Volcom L Gore-Tex 2023 - 2014 Review by The Good Ride
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Swipe Right: Good price for Gore-Tex. Reliable semi thick fabric.
Swipe Left: Hard to fault this for the price.
Summary
The Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket doesn’t have a lot of high end features but you get a lot of waterproofing for this price range.
How This Review Happened: A big thanks toGravity Sportsat Mt Bachelor for giving us access to this.
Ethics Statement:We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.
Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket Review: How It Fits And Who It Is For
James’ Jacket Specs
Size:Large
5’10” 185 lbs
Chest: 44”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collarbone to pant line) 23”
Shoulder Width 19” wide
Inseam 30”
Gloves: Drop Tahoma Mit
Helmet: smith maze size medium
Goggles: Smith 4D Mag
Davey’s Jacket Specs
Size:XXL
6’4” 230 Lbs
Chest: 43.5”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 20.5”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collarbone to pant line) 23”
Shoulder Width 18” wide
Inseam 33”
Fit
A little tight in the shoulders for Davey and I. The fit isn’t as baggy as some Volcom Jackets.
Constructio
You have a very sturdy outer material. It isn’t super slick to shed off wet snow/rain but it is very durable. Volcom isn’t going full on with the seams here for this price point compared to most Gore-Tex Jackets but it lasts a long time. I’ve owned many Gore-Tex Jackets and this holds up well for a whole season.
Waterproofing/Breathability
I’ve rain ridden with the Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket and it held up well. It can’t hang with 3 Layer Gore-Tex Pro but none I’ve tried can. It blocks wind very well.
Hood/Helmet Compatibilty
A decent amount of room for a helmet with the Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket.
Cuff/Glove Compatibility
I never had that annoying feel where the cuff wouldn’t come down over the glove on the hill with the Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket.
Pit Zips
Not a huge fan of the denser mesh. Snow doesn’t come in but it doesn’t breath as easy as most.
Pockets
Not a huge fan of having 2 breast pockets overlapping each other. I wish they put one on the other side.
Powder Skirt
Volcom’s zip in tech is pretty useful if you fit a Volcom pant. You can’t get it anywhere else.
Conclusion
The Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket, Burton Pow Line and Pillowline Jackets are hard to beat when it comes getting solid waterproofing at a reasonable price point. It really comes down to personal preference.
Volcom L Gore-Tex Past Reviews
The Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket gives you a Gore-Tex shell with most features you would expect with Gore-Tex at under $300 which ispretty good. It’s got the kind of fit that flatters a lot of different bodytypes while still having room for layering underneath. Year over year this is one of the most recommendable jackets at this price point for those that see a lot of wet/stormy weather. The 2019 Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket is very similar to the 2018 in terms of fit and tech. There are a few minor tweaks but overall they are very similar.
Ethics Statement:We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. No one is perfect and we do make money from the “Where To Buy” links below, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.
Size Tried:Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 185 lbs
Chest: 44”
Upper Chest by lats: 45”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collarbone to pant line) 23”
Widest Width Upper Body (Just below shoulders) 21” wide (52” Circumference)
Shoulder Width 19” wide (48” Circumference)
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggles: Smith IO Mag
Fit: The Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket fits me well and has a flattering cut for most body types. Especially so for people with wider shoulders or thicker chests like myself.
Construction: After a good 30+ days of riding there was minimal to no wear and no tear. It was well built and made to last a good while. It’s a little better than what you would expect compared to many otherentry-level Gore-Tex jackets at or near this price point. The jacket to pant zipper integration is a pretty cool thing too if you want to truly seal up your back end. However, if you don’t have a Volcom Pant to go with it you can still use the traditional jacket to pant interface instead of the zipper so you aren’t forced to buy all Volcom if you find a pant that calls to you from another brand.
Hood: The hood can fit most helmets and in most sizes. Being helmet compatible is a pretty important thing these days so it’s good the Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket is building a hood that works for almost every head size and helmet type. Also, that contoured hood is great if you want to get a good seal around your goggles and with my low profile Smith Vantage helmet I was able to open up the hood a bit to let that mouth of mine out to talk and breathe when I needed to.
Insulation/Warmth: This is just a shell so it’s not made to be warm but it does block wind and water out very well which lets your mid layer give you more warmth. That being said it’s pretty warm as far as shells go with no insulation and the material has a little thickness to it.
Packability: It’s not the super light technical shell much think of when you hear Gore-Tex in the name but it’s not going to hog space in your bag either.
