Completely agree David - best bit of outdoor kit (cycling, walking or running) I've ever purchased. Replaced not only my old waterproofs (which needed the usual reproofing but were never as good as when factory fresh) but also a windproof shell. With the choice between windproof or wind+waterproof jackets which are the same weight and breathability, I'd always grab the ShakeDry. Mine is four years old now - will certainly be looking to get another to put into a cupboard as I can't see how a replacement fabric could be better.
For walking consider the Buffalo Special 6 Shirt. It's a phenomenal piece of kit. Probably a bit baggy for serious cyclists, though I use mine for that all the time too.
Really sad to hear that they're discontinuing it. Totally agree with the video, this jacket has been a game changer for me. Water and wind proof, but yet breathable and super packable. I always know that if I have doubts about the weather, this jacket will be in my back pocket and I can always throw it on.
@TR Roland Maybe. Maybe not. Amongst some good things Gore Tex have also produced some really crap overhyped products over the years and it's the marketing that has sold them. I've been really disappointed with some of the bold claims when my running jackets have turned out to be proper sweat boxes in the rain. Shakedry changed that. My Norvan SL (and insulated version) have been incredible. So much so I've recently bought another pair from Arc'teryx to stash in the cupboard as replacements. Companies are under intense pressure these days to clean up their products' environmental footprint. Understandably so. Shakedry is technically outstanding, it's a pity it doesn't fulfil the green part too. Will Gore Tex have an eventual replacement fabric? Of course. Will it be as good as Shakedry? Unlikely. (think about it, why are they now hoarding and continuing to use Shakedry in their own brand, Gore, whilst halting availability to other manufacturers) Will the "Marketing Machine" tell you the eventual replacement fabric, whatever it may be, is better than Shakedry? Well what do you think?.... 😁
Dude...I AM SO EFFIN HAPPY I CAUGHT THIS VIDEO! And, I just bought the jacket, pants, and booties - and the fit is PERFECT! (That's saying a lot because I'm an XL. 6'3", 185 lbs.) I can never find kits that fit because 99% of them do not represent the proper size. An XL in cycling wear is more like a Medium in real life. Very frustrating!!! GORE DOES IT RIGHT!!! (BRING ON THE RAIN...I can't wait for my next ride!)
I’m glad you made this. I’ve wanted one for running because the shoulders really aren’t flexible enough for arm swinging. So I went and ordered one before they are gone. Well if my cycling one ever goes now I have a backup. I crashed in mine last winter, my first road crash in a very long time, I have the stretch one, zero damage only mud that I landed in. I mean it wasn’t that fast and I didn’t get hurt, just had to reposition my shifter and straighten my derailleur hanger.
100% agree on shakedry’s performance. Best jacket I’ve had, and everyone I meet who has one feels the same. However I didn’t realise it’s so bad for the environment so I guess it’s understandable. Like you I will have to look after mine now and make it last.
I can personally vouch for the excellence and quality of Gore’s bike wear products. In particular, their Windstopper fabric is amazingly effective at keeping you warm on windy wintery rides without any bulk. I have Gore jerseys, bibs, jackets, and gloves. Never regretted a single purchase. And no, I don’t work for Gore. But I used to live in Delaware where Gore is based. I can attest that their products are field tested by their engineers with whom I used to ride (and be dropped by) in the White Clay Creek Cycling Club.
I'm sad at the loss of good GoreTex PTFE materials period. I still have a GoreTex jacket from NorthFace, and i can tell you it is THE jacket of choice when the climate is uncertain or unstable. It keeps you warm while you exercise without feeling soaking wet from perspiration. I hope it lasts for the next 10years to offset the environmental damage of producing such an outstanding piece of equipment.
I really like my shakedry for the sort of days when my coat is on and off, because it's so small packed, and it stuffs into a pocket for the rides where you might or might not need it. But if the rain is set for the day, or if it's cold I'll use my more traditional 3 layer goretex with pit zips etc, bit of a lump if it ends up stuffed up the back of my jersey, but nicer if on all day.
