SUMMER 2021 CLOTHING GUIDE
7mesh Cypress Hybrid Jacket
It can be challenging to find jackets that fit well for road riding. So many seem to be flappy in the wind, or bind in weird ways. Thanks to the usual obsessive patterning we’ve come to expect from a 7mesh top, and a four way stretch fabric, the Cypress Hybrid Jacket fits like a dream. It’s just a pleasure to keep on during cool or windy rides. Goretex Infinium is a new membrane and the concept is true breathability while being a soft, comfortable wind blocker. So, yes, the Cypress Hybrid is essentially a next-level windbreaker that disappears on your body. If things heat up a bit, it’s plenty packable and stows nicely in a jersey pocket. Like the Cypress vest, there are still nice pass-through vents that allow you to access jersey pockets below, and also do double duty as large vents for even further thermoregulation. All in all, a jacket I highly recommend.
Women’s Slab Short
I and a few of my friend’s have needed to do some short shopping this summer, and, hold-the-presses, there is little need to search further. 7 Mesh has done it again with their ultra-comfortable and high-performing Slab Short. Feather-light and more stretchy than you’d expect from a bike short, it’s truly a ghost when you’re wearing it. Most importantly of all, this is hands-down the most comfortable women’s waistband I’ve ever experienced. No crunching, bunching or curling as you kick out the miles, it stays comfortably in place and makes it easy when nature calls with zero closures like zippers, buttons or snaps. I’m actually excited to put these shorts on. This is a medium-long short with a narrow-legged fit and a nice little zipper pocket for your phone. Because of the stretch there’s plenty of room for knee pads beneath them without being enduro or downhill bulky. I simply love this Slab Short, and the price point makes it an affordable choice that will stay with you for the long haul.
7mesh Elevate LS Bike Shirt
At first, I was unsure about the Elevate shirt. I’m a huge fan of wicking long sleeve shirts. I much prefer having protection from the sun and overgrown trails. I guess most of my bike clothing is pretty form-fitting. It would be unfair to call me a roadie. I ride road bikes and still wear stretchy clothing, but I’m on-trend when it comes to mountain biking. So, all of that to say that the fit of the Elevate is a bit on the baggy side. At first, I relegated it to loungewear status, because, well…it’s comfortable. I attribute that to the loose fit and the feel of the lyocell, which is an interesting new blend of poly and wood fiber! It’s said to be antimicrobial, lightweight, absorbent, and breathable, and I wouldn’t disagree with any of those descriptors. So, aside from the baggy fit, my only other complaint is simply that it stinks after one wearing. Smart readers might say, no YOU stink. It’s your odor, don’t blame the shirt. Fair enough, but I just wish I could get more wearings between washings because, in the end, I do like this shirt quite a bit.
7mesh Sight Shirt
Tori got the first Sight shirt and I have to say I was a bit jealous. It just looks smart. Nice, lightweight breathable, simple tee that looks just as good on the bike as it does off the bike. The fit is just right, not too snug, not too baggy. The 100% polyester sight shirt is antimicrobial and wicking as well as being UPF 30. I don’t really care for the zipper pocket in back. I’m sure I could put house keys in there, but maybe not an essential pocket for me personally. As I almost say about the 7mesh tops, it has the same beautiful pattern work that makes it fit so well in the riding position, but surprisingly looks great just hanging out too. You could run this top around town, on a gravel ride, as well as an MTB ride. That’s the kind of versatility we appreciate. Sight shirt’s a winner!
