The Go Long is an excellent long sleeved jersey, with a generous cut, which is full featured, comfortable and offers exceptional sun protection, while the Days 2 Short are a nice set of shorts, which are simple, durable and have an effective waist adjustment system. All of their products use technical performance materials, that have great wicking and odor properties, and use stretchy material for the utmost in comfort, and movability. It’s interesting bike apparel, that encompass men’s and women’s jerseys and shorts, that are functional, and have enough fashion to allow you to wear it in a normal environment, with a sort of bowling shirt meets western flair, combined together in a nifty package.

Go Long
The Go Long is made from a lightweight 4-way stretch polyester, that has excellent wicking properties, and the material is thick enough that it’s durable, and provides a nice balance of warmth and cooling. It has a straight cut, giving it a loose hanging feel, making it comfortable, with lots of freedom and movement accommodation. The upper section has an angled plaid section of material, which gives it a slight western look to the jersey. There is a long mesh section that starts at the wrist, and extends under the arms and down the sides, which provides superb ventilation and moisture control, and stretch. The Go Long has a full length front zipper which has a flap that closes over it with a set of snaps, adding a nice fashion touch and providing additional functionality, since venting, warmth and cooling can be subtly controlled and tuned by a manipulation of the snaps and zipper. Since the collar sits up high and surrounds the neck, it serves as a sun and wind shield, adding protection for the back and sides of the neck. The Go Long has a snapped front left breast pocket, and a nice zippered lower back pocket with a media port. It’s available in Raven, Bone (as tested) and Powder colors, in Small, Medium, Large, or X-Large, and retails for $99.99.

One would think that a long sleeved and full-length jersey would be overtly hot in the middle of the summer, but the benefits of sun protection, breathable and wickable materials, and a well-designed ventilation system, work in synergy to provide pretty amazing comfort. The Go Long’s open mesh material extends along the sides and under the arms, which offers exceptional ventilation, and really gets some air and circulation where it’s needed most. The jersey wicks the perspiration well, and it dries quickly, so you never feel like you are damp. The full front zipper with the snap flap, was extremely useful, and it was easy to tune the amount of air entry, which assisted in both cold and hot weather. You could open the flap and lower the zipper while climbing, and shut the flap and raise the zipper when descending, which help level out extreme swings of heating and cooling. I can’t overstate enough the superb sun protection the Go Long provided, and the full arm and body coverage, and high collar, help keep the body cooler and the skin safer. After some bouts with skin cancer, I try to keep things well covered. On a couple of rare occasions, when doing some really steep drops and rollers, the length of the front would catch on the saddle’s nose, making for an awkward moment. I did have one snap on the cuff of the sleeve come apart, but it was simple to repair with some pliers.

I had some interesting encounters with equestrians and horses, in which the shirt seemed to invoke a calmer atmosphere and sense of being, which I can only attribute to the subdued pattern, western flair and loose fit of the jersey, but I could be imagining things?

Bottom Line
The Club Ride Go Long jersey is comfortable, and feature laden, with nice fashion sense, with a slight western flair. The full-length zipper, front flap and buttons make a functional system, for either ventilation or warmth, and the collar adds great protection for the neck from the wind and sun. The long cut is nice and loose, and with the stretchy material, and properly placed arm and side mesh panels, makes a highly maneuverable and well ventilated jersey. The material is durable, and thick enough for some warmth, yet highly breathable for cooling, and has excellent moisture management properties.

The Go Long is a comfortable and functional bike jersey, that is also contemporary and casual enough for normal attire, and the superb sun protection and ventilation mesh panels, along with the synergistic front zipper and flap, combine for an excellent package.

Pros

• Comfortable and stretchy
• Durable
• Nice long and baggy cut
• Ventilation tuning with front buttons and full-length zipper
• Sun protection
• Under arm and side mesh panels
• Wickability

Cons

• Snap durability?
• Long front cut can occasionally catch on the saddle nose during uber steep maneuvers

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Go Long Specs:

• MSRP: $99.99
• Visit the Club Ride Go Long website
• Light weight “RideDryWear” wicking polyester
• Full side and arm venting system
• Rear zippered storage pocket with media port
• Quick dry for moisture control
• Front vent system for air flow control
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Colors: Raven, Bone, Powder

Days 2 Short
The two-piece Days 2 Short are comprised of an outer short made from 2-way stretch nylon, and a removable inner Coolmax chamois liner made from a polyester and spandex blend. They have two-hand pockets with a front drop in cell phone slot in the right hand one, and one zippered thigh and back pocket.  It’s available in Raven and Ale (as tested) colors, in Small, Medium, Large, or X-Large, and retails for $99.99. The shorts have a 12″ inseam (mine measured at 11″), which is about the minimum for good coverage while mountain biking, although I prefer mine a tad longer. The front closure uses a simple single snap, and a nice long zipper for natures calls. The shorts have an excellent waist size alerting system, that uses adjustable cams, located at the hip, which allow several inches of play, making for easy changes that don’t slip. The outer short which uses a polyester and spandex blend, has been very durable and the fabric stretches and undulates in the proper directions for maximum comfort. The crotch is gusseted, meaning it has a rhomboid section of fabric sewn in, so that it remains seamless under the naughty bits, for more comfort and roominess. The Coolmax chamois liner had a very open and light mesh, which breathed and ventilated well, and the leg’s cuffs had a nice silicone gripper band for adhesion. I found the liner slightly flimsy, and didn’t fit tight enough for my tastes, as a small amount of compression is athletically beneficial. Although the padding was thick, it was too soft, and needs to be firmer to provide more comfort and protection.

Bottom Line
The Club Ride Days 2 Short are simple and look like a normal set of shorts, and are durable, comfortable, with a decent length and enough useful pockets. They’re baggies without being baggy, and will appeal to a broad spectrum of riders who might not want the Freeride look? The Chamois liners are comfortable and breathe well, but they need a tighter fit and firmer padding. Sans liner, they are a great everyday pair of shorts.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Excellent waist adjustment system
• 2-way stretch material

Cons

• Chamois liner – loose and needs firmer padding
• Inseam seem shorter than 12″

Overall Rating: 3.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Days 2 Short Specs:

• MSRP: $99.99
• Visit the Club Ride Days 2 Short website
• Abrasion resistant stretch nylon fabric
• Seamless crotch gusset
• Slip in cell pocket
• Side adjustment cams
• 12 inch inseam
• Colors: Raven , Ale
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL

The Royal Racing Mercury gloves are an excellent cross seasonal product, and are in their prime in cooler, windier, and more inclement weather conditions. They’re durable, comfortable, well-made and are featured loaded, which all combine for a good all-around, all-season and all-weather glove.

They are constructed with a 0.8mm Rema synthetic leather palm, with a double layering between the palm and finger, and in the nook of the thumb and a ‘V’ shaped portion at wrist intersection. The overall light padding helps immensely with the tactile feel on the grips, brakes and shifting, and increases control and responsiveness, while the moderate doubling at key spot’s aides with durability. The backside uses a windproof  and water resistant stretchy material, and has a reflective screen print for safety on night rides. The outside of the thumb has a soft microfiber section, which was extremely functional for wiping up sweat, and other bodily fluids.

“A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly, without any choice. That’s the way your hard-core Commie works.”

The fingers, thumb and palm  have small lines of a sticky silicon material to help adhere to the brakes and grips, and in fact; the entire backside of the glove has the same sort of design feature. The wrist cuff uses the stretchy Aeropreen material, and the extended design ensures no gaps at the interface to your jacket or long sleeved jersey. You pull the gloves on with their extremely useful and robust tab, and the wrist closure uses a burly Velcro strap to tighten them down, which is easy to use with gloved fingers. When taking the gloves off, that same stiff strap, which is pre-bent, likes to ping back and close itself, which can be slightly annoying when it happens.

