Flash Gordon

Interstellar garb for storming wide open spaces or darting through rush hour traffic. Gordon repels drizzle and blocks out nasty winds but remains highly breathable thanks to its lightweight 3 layer HydroFoil™ Plus 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.

+Features

• Lightweight 3 layer HydroFoil™ fabric - highly water resistant, extremely breathable and totally windproof.
• 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.
• Waterproofness: 23,000 mm hydrostatic head with a water-repellent finish.
• Breathability: 33,000 gm per sqm per 24hrs.
• Weight: 290 gm.
• Designed & made by us in Aotearoa | New Zealand.

+Tech

+HydroFoil™

Specifically developed for high aerobic activities, HydroFoil™ Plus combines a lightweight ripstop nylon shell with a composite membrane that is completely waterproof, totally windproof and extremely breathable. The outer fabric is the latest new-generation Pertex® Shield+ membrane. It is more than twice as breathable as most other quality waterproof-breathable fabrics, and has a small amount of stretch allowing a closer fit. The outer fabric is treated with a water repellent finish that encourages rain to bead up and roll off, while there is a lightweight tricot mesh on the inside for greater durability and improved moisture dispersion.

• Composition: 100% nylon with PU laminate.
• Waterproofness: 23,000 mm hydrostatic head with water repellent finish on face fabric.
• Breathability: 33,000 gm per sqm per 24hrs.

+Hazard!™

Night travel is a spooky experience. Many Ground Effect garments feature our Hazard!™ reflective logo and piping to help remind traffic that we're on the road too.

+WhaleTail™

Ground Effect tops are cut with extra length in the back... and in the sleeves too. So when you stretch out in search of the perfect downhill position, neither your shirttail or sleeves will ride-up to expose your back or wrists to the elements.

+More than Kiwi Made

Ground Effect clothing is crafted right here in Aotearoa | New Zealand. Has been ever since we started back in 1994. Manufacturing locally works for us. We operate a quick-response system - holding minimal stock of any one item, but churning out a few more quick-smart when the pile gets low. The upshot is that we are seldom caught with our shelves empty, so orders get despatched the same day you place them.

+Compare

	anti-Cyclone	Storm Trooper	Flash Gordon	Rivet
Fabric	HydroFoil™ Plus	HydroFoil™ Plus	HydroFoil™ Plus	HydroFoil™ Plus
Tape Sealed	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Venting	Chest & arms	Front zip	Zip-off sleeves	Front zip
Hood	Yes	Yes	No	No
Pocket	Rear doubles as bumbag	Rear doubles as bumbag	Rear turns into stuff sack	Chest
Weight	380 gm	340 gm	290 gm	260 gm
Sizes	S - XXL	S - XXL	S - XL	S - XXL

+Video

+FAQ

+Which jacket is best for me?

• All our rain jackets are 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. They are high performance jackets made from HydroFoil™ Plus fabric, providing effective protection in serious weather but still relatively light and low bulk to carry.
• The anti-Cyclone, Storm Trooper, Antidote 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 backcountry, commuting or touring when you're likely to encounter rain for more than a few hours.
• 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 breathability than the full jacket.
• The Rivet and Rivulet are tape sealed but have no hood. Compact and light when stashed away, but completely waterproof when the heavens open. Perfect for lightweight touring and bikepacking.

+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.
• Our HydroFoil™ Plus fabric is built to a very high specification with more than 20,000 mm hydrostatic head and a water repellent finish. Many other lightweight fabrics with a 10,000 mm head are also described as waterproof. However all waterproof coatings become less waterproof with time and use. Our field testing over the years has shown that the higher 20,000 mm fabric stays waterproof for longer.
• Yet, even garments made from this most waterproof fabric will eventually leak when you're belting along at 30kph in the wet (rain gets in through the collar, cuffs or closures). So it's difficult to quantify waterproofness in meaningful terms for cycling. Keeping out the wind stops the majority of heat loss.
• 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 anti-Cyclone, Storm Trooper, Rivet, Antidote, She Shell or Rivulet for maximum protection - with their tape sealed seams. And remember, if it all gets too grim then it's okay to hunt down a warm fire and a pint of Guinness.
• Whatever your choice, it's important to use any shell in combination with an effective base layer (a Lightwave Merino or HyperActive 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.
• Our rain shells are constructed from the latest new-generation 3 layer HydroFoil™ Plus fabric. It is more than twice as breathable as most other quality waterproof-breathable fabrics, it has a small amount of stretch allowing a closer fit - and a lightweight tricot mesh inside for greater durability and improved moisture dispersion. It's water vapour transfer rate is a whopping 33,000 gm per sqm per 24hrs. 
• The full front zip on the Storm Trooper, Rivet and She Shell provide additional temperature control, while the anti-Cyclone and Antidote sport mechanical venting at the chest and arms. Zipping off the arms of the Flash Gordon leaves you with just a vest.

+Washing

Like the drivetrain or expensive components on your bike, proper care and maintenance is essential to extend the life of your HydroFoil™ rain jacket or pants and optimise their performance over time.

Wash Regularly

• Accumulated dirt, body oil, sunscreen and sweat degrade the factory-applied water repellant treatment on the outside of the HydroFoil™ fabric.
• Wash after about half a dozen outings, or after a particularly grubby ride. If it looks dirty, then your garment is definitely overdue some love.
• No need for kid gloves - just a warm machine wash at 40º with a mild plant-based soap like Ecostore, Earthwise or Aware.
• You can also opt for a specific sport wash like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash - around NZ$30 online or from most outdoor shops.
  
• Avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach, 'oxygen whitener' or fabric softener.
• The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but damage technical fabrics like HydroFoil™.
• Bleach and sodium percarbonate (the main ingredient in oxygen whitener) can also cause damage and make colours run.
• Fabric softener and wool wash attack HydroFoil's water repellent finish.

Recharge and Restore

• After washing, line dry or preferably give it a spin in the dryer on a warm (not hot) cycle - this helps ‘recharge’ the factory water repellent finish.
• The factory treatment does wear off quite quickly. When the fabric starts to rapidly wet out - generally after about four washes - you’ll want to restore with a water repellent solution.
• Ground Effect recommends TX Direct. It is easy to apply and each bottle is good for a few applications. At just $29 NZD ($10 off the usual retail price), it’s a small and worthwhile investment to keep your expensive jacket or pants humming through the winter.
• The effectiveness of this restoration process depends on the age and condition of your jacket.
• Note that while the fabric's wetting-out impairs performance, particularly breathability, the HydroFoil™ laminate will remain waterproof.

Store Dry

• A damp jacket left to fester for an extended period of time in your bag will suffer. Hang it on a hook or coat hanger in a dry place between rides.

+ Shipping

• Items are generally packed and sent the same day your order is received.
• Costs $9 by overnight courier within New Zealand.
• NZ$12 by tracked airmail to Australia.
• Around NZ$15-25 by tracked airmail to destinations elsewhere in the world - calculated in our shipping cart as you check out.
• More shipping and tax details in our FAQ.