7mesh Skyline Jersey
I have a love-hate relationship with the Skyline Jersey. Part of me wants to be a skinny roadie that looks effortlessly good in an aero jersey. The other part of me just wants to be strong for all the kinds of riding I want to do (all of them) and eat whatever I want. So, yes I have to accept that I don’t look like a Tour Pro. I’ll get over it. We’ve watched 7mesh evolve their jersey line over the years and when the first version of this jersey came out, with its stretchy fabric and welded seams, it felt like the future had arrived. Truthfully, road kit has come a long way in the last few years - and we have many more options. Those that have been paying attention know what’s on-trend. It’s split, really, those that want to focus on looking like they don’t care about how fast they are, and those that do. So, baggier on the casual side and slimmer and more tech for the speed-seeking roadie. Obviously, this jersey is designed for the latter. OK, enough lay of the land, how does the jersey perform? The two big innovations with this jersey are the stretchy, lightweight waffled fabric that blocks the sun and keeps you cool. The second is what 7mesh calls the “Anything panel” which offers three big pockets and two zippered pockets for a wealth of storage options. The real innovation seems to be how the pockets sit separate from the body of the jersey, which allows you to really load them without pulling on the rest of the jersey. They really engineered how your load sits with this jersey. These are the kinds of innovations we’ve come to expect from 7mesh. So, while I may lament my chocolate habit, when I pull on this jersey, once I’m on the bike it all falls away and I feel sleek and pro and love riding my road bike. If you do long road rides on hot days, you owe it to yourself to give the Skyline a try. It’s honest to goodness clothing innovation. I opted for the “don’t hit me red” (my name, not theirs), the “electric hornet” (their name) fade feels cool and trendy and instagrammable, just not as visible on the road. I’m very impressed with this jersey.
7mesh Foundation Boxer Brief Bike Short
Sorry not sorry for not showing you what these look like on me. It’s underwear, OK? I know, I’m ok with bib shorts but not briefs. You have to draw the line somewhere. Anyway, I love these shorts. I’ve slowly been taking longer and longer rides with them to see how they do. The chamois is minimal enough to not feel like you’re still logging chamois time when you’re eating a long lunch with your friends. Then when it’s time to ride home, you don’t have to do a Clark Kent and get back into roadie clothes. Just run these under your street clothes and you’re good to go. These are by no means the first minimal chamois streetwear briefs I’ve tried. Rapha did a merino version years ago. Giro did one as well for their New Road collection. But these are by far the most comfortable. Highly recommended!
Houdini Dawn Dress
I love this dress! It has quickly become my favorite for it’s easy and modern look. Versatile functionality in a simple form - That’s the idea behind Dawn Dress. It’s made in Wish Woven™, a lightweight stretchy polyester fabric with a feather-soft touch against the skin. It dries quickly and packs down very small. The fabric in Dawn Dress is called Wish Woven™, a polyester fabric made from 70% recycled and 100% recyclable fibers. It is soft, stretchy and dries in no time if it gets wet. If you are looking for a light dress for warm summer days, we can highly recommend the Dawn Dress. It packs down very small so you can always bring it in your pack. The fabric in this product is completely recyclable. Please bring it back to us so we can recycle it and make new garments from the raw material. Houdini has recycle units in all their stores and at many retailers. Let nothing go to waste!
Pearl Izumi Womens’ Symphony Tank
I was looking for a good commuter tank (my current commute is 17 miles round-trip) that would look just as good on the bike as off, while still supplying the basic rear pockets and that was (hopefully) comfortable. My previous attempts have fallen short as being too sporty to pull off when I got to work or out for coffee, or with pockets that were just, well, weird and hung too low. I was excited to see the new Symphony design online, and when it arrived, I was even more pleasantly surprised. The material is light and whisper-soft. The fit is slim without being tight and the pockets were high and subtle enough that I could easily stash my phone and lip balm but look like I was just wearing a fashionable tank top when I jumped off the bike. The built-in bra is what I’d call medium-light. For me on my long commute I feel more comfortable with more support underneath, but I’d definitely use it as-is if I was just heading to the yoga studio or the park to meet friends. Either way, the coverage in front is high enough that there’s not major cleavage (modern-day bug trap) exposed when you’re in the drops. The laser cut straps are the best. Plenty of material but super smooth and light-- no harsh seams or material digging into your shoulder blades. Overall, an excellent, well-designed piece from Pearl.
