All full Gore-Tex fabrics are covered by Gore’s 'Guaranteed to keep you dry' program under which it claims: That’s where the super-thin Shakedry cap comes in, keeping water off your head and out of your eyes, yet staying remarkably sweat free if the weather improves. Plus it’s so thin you don’t have to pull out your helmet pads or perch your lid on top of your head like the Pope. Who is Gore Wear? There’s no point in having a waterproof fabric if rain and mud can find their way in through the seams, so look for internal seam sealing to help keep the weather out. Breathability Gore gives a number and letter code to every garment to show primary function and performance level.

But you don't generally get compression without a bit of resistance. They can start to feel a bit heavy or resistant if you're at the end of a ride or feeling weak. It's your choice whether you interpret that extra tightness as form-support or extra resistance training. We generally reduced their score because the fabric, thin though it is, doesn't allow that same sense of freedom and flexibility as higher scoring cycling shorts. Again, there’s an objective measurement of this – grams of water vapour transmitted per metre squared per 24 hours. A good level is 10,000g/m²/24h, but the best breathable waterproof fabrics can improve significantly on this.We feel these are reasonably priced, especially if a majority of your riding is crit-style or spin classes. We'll reiterate here that for you lighter, leaner guys who tend to have longer comfort windows, there's a bit more value to these. Conclusion Gore-Tex material is rarely used on waterproof shorts but is a top performer when it is. Russell Burton / Our Media

As they’re a full Gore-Tex fabric they actually keep water out for a decent amount of time, even in the heaviest rain, and the adjustable cuff reduces draughts and sleeve leak. They breathe really well and dry relatively fast from inside out too, and they stay far more comfortable for longer than any other ‘waterproof’ glove we’ve used. Gore-Tex obviously has a very strong household brand name and it protects that with a very specific language. Here are translations of the keywords you need to know when navigating the range. Waterproofness is rated in millimetres of water head. Look out for shorts made of fabric with at least 10,000mm head, more if possible. The Gore C5 bib shorts occupy an interesting spot with their super lean Advanced Road insert. As one would expect, it's engineered for roadies down in a forward position. That's one of the reasons why it's so well suited to crits and short, hard rides. The padding is targeted to the front where you're grinding into the saddle down in the drops trying to crank out the watts. That relief is aided by the WINDSTOPPER Cup. In addition to protecting from the cold and damp, its concave shape and other internal features reduce pressure and undercarriage compression. These are primarily for short, hard rides, like criteriums, time trials, and road races under 90 minutes. Lighter guys will likely see more versatility and comfort in these, but they do best on short, intense rides. They're also great for spin classes! Value

Performance Comparison

On the other hand, too thin and it may not be so durable or as comfortable to ride in. So there’s a compromise here. Along with waterproofing, you also want enough breathability to stop sweat from wetting you from the inside. The Gorewear C5 mountain bike shorts feature surged, redundant stitching with medium-weight thread, the zippers are the reliable YKK brand, and the 4-way stretch synthetic blend can take a beating over the long haul. Moreover, the sturdy adjustable waistband features dependable Velcro adjustments tabs. All told, our only concern with these shorts is that the small double snaps at the waist closure feel a little loose – yet there are two of them to assume the burden. Style