the jacket is really skin-tight and extremely close-fitting. The target group is clearly the racing sector. This is also emphasised by the fact that the One Gore-Tex Active membrane must not be loaded with rucksacks - at least not yet. The wafer-thin material is too sensitive. The feathery garment in size L weighs just 110 grams and only has a small pocket on the chest. A touch of lining on the inside - Gore calls it Micro Grid Backer - makes it comfortable to wear. The look of the jacket is polarising. The material looks leather-like and actually pretty cool. But a black rain jacket, the colour is due to the membrane, will probably not be an option for everyone. In addition, the price of 279 euros and the fact that the One Gore-Tex Active is a limited edition will make it a rare sight on the trail.
We have already been able to secure a test copy, number 347 of 1000 to be precise, and will be reporting in more detail soon.
Stefan Frey
Editor
