Life In The Saddle

TRI- FIT aim to become the world's leading triathlon apparel brand – creating clean, modern and practical premium level triathlon clothing using only the finest fabrics and latest design technology. The TRI-FIT SYKL PRO Black Edition Long Sleeve Jersey and TRI-FIT SYKL PRO SKIN Bib Shorts have become one of my favourite riding outfits this season, thanks to their unique design and superb quality. Review – TRI-FIT SYKL PRO Black Edition Long Sleeve Jersey The TRI-FIT SYKL PRO Black Edition Long Sleeve is designed to be the perfect long sleeve cycling jersey; featuring a unique dual-purpose double layer rear pocket, a fantastic race cut and state-of-the-art fabrics. The jersey is constructed from an astonishing six different fabric types. On the front, a technical MICX fabric provides a close-fitting aero cut, then a soft cooling horizontal strip fabric on the rear aids with heat reduction and moisture management. Further extra moisture wicking fabrics have been used for high sw...

The Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Jersey is a flexible and lightweight long sleeve cycling jersey that excels at offering high-wicking and highly breathable insulation for the transition seasons. Made from a 185gsm fabric with a special micro-grid weave, it creates tiny air pockets within the layer to create insulation from cool autumn and spring temperatures. The micro-grid fabric also aids wicking performance by swiftly moving moisture build up from inside the jersey to the outside of the fabric—allowing it to evaporate with ease. The fabric has a four-way stretch profile that creates a close-fitting profile with a compression race level cut. Elasticated grippers on the cuff and hems keep everything in check. Pocketing comes in the form of three full sized rear pockets and one smaller zippered pocket for small valuables. The pockets are lined with a breathable mesh to stop the double layer of fabric compromising breathability. The Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Jersey is one of th...

For those that have not heard of the Café du Cycliste brand, you have been missing out. Established in the beautiful city of Nice on the French Côte d'Azur, this brand produces some of the finest quality and most stylish riding kit on the market today. As part of their new Audax range, the Café du Cycliste brand has released the Ingrid long sleeve jersey—a winter cycling jersey designed for those long-distance adventures. With special fabric, clever pocketing, and a unique hooded design—it offers something quite different for the endurance rider. The first thing that strikes you with the Ingrid jersey is the fabric. Unlike the windproof softshell fabrics found on most winter cycling jerseys and jackets, the Ingird instead uses a brushed micro-fibre fabric—most akin to a micro-fleece that you might in a hiking shop. This fabric is impressive; it provides superb insulation, but also offers exceptional moisture management—allowing perspiration to be wicked away and letting it eva...

For the Wight Prestige event I had some last minute custom cycle clothing made up by a new brand on the market, Souke Sports .  The China based company offers a fast and efficient design service for custom cycling jerseys. I have been nothing but impressed by their offering... The Souke brand offers a 'semi-custom' design service; where you do not have to worry about the fabric choices, but can focus solely on your design. You do not need to be a professional fabric designer to use their 3D design tool either; it is super easy to get a great result.  One of the highlights of Souke's service is that there is no minimum order quantity; unlike large factories that require 50+ jerseys per size to be ordered, the Souke team can do single orders of one size, with a maintenance of quality level. Finally, it is QUICK. From ordering to receiving my jerseys took less that 10 days, and the brand will guarantee a 15 business day delivery time. This is incredibly impressive for a prod...

The Santini Delta Pietra Short Sleeve Jersey wins my personal award for being my favourite summer cycling jersey of summer 2021. Designed for extreme heat and utilising some of the most advanced fabric technologies in the world, from Polartec; this jersey boasts exceptional style, fit, and performance whether road cycling or gravel riding. The Delta Pietra features Polartec© Power Stretch – an extremely breathable textile with four-way stretch. The back panel (aside from the pockets) uses Polartec© Delta, which acts as a unique cooling system—facilitating the transfer of heat from the body through sweat moisture wicking performance. The Delta Pietra jersey is designed for hot weather cycling, but I have found it performs exceptionally well in all summer conditions. Its raw-cut sleeves hug the arms without restricting movement and it is held gently but firmly in position by a coloured elastic gripper at the hem. The jersey has an exceptionally good slim fitting cut, and is avai...

Small Beer are specialists in brewing classic styles of beer, below 2.8 percent ABV; this summer they have launched an exclusive, sustainably sourced cycling jersey – designed to celebrate getting out of the house and onto the open road. Much in the same way that Small Beer serves as an answer to the everyday polarisation and compartmentalisation of either 'drinking' or 'not drinking', this limited-edition jersey is designed to embody the freedom of local adventure after lockdown. To help raise awareness of the importance that exercise has on our physical and mental health, all profits from the jersey sales go to MIND Mental Health Charity. The jersey is manufactured by Paria, in a vibrant and eye-catching design; using colours taken from Small Beer’s brand colours, bottle, and brewing kit shapes to make up the geometric pattern. Because the environment deserves as much care and attention as us, the Small Beer jersey has been manufactured using Green Soul Technology; a ...

Chapeau Cycling wins my personal award as the Best UK-Based Cycle Clothing Brand of 2020 . Their products continue to impress me with their exceptional quality, function, and design innovation. Yet, as a brand, Chapeau are still not that well-known in the world of cycling apparel. Hopefully, this review feature will introduce you to their latest winter range, and prompt you to also doff your top hat and shout " Chapeau! "... Review – Chapeau Cycling Club Thermal Bib Shorts Thermal bib shorts are a highly versatile and under-rated piece of cycling apparel. In the transition seasons of spring and autumn you are often too warm in bib tights, but a little too chilly in summer bib shorts. Thermal bib shorts use fleece-lined fabrics, a higher cut bib, and a longer leg length to deliver that extra bit of warmth and comfort. The Chapeau Club Thermal Bib Shorts are a fine example of 'early season bib shorts'; with features that make them unique and superior to ...

Earlier in the season I reviewed the Club Jersey from UK brand Chapeau ; it was an impressive introduction to the cycle clothing brand. The Club Bib Shorts and Etape SS Jersey are the range-topping offering from the brand, and they are exceptional in more ways than one… Race Specification Fit The race fit is the thing you will immediately recognise when pulling on the Etape Jersey and Club Bib Shorts for the first time. These are some of the best fitting and most comfortable pieces of cycling kit that I have tried to date. I selected the same size in the Etape kit as I had in the Club jersey (Small), but it is far more form fitting and race-orientated in its cut and design. The jersey has a close cut profile, with a deeper rear hem and longer sleeves to accommodate a more aggressive position on the bike. The bib shorts are a great length in the thigh, but still have a good compression feel, and the bib straps are comfortable and stretchy enough to accommodate different rider h...