Crikey, that’s a real pity. It is the one bit of cycling kit that absolutely does the job 100% so glad and lucky I have one, I’ll look after it even more so now.
Yes couldn't agree more! However, the very best version of it (and I tried them all), was the Castelli Idro Pro 2. The fit on it it was incredible, with stretch panels in all the right places, a nice high collar. I bought the Idro Pro 3 when it came out but the fit was no where near as good. Therefore I bought another Idro Pro 2 when it was being phased out. This way I will use my old one on 'dirty' rides and the preserve the new one on nice summer days etc. I absolutely love it. ....you do mention in your video that Castelli have a new fabric so that's very interesting!!!
I have a Castelli one. Really is a miracle product that does make me enjoy rainy rides for all the reasons that you state. I appreciate the reasons, but hope they do produce something as effective.
Well. I bought mine today. I have one jacket from one Italian brand - Pasol - Algea Idro rain jacket- that it’s amazing as well. Square fabric technology by ITTTAI. It’s an amazing alternative to Shakedry but it was discontinued as well… So. Now i have to great jackets and like you mentioned on the video i hope both will last for years 😅
It's even sadder for runners. You sweat even more when running and have no windchill so shakedry was very popular in running too. Arcteryx even had a lightly insulated shakedry jacket for running. But was phased out after 2020 already...
Exactly. I'm a cyclist and a runner. Making a jacket breathe sufficiently to be able to run in is incredibly difficult. Shakedry was easily the most effective of the fabrics available by a huge margin. I worked in the running industry for years and tried every alternative.
Both fascinating and weird to me. Fascinating how, quite rightly, environment issues impact existing product lines and how planet-kind equivalents have to be developed and may not be as good - but we will have to accept that. Weird to me as it would never have registered with me as existing so did not impact on my serious cycling - began in 1975 for ten miles each way commute on dark country roads in fog with British Gypsum artics up my backside (Wonderlights!). Never could have afforded it as got into community development work in inner city London, mortgage and children arrived. I've made do and mended end of season sale bin products that lasted 30 years in some cases. Shudder to think how to dispose of them responsibly. So - maybe a game changer for serious racers. Not for faster than most club riders non-racers.
Just bought a spare one. I probably won't need it for another 10 years. But I suspect with WL Gore facing so much pressure on eliminating PFCs Jackets will never be performing as well as they have during the las 10-15 years. That view was confirmed to me by somebody who understands the technology involved in detail.
The bad thing about Shakedry is that it is very very fragile, besides, the repairs of GORE Tex material in authorized establishments are not very good and they are also extremely expensive. I have other Gore Tex jackets and I will not miss shakedry at all.
The problem is not only the CO2 emissions. In some places, like the EU, PFAS and PFCs are beeing banned (they cause terrible cancers if handled inproperly). These chemicals are part of the waterproofing layers in water proof clothing and make non-stick pans work the way they do.
Ok, I got one. One of the few pieces of gear (yeah right, it’s never ending) I still needed. Winter Gore Tex Infinium Rapha won’t pack up small enough for a Jersey.
Columbia Outdry while no where near as breathable is identical in the sense that the laminate is on the outside and it requires no DWR or special washing regime. Just as Shakedry does, you can literally shake the beaded water off after rain. I have worn the lighter version of the fabric cycling in the winter and for commutes I have been very pleased with it. It is not cycling specific however.
As a film maker who carries his gear on his back for months at a time. My shakedry Norvan SL is my favorite jacket I've ever owned. It's held up magnificently. It's actually breathable But one bad crash and I'll be needing something else and my pack weight will be going up.
It is being discontinued by Arcteryx because it is difficult to repair. Good for the environment, but it's unfortunate we don't have a replacement for the technology quite yet.
fortunately i own two shake dry jackets, one plane and one with a liner for winter. And i agree, it's the only jacket that actually delivers whats promised. I don't care what it cost as long as it delivers whats promised. RIP Shake dry
Teflon and related products are among some of the worst for the environment, we're going to see the health problems of pfas and related problems for many decades (if humans are still around to see it lol)
Being sad that Gore is not making this product, which is very bad for the long term health of humans and the environment, is like being sad we do not use more nukes because they are so effective at killing, but cause a little radiation posing to the environment...
