Cycling Kit reviews¶
I have worn many different brands over the last two decades, starting with padded shorts from Lidl and gradually investing in quality clothing.
The quality clothing I obtained has lasted a longest time and has been well worth the investment.
SpatzWear¶
SpatzWear produce premium quality kit, designed in detail to give high performance and used by professional cycling teams. Their kit is tested in the Yorkshire Dales (United Kingdom) and so designed for the most challenging rides.
The products are pricey but when treated with care they will last years and be well worth the investment.
The SpatzWear kit I've bought feels so good to cycle in and is very aerodynamic. Most of the kit acts with compression, helping ease fatigue in muscles.
The kit is designed for performance, so has a close fit
Most garments are meant to be tight, so if you can fit into them without damaging the garment, they they should be the right size for you.
Base layers are very streatchy, but Jerseys and Gilets with windproofed panels may not be as forgiving.
If you are not of a shape similar to a pro-cyclist you may need a larger size. SpatzWear will allow you to exchange the garment via their service portal, although this can take a 2-3 weeks to complete (especially during the height of the season).
Base Layers¶
The Race Layer Short Sleeve Baselayer for most of the last 5 years, except for the hottest summer rides. The base layer does an excellent job of wicking away sweat and is very comfortable on all day rides.
On colder days I wear the Basez 2 a long sleeve base layer with high neck line. The sleeves are long and stretch over the palms of the hands, with a hold to pass through the thumb, keeping out chill very effectively.
Jersey¶
The 4-season jersey has the same enjoyable feel as the base layers, with wind protection at the top of the chest and over the shoulders. It is a very snug fit when putting it on, but once on it feels very comfortable.
The 2 rear pockets can seem fiddly to use at first, but making space in them with a hand make it easier to put items in there. The latest version of this jersey also has a larger mesh pocket in the center.
With the wind protection panels, this jersey provides the added protection you would get from wearing a Gilet.
The ShiftR jersey is also similar material to the base layer, with 3 large rear pockets.
The ShiftR 3 is an upgrade that adds a large mesh pocket over the 3 rear pockets. This extra pocket is ideal for layers removed due to warmer weather on a ride.
NOTE: I used the large mesh pocket to hold the large rider number label whilst on the Dragon Ride, saving the need to push safety pins through the Jersey itself.
Gilet¶
This winter I have been wearing the Polar layer, a fleece gilet that keeps me toasty on very cold days. It is breathable and I haven't overheated, even on a steep ascent.
For the rest of the year, the Burnr2 Gilet has been an excellent extra layer for colder Spring, Summer and Autumn rides. Again a compression garment with excellent comfort and warmth where it is needed.
I rode the Dragon Ride in Wales with this Gilet, keeping the wind off at over 60kmh on the mountain pass descents.
Gloves¶
The Glovez are full finger gloves that are good for most seasons (except really hot days).
There is a unique fold-out wind-block design that wraps the fingers with a extra layer to keep them warm. It turns 4 separate fingers into 2 that can feel a little strange at first, like having crab hands. After a few rides I got used to my fingers being wrapped up a little more and was very thankful for the extra warmth on cold days.
Riding in 5-10 Celsius weather and windy condition my hands were kept warm, unfolding the wind-block covers as the temperature dropped. The covers take a bit of getting used to but are easier than wearing 2 pairs of gloves or much thicker gloves.
I have worn these gloves comfortably in temperatures up to 15 Celsius.
Leg and Arm Warmers¶
Unsurprisingly, the leg and arm warmers are the same excellent material as the base layer, offering compression as well as warmth.
I found the arm warmers to be a little too snug when first putting them on. However once on they were very comfortable and there was no chance of air turbulence from wrinkled warmers 😆
The leg warmers were much easier to put on and have stayed in place even on all day rides.
Both warmers have kept me riding when weather is as low as 5 Celsius and up to 20 Celsius (although the arm warmers are usually pulled down to my wrists, especially on sunny days or on large ascents).
Socks¶
Hotsokz Long Winter Merino socks fit up to just below the knee, ensuring the calves stay as warm as ankles and feet.
These feel like very premium socks and have kept me warm during the cold winter months, without the feeling of getting sweaty.
I have had the socks a year and they seem very durable.
Lusso¶
A company based in Manchester (United Kingdom) where all of the kit is manufactured.
Shorts¶
The Perform Carbon 3 bib shorts are made from recycled materials. These have excellent reviews on RoadCC and other cycling review sites.
Socks¶
The Lusso winter socks have kept my feel warm this winter without ever feeling hot.
They are a long sock that comes up to the bottom of the knee, providing extra warmth around the calves.
The material feels soft to the skin and so far has been very durable.