I am a destroyer of gloves, especially on the finger tips, but so far the gloves have been pretty tough, and I have yet to tear them. I do wish the sticky silicon adhesion pattern was more durable, since it’s wearing prematurely. I think splotches of the silicon, like their Blast gloves use, would wear better than the line pattern? I haven’t been nice to the gloves, and have used them to stack rocks, clean off snow, and other activities more appropriate for construction gloves, and their elementary toughness and longevity has shown through. I have taken a few good tumbles, and landed directly on the gloves, and it did nothing to them, so I can vouch for their crash worthiness.

Once the days and temperatures cool off during the late Fall, Winter and early Spring seasons, the Mercury gloves provide ample warmth on moderate to chilly days. They are out of their realm on bitter cold days, but they were never designed for the extremes at either end of the temperature spectrum. I wore them in light snow and light to moderate rain storms, and their water resistance worked adequately. When brushing up against damp bushes and trees while riding, which always seems to get you the wettest during rainy and dewy conditions, my hands stayed comfortable. In a monstrous downpour, the gloves got soaked, and eventually my hands got chilled, and although it wasn’t pleasant, it was tolerable. The cuff extension helped keep moisture from creeping into the gloves and my jacket, and was another small design feature that I liked when conditions were at their worst.

The Royal Racing glove is warm and water resistant, and shines in conditions of moderate temperatures and weather, and it’s durable, comfortable, and has excellent tactile feel and ease of use.  It’s my go-to glove during the off season, and I bring them along as backups if rain might be encountered.

Pros

• Durable
• Warm
• Water resistant
• Pull on tab
• Burly Velcro closure

Cons

• Velcro closure pops back on itself when removing gloves
• Sticky silicon finger patterns wear prematurely

MSRP: $44.95

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Royal Racing Mercury Specs:

• Visit Royal Racing Mercury website
• 0.8mm Rema synthetic leather palm
• Wind and showerproof back of hand
• Micro fiber thumb wipe
• Sticky silicon print finger tips
• Low profile logos
• Low profile cuff with TPR tab
• Direct inject pull tab on palm
• Sizes: X Small, Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large
• Colors: Black

These fine two products from the Minneapolis based Rain Shield’s O2 rain gear line are for the “hard-core” cyclist, and they offer excellent breathability and waterproofness, and have plenty of features that are functional, and very bike specific, and the material and build quality are outstanding. They are lightweight and highly packable, and they keep you dry and warm, even in torrential downpours, while retaining superb breathability characteristics for a set of rain gear. They both have great attributes, and the jacket’s highlight is its ability to convert to a vest, making it extremely useful as a windbreaker.

O2 Nokomis Jacket and Pants
The Nokomis series are designed with their 3Flow performance fabric, which uses a waterproof and breathable microporous film that is bonded to a nylon outer shell. This ultra-breathable fabric features millions of microscopic pores, and water droplets (rain) are large in comparison to the pores, so they get stopped from passing through to the inside, while water vapor (sweat) is smaller than the pores and can pass through to the outside.

The waterproof, windproof, breathable, and lightweight jacket and pants are made with 100% brushed 2.5 layer rip-stop nylon and have taped seams. The form fit jacket has welded zip-off detachable sleeves, and a cross shoulder venting and mesh back panel, welded back pocket and Napoleon front, and a full front zipper, and elastic cuffs with Velcro closures. In addition, it packs into its own back pocket, has a back loop for a light and has 360 degrees of reflective piping for safety. It comes in five sizes, S, M, L, XL and XXL, and two colors, Black and Hi-viz Yellow, and weighs approximately 14 ounces. The pants has an elastic waist band with a draw cord, elastic ankle cuffs with zippers for easier egress, and reflective logos for safety. It comes in five sizes, S, M, L, XL and XXL, and one color, Black, and weighs approximately 10 ounces.

Musings on Weather and Rain Garments
Even though Colorado is a usually dry place, when it decides to rain in the summer time, it comes down in torrents, and a piece of rain gear gets quickly put through a torture test. Every nook and cranny it going to be hit hard with wind, hail, rain, and the water will seek out any weak flaw in a design or material. This year we had storms that seemed to burst like crazy out of the sky, and then calm down, and drizzle for hours on end. Garment seams, zipper sections, the neck opening and the hydration pack zones, such as the upper back and shoulder straps get hit the hardest, and you’ll feel Mother Nature’s wrath quickly, and a sodden jersey can make one cold, wet and even hypothermic. The breathability is the passing of water vapor or sweat out through the material, and the waterproofness is the prevention of the penetration of liquid water, but in reality, waterproof breathable fabrics should really be considered extremely water-resistant. There’s a fine line between breathability and waterproofness in a garment, it can be greatly exacerbated by your core temperature and that of the outside environment, both of which can elevate overheating issues. It’s not comfortable when the piece of gear you are wearing to prevent you from getting wet, is making you sweat like a steam room on the inside, which is definitely counterproductive, and unpleasant. I don’t wish to overheat too much, nor get chilled, but there is always going to be some compromise between the ventilation, breathability and waterproofness, and biking inherently has moments of extremes, from cooling fast downhills to heat producing climbs.
I tested the Nokomis jacket by itself, and with the Nokomis pants, and almost always wore them with waterproof overshoes and helmet cover when the rain was heavy.

Impressions
I have gotten the system in quite a few heinous rain storms, and I was always able to stay nice and dry underneath the jacket and pants, and they breathed pretty well for rain gear. The jacket and pants were comfortable, lightweight, durable, with enough useful and functional features, while still retaining some simplification, especially the pants. They are so light and packable, that it’s easy to bring them along no matter what the current weather is like, which is a good thing since you won’t be caught with your guard down in a storm. The Hi-viz Yellow color will certainly let drivers, and other trail users know that you are there, but the light color did show some subtle pack stains from long term usage.

The jacket worked really well, and had a great combination of breathability and waterproofness, and the 3Flow performance fabric did an excellent job of not letting me sweat to death during downpours, even when cranking up long steep climbs, yet still kept me dry from the rain inundation. The jacket offered adequate length and roominess, but fit snug enough that it wasn’t flopping around in the wind nor on a ride. The form fit worked fine for me, and I was even able to wear a set of soft elbow/forearm guards under it. If you commute, you might want to get one size larger, for the varying thickness of street clothes? The length worked well in front, since it kept the jacket from snagging on the saddle when doing maneuvers on the bike. The diaper rear tail kept the water trickling down past your lower back and out over the saddle, and helped keep things covered when bent over the handlebars, keeping your butt drier, which was especially nice when not wearing the waterproof pants. The length of the rear droop worked perfect, since I didn’t have any snagging issue. The tall collar kept rain from creeping in, and the additional height towards the rear helped with the typical prostrate position on a bike. The jacket has two pockets, one large one at the lower rear, and a Napoleon. The rear pocket can also serve as a transportation pack, just reverse the pocket, and fold the jacket into itself, and then some handy Velcro straps allow you to fasten it to your seat post or frame. I never used this function, since I always carry a pack. The zippers are well sealed, and never leaked on me, and although they are robust, I found they have a tendency to snag and grab the adjacent thin material when using them. The zippers on the sleeves end right up where a pack’s shoulders strap hits, and on occasions, the small bump from the zipper slider can irritate the clavicle area, although moving them down slightly can sometimes alleviate the issue.

My favorite feature of the jacket, is that it can become a vest by unzipping the sleeves, and unsnapping the shoulders, which all comes off in one long piece, and can be stuffed into the rear pocket. I found it very handy for cooler days, evening rides, or when the air gets that chilled snap after a good rain, or when you just need something simple and light to take away the sting. An added benefit is the mesh section along the upper back, which does wonders for ventilation and comfort, and still keeps you warm.

The pants worked well, and didn’t adversely affect my pedaling, although on the right leg, I did need to use a Velcro leg strap on the lower calf to prevent the material from getting too near the drivetrain. They had a short zipper at the bottom to facilitate putting them on, and even my big fat mountain-bike shoes weren’t an issue to pull through the opening. The pants was simple, and besides the lower zipper, they had an elastic waist band with a draw cord and an elastic ankle cuff. They had a decent cut, being wide enough to give me room to be pedaled in and get my shoes on, without any noticeable bagginess. Like any pair of pants, they can droop somewhat, especially after they get in the rain, but a simple tug gets them back into position. I sat down plenty of times on rocks and the ground, huddled under trees during storms,  and they were plenty durable and kept me dry.