Pearl Izumi Women’s Summit Shell Short
Lovely short at an affordable price point, Pearl Izumi once again does not disappoint. Throughout my testing, I’ve found myself more consistently reaching for these shorts than any other. The fit is very slightly baggy, with plenty of room for those with curves and a medium-stretchy but amazingly lightweight, moisture wicking material that is excellent for someone who sweats as much as I do in the summer. The length and leg openings are both good if you like to rock protective pads, with enough room to fit what you need. Pearl provides two front pockets, as well as a phone pocket on the thigh. The phone pocket is usually my bare-minimum, but I appreciate the small hip pockets for a lip-balm or keys. The closure is a little strange-- it’s a metal hook that seems a little weighty before you put them on, however it’s one of the easiest to get open and back closed in a jiffy I’ve ever experienced. For the price and function, Pearl once again does not disappoint!
GORE Trail LS Shirt
I’ve been on the hunt for cool long sleeve trail jerseys and I found a favorite with the GORE Trail shirt. It hasn’t been an easy road for testing GORE pieces. The fit has always been a bit on the snug side for me. This season GORE has Americanized their sizing, so in theory you should be able to just order your size, without having to size up. But GORE is still a European brand, so they only do baggy if it’s the intended style, and with this shirt, they clearly state that it’s cut for you to wear body armor underneath. For me, it’s just trail baggy. I don’t know if I could fit pads under, but anyway, I like the fit. They say the material is abrasion resistant, which I love. We ride some unmaintained trails, so that means foliage that reaches out to grab you whenever it wants, so I appreciate the snag-free fabric. I think the graphics are smart on this one. Definitely understated Euro styling, but that’s my vibe, so I’ll take it. If you haven’t noticed, DH style is super clean these days, think short haircuts and lots of black, white and grey. The fabric has a bit of sheen to it and it seems to wick well and not wet out. Overall, a solid long sleeve jersey from GORE.
GORE Passion Shorts
As I said above, I’ve struggled with GORE sizing in the past, so I was thrilled to get a size medium that fit loose like it should. The Passion short is a good lightweight trail short that fits like it should. It breathes well and dries relatively quickly. It has a small zippered pocket on the right leg. I’ve never used it. I suppose I could put some cash in it, but it seems really small. The velcro waist adjustment works well and seems like an updated velcro where neither of the sides seems abrasive and they keep the waist snug without fail. I’m not sure if these shorts are on anyone’s radar, but this summer I’ve kept reaching for these for their good fit and no-nonsense function. They have just the right amount of stretch to be extremely comfortable, but not so stretchy that they hang on your saddle. If you have a passion for mountain biking, give the GORE Passion short a try. Especially at the $70 price, it’s an easy call.
GORE Explore Shorts
As someone that pays attention to cycling clothing, I’m a bit skeptical about clothes aimed at the gravel cyclist. As someone that does all kinds of riding, I simply want clothing that works, and if I can get some around-town versatility that’s a bonus. Maybe GIRO was ahead of the curve with their New Road line, but I’m amazed at how many brands have followed suit, eight years later. Anyway, what you need to know is that GORE has a new line called Explore and it’s designed for the gravel rider. Your Cliff Notes version, is that gravel clothing is a bit like mountain biking clothing, just slimmer, so you can look casual cool, and not bagged out. Personally I like the Explore shorts. I’d use them for mountain biking or gravel riding. I wish the colors were a bit more unique. They’re on the muted greys and greens side of the spectrum. The fabric is a new stretch woven fabric that allows GORE to keep the look slim, without binding as you pedal. I think streamlined is a good word for these shorts. It’s clean look and a bit more protection if that’s what your after. I hope GORE sticks with this category. They clearly understand fabrics, so with some confidence I can see them really innovating in this space. In the meantime, the Explore shorts are worth checking out.
GORE Explore Shirt
As I said above with the Explore short review, GORE’s styling on their gravel line is a bit me-too. The look of the Explore shirt is a standard short sleeve henley with three snaps. But what’s unique to this top is a longer sleeves that extend down to the elbow, and a slimmer fit overall. The material is a wonderful blend of 47 percent merino wool with 32 percent recycled poly and 21 percent new poly. In the past I’ve found this blend of merino and poly to be the best for staying fresh and wicking well. All merino is comfortable for casual use, but soaks out too much on sweaty rides. So, while the styling is not going out on a limb in anyway…safe neutral colors and familiar styles and cuts, the materials work really well and fit well. I feel good choosing this top for both city and mountain use. Personally, I don’t want a big GORE on the sleeve for this line of clothes. I stil think it’s daily subtle and not a deal breaker. It’s a handsome shirt with really solid function. I’m sure GORE will gain confidence with their line in the future. Their fabric innovation and function will keep me interested.