Waterproofing: The Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket has proven itself all season in everything from the light and fluffy to wet snow to rain. If you ride all the time and need good waterproofing but are on a budget this is a great call. Even after 2 washes, the waterproofing held. After one wash I realized that I ran out of Nikwax treatment for the outer layer and yet a lot of the rain the following day still beaded up on the jacket like it was.
I even rode all morning in rain to very wet snow and then sat down in a chair for an hour to review some Union Bindings. The rain never got through but it was starting to feel like it might. That’s all you can ask of 2 Layer Gore-Tex under $300. In medium snow that can often stick to certain materials, the Volcom L Gore-Tex didn’t hold onto anything and it was snow clinger free.
Breathability:Not quite as good as the waterproofing and I’ve had other jackets breathe better but it’s still pretty good with letting off some of your own steam from inside.
Overall: The Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket is a well built and very waterproof jacket. Yeah, there are better jackets out there, but not many that can hang at this price point. It was a jacket that I was happy to have in my quiver this season.
Days: 30+
Conditions:Everything from dry snow to wet snow to straight up rain.
Size Tried:Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”
Weight:180-195 lbs
Chest:44-45”
Upper Chest by lats: 45-46”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length(collarbone to pant line) 23”
Widest Width Upper Body(Just below shoulders) 21” wide (52” Circumference)
Shoulder Width19” wide (48” Circumference)
Arm Length(pit to wrist) 19.5”
Helmet:Smith Vantage
Goggles: Smith IO7
Size Tried:Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 200 lbs
Chest: 45”
Upper Chest: 47”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collar bone to pant line) 23”
Shoulder Width (widest point of shoulders) 22”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”
Helmet: Smith Vantage
Goggles: Smith IO
2016 Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket
Size Tried:Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 192 lbs
Chest: 44”
Neck: 16″
Torso Length (collar bone to pant line) 23”
Shoulder Width (widest point of shoulders) 22”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”
Helmet: Smith Vantage
Goggles: Smith IO7
2015 Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket Review
Size Tried: Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”,
Weight: 195 lbs,
Chest 44”
Torso Length (collar bone to pant line) 23”
Shoulder Width (widest point of shoulders) 22”
Arm Length (pit to wrist) 19.5”
Turn On’s: Size L Jackets that fit well around my chest, Riding with Friends, Open Roads, new gear and my wife.
Turn Off’s: Size Jackets that don’t fit well around my chest, traffic and people who can’t park inside the lines.
Size Tried: Large
Fit: So based on my specs above this jacket fits loose for a size L but it drapes well over me without looking baggy. When I’m not layered up the fit still looks good and when layers are added it fills out nicely without looking like Ralphie’s little brother from X-Mas Story. This is a good fit that works well
Construction: So even though this is low price point Gore-Tex it doesn’t mean that it’s a crappy jacket. First off Volcom makes good jackets and pans. Second off when you work with Gore-Tex you sign off on building the jacket to certain specs. Yeah it has a flap instead of a sealed waterproof zipper and stuff like that but those are the little things you deal with for Gore-Tex at this price point. Overall this jacket has solid construction for the price and it will last a long time.
Insulation/Warmth: Pretty much none. This is made to block weather so it’s all about layering up for the temps you will encounter. The fit can accommodate even a super thick puff so you can be warm underneath in balls cold weather but still have solid wind blocking with the Shell.
Waterproofing: So we aren’t really sure on how a Gore-Tex Laminate compares to a Membrane but the Volcom L-Gore has a laminate. Gore-Tex comes with certain guarantees so it should keep you dry for a while. Most Gore-Tex is over 25k for waterproofing so this should be the same and it repels water very well.
Breathability: Most entry level Gore-Tex Membranes on average offer up 17,000 to 25,000 breathability so this should be the same.
So all in all it’s nice to have Gore-Tex hanging on the jacket and it’s a well built waterproof jacket for the price. For me it’s a great mountain/resort riders shell for those that like to ride from top to bottom, see a good amount of varying weather conditions and like to make some slackcountry hikes on powder days.
Volcom L Gore-Tex Images
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FAQs
How long does GORE-TEX last? ›
Years of Use if Properly Cared For
If your Gore-Tex clothing is properly cared for, it should remain waterproof for 3-5 years. It can easily last for ten years or more if you store it properly and don't wear it that much.
California-based Volcom has a strong foothold in the snowboard jacket market, with a wide range of options for park, resort, and backcountry use. At the budget end is their women's-specific Bolt, which offers clean styling, a cozy interior, and a basic but well-rounded feature set, all for an affordable $200.