 Measured Specs:

• Jacket weight (large) – 382 grams/13.5 oz
• Pants weight (medium)- 221 grams/7.8 oz

Bottom Line
The O2 Nokomis Jacket and Pants are comfortable, with a great fit, and are extremely packable, breathable and waterproof. The jacket is full of features, the highlight being its switchability to a vest, which I used countless time in cooler weather and on evening rides. It has many other attributes, including the rear shoulder wide vent panel, excellent breathability for rain gear, a tall collar and a drooped rear (aka the diaper) for additional protection. The pants has a nice simple design, and there were easy to take on and off, even over mountain-bike shoes, and they had a great cut for pedaling in. To complete the ensemble, I recommend the addition of a good waterproof helmet cover, and perhaps some overshoes. This set did an amazing job keeping me warm and dry, and well ventilated in inclement weather, especially in some unbelievable ugly downpours.

I had a few minor quibbles with the jacket, such as the zipper’s snag on the adjacent material, and the sleeve zipper slider can irritate the clavicle area under the shoulder strap, and the front zipper’s bottom closure can come undone. I would love to see an integrated Velcro leg strap on the pants, which would add some great functionality to the product.

Their packability means “Don’t leave home without them!”. The jacket and pants are durable and have a great fit, and of course have excellent breathability and waterproofness, and have plenty of features that are functional, and very bike specific, and the material and build quality are outstanding.

Strengths

• Breathability
• Waterproofness
• Comfortable
• Durable
• Packable
• Jacket
  • Can switch to vest
  • Shoulder wide rear vent panel
  • Rear pocket
  • Good fit
  • Tall collar
  • Rear diaper cover
• Pants
  • Easy on and off
  • Good cut for pedaling
  • Simple

Weaknesses

• Jacket
  • The bottom closure of the front zipper can come undone
  • The detachable sleeve’s zipper slider can irritate the clavicle area under the shoulder strap
  • Hi-Rez color can have subtle stains under shoulder strap
  • Zippers snag on material
• Pants
  • Need an integrated Velcro leg strap by drivetrain (more of a wish list)

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

MSRP: Jacket 189.95 and Pants $89.95

Nokomis Jacket Specs:

• Visit the O2 Nokomis Jacket website
• MSRP $189.95
• 100% Brushed 2.5Layer Rip-Stop Nylon
• Waterproof, Breathable, Lightweight
• Waterproof, fully taped internal seams
• Detachable (zip-off) Sleeves
• Packs into its own back pocket & has attachments that strap on to the seat post
• Cross Shoulder Vents and mesh back panel on gilet
• Waterproof full-length front zipper with garage
• Welded waterproof regular back pocket and Napoleon front pocket
• Elastic wrist cuffs with Velcro closure
• Lower back loop for lights to clip onto
• 360 degrees of reflectivity for safety
• Form Fit
• Supreme Wind & Water Protection
• Breathability: W/R; MVP: 15,000g/m2/D;
• Waterproof: 15,000mmH2O
• Weight: Avg. 14 ounces depending on size
• Colors: Black, Hi-viz Yellow
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL

Nokomis Pants Specs:

• Visit the O2 Nokomis Pants website
• MSRP $89.95
• 100% Brushed 2.5Layer Rip-Stop Nylon
• Waterproof, Breathable, Lightweight
• Waterproof, fully taped internal seams
• Elastic waist with draw chord
• Elastic ankle cuffs with zipper
• Reflective logos on front thigh and back calf
• Supreme Wind & Water Protection
• Breathability: W/R; MVP: 15,000g/m2/D;
• Waterproof: 15,000mmH2O
• Weight: Avg. 10 ounces depending on size
• Colors: Black
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL

I have been riding with selections of Pearl Izumi’s 2011 mountain biking apparel, including the Veer and Rev jerseys, the Launch Kicker and Launch Plaid shorts, and the Launch gloves since early spring. I have found them to be comfortable, durable and feature laden, and their use of high-tech materials is at the forefront of athletic performance gear. The superb Veer jersey and uber comfy Launch Kicker shorts have been the highlight of the test period, followed closely by the others.

Veer Jersey
The Veer Jersey is the epitome of technical perfection for a mountain-bike jersey, and uses some incredible high-tech materials in a superb blend of synergy. The main body uses their Polyester P.R.O. Transfer fabric with In-R-Cool technology, with a UPF 50+ rating, and the mesh panels use a Polyester, and Spandex blends. Pearl Izumi’s P.R.O. Transfer fabric is a high-wicking fabric that transports perspiration away from your skin to cool you and keeping your skin chafe-free. Pearl Izumi partnered with the textile giant Schoeller to create the In-R-Cool technology, which is applied as a finish to the dark material. In-R-Cool bounce’s UV radiation off the fabric rather than allowing it to absorb the energy as heat, keeping you cooler in the process. There are Direct-Vent mesh panels under the arms, and a large section on the upper back where a pack would reside, which gives extra ventilation and breathability. The jersey is cut with a semi-form fit, which is a nice compromise between loose, and racer tight. It has a moderately long 11.5 inch front zipper for ventilation, although I would prefer a 3/4 to full length one for maximum effectiveness. On the back of the hem, it has multiple elastic grippers to keep the jersey in place, and two small pocket sleeves behind the hips for snacks or tools.

Their P.R.O. Transfer fabric was pretty impressive, and it wicked moisture away, really keeping your body at an excellent humidity level, without a clammy feeling. I also liked to wear it with their transferring base layer, and it worked great as a team, even in extremely hot weather, working in perfect synergy for maximum comfort and wickability. The In-R-Cool finish works well, and with the black material, it keeps the heat off you, and you can feel the difference when you are out in the broiling sun. I liked the mesh panels, and the armpit ones offered great ventilation (mini air vents), and the upper back one worked in synergy with a pack, really keeping the sweat spot tolerable and minimal. The hem gripper section made the entire jersey stay put, and kept it from creeping up and minimized undue movement. Even though it had a semi-form fit, the material was stretchy enough that it never felt confining.

Tech Speak => Darker colors usually absorb more heat, but they’re more effective than lighter colors at blocking out the sun, which is damaging to the body. The In-R-Cool uses Schoeller’s Cold Black technology, which is a fabric coating that is a Sun reflector and UV protector, so it offers better heat management and reduces heat absorption. The mumbo jumbo actually works in the real world. They had a demo at Interbike in which a heat lamp was right next to a set of shorts that had this technology, and you could check the temperature (by touch and a digital gauge) at the fabric surface, and it was not hot.

Final Thoughts
The Veer Jersey is a supreme product, and the combination of the P.R.O. Transfer fabric with its In-R-Cool finish, and the Direct-Vent mesh panels, offer incredible comfort, ventilation and wickability, and it’s especially functional in warm and sunny conditions.

Pro

• Comfortable
• UPF 50+ sun protection
• In-R-Cool technology
• P.R.O. Transfer fabric
• Mesh panels – side and upper back

Cons

• Needs full length front zipper

Overall Rating: 5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• MSRP: $95.00
• Visit the Pearl Izumi Veer Jersey website
• Pro Style no. 0707
• P.R.O. Transfer fabric with In-R-Cool provides optimal skin cooling effect and moisture management when you perspire
• Direct-Vent panels provide superior ventilation
• 11 1/2″ zipper for venting
• Elasticized gripper on back to keep hem in place
• Two back pockets plus zippered sweat-proof pocket
• Reflective elements for low-light visibility
• Semi-form fit
• Body: 100% Polyester UPF 50+
• Mesh: 84% Polyester / 16% Spandex
• Technology: IceFil
• Colors: Black/White, Green Flash/Shadow Gray

Launch Kicker Short
The two-piece Launch Kicker Shorts are comprised of an outer short made from a Nylon and Spandex blend that has a 4-way stretch, with a ultra long cut, and a removable inner chamois liner. The extra length works well and extends to just below the top of my knees, and they have two-hand pockets and two Velcro closed back pockets, and additional Velcro one on the lower left thigh, all of which have a small leather accent. The front closure uses Velcro, and a robust snap, and a nice long zipper for natures calls.

