GOREWEAR

C5 GORE-TEX INFINIUM Thermo Jacket - Men's

Gore C5 Infinium Thermo Jacket

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

I bought a C5 Thermo a couple weeks ago and have tested it on two decently long rides. I wanted a windstopper jersey for dry days when my arms get cold with a thermal jersey, base layer, and gilet, for me days between 30 and 50F. I find in those conditions a full length nylon coat just doesn't breathe well enough, and a full soft shell jacket is just too bulky. I don't ride in the wet much and don't ride below 30F. With this jersey and the proper base layer, no gilet or arm warmers are necessary. I would consider this a late fall, winter, and early spring jersey, not a jacket. It's got rear storage pockets like a jersey and it's not really waterproof though would probably be ok in a light rain. I considered the Castelli Perfetto ROS long sleeve, this jersey's main competition. They both are around the same price and both use the Gore Infinium fabric which is a breathable windstopper. I tried on both the Castelli and the Gore. I believe the Castelli would breathe better due to a more breathable fabric on the back of the jersey. It is definitely lighter in total weight and stretchier than the C5. In those ways I thought maybe it was superior to the Gore. I prefer the pockets on the Gore, I like the 2 larger rear rather than the 3 smaller on the Castelli for accessing in cold weather with gloves on. The small zippered security pocket for keys and credit card on the Gore was a major thing for me, have to have that. Castelli does not have a zippered pocket and thus a deal breaker - too easy to lose a credit card when pulling layers or food out of a rear pocket. Fitwise, the Perfetto, as it is a Castelli, was way too tight for my 5'9" 180 pound build. Would have had to go up to XL or even 2XL to be large enough to layer under and sleeves and waist length would be WAY too long in those sizes. Fit on the Large Gore C5 was excellent for me. As a few other reviewers have noted, though, the sleeves are puzzlingly baggy. Everywhere else it is right on for a non super skinny Italian bike racer, normal sort of guy fit. I can wear nothing to a heavy weight base layer under it. The biggest criticism I have is I felt the jersey could breathe better. At 50F on a 100 mile day with some climbing I got a bit clammy and the jersey was a bit damp inside when I finished the ride. Even at lower temps I believe this would also happen due to the lack of breathability on the back of the jersey. Temperature range is always subjective depending on the individual, but for me 50 with a summer weight base layer was the warmest I could use this jersey. It could easily go below freezing with the proper weight base layer, and it seems to me that below 45 is where it would really excel. I ended up buying this jersey for the fit and zippered pocket. If the Castelli fits you and you can do without the zippered pocket, it may be a better option. The C5 is a great jersey but not perfect.