Details
Turns into itself to form a tiny package you can shove in your back pocket.
Zip off yoke and sleeves converts it into a vest with mesh back and lycra bound armholes.
Reviews
UnderGround - Jun 07
The Doctor Smock has been a perennial staple of our shellwear range through the ages, reincarnating itself every few years to provide lightweight foul-weather protection.
The original Doctor was our first attempt at a bright shell way back in 1995. Electric Yellow shoulders and a slick grey body served cyclists right into the current millennium. Being the hedonistic 90's there was a Pure Purple option - long gone but not forgotten. HydroFoil fabric and the Flash Gordon jacket stormed into the fray in 1997 - offering increased wet weather performance. The venerable Doctor suffered. In 2001 it spawned the even lighter and brighter Phantom that was an instant best seller. The success of the HydroFoil fabric suggested a pullover version of the Flash, and so for another few years we sold an Agent Orange Smock until it too faded away.
For the current winter we devised the Swiss Army knife solution - an all-in-one vest and jacket. At its core is a lightweight vest with a partial mesh back. The sleeves and yoke zip on (and off), turning it into a jacket. The yoke covers the mesh at the top of your back for complete weather protection. With a full front zip the garment isn't a smock any more but the name lives on. Beam me up Scotty.
Frase,
Ground Effect Product Designer.
UnderGround - Jun 07
So how clever is the Doctor? Words and pictures don't do it justice. Looks like a jacket, feels like a jacket, but slide down the two short zips hidden behind the reflective piping to remove the sleeves and yoke and you've got yourself a vest with a mesh back. So all that pre-ride deliberating (is it jacket weather, can I get away with just a vest, does it match my bike?) is a thing of the past. That leaves spare brainpower for big decisions like where and when to stop for a snort of coffee. Obviously it's me.
Simon Adams
Knee reconstruction survivor, hard-arse cyclist and diehard surfer
Cycling Plus (UK) - Dec 07
This isn't the most hardcore jacket out there but it is extremely versatile - you can zip the arms and yoke off in seconds to leave you with a mesh-backed gilet, and the whole thing will fold down small enough to fit in a jersey pocket if the sun comes out. The polyester fabric keeps you warm by stopping the wind getting in and it's resistant to drizzle although hard rain will soak through. The Lycra cuffs and hem provide good draught-proofing while the high collar is fleece faced for maximum comfort. You also get a large, zipped pocket on the extended back and a decent amount of reflective trim.
Verdict:
8/10; Clever design with high visibility - but not for the worst winter weather.
Microfibre
Shell fabric constructed from 100% polyester micro fibres, tightly
woven to block wind with a light coating to resist drizzle. The
ultra-fine yarn is silk-like to touch but retains breathability.
The outer surface is buffed to achieve a natural 'peached finish'.
> Composition: 100% Polyester
Sizing
This chart is a guide only – if you fall in-between sizes, the right size for you will depend on your body shape and how loose or tight you like to wear your clothes. It's no hassle to swap it, if your first choice is not the best fit.
| Unisex | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XS |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
|
|
Height |
154 -
164 cm |
163 -
172 cm |
169 - 178 cm |
175 - 185 cm |
183 - 191 cm |
|
Chest |
84 - 90 cm |
91 -
97 cm |
98 - 104 cm |
105 - 111 cm |
112 - 118 cm |
|
Waist |
66 - 72 cm |
73 - 79 cm |
80 - 86 cm |
87 - 93 cm |
94 - 100 cm |
|
Hips |
78 - 86 cm |
87 - 95 cm |
96 - 103 cm |
104 - 111 cm |
112 - 120 cm |
Unisex vs Women's Sizes
Most Ground Effect designs are unisex. The jackets, tights
and baggy tops generally fit both men and women equally well.
Fitted garments like cycle shorts and some tops are more gender
specific so there is generally a women's version in the Outskirts
range.
Blessed with a split personality, Doctor Smock morphs into ‘Mr Vest’ by zipping off its yoke and sleeves. Back in jacket-mode, the microFoil yoke covers the vest’s breathable mesh back to shed rain and block chilling winds. The ultimate one - or should that be two - for the road.
> Zip off yoke and sleeves converts it into a vest with mesh back and lycra bound armholes.
> Hi-visibility microFoil fabric - drizzle resistant, breathable and completely windproof.
> Full-length front zip.