These are some incredibly comfortable shorts, and they stretch and undulate now matter how you are maneuvering around, and they allow unbelievable body contortions and movements without any binding. Due to the stretchiness, they can snag on the nose or rear of the saddle if you aren’t careful, and then you have to extract yourself, which can cause issues. I do wish it had a zippered pocket, since I think it’s a necessity to secure a valuable item that you don’t want to lose? The length is about perfect, it covers right over the top of a set of knee guards, but not any further so that they would bind on them.

For the waistbands size adjustment, it use a elastic interior strap system located on the back half of the waist. To tighten, you pull the elastic strap forward, and then insert a small button into the straps pre-cut slots, and the rear section scrunches. It isn’t the easiest system to use, and takes a few tries to figure out, but it works fine, and is solid once its set. The liner hangs from the shorts using a bombproof strap with a snap closure, and it’s an excellent system that is robust and easy to use. The superb inner chamois is incredibly comfortable and well padded, and mesh material is stretchy, breathable and wickable. The superb inner chamois is incredibly comfortable and well padded, and mesh material is stretchy, breathable and wickable. Their MTB 3D Chamois is very innovative and functional, and the three-layer, variable density padding is pre-shaped (curved and sculptured) for the nether regions, so nothing bunches up, maximizing comfort and shape.

Final Thoughts
The Launch Kicker Shorts are incredibly comfortable, and the 4-way stretch material is excellent for body maneuvering, and combined with the superb 3D Chamois liner, is Uber Comfy. On occasion, the stretchy material snags on the nose of the saddle, but the compromise for the additional comfort is well worth it.

Pros

• Comfortable, comfortable, comfortable
• Superb 3D Chamois liner
• 4-way stretch material
• Ultra long cut

Cons

• Occasionally snags on the saddle nose
• Lack of zippered pocket

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• MSRP: $120.00
• Visit the Pearl Izumi Launch Kicker Short website
• Pro Style no. 0278
• Transfer stretch fabric
• Snap and hook and loop front closure with zip fly
• Adjustable interior waistband
• Two hand pockets and two back pockets
• Detachable liner with MTB 3D Chamois
• 13″ inseam [size medium]
• Body: 85% Nylon / 15% Spandex
• Liner: 80% Polyester / 20% Lycra
• Colors: Black, Coffee, Foothills Green

Launch Short – Plaid
The two-piece Launch Shorts are comprised of an outer short made from a Cotton and Polyester blend with an UPF 50+ rating, with a long cut, and a removable inner chamois liner. The extra length works well and extends to the top of my knees, and they have two-hand pockets and two back pockets, and a small zippered stash pocket by the lower-right thigh (perfect for car remote or small tool). I find that zippered pockets are a functional necessity on a pair of rugged bike shorts, offering security for pocketed items. It has one small elastic side panel by the hip for additional comfort and stretch. The front closure uses Velcro, and two robust snaps, and a nice long zipper for natures calls.

These have turned out to be a great pair of shorts, that are durable, cool looking, and well made. When I first started to test them, I didn’t like them much, since I found the material thick and somewhat stiff. Fortunately, they softened up and became more comfortable, and it just took some washing, and a lot of rides to break them in. They are still not the softest material around, but they are incredibly durable and tough. You don’t feel like you might tear them, or have to be careful when you sit down on something, they are robust and built like a tank. They also are smooth on the saddle, and never snag on the nose or rear section, which makes maneuvering around on a bike effortless.

It uses the same waistband closure system, and chamois as the Launch Kicker Short, refer to it for further information.

Final Thoughts
Make sure you like plaid, since there is only a color variation, but I like them, and you don’t look like a geek when not biking, and they can be used sans-liners. I like Plaid Launch Shorts, as they are durable, snag resistant on the saddle, have an excellent chamois and are fun to wear. The materials thickness and stiffness make them less comfortable initially, but long term life is increased.

Pros

• Durable and tough
• Superb 3D Chamois liner
• Snag resistant on the saddle

Cons

• It takes some time to break in
• Material is thick and stiff (good and bad)

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• MSRP: $90.00
• Visit Pearl Izumi Launch Short Plaid website
• Elite Style no. 11111130
• Snap and Hook and Loop front closure with zip fly
• Adjustable interior waistband
• Two hand pockets and two back pockets
• Detachable liner with MTB 3D Chamois
• Screen print on Solid
• 11″ inseam [size medium]
• Plaid Body: 48% cotton 52% polyester UPF 50+
• Weight: 181 g/m2
• Liner: 80% polyester 20% elastane
• Sizes: S-XXL
• Colors: Black Plaid, Coffee Plaid

Rev Jersey
The Rev Jersey is a simple comfortable jersey, with a nice loose cut, and is made from 100% Polyester. It has a small zippered pocket on the right hip, and a cool pattern on the back, which of course will be hidden if you wear a pack. Like all of Pearl Izumi’s jerseys, their transfer fabric provides excellent moisture wicking capabilities, keeping you comfortable without a clammy feeling. It has a 10-inch zipper for venting, although I would prefer a 3/4 to full length one for maximum effectiveness. The loose cut, along with the stretchy material, offer great comfort and wearability, making it very functional for off-road performance.

Final Thoughts
The Rev Jersey is comfortable and stretchy, with a nice loose cut, and has great wicking properties, and offers a great value. Simple is as simple does.

Pro

• Comfortable
• Transfer fabric
• Good value

Cons

• Needs full length front zipper

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• MSRP: $65
• Visit the Pearl Izumi Rev Jersey website
• Select Style no. 11121118
• Transfer fabric provides superior moisture transfer
• 10″ zipper for venting
• One zippered side pocket
• Screen print
• Loose fit
• Body: 100% polyester
• Colors: White/Black, OJ/Black, Green Flash/Black, Black/White

Launch Glove
The Launch Gloves palm and fingers use Clarino synthetic leather, which is soft and durable, and the back uses a combination of Airprene, Nylon, Polyester, synthetic leather and Spandex in different sections, depending on the required functionality. I had to look up what the heck Airpene was, and it’s a breathable elastometric material? On the heel of the palm, there is a small gel pad, that offers a tad of comfort, and is thin enough not to be overwhelming, or to lose tactile sensitivity. The outside of the thumb has a soft microfiber section, which was extremely functional for wiping up sweat, and other bodily fluids. The index and middle finger have some lightning bolt sections of Silicone screening for gripping, which worked great for braking and shifting. Between the thumb and index finger, they doubled up the Clarino, for durability and robustness, but I found it too thick, and it sometimes caused irritation and discomfort in that inner fleshly part of the hand.

The gloves take some time to break in, and were tight and slightly stiff during initial usage. After they’re worn in, they are a pretty comfortable glove, without any bind spots, or odd sensation on the fingers, like your finger tips falling asleep. They have a Velcro strap to tighten them down, but there is nothing to grab onto to pull the darn things off, so they are annoyingly difficult to remove with a glove finger. They need some sort of tab or something to pull on, else it takes some fine motor skills to pull them off. They need to revisit the design on this, as the usage is extremely poor.

I am a glove destroyer, and they have performed pretty decently for the abuse I have tossed at them. The palm and fingers have been robust, and the Silicone is just not starting to flake off on the finger tips. Unfortunately, both gloves have torn and the hemming has detached in the section of the hook and loop closure.

