Review: Gore Bike Wear ALP-X PRO Outfit System
The Gore ALP-X PRO Outfit System (left) consists of a WINDSTOPPER jersey and 2in1 Shorts+. After two months of hard use, the ALP-X PRO 2in1 Shorts+ (right) have suffered no visible wear (click to enlarge).
The Lowdown: Gore Bike Wear ALP-X PRO Outfit System
Consisting of 2in1 Shorts+ and a WINDSTOPPER convertible long sleeve jersey, the ALP-X PRO Outfit System from Gore Bike Wear recently won the prestigious iF* Product Design Award 2015, cited by 53 design experts for the product’s quality, innovation, functionality and ergonomics. The ALP-X PRO Outfit System is designed to be the go-to jersey and shorts combo for a wide range of temperature and weather conditions. But design awards aside, do the ALP-X PRO 2in1 Shorts+ outperform traditional mountain bike baggies with a Lycra liner? And is the WINDSTOPPER jersey all you need on a long day of riding in a wide range of temperatures? Read our full review below to find out.
| Features: Lightweight, integrated chamois | Sizes: S-XXL |
| Fit: Spandex bib with breathable baggy outer | MSRP: $220 |
| Colors: Red, Black |
Rating:  5 Chilis-out-of-5 |
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Full Review: ALP-X PRO 2in1 Shorts+
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| Lightweight, breathable and integrated baggy shorts make the 2in1 Shorts+ a standout performer (click to enlarge). |
Every so often there’s a piece of cycling apparel that comes along and makes you wonder, “Where has this been all my life?” The Gore Bike Wear ALP-X Pro 2in1 Shorts+ is just that. Essentially taking a pair of Spandex bib shorts and stitching on an extremely lightweight and breathable baggy short outer, the ALP-X PRO 2in1 Shorts+ brings together the light, comfortable feel of traditional cycling bibs with the casual look of mountain bike baggies. Only with these shorts, there is no waistband, no zipper and no buttons that add weight and compromise fit. Having the baggies integrated into the bibs ensures a lightweight, breathable and supremely comfortable fit.
Since receiving these bibs, I’ve been doing a lot of laundry because the ALP-X PRO 2in1 is the only pair of cycling shorts I wear anymore. My mountain bike baggies are collecting as much dust as my roadie bibs. In fact, the Gore shorts are so comfortable I wear them on most road rides, too. Yeah, I’m that guy rocking baggies on a road ride; something I swore I would never do. That’s how good the ALP-X PRO shorts are.
I’m always cautious about making absolute statements about any cycling product, but I won’t hesitate to say that these shorts from Gore are by far the best cycling shorts I’ve owned. They don’t catch on the nose of the saddle, have a casual baggy short look, keep you warmer and drier on wet, cold rides, and most importantly, on super hot days, they feel as light and breathable as a traditional pair of bib shorts. In two months of heavy usage, I haven’t experience any discomfort or chafing, and the baggy outers remain abrasion-free.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SosIWhnhQE
Perhaps the only drawback of the ALP-X PRO 2in1 Shorts+ is that to keep them super light and breathable, there are no pockets aside from one very small pouch stitched into the bib just above the lower back. But a jersey with pockets, a hydration pack, or a small fanny pack takes care of that problem. Besides, I hate riding with stuff in my shorts pockets. Additionally, these shorts might be a little too short for the true downhiller, as the baggies tend to ride up the leg, exposing the Lycra base short. But if you come from a road or XC racing background and now do big backcountry rides, stage races, or even enduro events, these shorts are in a league of their own.
Continue to page 2 for the ALP-X PRO WINDSTOPPER Soft Shell Zip-Off Jersey full review »
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