The Gore Wear Cancellara Collection launched back in March – remotely after Europe went into lockdown – sees Gore teaming up with former pro Fabian Cancellara to combine the brand’s existing C5 and C7 lines with the rider’s insights. Cyclist received a set of kit from the C5 range and after a couple of months of wear here’s what we found.
Gore Wear Cancellara Collection range review
Gore C5 Cancellara jersey
The Gore C5 Cancellara Jersey fits well throughout the torso but the best part of the fit is the aero sleeves. The sleeves are also the strongest feature of the aesthetic thanks to the honeycomb-dot design.
While the jersey fits well and is comfortable, it is slightly let down by its pockets. More depth would go some way to ensuring anything you’re carrying isn’t going to fall out. Thankfully this hasn’t happened, but I have been more conscious of what I’ve got in my pockets than with some other jerseys. This is as a result of the items poking out the top a bit more and the weight being held higher up my back.
The zip pocket is also a bit annoying, placed as it is across the middle pocket. If you’re carrying anything in the middle pocket then retrieving keys from the secondary zip pocket is trickier than it would need to be compared to if it was a side-loading zip pocket attached to the left or right jersey pocket.
Gore C5 Cancellara Jersey: 4/5
Buy the Gore C5 Cancellara jersey from Evans Cycles here
Gore C5 Cancellara bibshorts
The standout part of the kit range, the Gore C5 Cancellara bibshorts have been my go-to for the couple of months since they arrived. Being cautious at first by using them on a short ride, I’ve since taken to wearing them on longer weekend rides safe in the knowledge that their comfort will see me right for several hours in the saddle.
Comfort is very much a personal thing, as with any piece of kit and how it fits with each of our anatomies. But for me the Gore C5 Cancellara bibshorts are up there with Rapha in terms of comfort and all day riding potential.
The thigh grippers are a great depth meaning there’s no cutting in and they stay in place when worn on their own or with knee warmers on chillier mornings. One side is also emblazoned with GORE to ensure anyone within 100 metres knows which brand you’re wearing.
The bib straps are wide, too, which means they sit nicely on your shoulders and hold the shorts in place without undue pressure on your shoulders. What’s more, they are also adorned with the names of climbs and secteurs where Cancellara rode to glory, a nice design touch to remind you that the former pro had some involvement in this kit line.
Gore C5 Cancellara bibshorts: 5/5
Buy the Gore C5 Cancellara bibshorts from Evans Cycles here
Gore C3 Cancellara socks
The Gore C3 Cancellara Socks are comfortable but would benefit from being a bit longer for my taste. They’re socks, I haven’t got much more to say…
Gore C3 Cancellara Socks: 3/5
Buy the Gore C3 Cancellara socks from Evans Cycles here
Gore C7 Cancellara Short Pro Gloves
The Gore C7 Cancellara Short Pro Gloves are very good and if I wasn’t so pleased with the shorts they would be the highlight of the range for me.
Lightweight, comfortable and with no intrusive seams to cause any bother when gripping the handlebars, these are a great pair of summer mitts.
I’d want a bit more cushioning if I were riding the cobbles where Cancellara made his name but they did just fine on the rough roads of my cycling routes.
Gore C7 Cancellara Short Pro Gloves: 4.5/5
Buy the Gore C7 Cancellara gloves from Evans Cycles here
All reviews are fully independent and no payments have been made by companies featured in reviews
Fabian and Gore reveal new Cancellara Collection
Collaboration between cycling legend Fabian Cancellara and Gore Wear continues with the release of Cancellara Collection
18th March 2020
Split across the existing C5 and C7 lines of its collection, Gore Wear has revealed the latest step in its collaboration with Fabian Cancellara. The Cancellara Collection was due to be revealed at a press event on the cobbles of Flanders, where the rider achieved some of his best wins, but as the world goes into lockdown we’ll have to admire the new range from afar.
Classics superstar Cancellara has worked with Gore to combine the brand’s technologies with his own insights. Assuming we can get outside this summer, the two uniquely designed kits – said by the brand to be inspired and influenced by the man himself – are available to buy from 18th March 2020 (see below for the full range and pricing).
There are eight items in the limited collection: bibshorts, jerseys, a jacket, gloves and socks. Each will be available in either of Gore Wear’s established C7 or C5 lines. The C7 collection is race specific, while the C5 lines feature design modifications based on pre-existing road cycling products from Gore.
Gore Wear credits Cancellara with playing a key role in the development and design of the premium cycling clothing.
Lucky number seven
‘The central design element of the Cancellara kit is a “heptagon”,’ Gore Wear explains. ‘The idea originating from the number seven: the number of Monument victories Fabian Cancellara won, his prologue victory on the Tour de France (7/7/2007) and the shape of a cobblestone a terrain in which he excelled on.’
Cancellara Collection: The range and pricing
C7 Cancellara Race Bib Shorts+ – £229.99
Featuring the central torso architecture, the woven four-way stretch material and the Windstopper cup technology
C7 Cancellara Race Jersey – £179.99
Extremely lightweight, compact and made of the woven four-way stretch material
C7 Gore-Tex Shakedry Cancellara Stretch Jacket – £319.99
Featuring the proven, revolutionary Shakedry technology and an air of Cancellara chic
C7 Cancellara Socks – £17.99
Very thin with low cuff height
C7 Cancellara Short Pro Gloves – £29.99
Featuring a high level of tactile sensitivity
The C5 Cancellara kit based on Gore Wear’s best selling products in a new Cancellar design
C5 Cancellara Bib Shorts+ – £89.99
Lightweight and form-fitting bib shorts featuring an advanced seat insert and the Windstopper cup technology
C5 Cancellara Jersey – £79.99
Comfortable and breathable
C3 Cancellara Mid Socks – £12.99
Relatively thick material with mid cuff height