Final Thoughts
The Launch Gloves are comfortable, and the palm and fingers have been durable, but the lack of a pull tab for the hook and closure and the tearing and detached hem in the same area are a major bummer in a glove of this caliber.
Pros

• Comfortable
• Palms and fingers are tough

Cons

• Lack of tab for hook and loop closure
• Both gloves tore and hem detached by hook and loop closure
• Doubled up leather section between thumb and index finger can irritate

Overall Rating: 3.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• MSRP: $38
• Visit the Pearl Izumi Launch Glove website
• Collection Style no. 14141105
• Clarino™ synthetic leather palm is soft and durable
• Gel pad in heel of palm for comfort in the rough
• Innovative palm patterning reduces bunching for a performance grip
• Soft, low-profile wiping surface on thumb
• Silicone-screened finger tips for a performance grip
• Hook and loop closure
• Palm: 90% synthetic leather 10% airprene
• Back: 35% airprene 26% nylon 20% polyester 15% synthetic leather 4% spandex
• Colors: Black, Coffee, Foothills Green/Khaki

I have been riding with the Royal Racing Blast jersey, Blast gloves, Epic jersey and Esquire shorts since this winter, and I found them to be comfortable, durable and feature laden. The excellent Blast jersey and superb Blast gloves have been the highlight of the test period, followed closely by the others. Royal Racing was started in 2000 by riding legend Steve Peat and designer Nick Bayliss, and they offer no compromise gear for downhill, freeride and trail riding.

Blast Jersey
The Blast Jersey is an excellent product, that is comfortable, and simple but useful in its functionality and features. It’s cut baggy (loose) with a drop tail, and is long and oversized, since it was meant to be used over armor. I predominantly wore it with elbow/forearm guards underneath the jersey, and always had plenty of room. One extremely nice feature is a short section of padding that is sewn along the outer portion of the forearm. It gave additional protection and durability in a high wear area, and I appreciated it every time I got whacked in the arm by the branches of the local scrub oak. It is a pull on jersey, without any zippers, and although I would have liked a full length front zipper for ventilation and functionality, the lack of one keeps the price down and the durability up. The jersey was very comfortable, and I really liked the open collar, as it was never binding or bothersome, and it just felt right. The jersey has been very durable, and hasn’t shown any signs of wear in the full time usage over the multiple months it was abused, and the typical wear spots by the shoulders from a hydration pack were minimal.

This has been one of my favorite jerseys this past year, as it’s very comfortable, offers excellent sun protection, dissipates sweat well and vents nicely for a full sleeved jersey. It was just plain uber comfy!

Pros

• Comfortable
• Padded forearm
• Loose fit, excellent with under armor
• Durable

Cons

• No zipper (full length)
• No optical wiping material

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Blast Jersey Specs:

• MSRP $59.95
• Sizes – X Small, Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large
• Colors – Red, Blue, Green, Graphite
• Visit the Blast Jersey website
• Description – The latest evolution of our race line – the 11th descendant of the jersey that started it all. Sublimated graphics, hi def logos, great venting and a drop tail make the 2011 Blast jersey a worthy successor to its predecessors.

Esquire Shorts
The two piece Esquire, are comprised of an outer short made from 4-way stretch polyester and spandex that have a long cut, and a removable inner chamois liner. I really like the Esquire shorts, as the extra length works well and extends to the top of my knee guards, so I never have a bare leg poking out when I am spinning. The shorts have two hand pockets, a small zippered stash pocket by the right hip (perfect for car remote or small tool), and two zippered mesh vents on the lower front leg. I find that zippered pockets are a functional necessity on a pair of rugged bike shorts, offering security for pocketed items. The polyester material is comfortable and durable, and stretchy enough to allow contortional movements while maneuvering around on the bike. It has two mesh panels on the sides by the lower legs, and then another by the upper back, which work in synergy for additional stretchiness. The front closure uses a metal hook, and two robust snaps, and a nice long zipper for natures calls. The inner chamois is comfortable and well padded, but the hooking system that hangs the liner is too delicate and hard to use, so I usually just skip clasping it. The zippers on the shorts functioned adequately, but their pull tabs would catch sideways on the sliders, and would have to be extracted before pulling on them (very annoying). The shorts have a nice waist adjustment system, that uses two simple Velcro hook-and-loop fasteners located at the hip that allow several inches of alteration, making for easy changes.

The Esquire is a great pair of shorts, that are comfortable, stretchy, with a long cut, and offers lots of useful features.

Pros

• Zippered hip pocket
• Comfortable and stretchy
• Waist adjustment system

Cons

• Fragile inner liner hanging system
• Zipper pull tabs catch on sliders
• Expensive

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

• MSRP $119.95
• Sizes – X Small, Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large
• Colors – Graphite, Steel Gray
• Visit the Esquire Short website
• Description – This is our primo trail ride short – and comes with high performance detachable short liner and perforated performance liner pad. The Esquire’s utilization of 4-way stretch polyester for maneuverability and comfort, Spandex lower back panels and front and rear mesh vents are key to its performance credentials. Hook and loop waist adjusters, non-rattle snap down zippers, bar tacked stress points, open hand pockets plus a zipped stash pocket complete the detail.

Blast Gloves
The Blast Gloves have turned out to be a surprise for me, since they have been impressively durable and long lived, and very comfortable. I am usually a destroyer of gloves, especially on the finger tips, but so far the gloves have been pretty tough, and I have yet to tear them. The inside of the middle and trigger fingers have some splotches of a sticky material (Silicon) to help adhere to the brakes and grips. The gloves use a .8mm thick Clarino, with very little padding, which helps immensely with the tactile feel on the grips, brakes and shifting, almost like you weren’t wearing any gloves. I have taken a few good tumbles, and landed directly on the gloves, and it did nothing to them. On some long rides additional padding would be nice, but it’s always a compromise for either tactile feel or comfort. The backside of the glove uses a mesh material, which is flexible and comfortable, and is porous enough to provide ventilation, but still be warm on colder days. The outside of the thumb has a soft microfiber section, which was extremely functional for wiping up sweat, and other bodily fluids.

“A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly, without any choice. That’s the way your hard-core Commie works.”

When putting the gloves on, there is an extremely useful rubbery tab  by the palm for pulling, and then for wrist closure, it has a Velcro strap to tighten them down, which is easy to use with gloved fingers. The Blast Gloves are pretty sweet, offering amazing durability and robustness for a thin glove, with excellent tactile feel, comfort and ease of use. Primo!

Pros

• Durable
• Comfortable
• Pull on tab
• Velcro closure
• Well made

Cons

• Light colored material shows stains easily – not much of a issue, but I had to put something!

Overall Rating: 5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Blast Glove Specs:

• MSRP $34.95
• Sizes -X Small, Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large
• Colors – White, Red, Blue, Black
• Visit the Blast Glove website
• Description: Blast by name – Blast by nature – this glove is racked with performance features. Check out the palm – no unnecessary padding – just .8mm perforated Clarino with embossed Silicon fingertips and roll-over fingertip detail. The back of the hand features 3D primo mesh for maximum flexibility and comfort. A microfiber thumb-wipe is a great added touch, as are the direct-inject logos which provide great flexibility without compromising comfort. A TPR wrist closure and low profile hook and loop closure complete the profile.

Epic Jersey
The Epic jersey is made with an light open weaved Polyester, and has long meshed side panels, which combine for great stretchiness, ventilation and wicking capabilities. It’s a pretty simple unit, but looks are deceiving, as it has quite a few highly functional features. The jersey is nice and loose, and drapes pleasantly down your torso with a drop tail, and offers excellent comfort and maneuverability. It has a short 1/4 zipped front, which helps with temperature adjustment, and a decently high collar, that snugs up on the neck for inclement weather. On the inside of the jersey’s hem, by the right hip is a small section (5×6 inches) of optical wiping material, which is great to clean sunglasses or a camera lens. It has a zippered rear pocket that sits down low enough not to get in the way of a pack, so it is highly functional and can actually be used. The Polyester material wicks pretty well, and even when you get soaked on your back, it dries very quickly. I liked the graphics, since they were sort of interesting, without calling out that you are a walking advertisement board. The lightly weaved material did show some slight fraying and pilling by the hydration wear zones, but it appeared to be a cosmetic issue?

