Alas, Activent, we hardly knew ye. For those to whom the name is unfamiliar, Gore Activent was a material that came out seven or eight years ago. Sort of a 聯Gore-Tex Really Light.” It wasn聮t waterproof, but water-resistant enough to keep you dry for a few hours of moderate rain. It was also windproof and very breathable. In short, just great stuff聴I still think it’s the best performance fabric of the past decade. But it didn聮t sell. Most manufacturers were putting out pieces that cost $150 or more, and when a prospective buyer heard 聯not waterproof,” they backed off.
Marmot’s Evolution Half-Zip
Evolution Half-ZipWhen it went off the market, I bought four or five pieces on closeout and still use several of them to this day.
Gore says Activent re-surfaced under the Windstopper trademark. I have a Windstopper piece that doesn聮t seem to have Activent聮s breathability, although it also has a mesh liner, which adds weight and warmth. Still, the Gore Bike Wear Balance Jacket can be had from places such as Performance (www.performancebike.com) for $99. The Balance is a two-layer shell, meaning no mesh liner, which is good. Marmot聮s Evolution Half-Zip ($100; www.marmot.com) also uses Windstopper in a pullover-style wind shirt.
The other thing I聮d suggest is to look at REI聮s Mistral Jacket ($149; www.rei.com). It聮s a soft shell made with a lightweight version of Polartec聮s Power Shield. So it聮s nearly completely windproof, very breathable, and highly water-repellent. Not as much as the old Activent/new Windstopper, but pretty good in mist, snow, or light rain. I聮ve been wearing one this fall on cool evenings when we聮re out mountain-biking. When the temps are below 40 it聮s terrific聴a light wicking T-shirt under it, and I聮m set. Above 40 it may be a bit warm, but that depends on the user and the activity.
Alas, it has a full zip and is not a pullover. And it聮s bulkier than a light hard-shell; you probably couldn聮t fit it in a jersey pocket.
Get more advice from the Gear Guy as he picks this season聮s top gifts in You聮ll probably find a few things to put on your own wish list, too.