Gorewear Cycling Contest 2.0 Cycling Shirt Review

The Gorewear Contest 2.0 Long Sleeve Shirt is a simple but amazing piece of kit.  When I think of a long sleeve layer I think of something that is generally meant to keep me warm however I kept thinking to myself that this shirt felt like I was wearing air conditioning whenever I wore it as a stand alone piece.

While originally designed for cycling and endurance sports, the Gorewear Contest 2.0 shares many of the same moisture-management principles we prioritize in the best ski and snowboard base layers.

Where to Use the Gorewear Long Sleeve Shirt?

As used as a base layer under a rain shell like the Gorewear Concurve Jacket I felt that I was easily able to regulate my temperature during high output activities in inclement weather.  Not making it feel like its there seems to be the design philosophy Gorewear was using when designing the Contest 2.0.

Gorewear Shirt Tech

Details like a bonded collar, laser cut ventilation and a cut that is intended to reduce clinging all contribute to helping the wearer having to remember that they are even wearing a shirt!  I typically run hot during high output activities and almost always my base layer ends up being sweat drenched and I go reaching for a layer to keep me warm when I stop for a snack.

However because the Contest 2.0 moves moisture so well I rarely thought about needing to throw a layer on top of it during start – stop activities as this layer was almost always close to dry!  The beauty of this layer is two fold as its weight and breathability generate less sweat and it rapidly transports it to the outside face of the shirt efficiently.

Lightweight next-to-skin layers that rapidly move moisture become especially valuable during high-output winter activities like ski touring, splitboarding and winter riding.

Gorewear Cycling Contest 2.0 Cycling Shirt Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Feels like wearing air conditioning
• Regulate temperature during high-output activities
• Moisture management for comfort during wear

Cons:

• May not provide enough warmth in cooler weather
• Material may not be durable for rough use

Overall Impression

I know there are a lot of light weight breathable shirts out there but ones like the Gorewear Contest 2.0 standout because not only do they manage moisture so well it also doesn’t cling to the skin which made me feel more comfortable during long days of wear.  Once again GORE WEAR nailed it!

Related Layering Systems & Technical Apparel

1. Patagonia Women’s R1 Air Fleece Full Zip Hoody Review – The Patagonia R1 Air Fleece is one of our favorite breathable active-insulation layers for high-output mountain pursuits, offering lightweight warmth, rapid drying performance, and excellent moisture management in changing conditions.
2. Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Hoodie Review – For riders and mountain athletes looking for a natural-fiber next-to-skin layer, the Smartwool Merino 250 Hoodie delivers excellent thermoregulation, odor resistance, and versatile cold-weather layering performance.
3. Velocio Alpha System Review – For riders building a complete cold-weather layering system, the Velocio Alpha collection combines breathable insulation, weather protection, and moisture management into one of the most versatile winter cycling apparel setups we’ve tested.