The Epic is a great jersey, that is comfortable and stretchy, with excellent ventilation and wicking properties, and a useful rear pocket and a optical wiping pad.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Excellent venting, wicking and drying
• Lower back pocket
• Optical wiping material,

Cons

• Fraying and pilling by the hydration wear zones
• Long term durability of the light material?

Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Epic Jersey Specs:

• MSRP $54.95
• Sizes – Small, Small, Medium, Large, X Large, XX Large
• Colors – Red, Blue, Green
• Visit the Epic Jersey website
• Description – Made from 100% moisture wicking Polyester and featuring sublimated no fade graphics, a rear zipped pocket, ¼ zip front, inside hem optic wipe and mesh side panels along with our signature drop tail design make the Epic Jersey… Epic!

I have really enjoyed the Buff Seamless Headband, as it’s comfortable, light, thin, soft, and warm enough to keep your head and ears insulated and covered when it gets chilly or windy out.

Original Buff S.A. is headquartered in Igualada, Spain, just outside of Barcelona, where they design and manufacture their line of multi-functional, seamless, and tubular headgear. Buff is derived from the word ‘bufanda’, which means ‘scarf’ in Spanish. The Headband Buff can be used for multiple sports and functions, and can insulate your head and ears for warmth and wind protection, or keep sweat and hair out of your face and eyes. It is made with 100% polyester with UV protection, and is impregnated with odor control technology. They come in one size, are about 8 inches long (half the length of the Original Buff), and are available in a multitude of patterns and colors.

Impressions
From a biking standpoint, the best part of the headband is that it fits so nicely under a helmet, with no bind spots due to the seamless design, nor does it bunch up on the top or crown. It wasn’t tight on your head, and has a good amount of stretchiness, so it was just quite comfy, and the lack of constriction didn’t cause any ear aches or discomfort. It conformed to the contours of your head, and it managed to stay in place, even with the high degree stretch.

When worn over the head, you can move it up or down over the ears, making it act as a temperature regulator, allowing a nice degree of micro adjustment. On really brutal days, you can use it as a face mask, though I usually preferred a balaclava or the Original Buff set up in that matter. When not in use you can bring it down over your neck, though I found it easier to stash in a pocket, and the small size meant it even fit nicely in your pant pockets. The instructions show eight different ways that the headband can be worn (Helmet Liner, Headband, Hairband, Mask, Foulard, Neckerchief,  Scrunchy, Wristband), but since I keep my head cleanly shaven or cut short, most of them aren’t very useful, and are more appropriate for non-biking activities.

It’s made from 100 percent CoolMax polyester fabric, which does an excellent job of wicking moisture, due to superb moisture management and high breathability properties. It has 95 percent protection against UV rays, offering a reduction in the detrimental effects of sun exposure. The fabric is also treated with Polygiene, which uses natural silver salt as an antimicrobial, inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria. It’s machine washable, and even when wet will air dry in a short period of time. The fabric has been pretty tough after lot’s of usage, and hasn’t torn, frayed or gotten any holes as yet.

Bottom Line
The Buff Seamless Headband is a great product, that is inexpensive, simple, and highly functional. You can wear it under a helmet to keep your head and ears warm, and then pop it off to cool down, and place it in a pocket until it’s needed again. The headband is comfortable, soft and stretchy, and the seamless design causes no binding nor constrictions underneath a helmet, and it’s thin enough that you can wear a skull cap along with it. It provides sun and wind protection, and wicks extremely well, so you don’t become wet nor have sweat dribbling into your eyes.

Strengths

• Inexpensive
• Seamless Design
• UV Protection
• Comfortable, thin and stretchy
• Excellent moisture management properties
• Headband or facemask

Weaknesses

• Might be too warm as a helmet liner/skull cap for hot weather

MSRP: $13

Overall Rating: 5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Buff Headband Specs:

Visit the Buff website at http://www.buff.eu/en/USA/original-buff

Made with CoolMax® Extreme, the Seamless Headband Buff® blocks 95% UV rays, wicks sweat with its four-channel fibers, keeps athletes cool in hotter months, and provides an extra layer of warmth to slide over their ears on cold days. Cyclists, climbers and kayakers love its size and functionality as a helmet liner worn as a headband or skullcap under the helmet. Its Polygiene® silver ion treatment prevents odor-causing bacteria and keeps the helmet and headband smelling fresh no matter how hard you sweat.

The Seamless Headband Buff is unisex and available in colors and styles ranging from subdued black to vibrant colors and brilliant patterns.

I have been using the GORE Bike Wear Countdown AS jacket through this winter, and it has been a highly functional unit, with excellent wind stoppage and comfort, high breathability, water resistant, and has some great features, such as detachable sleeves and full front zipper, a tall collar and long back, and Velcro adjustable cuffs.

Countdown AS Jacket
The Countdown AS jacket, uses GORE’s WINDSTOPPER Active Shell, which offers windproofness, breathability and water resistance. It’s a 2-layer construction, in which the WINDSTOPPER membrane is bonded to the outer abrasion-resistant polyester fabric, and is finished with a loose inner mesh. The windproofness rids the cooling consequences of the wind and weather from robbing the body of warmth, while the breathability allows water vapor to escape, keeping down elevated body temperatures and profuse sweat, as the latter can also create chilling effects from dampness. The AS uses a lightweight fabric that is packable and very comfortable, and has good water resistance, shedding snow and light rain, and then drying quickly.

Features:

• WINDSTOPPER® Active Shell
• Mesh lining
• Detachable sleeves
• High collar, ergonomically shaped
• Front zip
• Zip-port on collar
• Zip-underflap
• Zip tags for easy handling
• Long back
• 2 side zip pockets on front
• Zip stow-away pocket in back
• Pre-shaped elbows
• Adjustable cuffs
• Hem-width adjustable by easy-to-use covered cord stoppers and elastic draw-cord
• Reflective piping on front, back and sleeves
• Reflective transfer print to mark right and left
• Reflective logos on front and back

Impressions
I really liked the usefulness of the Countdown AS jacket, as it was easy to carry, and when used during variable weather condition changes, you reaped instant benefits. If you got slightly chilled, or the wind kicked up or the sun started to set, etc., and you got an immediate security blanket of warmth and protection without the need of another insulated layer.

The full jacket was quite nice on chilly days, but sometimes it was overkill, so the removable sleeve feature was highly advantageous for those more moderate days, since the vest was more temperate. The zippered sleeves were simple to remove while the jacket was being worn, and if they got snagged while unzipping, you could use your other hand to hold the material in place. To replace the sleeves did require the jacket’s removal, since it was a more delicate operation.

The jacket was extremely comfortable, and I really liked the extended back length, which helps cover the spot on the lower back (plumbers crack), which is always exacerbated by the hunched over aspects of riding. The jacket has a nice loose cut, so I never felt any binding spots, and it allowed fluid movement in any terrain or the typical contortionist ballet that riding requires. The sleeves were long and generous enough for armor, though it was slightly restricted, and it might not work with every variety of protection. The Velcro adjustable cuffs were useful, giving options for a snugger or looser fit, and in addition it gave some micro ventilation.

The full zipped front allows additional tuning for temperature control and ventilation and comfort, and the high collar, which was covered on its inside with a soft plush material, was a nice touch when maximum coverage was required. The front pockets were easily accessible and decently large, though with some waist belts you may need to pop them open to gain egress. The rear pocket was nice and quite huge, though you may need to scrunch forward somewhat to get under the bottom of most packs, so I think a lower placement might make it more advantageous? I do wish it had a Napoleon pocket, since I like those for my music player, and various sundry items.

I used the jacket in some pretty heavy snow storms, and it did just fine, and it shed the snow and didn’t get wet. In light rain, it shed and beaded the drops, and was quite adequate, but in heavier moisture conditions, it was out of its range (only water resistant), and the fabric would get wet.

