Quick Spins – February 6, 2008 Edited by James Huang Got Tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Sugoi winter clothing Canadian cycling apparel maker Sugoi A good pair of tights forms the foundation of any winter outfit Long ankle zippers make for easier wearing. Also included is a multi-density stretch chamois The matching Sugoi RS Jacket A zipper 'garage' prevents neck irritation. The Firewall GT glove was surprisingly warm Sugoi's Subzero skull cap We've sampled the winter wares of Canada-based apparel maker Sugoi before and this latest round of kit continues the trend of solid, well-designed, and full featured cold weather gear that effectively extends your riding season. The RS Bib Tight adheres to the increasingly common formula of using a windproof laminate front with a more breathable rear. In this case, Sugoi's Firewall laminate material is waterproof, too. We found Firewall to be a little stretchier than some other similar materials we've tried and it combines with the well thought-out eight-panel cut for a good form fit overall. Things are still a bit loose around the groin and knees as compared to some less protective non-windproof tights but the fit is still very good on the whole and it's a price we're willing to pay for the added warmth. Speaking of warmth, we found the RS Bib Tight to offer ample toastiness almost down to the freezing mark but we reached for thicker garments once we crossed that line. Our knees were generally the first to feel the chill in those conditions so perhaps an extra layer would be useful there. Otherwise the tights breathed quite well and the mesh bib section, while not as warm as fleecier materials, was extremely comfortable. The included chamois proved trouble-free after several hours in the saddle (man, it's getting harder to find a bad chamois these days) and there is a decent smattering of reflective bits. Long ankle zips made for easier wearing and there's even a small pocket at the small of your back that can fit smaller MP3 players. The corresponding RS Jacket uses a similar construction as the tights although the Firewall laminate is also used for a strip down the center of the back to protect against road spray and a wind- and waterproof full front zip bolsters a usually vulnerable area. Not surprisingly, the RS Jacket offered a nearly identical comfort range as the RS Bib Tight in terms of temperature which could easily be extended downwards with a heavier base layer or additional shell. On its own, though, the RS Jacket delivered a snug, high-performance fit with no tight or restrictive areas to speak of and little excess material to flap in the wind. The asymmetrical cuffs provide a little extra overlap on the tops of your hands to keep drafts at bay without feeling bulky as does the relatively tight-fitting collar. Sugoi wisely outfits the RS Jacket with a full complement of pockets out back. The center one is zipped for security and the outer ones include drain grommets when you're caught in the wet (or if you consciously start out that way). The printed pattern is definitely more on the modern side but still manages to look good overall. Surprise, surprise, the corresponding Firewall GT Glove was a near-ideal match temperature-wise for the RS Bib Tight and Jacket. We weren't entirely comfortable in them below freezing but they worked well otherwise. Their relative lack of thickness may leave some riders wanting for more insulation but it did yield very good dexterity that would normally have been augmented by the silicone appliqués on the fingers and palms. Unfortunately, though, there really wasn't enough of it to make much of a difference. On the plus side, small magnets sewn into the cuffs were an awfully clever (and effective) means of keeping the gloves together in your drawer. Rounding things out was Sugoi's Subzero Skull Cap. It didn't offer the ultra warm and fuzzy feel of some wool hats we've tested but the brushed fleece material and windproof outer shell was warm enough at freezing temps under a well-ventilated helmet. The reasonably thin construction should fit under most lids, too. Making the case for us, though, is its surprisingly reasonable cost. Those wool caps may be nicer, but they're also heaps more expensive. For most riders, this one will do quite well. Sugoi RS Bib Tight Price: US$200 Pros: Excellent Firewall laminate material and chamois, surprisingly good fit as compared to many of its peers, comfy chamois, warm enough for most conditions that riders are willing to bear Cons: Fit still a little sloppy around the groin and knees Cyclingnews rating: Sugoi RS Jacket Price: US$180 Pros: Excellent Firewall laminate material, race-like fit, clever details such as the Firewall center strip on back and asymmetrical cuffs, full complement of pockets Cons: Modern print may put off some Cyclingnews rating: Sugoi Firewall GT Glove Price: US$45 Pros: Relatively thin construction provides good dexterity and reasonable bar feel, warm enough for most, magnetic inserts in cuffs means no plastic clips to lose or break Cons: Relatively thin construction doesn't provide as much insulation as some riders would like, silicone appliqués on fingers and palms aren't terribly effective Cyclingnews rating: Sugoi Subzero Skull Cap Price: US$20 Pros: Provides a surprising amount of warmth, easily fits under most helmets, stellar pricing Cons: Synthetic material doesn't feel as good as wool blends Cyclingnews rating: More info: www.sugoi.com Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Canadian cycling apparel maker Sugoi continues to offer solid winter kit. A good pair of tights forms the foundation of any winter outfit and Sugoi's RS Bib Tight delivered when we needed it to. Firewall wind- and waterproof laminate up front is spared out back for more breathability. Long ankle zippers make for easier wearing. Also included is a multi-density stretch chamois that performed well in testing. The matching Sugoi RS Jacket matched the comfort range of the tights nearly perfectly. The look is definitely modern and might not suit everyone. A zipper 'garage' prevents neck irritation. A full complement of rear pockets is very welcome here. The center one is waterproof and the outer ones include drain grommets at the bottom. A strip of silicone rubber keeps the hem in place. For those of you so inclined , the RS Jacket also includes an interior wire management system. The Firewall GT glove was surprisingly warm given the relative lack of bulk. Sugoi's Subzero skull cap offered up plenty of warmth and exceptional value.