When Jose "Llargo", Gobik's tester, took it out of the box, he thought: "I'm going to be cold, it looks very thin..." but after a route in the icy domains of his inner Valencia, a smile appeared on his face: "I've never tried anything like it".
On the temperature thermometer for Gobik jackets, ARMOUR would be in the lower range, between -5 and +10 ºC, but in the higher range in terms of materials, technical solutions and performance.
We are talking about an absolutely innovative garment, with NeoShell® fabrics and Alpha® fabrics, both from the leading North American brand Polartec®, which provide insulation and air exchange never seen before. In other words: they keep our body warm, without moisture during the entire outing, in addition to protecting us from rain or wind in an optimal way.
And it does so by combining the best performance against the cold, with a feeling of lightness and exceptional fit. Heavy and uncomfortable winter clothing is long gone.
He told us Ivan Basso, Giro d'Italia champion and Gobik ambassador, told us that "clothing has a big influence on a cyclist's performance at all levels. Being comfortable and snug, with the right temperature, are important things for cycling," and this is achieved by ARMOUR.
Performance on the move
Juan Antonio Flecha, the great classics specialist took it out in a harsh winter in the Penedés region, with humidity and more than a little cool, a cold that goes into the body and doesn't come out, so typical of the Catalan territory.
He put on the jacket with a merino wool thermal underneath "Maybe I should have added one more layer," he says. PACER would have been nice, but I was brave enough to see the capabilities of the garment, and it was fine, very good. The jacket offers very good protection, plus it's flexible and comfortable. You're dry inside.
The Spanish champion Alberto Contador goes into the versatility of the piece as the hours go by: "It allows you to go out at below zero and get as close as ten degrees and not have a major problem during the whole outing. It adapts to the thermometer, but its fit is very aero. We're talking about a pure winter jacket, which is very pleasant to the touch, with different layers for warmth".
Polartec® seal guarantee
"Polartec® is a well-known brand among mountain people, a group whose users know exactly what they need in extreme conditions. In that sense, the American firm provides a level of quality and innovation that is undoubtedly reflected in the jacket", continues Jose "Llargo".
From Gobik's development department, Angel Lencina states that "they are one of the best textile suppliers in the world, being innovative and revolutionary. They are always researching and creating new technologies to keep improving".
Going back to the beginning, when you take it out of the box it seems that you are going to be cold, but not: "Once you start riding, the feeling of protection is brutal, almost magical, because in a morning that you start at four below zero and go through all kinds of circumstances, even forcing a long climb, you put your hand in the jacket and it is always dry", a feeling that is courtesy of the AlphaPolartec® , an inner padding whose efficiency in handling heat and moisture is proven on the move.
Adaptable insulation
All this in addition to the double zipper, which allows us to create, if necessary, a forced ventilation, which flows through the jacket and is expelled through the upper opening of the back.
On the outside, the outer layer in Neoshell® "is a protective shield against rain and wind, with a water column of 10,000 mm, a very serious figure, which ensures waterproofing," says Angel. And there is also the extra rear skirt, to avoid annoying splashes from the wheel in these situations.
All this protection and fit are given in a jacket, as we say, "light and flexible", whose main reason is to put degrees to the winter, without penalizing the freedom of movement and breathability with the passage of kilometers.
Add to all this the gift to the eye: "The jacket attracted the attention of the group," he concludes. Flecha-. The logo looks good.
Technical Data
- Type of product: Thermal Jacket
- Properties: Waterproof | Windproof | Thermal Balance
- Coupe: Perfect Fit
- Temperature: -5 to +10 ºC
- Weight: 370 g (M)
More information on ARMOUR COLLECTION.