Bottom Line
The GORE Bike Wear Countdown AS jacket is an excellent product, that is highly functional, with features to make it a great multiple condition garment. The highlights are the superb WINDSTOPPER AS material with its windproofness and breathability and water resistance, the full front zipper, long back, detachable sleeves (great functional feature) and adjustable cuffs. The rear pocket zipper sits too high, and it needs a Napoleon pocket, but those are some small nitpicks in this otherwise premium cycling apparel.
Strengths

• Detachable Sleeves
• Long Back
• High soft collar
• Comfortable
• Adjustable cuffs
• WINDSTOPPER material

Weaknesses

• Missing Napoleon pocket
• Rear pocket could be set slightly lower
• Needs more breathability

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

COUNTDOWN AS Jacket Specs:

MSRP: $169.99
Sizes – S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colors – Red, Blue, Yellow, Brown with Black Trim and Black with White Trim

Visit the GORE Bike Wear website at http://www.gorebikewear.com/remote/Satellite/HomePage

I first met Mike Herlinger, the founder and designer of Club Ride Apparel, at the 2010 Rocky Mountain Bike Festival, and was highly intrigued by his unique and eye catching product line. It’s interesting bike apparel, that encompass men’s and women’s (new to 2011) jerseys and shorts, that are functional, and have enough fashion to allow you to wear it in a normal environment, meaning you won’t look like a bike geek. The jerseys are pretty cool looking, with a sort of bowling shirt meets western flair, combined together in a nifty package.

The functional features include great bicycling performance enhancements, like high tech fabrics with good moisture management properties, venting and mesh materials in proper spots, and zippered pockets that are accessible and useful.

Impressions
So many mountain bike jerseys only have 1/2 zippers in the front, and fortunately the Roxbury has a full length version to allow for better ventilation on really hot days. There is a flap that goes over the front zipper that closes with a set of snaps, adding not only a nice fashion touch, but some additional functionality, since venting, warmth and cooling can be subtly controlled by a manipulation of the snaps and zipper. Since the Collar sits up high and surrounds the neck,  it serves as a sun and wind shield, adding some protection for the back and sides of the neck, although when flying down the hill at Mach 1 the Points can flap in the wind. The Roxbury has three zippered pockets, an extremely functional one on your left breast, for your cell phone or media player, and two deep rear ones that are angled, making them useful for accessing while wearing a hydration bag. I loved the front one, since I could stick my iPhone in there, and easily change songs while listening to tunes (no wires drooping all over the place), or answer it when the world collided on my ride.

The Roxbury is made from lightweight stretchy polyester, that has excellent wicking properties, and the material is thick enough that it’s durable, and provides a nice balance of warmth and cooling. It has a straight cut, giving it a loose hanging feel, making it comfortable, with lots of freedom and movement accommodation. There is a small mesh insert under the armpits, for movement, ventilation and moisture control. On the back is a large diamond shaped expandable panel, for flow through ventilation and to maximize movement (think back shrugging). It’s available in Drizzle Grey, Russet Red (tested), and Indigo Blue, in either Medium, Large, or X-Large.

Bottom Line
The Club Ride Apparel Roxbury jersey is comfortable, and feature laden, with nice fashion sense, in a sort of bowling shirt meets western flair manner. The full length zipper, front flap and buttons make a functional system, for either ventilation or warmth, and the collar adds some decent protection for the neck from the wind and sun. The cut is nice and loose, and with the stretchy material, and well placed mesh panels, makes a highly maneuverable jersey. The material is durable, and thick enough for some warmth, yet highly breathable for cooling, and has excellent moisture management properties.

The Roxbury is a comfortable and functional bike jersey, that is also contemporary and casual enough for normal attire.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Club Ride Apparel Roxbury Specs:

• Visit Club Ride Apparel Roxbury Website
• lightweight wicking polyester
• classic design
• trim fit
• secure rear pockets
• hidden front “on the fly” zipper
• made in oakland, ca
• machine washable
• three sizes – Medium, Large, and X-Large.
• MSRP: $90.00

Drizzle Grey, Black Mesh	Indigo Blue, Grey Mesh	Russet Red, Grey Mesh

SmartWool makes wool apparel for an entire slew of outdoor activities from skiing, hiking, climbing, running, walking and cycling. They make quite a few pieces, specifically for cycling, and they sent along some tasty treats to test out. SmartWool uses New Zealand Merino Wool, which they have tweaked to make it more durable, non itching, with four season functionality and non shrinking (with proper care) properties.

Wool, which is obviously a natural product, has some pretty amazing properties, it’s odor free, highly breathable, with excellent moisture management and temperature regulation. Wool wicks sweat off the skin in a vapor state and is then evaporated, without any condensation occurring, so you don’t feel clammy, keeping you drier and more comfortable for a longer period of time. Its antimicrobial, since that wicking and evaporative process leaves no liquid for odor causing bacteria to thrive on. Wool fibers have microscopic cortices of dead air, which provide a buffering layer of natural climate control, maintaining a stable core temp, so you’re cool in summer, and warm in winter.

UberWoolness!

SmartWool Betasso Shorts

The Betasso bicycle shorts are comfortable, rugged and even look and wear like a normal pair of baggy’s. They are comprised of an outer short made from polyester, and an inner one made from a SmartWools, and nylon blends. The two pieces connect together with two robust strap mounted snaps, to keep the pants from drooping, although they still liked to slowly slink down. The shorts have two normal pockets, two large zippered cargo pockets, a front fly with a dual snapped closure, and a webbing and buckle system for waist adjustment. The liner is a one piece seamless design, with a plush chamois padding and grabby elastic at the waist and leg hems.

Impressions

Shorts
The shorts were baggy enough not to cause any binding, but not so much to feel like they are flopping around, and the shorts move nicely while riding. The material is fairly thick, so the shorts have been very durable, and haven’t snagged nor gotten scuffed up, and they were stretchy, offering great comfort and conformability. The zippered fly is way too short, so the call of nature can be an act of contortion, and is exacerbated by the front buckle webbing, which doesn’t easily disconnect nor offer enough slack. The large cargo pockets were handy, and the waist fit could be adjusted by pulling on the webbing, though I could never get the necessary fit and feel that I prefer. The adjustable buckle/webbing system for the waist needs to be tossed out, or at least redesigned, since it just doesn’t work in an optimal fashion. Incorporating some sizable elastic sections in the waist band, along with some sort side or front adjustment that pulls father around would greatly help the shorts.  Even if I tightened the strap so that I looked like a reject from Revenge of the Nerds, the shorts still would slowly droop down on me, and I was always having to fuss with pulling them back up. The material and the cut is comfortable enough, with a nice fit and finish, and the snap system connecting the inner liner is innovative and secure, but they need a rethinking of the waist system and the short fly.

Inner Liner
The inner liner has a great stretch and is very comfortable, and the thick chamois offered uber plushness while riding.  The entire system just works incredibly well together, and they have a nice temperature control system, as they are warm when its cold, and cool when it’s hot, and always blend the environment to a proper temperate level. With their great moisture management, I never felt damp, as they absorbed perspiration and quickly transpired the moisture, leaving one feeling very comfortable, and keeping them odor free. The material has been very robust and durable, especially considering that I use them for pretty much every ride, and they get laundered multiple times a week. Their inner liner is the best system I have ever used, and its so darn excellent that I tend to use it with other manufacturer’s shorts. They are a supremely awesome product, that is incredibly comfortable, durable and pleasant to wear.

