I know, I know; how many times can we talk about how the right gear gets you out in any weather?

But honestly, it’s true! And Gorewear makes it easy to find what you need, whether running through the freezing winter temps or battling the scorching heat of summer.

Gorewear Review

One of the reasons Gorewear stands out is that it’s part of the company behind GORE-TEX—the same GORE-TEX you see on almost every rainproof jacket.

They’ve mastered creating durable, waterproof, and windproof fabrics.

But do they know how to make functional running gear?

Spoiler alert: they do!

Gorewear Running Gear Review

Our expectations were cautiously high when testing out Gorwear products. There is a big difference between creating materials for running gear versus being able to design something functional that would fit well.

Conni and her husband tested their winter gear during a nearly record-breakingly cold winter in the Colorado Rockies and in the heat of summer, and honestly, we were impressed in all seasons.

Meanwhile Amanda took the gear out in the summer heat of Badwater and the Galapagos. So the team managed to put Gorewear to the true test of extreme conditions! Which is perfect because that’s exactly how the company sees itself, ready for the most hardcore of runners!

How does Gorewear Running Gear Fit?

For size reference both John and I wore our regular sizes, large and medium respectively, and the Gorewear Concurve Jacket fit true to size.

Amanda found that most of the shirts run a little loose in size and shorts are true to size. Though note when you first pull them out of the pack they look TINY. But pulled on they fit like a glove and stay put.

Now, let’s move on to a Gorewear review by calling out some of the key pieces that runners are going to love from winter to summer.

Concurve GORE-TEX Jacket

At the risk of sounding dramatic, this jacket is magic!

Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket

Thanks to its GORE-TEX family tree, Gorewear has some of the best fabric and technology available, but the Concurve GORE-TEX Jacket goes above and beyond anything I’ve tried. In fact, it’s replaced multiple jackets in my closet.

They’ve crafted the Concurve jacket with their new GORE-TEX ePE fabric, making it thinner, lighter, and PFC-free! Without geeking out too much about the GORE-TEX ePE material, I’ll just say—it does its job, and it does it very well.

It blocks wind, sheds moisture, and breathes full stop.

It doesn’t “kind of” block the wind; it does.

It doesn’t slightly shed moisture; it does.

It doesn’t “sort of” breathe; it DOES.

Can you tell I’m a little excited about finding a jacket that actually does all three of those things really well? This is why it’s replacing so many jackets in my closet!

Now, beyond the performance, let’s talk design, fit, and functionality.

The Concurve is thin, lightweight, and uninsulated. It’s 2.5oz heavier than my Patagonia Houdini and doesn’t pack quite as small, but it offers substantially more protection without much more bulk. I’ve worn it through some brutal winter training and am excited to take it on summer mountain adventures, too.

The fit is slightly fitted, with just enough room for layering. I had no problem wearing a T-shirt and a thinner midweight jacket underneath without feeling restricted. If you like to layer a lot, consider sizing up.

Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket Fit

The sleeves were long enough to cover my wrists when I stretched my arms out, and they didn’t budge when I ran. A 2.5″x 4.5″ soft elastic section at the wrist keeps the opening snug enough to block the elements, but it’s still easy to pull on and off.

Two standard side zippered pockets comfortably fit my iPhone 15 with some bounce when I ran. The zippers are smooth, and I have never had any issues with them getting stuck. Bonus, all the zippers have rubber pull tabs, making them easy to use with gloves.

When I zip the Concurve up, it stops just above my chin.

And the hood? Incredible. It has a cord in the back to tighten and seal it around my face, but it doesn’t obstruct my peripheral view—no need to turn my head to see what’s happening around me.

Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket Hood

But the most thoughtful addition to the hood has to be the brim design. Below the brim is a piece of soft, windproof fabric that seals across my forehead, blocking wind from sneaking through.

Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket Hood Brim

My other brimmed jackets don’t have this, and it can be hard to keep the elements out when the wind picks up. Gorewear totally nailed this!

Lastly, I’m a sucker for reflective details, and this jacket doesn’t disappoint. It has 3″ reflective strips on each sleeve (three per sleeve), two on the front zipper, two on the back of the hood, one on the lower back, and three reflective logos scattered around. They really thought through visibility on this jacket!

Coach Amanda: I feel like Conni summed it up perfectly when I went to test the wind breaker…magic. How is a jacket so light and yet waterproof? That’s almost unheard of and is about to make my Spring training a whole lot more enjoyable.

Gorewear WINDSTOPPER® Balaclava

It’s been a brutally cold winter in the Colorado Rockies and the Gorewear Windstopper Balaclava has saved my face, literally.

Gorewear Windstopper Balaclava

Made with GORE-TEX LABS’ WINDSTOPPER® material, it has full windproof protection.

