Life In The Saddle

The fi'zi:k Terra Ergolace X2 is a rugged and adaptable mountain biking shoe, with a traditional lacing system and semi-flexible lugged sole; giving it a more casual look and feel, and offering the versatility to also use the shoe as a casual off-bike shoe. The Terra Ergolace X2 is happy tackling any terrain—both on and off the bike, thanks to the versatile fabrics and sole tread pattern. I have been utilising this shoe mainly for running everyday errands and shopping trips rather than on the slopes of a mountain; but in this domain as well, the Terra Ergolace X2 excels… Ergolace Technology The fi'zi:k Ergolace technology refers to the unique way the shoe's uppers and lacing system combine together to provide maximum support for the foot.  The upper of the Terra X2 is made from hardwearing ripstop woven fabrics, and has an asymmetric traditional lacing system. The flexible fabric and lacing system allows you to adjust the volume within the shoe and create a cradle of ...

Supporting the arch and heel of your foot when cycling is crucial to both performance and injury prevention. Supportive insoles such as those from SOLESTAR help to hold your foot in a safe and secure position—allowing for maximum power transfer and maximum support throughout your pedal stroke. When you push down on the pedals, it places great force through the arch and ball of your foot. You transmit power through a relatively small surface area underneath your shoe's foot bed, so cycling shoes are made to be stiff, so power transfer is not lost by flex in the shoe. However, few riders consider the lost power from the foot itself flexing during the pedal stroke; equally they do not consider the potential for injury when your foot abnormally contorts. During work I did with Phil Burt, the lead physiotherapist at British Cycling, he highlighted how important the structure of a cycling shoe is to power transfer. For the Beijing and London Olympic Games they designed custom carbo...

Giro have always been pioneers of interesting cycling shoe designs. Giro Empire road shoes rekindled a passion for lace-up cycling shoes, and now the Giro Code Techlace MTB shoes take things one step further; with a tri-closure system of laces, Velcro, and a BOA dial. These off-road shoes were my choice for the #CelticCrossTrail tour because of their superb comfort and performance. I have always liked Giro shoes. Look back on my previous long distance trans-continental tours, and you will spot that I wore Giro Privateer MTB Shoes for both the #CoastsandCols tour and the #7Countries7Passes . The Giro designs always seem to fit well, and most importantly they go the distance; providing comfort and durability. The new Giro Code Techlace MTB Shoes follow the trend. The Giro Code Techlace is a mountain biking evolution of the Giro Techlace shoe, which was launched by Giro in 2018. The Techlace concept uses laces attached to a Velcro tab for the two front closures on the shoe; this s...

When I reviewed the Chrome Industries Summoner Backpack earlier this year I was impressed by the quality, durability, and attention to detail in the Boulder brand's product — it has since become my go-to travel bag. With this in mind, their range of workboots also got me interested… could the Chrome Storm 415 Workboot be the ideal waterproof and comfortable casual boot for cycling errands and adventures? This is my review… Chrome Industries were the pioneers behind the original sling bike messenger bag. More than 20 years ago in the city of Boulder – Colorado the brand created the now famous bag out of seatbelt buckles and straps, five-bar webbing, and double-lined bombproof interiors. Their strapline now reads 'Building Indestructible Gear Since 1995' — a claim that they reliably hold true to. Work boots need to be indestructible, and the Chrome Workboots were designed for the factory workers in the Chrome headquarters; demanding constant daily use, for those often...

I first tried Stance socks a number of years ago, when I was sent a pair of their bright and colourful patterned running socks. The brand has an incredible following, and with good reason; the socks both perform superbly and look exceptional. Their latest jump into the world of cycling socks is an exciting new extension to the range. Stance socks are made to look interesting and distinctive. Yet, unlike some 'standout brands' they also offer industry-leading performance in terms of cushioning, fit, and feel. The two technologies that contribute most significantly to the performance of all the socks within the Stance range are the Feel360 supportive fit, and the silver ion fabric technology. Good fitting socks make far more difference than people realise; a sock with the correct cushioning, arch support and heel support can make as much difference to comfort as the shoes that you wear. The Stance Feel360 technology provides a true wrap-around feel, which delivers great c...

