GORE Air 2.0 Windstopper Active Shell Lady Jacket Review
Mother nature has extended the winter season here in Colorado. Therefore, I have had ample time and a variety of weather conditions in which to put the Gore Air 2.0 Windstopper Active Shell Lady Jacket to the test. As its’ name suggests, the jacket utilizes WINDSTOPPER® Active Shell, which is ideal for high intensity exercise such as running because it is not only breathable, but also offers complete wind protection and moderate water resistance. I have been wearing this jacket on my regular morning runs of about 45-80 minutes in conditions ranging for cold and windy to blizzard like conditions. The jacket excels in these conditions because of not only the fabric but also the fit and design. The jacket features an adjustable collar, which can extend up higher than your standard running jacket collar. What this means for the wearer, is more coverage from the elements and the ability to lock in body heat. The slim cut through the waist and hips, as well as the tapered sleeve and hem all work to keep your body heat trapped inside. These features allowed me to wear the jacket comfortably with a mid-weight baselayer or running shirt in temperatures down to the 15-20F range.
As stated above, when you start to heat up, this jacket can dissipate heat with the fabric that it is made from. There are also two hidden vents near the under-arms as well as back panel vents. These vents are helpful, but if you are wearing this jacket on a warmer day the vents will not keep you cool as the jacket does a great job of storing heat, which could mean you will be sweating like crazy. Unfortunately, this jackets’ fabric does hold in the stink a bit. I found myself washing it once a week—one trip through the warm cycle with regular detergent removed the ghastly smell of a weeks worth of hard-work.
The Gore Air 2.0 Windstopper Active Shell Lady Jackets also keeps you visible in low light conditions. For starters, the cuff of the sleeve and the hem of the jacket feature a large band of reflective material. There is also a reflective GORE logo on the left chest. In addition to these reflective hits, the jacket is available in 10 eye-catching colors ranging from lime green to thai pink. If bright colors aren’t your thing, you need not worry; the jacket is also available in basic black, white, and an assortment of primary colors.
On the inside there is a place for you to write your information, including your name, address, phone, and email. This is a nice feature for not only safety, but also in case you misplace your jacket. There is also a small media zip pocket, on the left front of the jacket that can accommodate an iPod shuffle/nano or similarly sized media device. The pocket is hidden and doesn’t break up the clean lines of the jacket. In the rear, low back region, there is another zippered pocket for larger items; including room for your cell phone, energy gel, etc. Within this compartment, there is also a carabineer and small mesh pouch to keep your key secure and in place versus bouncing all around with each stride.
MSRP 199
