Gobik Envy 2.0 Jacket - Protection for cool conditions

Gobik is a relatively new brand, founded in 2010 in southeastern Spain. They don’t have quite the same kind of exposure in the UK as more familiar clothing brands like Castelli or Assos, but with sponsorship deals to supply WorldTour teams Ineos Grenadiers and Movistar, it is likely to be increasingly visible.

The Gobik clothing range is pretty comprehensive, with summer and winter options available for men and women. The Envy 2.0 jersey/jacket is from the ‘Cold Unity’ collection, and is intended for riding in cooler weather (which, as far as the local riders in Spain seem to be concerned, is anything less than about 25° from what I have witnessed!). In truth though, the Envy 2.0 is rated by Gobik for use in temperatures of between 5° and 15°.

Although the Envy could just about be carried in a jersey pocket as a spare layer, this is not really what it is about. It is designed to be worn for the duration of your ride, with enough water and wind protection to negate the need for any additional layers in all but the worst weather. In short, it is Gobik’s answer to Castelli’s venerable Gabba Jersey.

Construction

Polartec Power Shield Pro is the headline fabric, featuring a PFAS-free windproof and waterproof membrane paired with soft outer and inner fabrics. Apparently, the membrane uses ‘molecular diffusion’ rather than micropores for breathability, with the advantage of this technology being that the material can’t get clogged up with rain, dirt or sweat. However, it is important to note that although Gobik says that the material is waterproof, only the shoulder seams are taped, so there are still plenty of potential ingress points for heavy rain.

Although the vast majority of the Envy is made using Power Shield Pro, there is a small area under each armpit made without the membrane for a bit of extra breathability.

The front features a YKK Vision Aquaguard unit, which provides important front protection against wind and rain. Beneath the rear pockets is a long neoprene panel with a silicone gripper to ward off rear wheel road spray. The collar is nice and deep with slight sculpting around the nape of the neck.

As you’d expect, there are three rear pockets, but unfortunately, no zipped security pocket, which is a real shame. Mesh sections at the bottom of the pockets allow water to drain out if you are unlucky enough to get caught out in torrential conditions. There are a couple of reflective details, but nothing that would make me feel like leaving my lights at home on a dull winter day.

A special mention should go to the rather cool chest badge and logo, which is almost holographic depending on the light and viewing angle. Not that this increases performance, but it does look nice.

There are four colours for men in sizes 2XS to 2XL, and the same is true for women, with a short-sleeved version in black also available. Gobik gives the weight of a medium as 230g, my size medium tipped the scales at 241g.

The ride

On first acquaintance, my thought was that I would have to ask Gobik for a larger size as the medium (my usual cycling jersey size) was pretty damn snug, but after a few moments and a bit of mental recalibration, I decided that it probably was the right size. The Envy is not designed to be worn over much more than a long-sleeved base layer, and you shouldn’t think of it as a jacket; rather, it is a cool-weather jersey.

Once on, the Envy is very snug but is so well cut that whilst riding, I had no issues at all with fit or feeling restricted. In fact, it just made most of my other winter options feel rather clunky and baggy. The fabric is lovely and soft, with no hint of the stiffness, bulk, or rustling that some outerwear has, and there is plenty of stretch to accommodate the jacket’s svelte fit.

Another issue with many products that claim to be windproof and water-resistant is that breathability is sacrificed, meaning that you have to make your peace with being damp on the inside, albeit protected from rain and wind chill. However, with the Envy, this was not the case.

I wore the jersey on tough chaingangs, hill efforts and long rides in the lumpy Peak District, frequently checking the inside of it expecting condensation and a damp base layer, but the Envy defied expectations and remained far drier than it had any right to be. The only evidence of my suffering was the collar, where the double-thickness fabric sometimes held moisture. Very impressive.

I’m not brave enough, or trusting enough in the UK weather, to embark on autumn rides without a lightweight waterproof jacket tucked away in my pocket, but with the Envy, my Castelli Squall Shell stayed in its bag in the light rain that I’ve encountered so far. I suspect that as long as you kept moving and making an effort, the Envy would feel comfortable in heavier rain too, but would quickly become quite chilly in the event of a mechanical or prolonged descent.

Of the three pockets, the central one is the widest at 11.5cm, with the outer two measuring 10cm. None of them felt overly large or accommodating, but they were just about adequate for autumn necessities. The lack of a secure, zipped pocket is a real shame - I do like to know that my house keys are going to be easy to find when I roll up the drive at the end of a cold ride.

Conclusion and value

Overall, I really liked the Gobik Envy 2.0. The second-skin fit felt fast and purposeful without ever impeding movement, whilst the material’s breathability exceeded my expectations and kept me dry even when working hard. As a performance piece, it was great, although I will probably need something a little warmer in the depths of winter.

Its asking price of €190 is pretty reasonable; for instance, Castelli’s Perfetto/Gabba products are now significantly over £200 and there are plenty of bog-standard, lightweight, short-sleeved summer jerseys available around this price as well, so Gobik ticks the value box too.