Everybody loves socks, and everybody likes to be a bit different. Pongo London produce some cool and quirky summer and winter cycling socks that could be the perfect gift idea for cyclists this Christmas. I was sent the Apron Stripe in Classic White, the Grey Breton Stripe Socks, and the Navy and Fluorescent Pink Winter Merino Socks. The Apron Stripe and Breton Stripe socks both share the same high-quality summer cycling sock profile — made from a technical Italian mesh fabric, with a classic six-inch cuff. The Navy and Fluorescent Pink Winter Merino Socks use 70 percent mercerised merino wool, which is even softer than normal super soft merino. They are indeed luxuriously soft and very comfortable. They are not quite as deep pile as some winter cycling socks, but they provide a good amount of cold weather insulation and they are lasting well with repeat washing. Quality does not come cheap, and the Pongo London Socks retail for between £16 to £17.50 per pair. They are howe...

Waterproof thermal cycling socks can be a great asset in the cold months of autumn and winter, especially on muddy and wet cyclocross and mountain bike rides. The new Bridgedale Waterproof Stormsock Thermal Socks are a great example. Overshoes are ideal on the road, and even for most off-road pursuits; but their capabilities are diminished if you are required to dismount and walk through mud or water; in these environments you find water and mud seeps in between shoe and cover, and quickly soaks your socks and feet. The solution I have found is waterproof cycling socks – these allow you to walk through anything up to ankle deep puddles, and retain warm and dry feet. The Bridgedale Stormsocks come in a variety of cuff lengths and thermal insulation levels; I have been testing the mid-range option; the Bridgedale Stormsock Midweight Boot, which is cut as a standard crew-length sock just above the ankle. The socks are made of a three layer construction: with a soft Terry pad provi...

Compression clothing boasts a number of potential benefits, from improved performance to better recovery and a reduced chance of injury. The true effectiveness of compression clothing depends on a lot of design factors though. The compression clothing range from Swiss brand Compressport features some of the most effective products that I have tried to date. In this review, I am looking specifically at the Compressport V2.1 Full Length Socks, and the Compressport Full Leg Compression Sleeves. Compressport V2.1 Full Socks The Compressport Full V2.1 Socks are designed to be the only compression socks you will ever need. Whether you are wearing them for recovery, running, travel, or everyday, they feature a multitude of design considerations that aid both comfort and performance. The most important thing with compression clothing is that they do compress your muscles; promoting blood flow to and from your extremities. Compressport use a very detailed sizing chart to ensure that ...

The Vaude Yara TR Bike Shoes are the most non-bike shoe looking cycling shoes that I have owned to date, and that is why they are great. For a long time, I've worn a pair of mountain bike SPD shoes to ride into town, but then had to take some plimsoles or flipflops to walk around in off the bike. Mountain bike shoes shoes look (and sound) a bit clunky as you walk down supermarket aisles... The Vaude Yara TR Bike Shoes are a dedicated pair of cycling shoes, and they perform well on the bike. Yet, they look and feel more like a pair of walking trainers, which also makes them perfect for off the bike wear. I have been testing them out on my weekly shopping trips and commutes... On the bike The Yara TR shoes don't have to be used with clip-in pedals. Out of the box they have a rubber cover glued over the two-bolt SPD plate, so you could just use them like normal trainers. However, it is super easy to remove this cover, and to then bolt on some SPD cleats; these sit neatl...