What really sets it apart, though, is how breathable it is. The fabric allows for airflow, so I don’t feel trapped in hot, sweaty gear. The ventilation holes around the mouth and the nose flap provide fresh air, and I really appreciated not having to breathe through solid fabric.

They added extra wind protection around the forehead and ears, so those more sensitive areas stay warmer and shielded from the wind. The thermo-stretch fabric moved with me, providing a snug, comfortable fit that never felt restrictive.

Plus, the flatlock seams meant there’s no chafing or irritation, even after hours of wear.

One minor drawback is that my glasses tend to fog up when I wear the balaclava, though that’s an issue I have with nearly every buff or balaclava.

Gorewear WINDSTOPPER® Face Warmer

For days when I don’t need full-face coverage but still want protection from the wind, the WINDSTOPPER® Face Warmer was the perfect solution.

It uses the same WINDSTOPPER® fabric as the balaclava but is designed to cover just the lower part of the face and ears.

Gorewear Windstopper Face Warmer

The Face Warmer is designed with a Velcro strap at the back, which makes it easy to adjust for a secure fit. It stayed in place on all of my runs and I minimally had to adjust it. While it does go up over my ears, I still wear a hat with it.

It’s so easy to put on and off and was especially handy on those out and back days when I’m running into the wind in one direction and then I can take it off when the wind is at my back. Plus, it’s small enough to stash in a pocket or my running vest, so it’s easy to carry along in case the weather changes.

The way the fabric laid on my face below my eyes, I found that my glasses rarely fogged up! The Gorewear Face Warmer has become one of my favorite additions to my winter gear line-up and it became my “go-to” buff for the majority of my outdoor runs.

Contest Tee, Singlet and Long Sleeve

As noted, Coach Amanda had a chance to test these pieces out in Badwater. Yes, like the hottest possible place on Earth to run and at over 100 degrees it was no joke, but the shirts were serious winners.

We can’t keep calling everything magic, so let’s go with fantastic.

These are a looser fit shirt, which is my preference, but you might opt to size down in them or tanks if you like a little tighter fit. The fabric is so thin that you’ll truly forget about it once you’ve put it on.

Multiple days we opted for the long sleeve for a little sun protection, but never once felt overheated. In fact, my only complaint was I’d dump water on myself and it dried so quickly with that fabric!

Gorewear summer gear
You didn’t think I ran those Badwater miles alone? The whole crew was decked out in Gorewear summer gear.

In fact, a bunch of the participants from our Galapagos running retreat were also treated to the shirts and completely unprompted turned to me during a run to rave. “I have to tell you this shirt is incredible. It just keeps me dry and I never feel overheated with the sun.”

I will admit that I’ve seen some of the colors coming up for the men’s side and I wish they were available for the women too! So hey…Gorewear if you’re reading this, us ladies love the greens and blues too.

Contest Race Shorts

I mentioned early on some shorts that look too tiny and these are them. The first moment I pulled them out, I laughed out loud. Literally laughed because they looked so small.

But like a good tester, I shoved my legs in and tada they fit.

Like everything else we’ve mentioned we like the feel of the fabric and they thought through function with the pockets. It just wasn’t a winning short for me because my long legs like a little bit longer inseam.Gorewear apparel review

I know that women’s shorts are an area they are still working on, so I’m excited to see what’s next. The brand has really been working on innovating and figuring out how to provide top notch gear.

  • Available in black
  • Available in XS to XL
  • Fitted
  • $50

Is Gorewear a good brand?

Would it be a Gorewear review if we didn’t straight out answer this question??

It’s safe to say that Gorewear products are top-tier.

The brand has built a solid reputation over the years, and many other companies use GORE-TEX materials for a reason—they simply work. Gorewear takes that expertise and channels it into functional, high-performance running gear.

Their focus on durability, weather resistance, and comfort really shines through in everything they make.

Is Gorewear gear worth it?

Gorewear gear is definitely an investment, but in my experience, it pays off.

When you factor in the quality, longevity, and technology behind each piece, it becomes clear that you’re getting more than just a jacket—you’re getting gear built to last through any conditions.

For example, the Concurve jacket alone has replaced three other jackets in my closet. When you add up what I spent on those three jackets, it’s more than the Concurve’s cost. That’s a pretty clear indicator of value when you think about how much gear we tend to accumulate over time, only to end up using a few favorites that work the best.

But I want to encourage you to do your research. Gorewear may be the perfect choice for some, but it’s important to think about your specific needs.

What are you looking for in your gear? Are you running in freezing cold weather or tackling muddy trails in the summer?

Gorewear checks a lot of boxes when it comes to technical performance, but you’ll want to make sure it aligns with your goals and activities.

Looking for some other gear reviews?

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