Gore C5 Gore-Tex Paclite Trail Shorts review

If you don’t want to let the winter weather stop you from getting out, you probably share the same commitment as Gore when it designed the C5 Gore-Tex Paclite Trail Shorts.

Built to keep you protected from the elements, the C5 shorts are windproof and waterproof, but light enough to keep you moving at pace.

So how do these premium shorts stack up?

Gore C5 Gore-Tex Paclite Trail Shorts details

Gore’s ultra-light and breathable Paclite material is a 2-layer polyamide fabric. The Gore-Tex membrane is bonded directly to the outer material without a liner to help keep the weight down.

Gore aimed to make these shorts highly waterproof, windproof and breathable. They are coated with an oleophobic substance that is oil- and water-resistant. Unfortunately, the material isn’t stretchable.

To help make these shorts as light as possible, features are kept to a minimum. However, there are internally sealed seams over the stitching, a grippy elasticated waistband with a flat cord drawstring, and one waterproof side pocket with a storm flap covering.

Gore C5 Gore-Tex Paclite Trail Shorts performance

There is ample room with the C5s, which is helpful because the material isn’t stretchy, but they are on the looser side for a trail-riding short. The drawstring and grippy elastic waistband meant they stayed in place and didn’t need adjusting on the trail.

There’s plenty of length, which helps cover knee pads, although they are noisy when pedalling.

The extremely lightweight material feels reassuringly tough, but it does have some drawbacks. These feel almost like an over short you take with you for emergencies rather than an everyday riding short.

Plus, you will need a warm and substantial short liner to keep you comfortable on a cold day in the saddle. That said, it’s hard to fault the Gore-Tex Paclite fabric in terms of its wet weather performance.

Winter slop was shed easily, and my chamois stayed dry even in terrible conditions. The protection against wet weather is excellent.

I could just about squeeze my phone into the side pocket and it held close to my leg, which is a plus. Also, it didn’t bounce around, although I didn’t enjoy the pocket placement on the side of my leg, where it felt in danger of being damaged in a crash.

Gore C5 Gore-Tex Paclite Trail Shorts bottom line

You have to pay a high price, but you do get impressive performance from the Gore C5 Gore-Tex Paclite Trail Shorts. These are shorts that will keep you dry and comfortable in the most hostile conditions. However, I feel they are too lightweight to be used as an everyday winter short.

You’ll need an insulating liner underneath for winter rides, and the lack of features makes them feel more like an emergency shelter than a trail short. For that reason, the price seems high.