Everybody likes good socks. Stance make some great ones; whether it's for running or casual wear. The Stance Camo Fusion Wire socks are a lightweight pair of running socks; providing minimal cushioning, but maximum comfort. I'm a big fan of the design pattern, and Stance have added some neat little details like the reflective logo for increased visibility. The Stance Fusion Wire socks feature a breathable mesh to help your feet to air; but reinforced toes and heels to help keep the socks durable. These feel supportive, comfortable, and they seem to be lasting well. Check out the great range from Stance at Stance.com (Link)  

Why bother investing in a pair of winter cycling boots? Couldn't you just pull a pair of overshoes over your summer cycling shoes, and probably be equally as warm and comfortable? If you're a road cyclist, then yes you probably could; especially if you choose a high-quality set of overshoes, like those from GripGrab . However, for mountain bikers and commuters, where walking off the bike is a more frequent affair; then, overshoes fall down. Walking around in overshoes is a bit like going for a hike in a fleecy pair of slippers. It's not comfortable, it's rather slippery, and both your feet and your footwear are not going to stay looking or feeling top-notch. While I always ride on the road in proper SPD SL road shoes, I've commuted in mountain bike shoes for as long as I can remember; they provide better grip off the bike, more protection on the bike, and have greater longevity. When the winter approaches though, you end up needing to try and keep the mud, win...

When it comes to winter cycling and running socks, Merino wool is king. The natural fabric, sourced from Merino rams, is a true wonder product. The strands in Merino wool are thinner than in traditional wool, which means they allow better temperature regulation; providing warmth when it is cold, and a cooling effect when it is warm. Thinner fabric strands also mean that the fabric is truly breathable, and less itchy than traditional wool. Finally, unlike synthetics, Merino wool actually captures and traps bacteria! That means no more stinky socks... The Elite Merino+ Cushion Crew socks from Feetures are some of the best winter socks I've tried. Cut to around halfway up the calf muscle, they provide a luxurious amount of coverage for your feet and lower legs; enveloping them in a natural microclimate of warmth and comfort, even in damp conditions. The cushioning on these Feetures socks is also superb. Whether it is running, walking or riding; they provide that delicate balan...

Cycling enthusiasts will often spend hundreds of pounds on their riding shoes; choosing shoes that provide the lightest weight, maximum stiffness and most secure fit, in a bid to maximise their performance. What many riders don't consider, is that much like running shoes, cycling shoes are not 'one-design-fits-all'. People's feet are notoriously personal features, with different widths, arches and volumes. The consequence of this, is that the structure and support that your shoes need to provide, should be tailored to the shape of your foot. Perhaps people don't realise it, but professional riders will rarely be wearing off-the-shelf shoes. Most pro riders will have custom lasts (foot-beds) created for them, in order to provide maximum support for the shape of their foot. In particular, it is important to tailor the shoe shape around the ball of the foot, the arch, and on the heel; supporting the foot on the areas that move most when you push down on the pedal...

I seem to have developed a love for loud kit. It is a strange development; because I'm not a loud person; far more a guy that wears a blue shirt, than one who wears a Hawaiian flower-splash one! The new-found interest has led me to look for new and interesting designs though; and it wasn't long before I eyed up the new AV Performance range, from Australian brand Après Vélo. Après Vélo are probably better known to blog readers as a casual clothing brand; as it is their tees that I have previously reviewed here on the blog . The new AV Performance range, is the brand's diversification into on-the-bike wear though; and it is as loud, and as interesting, as some of their great cycling inspired t-shirts! AV Performance Short Sleeve Jersey First up, the race-cut Performance Jersey, from Après Vélo. This is a short sleeve, full-length zipper, modern fast-dry fabric cycling jersey. The fit is great, and much like other Italian made jerseys. The fabric is robust, yet br...

For socks, overshoes, gloves, warmers and headwear, there is only one brand for me - GripGrab . For the last two years, I've been very fortunate and grateful to be supported by the Danish brand, and their products are the only accessories I use for training and racing. They're the only products I use, because I'm keen to show my support for the brand; but also, because in all honesty, they out-perform any other products that I've come across. They are without a doubt, a market-leader for their cycling accessories. With summer fast approaching, I thought I would showcase a few of my favourite items from the GripGrab 2015 range. These are products that I use ride-after-ride, and continue to put a smile on my face whenever I do. GripGrab Hi-Vis Summer Socks This year, our Team Wiggle kit went stealth. With the addition of the new logo, we also edited the kit design to reduce the orange usage on the leg bands and sleeves. The result, is a very smart set of kit...