Are Volcom jackets waterproof? ›Volcom Outerwear with Gore-Tex Provides Maximum Protection from Weather. Found throughout the Guide Proven Technology (GPT) collection from Volcom Outerwear, GORE-TEX®'s fabric provides a durable waterproof, windproof and highly breathable outer layer shell essential to performing under the most critical conditions.
Are Volcom jackets warm? ›Overall this jacket has solid construction for the price and it will last a long time. Insulation/Warmth: Pretty much none. This is made to block weather so it's all about layering up for the temps you will encounter.
What are the disadvantages of Gore-Tex? ›One drawback of GORE-TEX is that you need to keep it clean to keep it waterproof—and clean it properly. Over time, as perspiration from your body escapes out through the material, it can cause a buildup of surfactants (detergent-like chemicals) that reduces the effectiveness of the waterproofing.
Are Gore-Tex jackets worth it? ›According to Nelson, they are lighter and more packable than a two-layer jacket, but a bit heavier and less packable than 2.5-layer jackets.” If you're willing to pay the premium, Nelson says they're an excellent choice for anyone spending a ton of time outdoors, whether you're hiking, biking, or backcountry skiing.
Is Volcom a quality? ›Volcom surf products are of high quality made from durable materials and always comfortable when worn. If you need surfwear then Volcom products proves to be a must have.
What is the highest waterproof rating for a jacket? ›- 0 – 3000mm rating. Below 3000mm, clothing is considered water-resistant instead of waterproof. ...
- 3000mm – 5000mm waterproof jackets. ...
- 5000mm – 10,000mm waterproof jackets. ...
- 10,000mm – 15,000mm waterproof jackets. ...
- 15,000mm – 25,000 mm waterproof jackets. ...
- 25,000mm+ waterproof jackets.
Each square inch of the GORE‑TEX membrane has nine billion pores. Each of these tiny holes is 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet. This is what makes the membrane in everything in the original GORE-TEX products range waterproof: rain and snow simply cannot get in.
What is a fully waterproof jacket? ›Waterproof Jacket
This means the jacket has a waterproof coating on the outer fabric with fully taped seams and it may have a built in membrane lining. A membrane lining is a sheet of material with lots of tiny holes in it to help with breathability, because these holes are so small no water can penetrate it.
What is the warmest jacket on the market? ›
- Warmest Winter Coat For Men Overall: Arc'teryx Therme Parka.
- Warmest Affordable Winter Coat For Men: Columbia Marquam Peak Fusion Parka.
- Warmest Men's Winter Coat For Extreme Cold: Canada Goose Langford Parka.
- Warmest Men's Parka: The North Face McMurdo Down Parka.
GORE-TEX jackets can help keep you warm in winter weather, especially in places where there is significant winter precipitation. The fabric will keep you dry even in the face of rain, snow, and ice. This is important since you lose body heat more quickly when you are wet.
Does Gore-Tex need waterproofing? ›GORE‑TEX Footwear
Once water no longer beads and runs off after cleaning your footwear, you'll need to reapply a durable water repellent (DWR). Check which treatment is recommended by the manufacturer of your footwear, and follow their instructions carefully.
What's the best waterproof fabric? Many outdoor enthusiasts would argue that Gore-Tex Pro, by far the most widely known option out there, offers the most complete package.
Is Gore-Tex 100% waterproof? ›Every product in the original GORE‑TEX products range is waterproof, windproof, and breathable and many come with additional benefits.
What's the difference between 2L and 3L Gore-Tex? ›Outerwear that features layers one and two and that has insulation or a polyester lining between you and the membrane layer is 2L. A 3L fabric substitutes the lining material for a lightweight polyester scrim which is bonded to the backside of the membrane.
How often should I wash my Gore-Tex jacket? ›How often should I wash my GORE‑TEX garment? Wash your garment as often as you need to remove such impurities as dirt, campfire smoke and cooking odors. Washing, drying and reheating your garment helps restore the durable water repellent (DWR) that is important to the performance of a GORE‑TEX garment.
Why is my Gore-Tex jacket not waterproof? ›No, Gore-Tex is indeed completely waterproof by design, unless the membrane got physically damaged. The coating that wears off has the job to make sure the water doesn't soak into the face fabric but beads off.
Which jacket is best for all weather? ›- Water-Repellent Softshell Jacket. RefrigiWear Cold Weather Gear. ...
- Lightweight Rainwear Jacket. ...
- Diamond Quilted Puffer Jacket. ...
