Having made a significant impact in recent time with their high-end compression tights, Australian brand Skins has launched a range of cycling kit to the same high specifications. At £150 these shorts are aimed at the Assos/Rapha end of the market with top-quality materials, fit and styling. Taking these points one at a time, the […]
For the purists out there, dedicated to the essence of cycling, a product like this is a real statement. The simple, no-nonsense application of luxurious materials in a classic cut and retro style is a two-fingered salute to our obsession with synthetic engineering. With a large dollop of Merino wool, this jacket can take on […]
Mavic’s HC shorts are designed for longer rides or road races. The padding is plentiful and the thickness varies to produce the most comfortable and flexible padding you could wish for, with the external elastic gripper holding the shorts in place well. The shoulder straps are made from breathable netting and are well shaped with […]
Already hugely respected in the bike world for their high-quality components, the new Sport Wind Vest proves that Bontrager can also cut it in the world of apparel. The vest is sleeveless and manufactured from a densely woven microfibre, resulting in a super lightweight and wind-resistant option. But as such, it won’t hold up to […]
French company Mavic has an acclaimed heritage of manufacturing ground-breaking bicycle wheels. Since 2008, however, they’ve expanded their range into accessories and clothing. The Helium is the lightest functional shirt in their road cycling range and is designed for use in temperatures above 28°C. The shirt is well-ventilated by a three-quarter length zip, and the […]
Maxgear is a relatively new British brand that was formed in 2007 and specialises in cycling apparel and products. Their Ionergized long-sleeve compression top is sold as a cycling-specific garment to be worn during and after exercise. It’s comfortable and, even though the benefits of compression on the upper body are debatable, it feels supportive […]
It seems that Skins is gradually stretching its brand away from simply providing a squeeze to your muscles. These Bib Knicks are a great, albeit expensive, example. The compression heritage clearly shows with an offering of super premium fabrics with good levels of power that really hug your legs. There’s good length in the leg, […]
Polypropylene has one of the lowest moisture regains of all modern and classic fibres, which is why the FS260 performed so well under sweaty conditions. The polypropylene/nylon mix allows moisture to wick through the fabric and evaporate easily without leaving you in a cold, sodden top. As a standard medium the sizing felt a little […]
It could be argued that Helly Hansen is one of the forefathers of base-layer construction. You might think, therefore, that this top would wipe the floor with the competition. Sadly not… Helly Hansen have not tried to hide the fact that this is a revamp of their classic line and the basic performance is still […]
TESS’s top-of-the-range, 94% nylon base layer is definitely one for the winter. The thick, one-piece, circular knitted body and one-piece arms provide a close, comfortable fit. Nylon offers a wealth of stretch and, when mixed with the chosen manufacturing process, provides a very flexible garment. The thickness gives great thermal insulation but can struggle slightly […]
Spiuk use a three-layer theory when designing their garment range: the inner (base) layer is used predominantly for breathability and moisture transportation; the mid-layer for thermoregulation; and the outer layer for insulation. A combination of these layers can (they claim) provide solutions to nearly any condition. The EVO 2 is Spiuk’s mild winter base layer. […]
The Compton represents good value for a seamless base layer, and the solid thermal properties provide a nice blend of warmth and moisture control. Unfortunately, the fit and general comfort of this top isn’t as we’d hoped. It’s as if the body contouring hasn’t been completed successfully, which caused consistent complaints with every member of […]
Falke’s Athletic Cool is sublimely comfortable, and although it’s not the best-insulated base layer we’ve ever tested, this doesn’t seem to compromise the ‘in-use’ performance. Anyway, Falke have marketed this garment as more of a moisture manager than a pure winter-warmer, and in this respect the thin fabric wicks extremely well. This is an important […]
We absolutely love DeFeet’s Merino wool socks but how well would their gloves cope with the cold? The 80% Merino wool mix is reinforced with Cordura and Coolmax, while the palms and fingers are covered with rubber grippers to give fantastic control feel. The long cuff means there’s plenty of overlap with jackets, even when […]
Cannondale’s LE gloves are expensive, but as warm as you’ll get while staying in control of your bike in the depths of winter. The outer, thermal, carbon, hydrogrid max fabric is superbly weatherproof. And the Outlast lining really does seem to promise the magical trick of cosy, cold-weather warmth without excess mild-weather marinating. The pre-articulated […]
Gore’s Xenon gloves are serious stuff. There are more panels and technology here than most jackets and the fit is as snug as we’ve ever tried – even in lightweight summer gloves. The Windstopper fabric is as damn near waterproof as you’ll get, with rain only seeping through after a while. Ribbed pads on the […]
DHB’s budget gloves are made with windproof softshell fabrics that shrug off most showers, and warmth is good considering the decent finger dexterity and control. The fleece inner means they do this without feeling sweaty on the climbs and the liner is well anchored to stop it turning inside out when you take them off. […]
Typically for Cannondale, these gloves aren’t cheap, but the extra money isn’t wasted. The water and windproof fabric shrugs off serious showers and properly arctic, frosty morning descents before cold or wet creeps through. There’s very little sweat build-up and the long cuffs give a good wrist sealing. There’s useful reflectivity on your little finger, […]
As you might expect from Assos, they’ve delivered a considered design on a well-finished garment. Although their offering still packs down sufficiently to allow easy pocket storage, the material is a little heavier than some other ‘lightweight’ jackets. The extra weight has gone into a more water-resistant material that does suffer on the breathability front. […]
The Sugoi Helium is a very light jackets, weighing in at just 90g. There’s some nice reflective detailing, which when combined with the “super nova yellow” of our test sample has to make it one of the safest jackets to be out in. The jacket’s inherent light weight makes it very comfortable to wear and […]
When considering what brand of jacket you’re going to spend your hard-earned cash on, Scott probably wouldn’t even be on your list. We suggest you rewrite that list and put Scott near the top. Scott has used a Gore-tex membrane to help separate you from the elements. The real beauty of this jacket, however, lies […]
The Strada is a packable waterproof cape that offers reasonable breathability thanks to sound material choice and shoulder panel venting. Altura have added a number of reflective strips around the shoulders and waistband to keep you visible when the light begins to fade. Zip quality was good and also included a large pull cord that […]
The Valeggio is a lightweight, packable ‘race cape’ that’s ideal to have in your back pocket and stick on when the weather turns. Its water resistance appeared good, although you do start to cook in it after a while, just like many jackets in this category. The seams aren’t taped and there are no additional […]
