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London Cycle Show -
London, UK, October 11-14, 2007
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Part 5: Things to keep you warm and dry (or wear when it's warm and dry)
By Ben Atkins in London, England
Gore Bike Wear
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Bucking the trend of most other clothing manufacturers, Gore Bike Wear highlighted its Spring/Summer '08 line at the London Cycle Show, which included a number of new additions to its high performance road and off-road ranges.
Gore's off-road Alp-X range now includes a short-sleeved jersey. Like Gore's other jerseys, the new top uses flatlock seams and a three-quarter length zip, but also silicone patches on the shoulders to both protect against the straps of your hydration pack and also to help keep it in place. Complementing the new jersey is a matching pair of novel baggy shorts. The new Pro shorts turn the performance baggies design on its head, with the stretch insert forming the inner leg in order to keep the shorts in place. In this sense, they are more like a Lycra short with a baggy outer than a baggy short with a form-fit inner.
Gore's Phantom Jacket adds to its range of convertible jackets. Outwardly it is a soft-shell jacket made from the company's superb Windstopper fabric, but the raglan sleeves zip completely off to leave a windproof vest with short t-shirt sleeves.
Gore has also updated its Power range of clothing, including the new Power jersey. The flatlock seams are supplemented by a full-length zip and reflective materials on the back and on the sleeves for low light visibility. The Power jersey is available with short sleeves, or as a sleeveless singlet for those who want to avoid a cyclist's tan, and the new Power range also includes shorts and knickers.
Sitting at the top of Gore's road range is the Xenon family of products, which had a number of products added this year, particularly for women. The new Race jacket is made from lightweight Gore-Tex Paclite fabric cut using 'Gore Comfort Mapping Technology' to give it a tight, but comfortable fit while cycling. The high collar is ergonomically shaped and has abrasion resistant material on the front, and the whole jacket is scattered with reflective logos and patterns. Like the rest of the Xenon range, the Race jacket is available in a variety of colours.
Gore's cold weather range was somewhat oddly hard to come by at this year's show, but one item we did manage to track down was its Concept jacket. The futuristic piece features inflatable panels that allow for variable (and lightweight) insulation.
Foska
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Fun (one hesitates to use the word "novelty" due to their high performance) jersey maker Foska has once again added some original designs to its already extensive range. Old favourites like their Marmite "Hate Jams", Fuller's London Pride beer, and national flags are still very much in evidence, but there are also plenty of new ones to choose from.
Despite being a relatively young company, Foska is entering the retro market with its classically simple black "Retro" jersey featuring white - or pink for the ladies - stripes and Foska's name written in an old fashioned font. Foska will release the Retro jersey alongside the long-awaited "Test Dummy" jersey. Seemingly designed for the cyclist that falls off a lot, it is plain yellow and features an appropriate selection of circular symbols and chequered lines.
A new women's specific design has been produced, for the ever growing market of women who want to remain a bit "girlie" in what can be such a macho sport. The Fuchsia jersey is cut specifically for women, features a large single fuchsia flower on both the front and rear, and comes in either pink or pale blue
Endura
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Based as it is in Livingston, Scotland, clothing specialist Endura should know a thing or two about riding in the cold and wet. New to its range of performance waterproofs this year is the Stealth Jacket - what Endura claims is "the world's first ever fully waterproof, breathable soft-shell cycling jacket".
Made entirely from Toray Entrant DT fabric, the Stealth eschews the use of stitching entirely in favor of ultrasonic welding to ensure as waterproof a joint as possible. To reinforce this - but more, Endura says, to help the jacket's structure - all seams are also externally taped.
The Stealth contains most of the usual features that one would expect on a quality cycling jacket, like a snug fitting collar and waterproof cuff zips, but there are some interesting innovations that Endura is particularly proud of. For instance, a lot of waterproofs have a "pit-zip" to allow the wearer to let in a bit of air when the temperature rises. Endura has decided that, since a lot of riders use backpacks - particularly off-roaders using hydration systems - they would split the zip in half so that it doesn't interfere with, or get obstructed by the shoulder straps.
