
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
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Specifically developed for high aerobic activities - 2.5
layer HydroFoil™ fabric combines a lightweight ripstop nylon
shell with a composite membrane that is completely waterproof,
totally windproof and extremely breathable. The outer fabric is
treated with a water repellent finish that encourages rain to bead
up and roll off, while a textured finish on the inside enhances
comfort against your body.
> Composition: 100% nylon with PU laminate.
> 20,000mm hydrostatic head with durable water-repellent finish on face fabric.
> Breathability: 15,000gm per sq.m per 24h
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.
Interstellar garb for storming wide open spaces or darting through rush hour traffic. Gordon repels rain and blocks out nasty winds but remains highly breathable thanks to its lightweight 2.5 layer HydroFoil fabric. Zipping off the yoke and sleeves converts it into a hi-visibility waterproof vest... great in warmer conditions when you want maximum cooling but only need partial protection from the elements. Sometimes less is more.
> Super lightweight 2.5 layer HydroFoil fabric - highly water resistant, extremely breathable and totally windproof.
> Fleece lined collar.
> Zip off yoke and sleeves.
> Full-length front zip with internal wind flap.
> Thumb loops keep your wrists under wraps.
> WhaleTail cut keeps all of your back covered all of the time.
> Hazard! reflective trim explodes with brightness under headlights.
> Zipped rear pocket to store sleeves.
> Turns into itself to form a tidy package that you can stash in your backpack.
> XS size option
> 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 Flash Gordon, Storm Trooper and She Shell are all made from HydroFoil fabric. They are 'high performance jackets' that provide effective protection in serious weather but are still relatively light and low bulk to carry.
> 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. Both have under arm zips for additional ventilation.
> Zipping off the yoke and sleeves of the Flash Gordon lets you quickly change between jacket and vest mode. The hi-visibility vest delivers a decent shot of weather protection - all with substantially more breathabilty than the full jacket.
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 HydroFoil fabric. Bleach may attack the HydroFoil laminate. Also avoid products containing fabric softeners, ie. wool wash. These destroy the water repellent finish.
> Select a mild plant-based soap - like 'Ecover' or 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. 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.
> Try not to wash too often. General wear along with washing progressively removes the water repellent treatment from the outside of the fabric. This treatment helps rain to bead and run off - and enhances the overall performance of the fabric. You can help 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 beef up the original treatment to some extent with a product like Grangers Extreme Synthetics or Nikwax TX Direct (around NZ$30-40 from most outdoor shops). A bottle is good for two or three rounds with your jacket. The effectiveness of this process depends on the age and condition of your jacket. Expect ok results if the fabric is only 'wetting out' in patches (the 'mid-life' crisis). If the entire jacket is 'wetting-out' rapidly in light rain then it already has one-foot-in-the-grave and beading is unlikely to improve much from the treatment. The 40 bucks maybe better spent put towards a new jacket. Note that while the fabric's wetting-out impairs performance, particularly breathability, the HydroFoil laminate should still be waterproof.