- 3-in-1 Rainwear Jacket. ...
- Lightweight Diamond Quilted Jacket.
Quilted shell coats from Ganni, Anine Bing, and Everlane are still a top trending item amongst retailers and, of course, street stylers. They also serve as the ideal fashion foundation to layer your other winter wardrobe classics underneath, like a simple white tee or a cozy cashmere sweater.
Which is the best winter jacket to buy? ›
- Fleece jacket.
- Puffer jacket.
- Parka jacket.
- Waterproof jacket.
- Hardshell jacket.
Volvo vehicles are considered luxury vehicles because of their high-grade materials, quality designs, and features.
Where are Volcom clothes made? ›They have a small 'Made in Europe' collection, where some t-shirts are made in Portugal, but the rest of Volcom's collections are likely made in Asian countries.
What does Volcom clothing stand for? ›Originally “Volcom” represented “Youth Against Establishment” – people not willing to accept the suppression of established ways.
Which is no 1 clothing brand in the world? ›| 2022 | 2021 | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Nike |
| 2 | 3 | Louis Vuitton |
| 3 | 2 | GUCCI |
| 4 | 5 | Chanel |
On a weight for weight basis Dyneema is up to 15x stronger than steel and 40% stronger than high-strength aramid fibres. While it's often used as a composite – an ingredient added to other materials to make them exceptionally strong – the entire jacket is made from 100% Dyneema.
What jackets are best for Switzerland winter? ›Parka Jackets
A Parka jacket always comes with a hood. It could have the option of being a detachable one. Kosha's range of water-resistant Parkas is a great fit for swiss winter conditions. These jackets can be worn in temperatures that extend from 0 degrees Celsius to around -20 degrees Celsius.
The higher the number, the more waterproof the item will be. Gore-Tex®, for example, has a waterproof rating of 28,000mm.
How many mm is a good waterproof jacket? ›5-10,000mm is ideal for those who spend long days out on the mountain, in all weather conditions; while 10-20,000mm is best for those in wetter climates or skiers and snowboarders who prefer backcountry.
Are there different grades of GORE-TEX? ›Most GORE-TEX outerwear made for skiing is either GORE-TEX 2L or 3L, PRO (3L) or Active (3L) or 3L with C-Knit Backer. GORE-TEX Paclite (2.5L) and SHAKEDRY are typically specialty styles used for running and cycling. They can be used for skiing, but they are less durable than the 2L and 3L alternatives.
Why is my GORE-TEX jacket wet on the inside? ›
As temperatures drop outside your jacket, the warm humid air you produce inside the jacket contacts the cooler surface of the jacket and changes from vapour to liquid causing beads of water to form on the inside of your jacket.
What is the difference between waterproof and Gore Tex? ›The central differences between GORE-TEX and normal waterproofs is the former's fabric reliability, versatility and broad range of uses. Everyday generic waterproofs are usually made from PVC, polyurethane, rubber or vinyl materials.
How do you pick a good waterproof jacket? ›- Waterproof fabric. The most obvious first feature one would expect from any decent raincoat is that they have used waterproof fabric - and not just water repellent fabric/treatment. ...
- Sealed seams. ...
- A good hood. ...
- Breathability. ...
- Length.
2.5 layer: Good protection, lightweight, less durable, best breathability, often clammy, often affordable. 3 Layer: Best protection, light weight, most durable, fair breathability, little clamminess, expensive. It comes down to what you need.
How do you know if a coat is warm enough? ›Before selecting a down coat, check its fill power: This number, somewhere between about 500 and 900, indicates the general quality of the down. The higher the number, the better the insulation, Katz says.
Should winter jackets be tight or loose? ›Jackets should not sit too tightly against your body. This is to ensure you have breathing space between your body and the inner layer of your jacket for your body heat to circulate easily. If you plan to wear sweaters or bulkier clothing, ensure you still have enough breathing room.
What is the warmest and lightest winter jacket? ›Made of goose or duck plumage, down is the warmest, lightest, and most compressible type of insulation on the planet. Most of the insulated jackets on this list are made with down. The other option is synthetic or a blend of the two.
What kind of jacket for 10 degree weather? ›Temperatures below 10 degrees
An in-between coat or leather jacket is definitely not warm enough for these kinds of temperatures. Comfy, warm coats, that's what we want during these cold months. A wool-lined coat like a puffer jacket or a winter coat would be ideal for these conditions.
