‘AS’ refers to the Active Shell fabric Gore have used in this jacket, which claims to be more breathable than some of the Gore-Tex family. The Power GT AS is available in a number of eye-popping colours that will ensure you’re seen; even in the dark Calder Valley. To aid visibility, the Power has reflective piping on the sleeves, sides and back. Storage is taken care of with a single rear pocket that is easy to access, and big enough to hold a waterproof pouch for your phone, though this for me puts the Power on the road side of the spectrum.
Fit is good, with a generous cut and longish sleeves that covered the cuff of my gloves nicely. There is no drawstring on the hem – instead there are two lightly elasticated sections on the rear. These do an OK job, but in my opinion aren’t as good as a drawstring. A soft microfleece collar is a welcome touch.
As with all of the jackets I’ve been testing, the Power packs down nicely for a hardshell waterproof and can be squashed into all but the most tiny packs. Well known for being very waterproof, Gore hasn’t let me down with this jacket. What was a little disappointing was the breathability. It’s great on an autumn morning while the sun is low, but as the sun rises, and so does the temperature, I found myself getting a little too warm.
Overall: A bright jacket that will keep the worst off. It’s slightly more of a road/commuter jacket though.
Richard.