Gore 30th Oxygen 2.0 Gore-Tex Active jacket – review - Road Cycling UK (2024)

One of the best foul weather jackets I have used, combining great breathability with unrivalled wind and rain protection. The fit is very performance orientated, making it great on the bike, and the use of zips on the back are a great design idea.

As the UK had the wettest December on record and January wasn’t exactly an Indian summer, the 30th Oxygen 2.0 GORE-TEX Active Jacket was the ideal item to review over the last few months.

At the core of what the jacket represents – and hence the ’Oxygen’ name – is its breathability. Here, Gore have used their GORE-TEX® Active technology, used in all of their high-end jackets. It works well too, throughout prolonged use, even in treacherous conditions and with multiple layers.

As you’d expect from Gore, the jacket is strong in both wind and rain protection. This comes from the multi-layer fabric and membrane, which manages to keep the water out completely. I used it on a three hour ride where the rain didn’t let up and it managed to keep every drip out.

Similarly, the coat is completely windproof, not allowing anything in thanks to the high-tech material used, combined with taped seams and a wind proof barrier behind the zip. A high neck both at the front and back also stops wind and rain coming in over the top, which if you are riding for a long time can become a real irritant.

The fit of the jacket is very performance orientated, to the extent that it doesn’t look or feel right off the bike, with creases where there shouldn’t be and it feeling slightly tight round the shoulders. However, on the bike it means that it fits perfectly, with no creases in strange places to catch water or cause drag. There are even zips at the cuffs to make sure that the fit is tight around your gloves. The hem at the back is also longer than usual, meaning increased coverage, but with the silicone grippers used, it doesn’t slip upwards like you might expect it to.

There are several nice design touches on the jacket that you don’t often find. At the back of the jacket there are two large zips to allow you access to the pockets, which are easy to use and still waterproof. There are also loads of subtle reflective materials used throughout, which is always nice for riding in the dark. The collar is also comfortable, with a soft, almost felt-like, material used around the inside. It also packs away fairly small, although I have used others that pack down much smaller.

The jacket comes with a hefty price tag of £219.99, but with the level of detail throughout, it is a price worth paying. The build quality and protection it provides, means that it is is a jacket that is likely to last several years.

Conclusion

This is one of, if not the best, rain jackets I have used, providing great breathability combined with excellent water and wind protection. It looks a bit strange off the bike and others pack down smaller, but if you are looking for a premium jacket that will keep you dry in the worst conditions, you will not be disappointed.

Pros

– Completely waterproof and windproof
– Excellent breathability
– Performance fit on the bike

Cons

– Could maybe pack down smaller
– Fit looks strange off the bike