@@philipcarson8438 poetic and realistic. Its the expectancies of standards that's the issue. Eskimos and Africans deal with temperature just fine, but the Americans and Chinese must have aircon to live. If you haven't seen the DuPont Teflon movie or the Vietnam agent orange birth defect docos you must. These long chain carbons actually alter your DNA and you will give your kids major birth defects. Not only that but their kids will also have defects.
2024 and I still see some shakedry products out there. Only a matter of time though I suppose. Reminds me a little of Dyson announcing the discontinuation of its washing machine many moons ago, considered to be one of the most innovative machine available but it was too expensive to manufacture.
I think we should be grateful that a company can make a step back on a product, event a technically perfect product, if its environmental impact is too high.
I think the real reason is there is not enough market for this product.Cycling is a niche sport (after price hikes it has become even more niche) , riders riding on rain are minority and people can afford this jacket is a fraction of it. So not enough market demand.
Think they, DuPont, etc are counting down the days until the world sues them for all the PFAS in our bodies. But yes, what a sad day indeed…. 😢. Thought this channel would be more educated / reasonable on this stuff
Well, I suppose you can miss the product and still respect the reasons why it is being discontinued, right? I suppose a lot of people miss big petrol engine in their cars, but fully accept why driving them is no longer adequate or responsible.
Gortex is king imo.. I been using gortex for over 20 years in all kinds of sport's.. Snowmobile clothing jackets gloves an boots best of the best not cheep tho..
Always fancied one but was concerned with durability. Interesting you said you have used backpacks with it. I only ever use Camelbacks or bumbags and that was my concern. Fed up of reproofing my older jackets though!
Whatever material you use it will need to be reproofed. The fact that this material works so well means people will buy it and use it for longer, rather than the throw away society that has taken over in recent years (last 40)
Try good work wear, eg Englebert Strauss. Even budget work wear from Screwfix and Toolstation is good for a lot of basic riding. The best stuff is well cut, fits well, designed as safe, efficient, comfortable, breathable for intricate and heavy use in extreme conditions and still cheaper than high end sports wear
I am not really that surprised. If you consider, that brands like Fjallraven and Patagonia try to avoid GoreTex (or seach Toutube for PFAS videos), this felt inevitable... Shakedry sounded to good to be true :(
@@veganpotterthevegan thank you for pinpointing. I did not fact check this - my bad. On the other hand, there is still growing opposition to PFAS usage.
@@veganpotterthevegan lol don’t worry. I don’t ride in the rain that much either. I’m just buying a product for the rare time that I might need it. It will probably sit on my closet unused anyway. But heys, that life; you buy things that you may not use and throw them away later when you find a better replacement. How else would you justify NBD every few months then 😛.
I dont know why they keep making (and cyclist buying) clothes meant bad weather in BLACK. When you need to be seen more due to rain and mist, you get camuflated with the asfalt with that on.
My only issue with Gore Shakedry is that they never put a waist adjuster on the non Race fit versions. The Race was perfect, but I also bought a C5 for winter rides so I could get layers underneath, but the bum is just a bit too flappy (matron!).
In case anyone’s been under a rock and missed it, watch film Dark Waters. Explains why GT may be removed from market altogether or at least every product containing the original materials….
The durability combined with the cost has always put me off..I have often considered buying the Casteli Idro but at the cost they are, I would always worry about ripping it
Exactly. Could only ever consider such a purchase for short time in my life. Apply the test for anything costing near limit of affordability: can I afford to replace it? If not, look away
What about eVent and Polartec fabrics that are already used by some brands? Perhaps not as lightweight or durable but many are tested to be as breathable as Gore fabrics
Agreed, they're also very good alternatives but do "wet out" during prolonged use. If you've ever experienced a jacket do this, where the face fabric becomes totally saturated, and unbreathable it's really uncomfortable, and if you're up in the mountains exposed potentially dangerous too. Shakedry solved this for me and I never had it "wet out" even during multi-day runs.
it looks like you are wearing the shakedry race jacket. have you had any problems with the stretch panels wetting out? The new version doesn't have a 2-way zipper (won't zip up from the bottom) would this be an issue to you? does your stretch jacket have a 2way zipper?