To go alongside its new Stealth jacket, Endura has also introduced a new pair of Stealth bib tights. Like the jacket, the bib tights are made from Entrant DT fabric, with fully welded and taped seams, except that here the tapes are more flexible and stretchy. Inside the waterproof membrane is a layer of Fieldsensor microfleece to add insulation as well as additional protection against water. Innovative features include slightly wider than usual zipped ankles that can be worn over the top of your overshoe cuffs to prevent rainwater running down the outside of your tights, straight into your shoes.
In addition to the plethora of jackets, tights and other waterproof and insulating items, Endura is expanding its performance summer range, at the top of which sits the FS-260 jerseys and shorts. This new clothing - available in a variety of colours - is squarely aimed at the ever expanding market of riders who don't belong to a club - and don't want to wear replica kit - but who still want to colour coordinate their riding outfit. Both jersey and shorts are made form Fieldsensor fabric and the jersey includes stretch panels under the arms to maintain a close fit. A women's specific version of the shorts is also available.
Endura is also making considerable additions to its range of cycling specific base layers from both synthetic and natural fibres. The Transmission base layer is made from a polypropylene fibre designed to wick moisture away from the skin and has an anti-bacterial finish to keep the wearer fresher for longer. Like the FS-260 jersey it features shaped areas around the armpits to maintain a close fit when in the cycling position. Alternatively, the "BaaBaa" Merino wool undershirt has a similar fit to the Transmission base layer but adds wool's unique ability to retain heat even when wet, and both are available with either long or short sleeves.
Sealskinz
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Norfolk-based company Sealskinz feels that it offers a totally unique product to cyclists - and indeed all outdoor types: totally waterproof socks and gloves. Made with its own three-layer system, all products feature an inner lining that wicks away moisture and, where applicable, also provides insulation. The middle layer is made up of its own seamless, waterproof, breathable Porelle layer that keeps out the water but still allows sweat to escape. The outermost layer is there to keep things in shape and make sure the product is durable.
Sealskinz' Waterproof Socks range from thermal knee-high to lightweight ankle length socks, which are specifically aimed at cyclists and available in either black or white. The socks feature a Coolmax lining for effective moisture wicking and are supposed to be thin enough to be worn with road cycling shoes. A slightly thicker "Hi-Vis" version is also available, which features a fluorescent green/yellow strip around the cuff.
In addition to its socks, Sealskinz offers an array of waterproof gloves. Its most popular glove by far is the Ultra Grip, a knitted glove featuring merino wool and the same seamless membrane as the socks. The Ultra Grip is not a cycling specific product, but features dozens of rubberised "grip dots" on the palm and fingers, meaning you can still grip your bars on the wettest of days.
There are, however, three pairs of gloves designed specifically for cycling: two for mountain biking and one for road cycling. The Mountain Bike Glove has gel padding on the palms and is said to be light enough for three-season use. As well as being 100% waterproof and windproof, these gloves feature grippy patches on the tips of the thumbs and first two fingers for braking and shifting, as well as that all essential nose-wipe area. The Technical Mountain Bike gloves share all of these characteristics, but are made warmer with the addition of Primaloft insulation.
Sealskinz' Road Cycling gloves are similar in many ways to their off-road counterparts, but feature non-gel padding and grippier palms. They also have an extended neoprene cuff for greater protection from the elements, and a couple of reflective strips across the back for greater visibility on the road.
Finally, Sealskinz has produced a windproof skullcap that will fit under a cycle helmet on cold days, as well as a waterproof beanie for those wet days of the bike.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com
- They may have only been in business a few years but the folks at Foska have entered the retro market regardless.
- There's also a pink retro jersey for the ladies.
- Okay, so this isn't a new design but the Classic Marmite is still a bestseller and gives the photographer a chance to provoke Aussie readers by proclaiming its superiority to Vegemite!
- In addition to the jerseys Foska has added this rather cool pair of baggies to its range.