> Fleece-lined collar. Mmmm.
> Elastic thumb loops keep your wrists under wraps.
> WhaleTail cut keeps your back covered.
> Lycra bound stretch hem and cuffs.
> Zipped rear pocket to store sleeves.
> Turns into itself to form a tiny package you can shove in your back pocket.
> Hazard! reflective trim dazzles others at night.
> Made by us in New Zealand.
> The Phantom, Doctor Smock, Flip Flop, Flash Gordon, Storm Trooper and She Shell are all shells, ie. they have no insulation. Your shell is the primary defence against wind and rain - and is good insurance to take on any ride at any time of the year.
> The Phantom, Doctor Smock and Flip Flop are made from hi-visibility Microfibre fabric. They are obscenely compact to carry and is totally windproof but only provide emergency protection in light rain. Ideal for those who want to be seen on the road but don't stray too far from home.
> The Flash Gordon, Storm Trooper and She Shell are made from HydroFoil fabric. They are more 'high performance jackets' that provide effective protection in more serious conditions but are still relatively light and low bulk to carry. If you ride more than a couple of times a week (especially if you commute to work rain or shine) then you'll easily get your money's worth out of one of these over the microfibre jackets.
> Additionally the Storm Trooper and She Shell are tape-sealed and have hoods for maximum protection from the elements. They are most suited for multi-day mountain bike trips in the back-country and commuting or touring when you're likely to encounter rain for more than a few hours.
How waterproof is it?
> The challenge is for a jacket to keep you as dry as possible. With all shell fabrics this involves a trade-off between waterproofness and breathability. Even garments made from the most waterproof fabrics will eventually leak when you're belting along at 30kph in the wet (rain gets in through the collar, cuffs or closures). It's difficult to quantify waterproofness in meaningful terms for cycling. Keeping the wind out stops the majority of heat loss.
> The Phantom, Doctor Smock and Flip Flop keep you dry in intermittent rain or light showers. In persistent rain you'll probably begin to feel damp after about half an hour.
> The Flash Gordon provides extended protection and is good for up to a couple of hours in continuous rain.
> If you're heading into exposed areas for a day or longer or often ride in the rain for more than a couple of hours, then choose the Storm Trooper or She Shell for maximum protection - with its tape sealed seams and hood. And remember, if it all gets too grim then it's okay to hunt down a warm fire and a pint of Guinness.
> What ever your choice, it's important to use any shell in combination with an effective base layer (a Heatwave Merino, Intercool or micro-fleece 100 top) so that any accumulated moisture is transferred away from your skin.
How breathable is it?
> Cycling is a highly aerobic activity - so you sweat a lot. Even the most breathable fabrics won't actually stop you sweating and because they're windproof, you lose the cooling effect of the air rushing past as you ride.
> The Phantom, Doctor Smock and Flip Flop use Microfibre fabric - very breathable and totally windproof but only provides some water repellency.
> The Flash Gordon, Storm Trooper and She Shell all use 2.5 layer HydroFoil fabric. Specifically developed for high aerobic activities, it is extremely breathable - around 2-3 times more so than standard waterproof-breathable fabrics. The latest spec 2.5 layer version has a textured finish on the inside that improves comfort. Under arm vents in the Storm Trooper and She Shell provide additional temperature control and all the HydroFoil jackets feature full-length front zips.
>
Washing Instructions?
> Ground Effect shells enjoy a warm machine wash. Try to avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach. The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but can damage the Microfibre fabric. Bleach may also attack the fabric's coating.
> Select a soap-based product - ideally use a specific sport wash like Grangers Extreme Cleaner or Nikwax Tech Wash (around NZ$30 from most outdoor shops). Check out www.grangers.co.uk or www.nikwax.com for more info.
> Try not to wash too often. General wear along with washing will progressively remove the water repellent treatment on the outside of the fabric. This helps rain to bead and run off - and enhances the overall performance of the fabric. You can restore it after a wash by chucking your jacket in the dryer using a warm (not hot) cycle. This 'recharges' the water repellent treatment so it lasts a bit longer. When this trick no longer does its magic you can reapply the original treatment with a product like Nikwax TX Direct or Grangers Xtreme Synthetics (available from most Outdoor Shops).
> Any stubborn stains should be dabbed not rubbed clean. For grease spots you can use a degreaser like Swarfega. It's aggressive stuff though so take care - it might be best left alone as added character.