Tried one. Is not as packable nor breathable as shakedry. Also, the Columbia jacket I had failed on me in the middle of the mountains. I had to fight hypothermia to get out. Had I known the jacket was that bad (multiple leaky seams on the shoulders and arms), I would have brought a hard shell, but it was marketed as good as goretex and was allowed for the UTMB ultra race in the Alps. The latter can be explained by Columbia being a sponsor of the event btw. I will never buy Columbia again.
Sounds like the fabric is an environmental disaster. I hadn’t appreciated that. I do have a lot of Goretex but not shakedry. Wearing black in heavy rain on the road just isn’t sensible, I think. So price and colour put me off. And now the environment too.
Vg video, slightly separate ?, David what jacket do you recommend for riding in the cold weather, currently in the market for something warm n comfortable that fits well..needs for audax rides in the cold months . Ty
Good question. I've been a fan of the Sportful Fiandre Warm Jacket for the past couple of years. Pair with a long sleeve base layer and it's been good on some chilly rides bit.ly/3gW2gtE
hello, I was reading that the Shakedry fabric had some resistance and therefore durability problems, and I read that there have been variations in the fabric on some manufacturers. Is this true or do all gore-tex Shakedry jackets have the exact same fabric?
Hey David, you should try the Compressport thunderstorm 25/75 jacket. (Biased comment as I work there, let me know if you would like to give it a try..)
If the product is that bad for the environment, I wouldn't qualify it as "best". Being environmentally friendly and sustainable should be part of the package when you buy anything. The way you say it's the best makes it sound like sustainability comes second, which is totally not how we should shop our stuff nowadays.
I would buy a shakedry jacket but it just won't survive the rigors of my job as a deliveroo/uber eats rider. I've gone through so many jackets over the years
Good point. Having lived on limited budgets while working clothing hard, I've tended to go for lower cost and then replace which might cost more in long term but budget now determines decisions. I would recommend looking at work wear: Screwfix and Toolstation for good lower price; Englebert Strauss for stunningly good long life more expensive but cheaper than sports wear. Work wear is often cut to allow efficient, safe movement in extreme conditions - like cycling. As a professional rider, there may be tax allowances for your clothing
Honestly- yes, we need to reign in our plastic production in sports wear but comparatively to all the millions, billions? Of 1-use-throw-away plastic products, killing products that can actually last years, decades doesn’t seem like the biggest threat. It’s always the responsible companies/people being asked to be MORE responsible when irresponsible companies/people don’t give a shit, make the biggest contribution to the problem and are never held accountable. I get what you’re saying, but let’s be real. A shake dry jacket that lasts years > more disposable plastic crap everywhere you look all the time
I agree but I always stress that a single made garment taken care of will be better for the planet. I hope more consumers would apply that attitude to looking after their gear and put more pressure eon manufacturers to repair gear. I had an arcteryx cerium hoodie and the brand used to be very big on repair but due to labour shortages no longer had the ability. I hounded them for 2 weeks to honour the repair eventually they caved in. I wish more people would do this.
@@jaspreetsidhu5708 I'm glad they did, it's part of the reason I buy brands like Arcteryx and Rapha-repair policy. After working at a thrift/recycle/reuse center for a long time, I've learned to appreciate and respect things that were made to las decades. It';s sad that that level of pride in craftsmanship seems pretty gone, at least here in the US, unless you pay $$$$.
There is a good reason why they discontinue this in a hurry. It is nothing else but anticampaign. Did by a few brands, primarily Patagonia. They pushed the matter so hard, advocated to the authorities to simply make the thing forbidden. Just because they can't make a challenger, as you said nowhere near close. So they played the dirty way. Yes there are environmental concerns too, but the main reason is again the greed.