- Another bestselling classic is the reflective skeleton jacket, perfect for those Halloween rides.
- This is the view you'll get in your car if you drive up behind it.
- Another new women's specific jersey is the Fuchsia, avaialble in light blue…
- … or pink, and both are cut for the female figure.
- Here at last is the Test Dummy jersey - perfect for that cyclist who falls off a lot!
- Sound advice to be heeded if the wearer really deserves this jersey!
- Endura's new Stealth Jacket is claimed to be the world's first truly waterproof and breathable softshell.
- The "pit-zip" is split so that it doesn't interfere with the straps of your hydration pack.
- There are two shorter zips : one on the torso, and one on the sleeve.
- No stitches! The Stealth jacket is entirely built using ultrasonic welding.
- The rear of the Stealth Jacket features a waterproof zip and a stiff plastic mount for a rear flasher.
- Endura's new FS-260 jersey is available in different colours to match your bike - or your mood.
- The matching FS-260 bib shorts complement the jersey
- Endura - like many others - uses flexible inserts made in Italy by Cytech.
- The Transmission base layer is Endura's new synthetic undervest…
- … and is available with long or short sleeves.
- Merino wool base layers now also feature in Endura's range thanks to its ability to retain heat even when wet.
- The Merino under vest is also avaialable in long and short sleeved options.
- For milder temperatures Endura makes the Ultralite gilet, to keep the wind off.
- Endura makes a lot of products specifically for women like the Rebound jacket in Polartec fleece.
- Endura is experimenting with an entry into the budget eyeware market in 2008.
- Endura's extensive waterproof range also includes the Venturi, made from 3-layer eVENT fabric.
- Gore's new Power jersey has flatlock seams and a full length zip for the hottest days.
- Gore's new ALP-X is its top off road jersey and has the same flatlock seams as the Power jersey, but only a 3/4 zip.
- The Alp-X features silicone print on the shoulders to protect it from your backpack and help keep it in place.
- Gore's Xenon Race jacket is a Gore-Tex Paclite jacket using Comfort Mapping Technology.
- The Xenon Race Jacket has a high ergonomically shaped collar with abrasion resistant material in front.
- Cool rubber velcro straps keep the Xenon Race jacket's cuffs nice and snug.
- Gore's Xenon bib tights are available in as many colours as the jerseys.
- Gore's Xenon bib tights feature an exclusive pad insert from Cytech.
- Gore's Phantom jacket looks like any other Windstopper jacket…
- … but it has a secret up its sleeve.
- The Phantom's long sleeves zip off completely…
- … to become a short sleeved jersey with a windproof front.
- The Gore Xenon range comes in loads of colours, including lime green…
- … and bright orange like this Xenon Lady jacket.
- A new product for Gore this summer is the Alp-X Pro baggy shorts.
- The Alp-X Pro baggies are actually more like a pair of Lycra shorts with a baggy outer, than a pair of baggies with a Lycra inner.
- The Alp-X Baggy shorts and jersey as modeled by this young catwalk hopeful.
- Despite launching its 2008 spring/summer range Gore still makes a lot of winter jackets.
- Gore's Cosmo jacket is available for those wet days in the woods when you don't want to get followed.
- Gore's Falcon jacket is a Windstopper softshell jacket for those chilly, but dry, days.
- Gore's Phantom jacket is available in many other colours.
- Sealskinz' Ultra Grip Glove is claimed to be 100% waterproof.
- Ultra Grip by name… the palm is covered in dozens of grippy dots.
- Sealskinz is most famous for its waterproof socks like this Hi-Vis version.
- Lola from Sealskinz spent most of the day standing in water, demonstrating the socks' 100% waterproof characteristics.
- Sealskinz' Mountain Bike Glove features gel padding on the palm and is still waterproof.
- Sealskinz' Road Cycle Glove has an extended cuff and reflective piping in the back…
- … and pressure point padding on the palm, with grip on the first two fingers and thumb.
- The Technical Mountain Bike Glove is Sealskinz' highest spec glove with shock-absorbing gel padding and extra insulation.
