are they as versatile as they look, how warm can you wear them in, can you use them as short sleeved jersey for the summer are does it get to hot?
can't decide whether to get one ora cheaper top and jacket
ta
Yes they are that good, and for really warm weather I've a 'summer' short sleeve version - slight thinner material but still windproof.
Too warm for summer even short sleeved, and not warm enough for winter, but perfect for autumn and early spring. Still the most versatile that I have as nothing works all year round. I wish they woud put a label on the detachable arms as they can take some time to put back as invariably you try the wrong arm on the wrong side and the zips don't match up. Still recommended
they smell, not as bad as smelly helly hansen but they do smell.
May be worth washing yours if it smells! 😉
Great piece of kit, for really cold I wear a base layer with it otherwise I just wear it on it's own. I do agree that it's not for summer use though, even with the sleeves off.
My first ride was a 6 hour brecons ride - 20 mph winds, sun, rain cloud, long long climbs and descents and it kept me just right the whole way round. It isn't especially warm when you stop, particularly with the back panel, but one of the best bike purchases I've made.
I like mine, but prefer the jacket they reviewed in the mag - the Oxygen II SO. The sleeves don't zip off but the fit is much closer and therefore works better.
i did wash it once, just before i sold it.
Another fan of the Oxygen SO here. I like the idea of the Phantom, but just can't reconcile the Windstopper body with zip-off sleeves. As Clink says, the Oxygen SO is also a slimmer fit.
seriously, i prefer a merino base layer and an event jacket or montane gilet.
Got one last month and love it. Kept me toasty warm through the recent cold weather with a thin fleece baselayer beneath and no dampness at all from sweat (Unlike my eVent jacket).
Not sure what it'll be like in the summer but the zip off sleeves certainly make it more versatile. From what others have said, it's great in all but very warm weather, and why would you want to wear a windstopper if it's that warm??
Edit. Oh, and why wouldn't you wash it regularly? I have and it's fine!!
it did get washed after every ride, but i found it started to smell quickly like other man made fabrics. i persisted with it for a long time but eventually this problem annoyed me too much. i also think that when i want short sleeves i probably don't want windstopper and several light layers work better when its cold.
I wore mine today and still got hot enough to take the sleeves off (about 0c puddles still iced over) - I was wearing a merino baselayer as well though.
I've used it on it's own without sleeves when it's been wet and grim but still fairly warm in the autumn before and it works quite well,no problem with smell it's been washed a few times though.
I also slid down a road at a reasonable speed last January with out the material ripping just left black marks which have washed out ok.
I rate it fairly highly.
they smell, not as bad as smelly helly hansen but they do smell.
Mine smells too.
Get about two days wear out of it before it goes in the wash
Loved the old style to smelly, frayed, torn death but the new one is a big disappointment in my opinion. The new one isn't really designed to be worn without a base layer, is too baggy (and I ain't scrawny), has way too long arms (not just me who thinks this) and only fits when stood up! I also got much sweatier and because of the fit it didn't wick away. Seems to be more of an over jacket these days. Go for the oxygen or get a gilet and good base layer. Sadly the Phantom is no longer the jacket it should be.
thinking i may get one of there thermo tops instead and use the montane gilet over the top or even splash out on a ground effect top instead
ta
I've got a few of those windproof fronted GE tops, and they're nothing like as good as the phantom. I find it much less sweaty than a full waterproof and base layer. Not far off as waterproof as well. I have worn mine all year round, only recently wanted a base layer underneath. Now have a windstopper gilet that I prefer in summer.
I had mine for 5 years now and apart for a bit of stitching comming loose its been great. Wear it for the road and off road and wash it when its smelly so every 2/3 rides. I have the older style but had worm very well and love it 🙂
One of the best pieces of bike kit i own...Mine doesn't smell
I got one for my birthday/christmas and I've been happy with it so far BUT I'm not brave enough to wear only a short top under it - temps have been below 0C so I've had a thermal top and cycling top on under it - plenty warm enough but never felt overheated - but also never felt cool.
Removable arms are a novel idea...it's likely to work for me in spring/autumn but I'm not overly fussed by it. I've had a previous Gore Windstopper (Next 2 Skin) top for a few years and it's been superb throughout the year (admittedly summer months was never worn)...only problem with that one was I got too lazy and started tumble drying it so it's now too small for me...but it's got a lot of life left in it yet...
Had mine now just under two years now and i wouldnt swap it for any other top
i wore mine today for a good three hours well below freezing(car said -3) and i was toasty with just a baselayer underneath and was sometimes too warm,cant recommend it enough
oh and as for them stinking maybe the owners should wash a bit more regular as mine has never stunk in the time i have had it 🙄
Flipping heck we have some smelly riders here. WASH after EVERY ride!
And please don't go using softners or conditioners. Then you really will be stinking. Then if you have a tumble drier it give a low heat dry, or chuck it on the radiator. Happy days.
Really like my Phantom which I got about 14 months ago, but with all the rain (remember that stuff?) 5 or 6 weeks ago I bought an Endura Stealth which is now my main winter jacket........ super dry and warmer than the Phantom in my humble opinion.
Once it warms up the Phantom will be back out.
I got a phantom in the autumn. Was between that and a cosmo, but i run hot and am pleased i got the phantom. have been using it recently in the snow and plenty warm (out in -4 with a base layer).Anything above about 2 or 3 degrees and just have a 'string vest' style base layer on.
It does get a bit cold towards the end of a long ride, but that is more to do with me getting sweaty and the jacket being damp. In mega windy weather the back panel may be a problem though.
Lord knows how cold it would have to be for me to be able to ride comfortably in a cosmo though.
I would like a proper gilet for warmer weather, but that will be hard to justify to the Mrs when i can just remove the sleeves of this one!
I have a phantom made of the new Softshell. I bought the size based on an older jersey they have and should have gone at least a size lower, but it still works.
Its great for all year round apart from summer. You will need a waterproof in torrential downpours, but if its warm enough you'll get away without it.
In winter I find a helly base layer keeps you plenty warm, but you do cool down once stopped. The zip-off sleeves are difficult to put back on whislt wearing the top. The material is tougher than it looks.
I liken it to a buffalo top - one layer that keeps you comfortable through most waether conditions, albeit totally windproof and a better cycling cut and far less bulky.
As for it getting smelly - I only bother when it gets really pongy. When you bike you sweat / get covered in crap so washing it only delays the inevitable.
I like my Phantom jacket. It does tend to get smelly as noted above.
The cut isn't brilliant, it's somehow a bit square. Maybe good if you are carrying a bit of a gut around with you? Otherwise I think I would prefer the jackets with a more 'race' cut.
I've used the zip off sleeves about twice. They do work well in cooling you down and this jacket works well in early spring and autumn type temperatures when the weather can go from being very cold to a bit too warm. There are two down sides to them though. The extra material around the shoulders makes the jacket warmer and it is a faff to put back on once you've removed them. So arm warmers and a gillet end up being a more usable option.
The material does a really good job of keeping the wind and drizzle out and it can be worn in some cold temps with a baselayer. Careful on the sizing though, I will usually wear medium and I'm small in this.
I like the cut on mine for the reason traildog says - it is better for the rounder of stomach:) Gore do lots of different shaped shells. For example I was going to get the Oxygen softshell, but there was no way I could get it on. It is cut much narrower in the shoulders than the Phantom, and also a bit less flattering across the front.
If you look on Gores website it will tell you the shape of the garment. For me, it appears that the straight cut ones fit nicely.