GORE Long Distance Bib Short+
While GORE may feel like the new kid at the party with their gravel line, where they seem to lead is in unique pieces for road function. Take their Long Distance Bib Short for example. We tested GORE’s ultralight perforated shorts as a bib short that was designed to handle the extreme heat and sweat output of trainer riding. I’m sure I’m not the only person to be disgusted by themselves and sheer sweat output after a hard hour and a half interval session. Yes, it’s a thing, and it’s not pretty. So, when the Long Distance Bib Shorts arrived, they feel like an outdoor version of those trainer shorts, minus the perforated holes in the legs. It’s worth noting that these shorts were developed with input from Fabian Cancellara. I have to say, I’m a huge fan. Having thrilled at his Strade Bianche and Paris Roubaix solo TT victories, Spartacus was a true hard man. I’m not sure what aspects of these shorts Cancellara contributed to, but I have to say it feels as though they have a career’s worth of experience in them. What’s immediately noticeable is the sheer comfort of the body fabric. It has just the right amount of stretch and a flat finish. I’ve tried many bib shorts and these are my current favorite for long warm weather rides. GORE says the shorts have a Windstopper cup, which is brilliant. Overall, these shorts are extremely sleek and very well thought out. The chamois is very comfortable for me and just padded enough. Long-distance riders take note: the GORE Long Distance Bib Short is a contender for the best endurance short in my book.
GORE Ambient Vest
Gilets are a funny thing. They make perfect sense - keep your core warm when the ride is a bit chilly, or pull it out for a long descent. They stash easily and pack down small when you don’t need it. That said, I like pieces that breathe well enough that they could stay on for the whole ride. GORE Infinium is their latest ultra-breathable Windblocker material. So, if one vest could offer wind protection and keep you cool enough on climbs, the Ambient could be the one. The overall weight is super minimal and sure it packs up tiny. It’s a pure road piece, cut low at the waist for the riding position. The back is entirely stretchy mesh, so great for breathability. I think the Ambient could be the sleeper. Deceptively simple, but packs lots of function that could add plenty of comfort for long rides, well short ones too. We love tiny minimal pieces like this. It’s so packable, there’s no good reason to leave it at home.
Santini Redux Vigor Jersey
I didn’t expect to love this jersey as much as I do. I don’t love super tight fitting aero jerseys. I guess my preference is just slightly less compressive, but look at the photos. Despite not being summer skinny, I feel like this is a handsome jersey that moves and breathes extremely well. The fluorescent pops on the zipper and rear pockets add a bit of style and definitely help me be seen on the road. You just can’t ignore the safety issue when road riding. It’s a factor. It’s a sleek jersey that looks pro and makes you feel fast. The stretch and finish remind me of 7mesh’s Skyline jersey. A sleek high end jersey for feeling fast. Could I wear this on my steel bike with canti’s. Sure you could, but it’s definitely more suited to your carbon, disc brake race bike. I like where Santini is heading with its fabrics, color and styling. Keep your eye on Santini.
Santini Redux Vigor Wind Vest
We started seeing smart Polartec Alpha pieces like 7mesh’s Freeflow jacket. It’s super light and warm and stays dry even when wet. I knew when I saw the Redux Vigor Wind Vest that it would have great carry over appeal to bikepackers. Even summer days can see temperatures swing fifty degrees from overnight lows to daytime highs. The fact that it’s stretchy and form fitting, means it will fit well over a base layer, but still leave room for a rain jacket if necessary for layering. The front is windblocking, which ensures that the Polartec insulation can do it’s job. Smartly, Santini has used two different gauges of Polartec insulation, a powergrid style on the lower part and back, which is less bulky and perhaps more breathable. The windblocking nylon stops mid way on the front, keeping the chest the warmest and allowing excess heat to be dumped. I love this vest. I think it’s a bit ahead of its time and I think you’ll see lots of similar pieces coming out in years to come. Nice work Santini!
