Details

Zip off yoke and sleeves converts it into a vest with lycra bound armholes.

Turns into itself to form a tidy package that you can stash in your backpack.

Reviews

Bikeradar - Nov 09

Full functionality with an impressively small pack size? The Antipodean clothing heroes at Ground Effect have turned out a rather useful garment.Yes, the price is steep but for just over a ton you get a gilet and jacket combo that's as waterproof as many 'waterproof' jackets we've tried - despite only being labelled as water-resistant - and it's highly breathable as well as tough. The one-piece sleeve and yoke requires only two zips, which we could fit and remove with the vest in situ. Simple, bound hem and cuffs fit snugly and don't inhibit waterproofness at the wrist, and there's no mesh panel to soak up water at the neck. Features - despite the fact that the list above could also include the fleece lined collar, thumb loops, relective trim and zipped rear pocket - are kept to a useful minimum and the lime green colourway strikes a pleasant balance between tarmac visibility and trail camo; it's less garish than it looks on screen, honest!

BikeRadar verdict: 3 out of 5 stars
"The price is high but this is a vest and a jacket - versatile and neat"
By Jenn Hopkins, What Mountain Bike, Nov 2009

Mountain Biking Australia - Jul 09

I've always found wind vests to be the most versatile and frequently used item of winter clothing in my winter wardrobe. Full length sleeves may be cosy when you are getting ready, but you'll cook in all but the coldest weather once you start to climb. An absence of sleeves keeps your core comfortably warm without getting too steamy when you sweat. Most vests however, are ultra lightweight affairs often with mesh back panels and made from wind but not rain resistant material. They are designed more for compact pocket storage than all-out weather protection. While this is great for comfort in moderate conditions, it can leave you cold and wet if the weather is genuinely poor. Ground Effect recently modified their longstanding 'Flash Gordon' rain jacket by adding zip-off sleeves to create a hybrid vest/jacket that promises greater versatility in bad and marginal weather. In its past life, Flash was a dedicated rain jacket made from a totally waterproof yet breathable fabric called Hydrofoil. It is something like a lightweight version of Gore-Tex. While the material is waterproof, the seams are not sealed so it won't offer 100% protection in heavy or sustained downpours (the hooded Storm Trooper is their jacket of choice if you are after tape sealed protection).
In its new guise, Flash retains the same waterproof Hydrofoil material and the same level of weather protection. The sleeves now attach via a short zip on either side near the shoulder and form a one-piece 'yoke' that stretches across the back of the jacket. Removing the sleeves is best done when you are off the bike but it can usually be done whilst wearing the jacket.
When removed, the sleeves and shoulder yoke takes up very little space in your pocket - probably less than a pair of fleece lined arm warmers. As a complete jacket it is also quite compact and isn't much bigger than a minimalist 'spray jacket'. It actually folds into its own rear pouch and easily fits into a jersey pocket for those roadie jaunts or MTB rides where you don't want to carry a backpack.
Once out in the rain, Flash Gordon offers noticeably better rain protection than most spray jackets. You'll stay dry in light showers and while the fabric is clearly breathable, I found that I was more likely to get damp from sweat when riding. While you'll still get wet in heavy or persistent rain, the material never became saturated and always cut the wind out to keep you warm.
No matter how much breathability a clothing manufacturer claims, I always
find that true rain jackets get hot and sweaty when you are putting in a decent effort on the bike. This is where Flash is truly great - it's amazing how well it works with the sleeves removed. The water and wind resistant torso keeps your core warm and semi-dry while your exposed arms stop you cooking on the climbs. Sure, your arms get wet but I found the comfort level remained high, as I wasn't sweating profusely inside a wrap-around sauna. Unzip the front and the Flash Gordon becomes quite manageable in milder weather too.
As good as it was, there were still compromises in a few areas. Being made from a heavier, more water resistant material than your average wind vest makes it feel comparatively bulky, so the fit and flexibility is sacrificed to a degree. It has elastic arm sockets to hold the vest in close to your body and keep the elements out, but these felt restrictive at times - especially when worn as a jacket. While it does have an extra-long tail, I did find
the elastic arm sockets tended to pull the jacket up and make it sit relatively high on my torso. It is also worth mentioning that the sizing seems on the large side. I'm 176cm tall and 65kg but the smallest size was still on the big side for me. Some people, mainly of the fairer sex, may be out of luck and
they don't offer a ladies' version of the Flash Gordon. As this New Zealand made garment is only available by mail order from across the Tasman, you'll be taking a punt to some degree on the sizing. At least Ground Effect is renowned for their relatively hassle free returns policy.
In the end, I found the Flash Gordon to be one of my most frequently used jackets this winter. It was on call whenever it was cool with rain threatening; I knew that it could be relied upon to work as a proper rain jacket without leaving me with a bulky piece of clothing to carry if the rain held off. In rainy but mild weather, or when I was exercising hard, the waterproof vest format worked well too. It also worked as a wind vest when you wanted a little more warmth than a lightweight vest. There are plenty of nice touches that show some real thought has gone into its design. Things like the internal wind flap on the zip, good length sleeves with thumb loops to keep them down over your hands and reflective piping for night time road rides. I particularly like the fleece lined collar, which goes a long way towards making you feel toasty and warm.
Price wise, the new convertible Flash Gordon sells for A$200, which is around $30 more than the older version. As with most items from Ground Effect, this represents pretty good value for a well designed and well made product.

UnderGround - Aug 03

Hey Ernie

Thanks for my order... while I'm at it, a quick note about some diverse uses for your products. I've been piloting a friend's Cannondale tandem of late and did the 'gorges ride' over the weekend. Got to our first banana stop near the Waimak and my bum felt like it belonged to a cowboy who'd been in the saddle for a year... I couldn't ride another metre. Fortunately, I had my trusty Flash Gordon with me. I stuffed it with straw from the roadside, tied it to the seat, and limped on. Maybe you could market the Flash as a saddle companion? Part of the problem may have been that I was wearing a rival brand's 'roadie' cycle shorts - will have to don my Ground Effect ones next time!

Cheers, John Hasson

Meredith McKay takes Gordon for a whirl on the Rameka Track, Golden Bay.
Photo: Dave Mitchell