SmartWool Betasso Shorts – Overall Rating: 3.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers
Inner Liner – Rating: 5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• 2-in-1 mountain short with snap-in liner and stretch woeven exterior short with bias-cut back yoke for increased mobility
• Front fly with exterior offset adjustable buckle/webbing
• Front slash hand pockets and angled zip cargo pockets
• Inseam 10.5″
• Gender specific to provide a snug fit while allowing for freedom of movement
• One piece seamless construction, designed airflow, and a covering made from SmartWool jersey offer protection from chafing and moisture management
• Multi-thickness and central channel in the perineal area to support male anatomy
• 1.5-10mm thickness. 340 x 210mm (L x W)
• Inner short: 45% nylon, 39% SmartWool, 16% Elastic;
• Outer Short: 100% polyester (58% recycled)
• Color – Carbon
• MSRP: $150

The Betasso mountain bike jersey is understated, but it has great functional aspects. The main body of the jersey uses their excellent SmartWool Merino Wool, while the underarms, side panels and outer shoulder use a mesh polyester for venting. There is a small zippered pocket of the left side, which is easy to use when wearing a hydration pack.

Impressions
The jersey was very comfortable and soft, and it had a lot of stretchiness, so it was conformable, with useful give while moving around on the bike. The wool offered excellent moisture management, doing a thorough job of wicking and transpiring the perspiration, and I tended not to feel like I was soaked, even on the back underneath the hydration pack. Those great properties, meant it had low odors (no stink), which is always a nice attribute.

“Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges.”

Even with the great temperature regulation that wool provides, I got a toasty sometimes, and the lack of a front zipper for additional venting purposes, made it tough to make minor adjustments. I liked the relaxed fit, the long cut, the side vents, and the soft, itch free and warm Merino wool. The jersey was comfortable, with some nice features, all combined with the pleasant wool attributes.

SmartWool Betasso Jersey – Overall Rating: 4 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• Raglan short-sleeve mountain jersey with drop tail cycling fit
• Mesh panels at underarms, sideseams, and over shoulders for venting
• 75% SmartWool, 25% polyester
• Fabric weight 170gm/m2
• Color – Orange
• MSRP: $95

The PhD Cycling Ultra Light 3/4 Crew Socks, use a SmartWool, and nylon blends, and are loaded with features, like WOW Technology (Wool on Wool), which has an additional layer of SmartWool in the high impact Zones, 4-Degree Fit System, which provides a four-point compression system for a secure and comfortable fit, and the usual SmartWool moisture and temperature regulation and odor control. The socks also come in two other shorter height versions, the Micro and the Mini.

Impressions
I love these socks, and they totally rule, as they are comfortable, durable, breathe well and offer lots of cushioning for a thin sock. I tested their silver color, which is a bummer, since they tend to show dirt stains quite easily, and I think for mountain biking  a slightly darker color would suffice? They are very durable, and have always kept their shape, even after repeated washings and tough mountain bike usage, and the 4-Degree Fit system is still going strong. One of the best parts of the socks, is that you don’t get stinky feet? One day I switched to a normal non wool sock, and I about gagged taking my shoes off, mostly because I had gotten so used to the amazing odor free properties of their wool blend. They are a pretty sweet smelling feature filled sock!

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Specs:

• 68% Wool, 29% Nylon, 3% Elastic
• 4-Degree Fit System for all day performance fit
• WOW Technology™ in High Density Impact Zones to reduce shock & abrasion
• SmartWool inside for moisture, temperature, and odor control
• Duroyarn reinforcement for added comfort and durability
• Strategic mesh zones for maximum ventilation
• Cushioing: Ultra Light Cushioned
• Height: 3/4 Crew
• MSRP: $17.95

I use the knee warmers pretty regularly, but I use them in a sort of strange setup. Except during cold days (below freezing), I wear shorts, along with knee pads, and use the knee warmers as shin warmers. I use them for warmth, and for scratch and ding protection, though the later is sort of worthless, since they are thin. I might look like a total geek head, but the system works well. As all the wool products, it has great temperature regulation, though I didn’t really test the moisture management, since I don’t sweat nor build up many odors on my shins?

It was nice to use the Arm and Knee warmers in their normal fashion, as they are easy to slip on, are comfortable, breathable and stretchy, and provide great warmth for those cusp days or temperature conditions which don’t warrant a jacket or tights.

Knee Warmers Specs:

• 1×1 rib welts at top and bottom keep kneewarmers in place
• Seamless construction for easy positioning and comfort
• Fabric: 64% merino wool, 31% nylon, 5% spandex
• $MSRP: 30

Arm Warmers Specs:

• 55% SmartWool Merino wool, 42% nylon, 3% elastic.
• Seamless construction for warmth with max freedom of movement.
• Non-binding 1×1 rib welt at wrist and bicep openings keep warmers in place.
• MSRP: $25

Click here to Visit the SmartWool Website

I had always been aware of SmartWool, but more as a winter apparel company. They are venturing deeper into the bicycle world now, and they sent along some tasty treats to test out.  SmartWool uses New Zealand Merino Wool, which has some pretty amazing properties. It’s odor free, warm, highly breathable, itch free, with great moisture and temperature regulation.

SmartWool Betasso Shorts

The Betasso bicycle shorts are comfortable, rugged and even look and wear like a normal pair of baggy’s. They are comprised of an outer short made from polyester, and an inner one made from SmartWool and nylon. The outer and inner shorts connect together with two robust strap mounted snaps, to keep the pants from drooping, although they still liked to slowly slink down. The outer short has two normal pockets, two large zippered cargo pockets, a zippered front fly with a dual snapped closure, and a webbing and buckle system for waist adjustment. The inner liner is a one piece seamless design, with a plush chamois padding and grabby elastic at the waist and leg hems.

The shorts were baggy enough not to cause any binding, but not so much to feel like they are flopping around. The large zippered cargo pockets were handy, and the waist fit was easily adjusted by pulling on the webbing. The inner liner had a good stretch and was comfortable, and the thick chamois offered enough padding while riding.

The only complaint I have so far, is that the fly is too short, so the call of nature can be an act of contortion.

Specs:

• 2-in-1 mountain short with snap-in liner and stretch woeven exterior short with bias-cut back yoke for increased mobility
• Front fly with exterior offset adjustable buckle/webbing
• Front slash hand pockets and angled zip cargo pockets
• Inseam 10.5″
• Gender specific to provide a snug fit while allowing for freedom of movement
• One piece seamless construction, designed airflow, and a covering made from SmartWool jersey offer protection from chafing and moisture management
• Multi-thickness and central channel in the perineal area to support male anatomy
• 1.5-10mm thickness. 340 x 210mm (L x W)
• Inner short: 45% nylon, 39% SmartWool, 16% Elastic;
• Outer Short: 100% polyester (58% recycled)
• Color – Carbon
• MSRP: $150

SmartWool Betasso Jersey

The Betasso mountain bike jersey is understated, but it has great functional aspects. The main body of the jersey uses their excellent SmartWool Merino Wool, while the underarms, side panels and outer shoulder use a mesh polyester for venting. There is a small zippered pocket of the left side, which is easy to use when wearing a hydration pack. The jersey was very comfortable, soft, and the wool didn’t itch nor hold odors (no stink), and it provided extra warmth for cooler days.

“Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges.”

With the warmth provided by the wool, and the lack of a front zipper for additional venting, this would not be a full summer usage item, but will work perfectly for the cusp seasons. I liked the relaxed fit, the long cut, the side vents, and the soft and warm Merino wool.

Specs:

• Raglan short-sleeve mountain jersey with drop tail cycling fit
• Mesh panels at underarms, sideseams, and over shoulders for venting
• 75% SmartWool, 25% polyester
• Fabric weight 170gm/m2
• Color – Orange
• $95

PhD Cycling Socks

I am also testing out their SmartWool Arm and Leg Warmers, and PhD Light Crew Socks, all which use a SmartWool and nylon blend. I love the socks, as they are comfortable, durable, breathe well and offer lots of cushioning. I am testing a silver color, which is a bummer, since they tend to show dirt stains quite easily, and I think for mountain biking a slightly darker color would suffice? The PhD socks are loaded with features, like WOW Technology (Wool on Wool), which has an additional layer of SmartWool in the high impact Zones, 4-Degree Fit System, which provides a four-point compression system for a secure and comfortable fit, and the usual SmartWool moisture and temperature regulation and odor control.

UberWoolness!

Click here to Visit the SmartWool Website