The Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket is built for riders looking for proper wet-weather protection in a lighter-weight package.<\/p>
As such, Gore goes to its scale-friendly Paclite material for the build.<\/p>
The jacket has a pared-down design, but still has some mountain-bike friendly features.<\/p>
In use, I was suitably impressed, with the jacket keeping me dry in some rather unpleasant conditions.<\/p>
Gore-Tex Paclite Men’s Jacket features<\/h2>A zip garage keeps your chin comfortable. – Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>The Paclite material is a two-layer waterproof fabric, doing away with the liner you would find on a 2.5-layer waterproof fabric.<\/p>
This helps keep the weight low, but may impact on the robustness of the fabric over time. As such, as with all waterproof jackets<\/a>, keeping the Paclite properly cleaned is essential for longer-term use.<\/p>The use of the fabric, along with relatively few additional features, keeps the jacket\u2019s weight to 216g (Large), lighter than the brand’s claimed weight.<\/p>
The jacket has a full-length zip, with a zip garage at the top and storm flap behind, while the mid-sized chest and generous rear pockets have a waterproof zip.<\/p>
The wrists are elasticated and there\u2019s a Velcro tab, too. The hem at the bottom of the jacket also has an adjustable elastic cord to cinch it in.<\/p>
The neck has a thin but soft lining material as well as a hang tag, while there are reflective details at the back. <\/p>
Gore-Tex Paclite Men’s Jacket performance<\/h2>![\"Gore-Tex](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/11\/Gore-Tex-Paclite-Jacket-chest-pocket--6c67ac3.jpg\" "\\"Gore-Tex")
Not quite big enough for a phone, the chest pocket is ideal for keys and small snacks. – Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>I\u2019ve been really impressed by the jacket\u2019s performance in recent very wet weather.<\/p>
Waterproof fabrics tend to work best when there\u2019s a temperature differential on either side of the fabric, with colder outside air temperatures helping with breathability.<\/p>
This has been the case recently. Despite the jacket having no ventilation zips, it hasn’t got particularly sweaty, even during higher-tempo XC rides \u2013 something I often find with waterproof jackets.<\/p>
I\u2019ve found that proper care of waterproofs<\/a> goes a long way to ensuring performance is maintained, so I\u2019ve been using a proper tech wash with the jacket.<\/p>![\"Gore-Tex](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/11\/Gore-Tex-Paclite-Jacket-rear-pocket-4711b05.jpg\" "\\"Gore-Tex")
I found the rear pocket a handy place to stash my phone. – Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>So far, the fabric has retained its ability to bead water on the surface, meaning the jacket works well as a waterproof.<\/p>
The cut is good, with arms that are long enough not to pull up when you\u2019re off the back of the bike, but also don\u2019t swamp your hands.<\/p>
I would like a little more space across the shoulders, because for my slightly broader than average build, there\u2019s a bit of a pull across them when at full reach.<\/p>
The jacket has a low cut at the back, helping prevent spray getting up and under it. Being able to adjust the elasticated hem is useful, too.<\/p>![\"Gore-Tex](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/11\/Gore-Tex-Paclite-Jacket-hem-cdde078.jpg\" "\\"Gore-Tex")
The elasticated hem keeps the jacket from riding up. – Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>The neck comes up high enough to prevent cold breezes getting down the front.<\/p>
There\u2019s no real structure to the neck, though, so if the zip is all the way up and you tug on it to pull it down with one hand, it binds.<\/p>
The tabs on the zips are fairly long, but I\u2019d like a little more bulk to make them easier to grab with thicker winter gloves<\/a> on. <\/p>Gore-Tex Paclite Men’s Jacket bottom line<\/h2>![\"Gore-Tex](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2023\/11\/Gore-Tex-Paclite-Jacket-wrist-349b678.jpg\" "\\"Gore-Tex")
Elasticated and adjustable wrists keep the cold out. – Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>If Gore set out to create a lightweight jacket with ample weather protection, it has done a good job.<\/p>
So far, the Paclite has kept me dry. It feels more breathable than most, and it\u2019s small and light enough to pack neatly into a backpack, or larger hip pack<\/a>.<\/p>
The Paclite material is a two-layer waterproof fabric, doing away with the liner you would find on a 2.5-layer waterproof fabric.<\/p>
This helps keep the weight low, but may impact on the robustness of the fabric over time. As such, as with all waterproof jackets<\/a>, keeping the Paclite properly cleaned is essential for longer-term use.<\/p> The use of the fabric, along with relatively few additional features, keeps the jacket\u2019s weight to 216g (Large), lighter than the brand’s claimed weight.<\/p> The jacket has a full-length zip, with a zip garage at the top and storm flap behind, while the mid-sized chest and generous rear pockets have a waterproof zip.<\/p> The wrists are elasticated and there\u2019s a Velcro tab, too. The hem at the bottom of the jacket also has an adjustable elastic cord to cinch it in.<\/p> The neck has a thin but soft lining material as well as a hang tag, while there are reflective details at the back. <\/p> I\u2019ve been really impressed by the jacket\u2019s performance in recent very wet weather.<\/p> Waterproof fabrics tend to work best when there\u2019s a temperature differential on either side of the fabric, with colder outside air temperatures helping with breathability.<\/p> This has been the case recently. Despite the jacket having no ventilation zips, it hasn’t got particularly sweaty, even during higher-tempo XC rides \u2013 something I often find with waterproof jackets.<\/p> I\u2019ve found that proper care of waterproofs<\/a> goes a long way to ensuring performance is maintained, so I\u2019ve been using a proper tech wash with the jacket.<\/p> So far, the fabric has retained its ability to bead water on the surface, meaning the jacket works well as a waterproof.<\/p> The cut is good, with arms that are long enough not to pull up when you\u2019re off the back of the bike, but also don\u2019t swamp your hands.<\/p> I would like a little more space across the shoulders, because for my slightly broader than average build, there\u2019s a bit of a pull across them when at full reach.<\/p> The jacket has a low cut at the back, helping prevent spray getting up and under it. Being able to adjust the elasticated hem is useful, too.<\/p> The neck comes up high enough to prevent cold breezes getting down the front.<\/p> There\u2019s no real structure to the neck, though, so if the zip is all the way up and you tug on it to pull it down with one hand, it binds.<\/p> The tabs on the zips are fairly long, but I\u2019d like a little more bulk to make them easier to grab with thicker winter gloves<\/a> on. <\/p> If Gore set out to create a lightweight jacket with ample weather protection, it has done a good job.<\/p> So far, the Paclite has kept me dry. It feels more breathable than most, and it\u2019s small and light enough to pack neatly into a backpack, or larger hip pack<\/a>.<\/p>Gore-Tex Paclite Men’s Jacket performance<\/h2>
Gore-Tex Paclite Men’s Jacket bottom line<\/h2>