The GoreWear Gore-Tex Paclite jacket is a lightweight and packable offering for battling the changeable weather. The Paclite material does a great job of fending off showers and heavier downpours while remaining breathable and windproof. The thin material is compact and provides a relaxed fit without being baggy. The storage leaves me wanting more as the pockets are on the frustratingly small side, and the price isn’t cheap however, it's a well-rounded and high-performing jacket.
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GoreWear Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket - Technical details
This jacket is centred around the two-layer Gore-Tex Paclite material. The outer shell and inner membrane are bonded directly resulting in a lightweight, windproof, breathable and waterproof jacket. With a claimed weight of 238g, it is intended to be a lightweight and easily packable jacket ideal for changeable conditions.
GoreWear has incorporated a host of features to make this jacket as functional as possible. The fit is described as “regular” meaning it's a straight cut which isn’t too hugging and can be worn over base and mid layers. A longer tail adds some splash protection helping to keep water out. A full-length zip with an under-flap at the front leads to a high and close-fitting collar to keep the weather out. This particular jacket from GoreWear foregoes a hood.
Storage is taken care of using a large back pocket sealed with a waterproof zip and chest pocket. The jacket features some adjustment thanks to the elasticated Velcro cuffs and an elasticated drawstring around the tail.
There are some minimalist reflective details on the back of the arms (for signalling) and on the lower back to help with being seen at night.
The Paclite jacket is available in sizes S to XXL and with four colourways, so there should be a size and style to suit all.
GoreWear Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket - Performance
I was initially impressed with the cut, which is relaxed yet fitting. I am of a medium build and found it roomy without being baggy. The arm length is spot on, and with the tapered cuffs, the jacket sits well in the riding position. The elasticated cuff, with the Velcro adjust, is a handy feature that stops any wind from getting in and makes for a comfortable fit.
The zips are easy to operate and do a good job of keeping the weather out. When zipped up, the collar is tall enough to wrap around the neck keeping the weather out and I particularly liked the collar lining which is soft against the skin.
The Paclite material packs into a tight little package making it easy to stow away in a backpack, hip pack or frame bag. The material itself breathes well whilst retaining good windproof properties. I’d usually wear a long sleeve base layer to keep the jacket material off my skin but the inner surface of the Paclite material is comfortable directly against the skin even when things get sweaty.
From a waterproofing standpoint, I maintain any jacket will let water in eventually and I was impressed at the performance of the lightweight Paclite material. It will fend off showers all day and did a good job resisting heavy downpours for an hour or so. The lack of a hood indicates this isn’t an all-day deluge jacket but it does have your back if you get caught out.
Storage is a little on the minimal side, which is a gripe of mine. The chest pocket is on the small side, but an iPhone 11 will slide in at a squeeze, and the pocket at the bottom of the back could have been bigger for a little more storage.
GoreWear Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket - Verdict
Retailing at £200, this is not a cheap jacket. The quality of the construction and the finishing is excellent and along with the performance it does help justify the price however, there are other options worth considering.
A slightly different option is the GRVL 3 season jacket retailing at £185, this is more of a DWR-coated soft shell which has a similar fit to the GoreWear. It has better storage and was praised for its high quality however it won’t be as waterproof or durable as the GoreWear.
Another packable jacket option is the Endura GV500 waterproof jacket, which retails at £160. It's another lightweight minimalist jacket with good waterproof abilities. The cuffs aren’t as adjustable as the GoreWear jacket but, overall, it represents excellent value for money.
The GoreWear Gore-Tex Paclite proves to be a worthy companion when you need a packable waterproof jacket. The waterproof qualities are impressive, considering its minimalist design, and it does a great job of balancing windproof and breathable performance. The fit is perfect but the pockets are on the small side.