Winter jacket: Less than 25 degrees. Light to medium coat: 25 to 44 degrees. Fleece: 45 to 64 degrees. Short sleeves: 65 to 79 degrees.
What jacket is good for 50 degree weather? ›Bomber jackets are a 50-degree coat option you don't want to forget. These jackets are often in cotton, silk, and denim but are also available in leather, fleece, and even down. What is nice about these jackets is that they are light to mid-weight and fitted at the waist, wrists, and neckline.
Can I wear Gore-Tex in winter? ›
GORE-TEX INSULATED
The insulating properties combined with the durability make it well suited for use in cold weather conditions.
WHAT'S THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A GORE-TEX® GARMENT? The GORE-TEX® membrane won't deteriorate with time, and our garments are guaranteed to be durably waterproof and breathable. Please use common sense and wear your garment for its intended use; i.e, don't wear a lightweight cycling jacket on a backcountry camping trip.
Does Gore-Tex degrade over time? ›WHAT'S THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A GORE-TEX® GARMENT? The GORE-TEX® membrane won't deteriorate with time, and our garments are guaranteed to be durably waterproof and breathable. Please use common sense and wear your garment for its intended use; i.e, don't wear a lightweight cycling jacket on a backcountry camping trip.
Is Gore-Tex permanently waterproof? ›No. GORE‑TEX INFINIUM products are designed for activities where comfort and performance are a priority and waterproofness is not. Even if some GORE-TEX INFINIUM products offer certain water resistance or repellency they are not covered by the GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY promise.
How often should you treat Gore-Tex? ›A: Every month. No really. Even GORE-TEX product experts recommend cleaning your jacket every month. Keeping your jacket clean is one of the best ways to preserve its useful life.
Does Gore-Tex wash off? ›It's easy to wash your GORE-TEX outerwear: Machine wash the garment in warm water with a small amount of liquid detergent. Avoid powder detergents, fabric softeners or bleach. Technical fabric cleaners work best for this because they contain no additives that can interfere with garment performance.
How do I make old Gore-Tex waterproof again? ›- Machine wash your garment as described in the wash instructions. ...
- Once it is dry, tumble dry your garment for 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment on the outer fabric.
Gore-Tex is a highly breathable waterproof material to keep you from getting too hot. The Gore-tex lining does make them somewhat less breathable (thus a little warmer). I still wear them all year round, and if you are doing any extended hikes where you need dry feet, waterproof is more important than cool.
Does Gore-Tex tear easily? ›Gore-Tex is an interesting case. It's pretty fragile stuff, but technically doesn't “wear out” or break down chemically (well, it does, but it takes a long time). Because it can't take a lot of abrasion, however, manufacturers have to sandwich it between two layers of material.
Can Gore-Tex fail? ›Contrary to folklore, goretex is definitely not 100% waterproof and never has been. After some wear, it is going to fail--friction, sweat, oils, etc.
What washing liquid is best for GORE-TEX? ›
No need for special detergents, any normal household wash detergent is fine. What is important is to use liquid detergent and then just sparingly (about 30ML). Powder detergents and fabric softeners can reduce the breathability of the product.
Can you wash GORE-TEX with soap? ›Be sure to read the manufacturer's care tag first. Wash your GORE‑TEX garment in the washing machine in warm (105°F/40°C) water. For the best results, use a small amount of liquid detergent. Please do not use powder detergents, fabric softener or chlorine bleach.
Can GORE-TEX go in the dryer? ›Line dry your garment, or tumble dry it on a warm, gentle cycle. Once it's dry, tumble dry the garment for 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment on the outer fabric. You can do this anytime you notice the water repellency needs a boost. * Do not tumble dry GORE‑TEX SHAKEDRY™ garments.
Can I wash Gore-Tex with Tide? ›Gore-Tex spokesman Larry Bollinger said such “after-market” non-detergent cleaners aren't necessary. Liquid, powder, Tide, All — they're all good. Just keep clear of fabric softeners and dryer sheets. “The stark reality is, it's just as simple as washing and drying it on a regular basis,” Bollinger said.
What is 3 layer Gore-Tex? ›3-Layer (3L) – Uses a full three-layer sandwich of a face fabric+membrane+knit backer — all laminated together. GORE-TEX 3L construction is the classic unlined, uninsulated, high performance shell jacket design. Despite its three-layer name, it feels like a single layer.
Can you vinegar wash Gore-Tex? ›Soak the Gore-Tex item overnight in a solution of one part white vinegar and one part water. Vinegar should kill the mold, neutralize any musty smell and lift any stain left from the mold.