GOREWEAR’s premium everyday cycling kit

GOREWEAR’s new Spinshift cycling collection is one of their latest apparel collections that’s designed with premium materials and fit. It’s been designed to compete with high-end brands and offers weather protection and the latest fabric technology. In this review, we’re going to be looking at the full kit which includes the GORE-TEX Jacket, Cargo Bib Shorts and the Long Sleeve Jersey. The Spinshift GORE-TEX jacket retails for $270 and combines a fully waterproof construction with lightweight GORE-TEX ePE membrane. GOREWEAR has designed the jacket with reflective details and taped seams to provide protection without any bulk. Under the jacket you can wear the $130 Spinshift Long Sleeve jersey which is constructed from recycled breathable fabric with a form fitting design. Finally, the $180 Spinshift Cargo Bib Shorts+ completes the kit with four pockets, raw cut hem and recycled knitted fabric. Together, the Spinshift offers comfort and performance for cyclists.

The GOREWEAR Spinshift cycling kit combines premium materials with a form fitting design for any weather condition.

SPINSHIFT CARGO BIB SHORTS+

GOREWEAR has designed the cargo bib shorts+ for high-effort middle to long distance rides. The bib shorts are constructed from a densely knitted fabric for a compressive fit along with multiple pockets for carrying ride essentials. Currently, the bib shorts are offered in three color options: utility brown, utility green and black. We have the traditional black version in this review which has a solid color scheme along with white GOREWAR branding along the hems. Regardless of which color you choose, the upper portion of the bib shorts has a white finish to help keep you cool.

As the product name implies, the Cargo Bib Shorts+ are designed to easily carry gear. There are four pockets with one pocket on each leg and an additional two pockets on the waistband. If you haven’t ridden with cargo pants before then you’re missing out, as the side pockets are perfect for snacks while the rear pockets can safely store keys or money. The side pockets are also quite deep which means you even fit large cell phones. These bib shorts feature GOREWEAR’s advanced brand core chamois. These are designed for comfort and support for middle to long distance rides. Designed in cooperation with Elastic Interface these feature a dual layer foam construction for optimized comfort. The pad has a maximum thickness of only 10.5 mm and features an extended front cup that is designed to block wind chill.

One of the interesting design features of the bib shorts is the strap design. There are two traditional elastic straps on the front that merge into a mesh panel on the rear. This keeps the bib straps together and uses thin seams to prevent chafing or discomfort. There is a large rear mesh panel between the straps that is designed to wick moisture away. The bib straps themselves are thin and flexible which ensures they are easy to put on and remain hidden underneath jerseys.

SPINSHIFT LONG SLEEVE JERSEY

The Spinshift long sleeve jersey was developed as an everyday training jersey with next-to-skin comfort and fit. Constructed from a high-stretch and form fitting recycling polyester, the Spinshift jersey is available as a short sleeve, a superlight short sleeve Breathe or the long sleeve version we have here. Currently, the long sleeve jersey is offered in six color options: scrub blue, fireball red, black, orbit blue, neon yellow and utility green. We have the in-your-face fireball red which is a highly visible color we’d describe as almost tomato-like that’s similar to Velocio’s Fire Red. To give the jersey a premium appearance, all the jerseys have a solid color scheme with subtle branding.  You only have GOREWEAR printed on the zipper and along the back pockets in a reflective finish.

GOREWEAR also has two limited edition Jeremy Collins collaboration versions of the long sleeve jersey. It’s an abstract print that was inspired by the Italian Dolomites and is offered in a bright fireball/multicolor option or the more subdued black/lab gray we have in this review. The jersey has a contoured slim fit that is designed with minimal paneling. There is a short collar on top along with a full length front zipper. The contrasting black zipper features the subtle GOREWEAR branding along with a zipper garage on top. For additional comfort, the sleeve has a raglan design with a seam that extends into the collar.

On the rear you have one large main panel and the pockets sewn onto the bottom. There are three main pockets which are reinforced at the top and have nice depth. For smaller items there is an additional zippered pocket on the right side which is very convenient for keys or money. Note, the jersey has a traditional drop tail design as you can see with just how much shorter the front is compared to the rear. Even in this long-sleeve version, the jersey feels lightweight and is breathable for warm weather riding.

SPINSHIFT GORE-TEX JACKET

Completely redesigned, the Spinshift GORE-TEX jacket is a thinner and lighter waterproof jacket. With this latest version, GOREWEAR has focused on making the jacket fit better without sacrificing functionality. GOREWEAR currently offers the jacket in three different color options: black, utility green and lime yellow. We have the brighter lime yellow option in this review which is a highly visible option which has a slight green tint to it instead of the more common fluorescent yellow. To give the jacket a premium and minimalist look, it has a solid color scheme with minimal branding. GOREWEAR is only printed on the front zipper and on the rear which gives the jacket a sleek look. GOREWEAR describes the fit of the jacket as a kinetic garment design which was developed to move with riders in any position on the bike.

To achieve this there are minimal panels on the jacket with a contoured slim fit design. There is a full length front zipper finished in a contrasting black color that lets you adjust ventilation. The raised collar also has a unique shape that is curved downward to minimize fabric bunching. There is also reflective detailing on the sleeves, cuffs and on the front zipper for additional visibility. On the rear you’ll find even more reflective details along the elbow, collar and bottom region which ensure you have full 360 degree visibility. To optimize fit there is a two panel design on the rear along with a zippered rear pocket. GOREWEAR advertises the pocket as a “pack-pocket” as its horizontal placement makes it easy to stash snacks or access smaller items while riding. As with most cycling apparel, the jacket has a drop tail design for additional protection and to reduce bunching when riding in the aero position.

RIDING IMPRESSIONS

For this review our 6’1” 165lb test rider chose the medium sized jersey, jacket and bib shorts. All the items fit well and a fitted design yet elastic design that doesn’t feel restrictive. We’d describe the fit as a race fit, it’s not quite as tight as Velocio apparel but still has a contoured fit that doesn’t leave much to the imagination. As one of the most expensive pieces in the kit, the GORE-TEX jacket is also one of the most impressive as it doesn’t feel like standard rain jackets. It’s form fitting yet lightweight which makes it feel more similar to a packable waterproof jacket than typical jackets. While we’re lucky enough to avoid heavy rains here in California, the jacket was perfect for blocking wind and staying dry in light showers. The bib shorts and jersey are also both great items which we found to be comfortable on short or long rides. It’s similar to PEARL iZUMi PRO jersey and other premium brands like Velocio with great attention to detail and high-tech fabrics.

THE VERDICT

Overall, we found the GOREWEAR Spinshift cycling kit to be well made and comfortable. GOREWEAR has been able to combine their advanced materials with premium details and a form-fitting design that contours around the body. We found the fit to be on par with other premium brands while the price point is more accessible. The special Jeremy Collins graphic print helps the jersey stand out, while the standard solid color schemes look premium with minimal branding. We also found the cargo bib shorts to be convenient for carrying snacks and gear without having to over-fill jersey pockets. The kit’s lightweight fabric also feels comfortable in mixed conditions with more breathable options and short sleeve jerseys for warmer climates. If you’re looking to upgrade your training or race kit we’d suggest giving the GOREWEAR Spinshift a second look.

Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by GOREWEAR. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.