Santini Gravel Bib Shorts
Wow! I’ve tried a few Santini bib shorts in the past, and like GORE, I really struggled with the sizing. They always felt too snug or compressive, so in the end, I didn’t get much ride time and they found their way to the back of my closet. But not so with the Santini Gravel Bib shorts. These are my second favorite bib shorts this summer, after the GORE Long Distance Bib shorts. The first thing I noticed is the cut and fabric. As Santini copy says, the material is “200 g / m2 Gabardine fabric with 25% elastane with a typical dense diagonal rib design, they have excellent abrasion resistance while remaining incredibly soft on the skin and guarantee a light compressive action” So far, these shorts have excelled at long warm rides. The fabric wicks well and is nicely breathable. The length is a bit longer than past offerings, stopping just above the knee. Obviously, they have a stretch pocket on both legs, like 7mesh’s Cargo Bib Shorts. They have two additional pockets on the low back, so you have plenty of room for extra snacks. Santini has a deep history in cycling making professional-level clothing, so it’s nice to see them apply what they’ve learned for us mere mortals to enjoy our outings that much more. Keep on Santini, we’d love to see more pieces like the Gravel bib shorts!
Velocio Radiator Trail Tee
Again, Velocio shies away from the traditional “baggy trail” fit we’ve been seeing for years in the rest of the industry. This time they hit it right on the money. The wicking fabric truly whisks the sweat away (and I have a lot to get rid of most summer rides) and keeps me unbelievably cool. The fabric is super soft and incredibly comfortable, and this has become my first-to-grab and most-disappointed-if-it’s-in-the-laundry summer jersey. The slim fit is slightly bigger than a base layer-- closer to your favorite t-shirt, and the neckline is a cute “v” that rides high enough I’m not getting too much sun or creating a bug trap down my shirt. The Radiator Trail Tee is my favorite of 2021, and I’d pick up a few more for next season!
Velocio Women's Trail Shorts
Velicio is newer to the mountain and trail scene, so I’ll forgive them for their slimmer fit. Now, in my opinion trail shorts got way too baggy for a while, and it was hard to find anything that fit like, well, shorts and not some kind of extra short culotte. These shorts take an opposite tack, which Velcio describes as a “slim baggy”. While the waist is generous in the size large (which has a built-in belt for snugging up if need be), I think the sample model in this case was not very curvy, and I wouldn’t say there’s much baggy about them at all. They do fit me, but as I start to get a bit sticky with sweat the fabric tends to pull and bunch. If you’re some one who’s got some curves, these may not be the shorts for you. That being said, the material is comfy and the DWR finish was excellent the day I got caught out in a sudden summer rainstorm and that was the only part of me not freezing and wet. The waist band has an extra soft layer at the back that adds a nice touch, and the 4-way stretch works great for my semi-curvy body. If you like a slim fit, I find these shorts super durable and a great investment.
Velocio Micromodal LS Jersey
If there is anyone that reads this website regularly, please get in touch. We’d love some feedback, good, bad, whatever. For those that do (I’m assuming there are a few of you) When I see gear we’ve reviewed in the real world, I sometimes say - hey maybe they read our reviews. I also hate blogs that ramble on about details of their personal lives to feel relatable so on with the review. I’m always on the lookout for lightweight wicking long sleeve shirts that I can wear on longer rides rather than slathering on sunscreen. What I love about this jersey is that the look is completely unique. If I had to categorize this top, I’d call it a gravel jersey, since it’s form fitting, but the colors and cut feel a bit more low key. The micromodal fabric is light, breathable and soft to the touch. It’s said to have carbon fibers woven into it, which apparently gives the fabric an antimicrobial property. I wish I could explain all of that to you. I can’t. But so far, the jersey has been extremely comfortable, dries quickly, and hasn’t stunk at all. I feel like pieces like this are unique to Velocio and we love their Italian quality and focus on new, functional, and innovative fabrics. We’ll keep riding Velocio and we’re anxious to see what they come up with next.
Velocio Endurance Bib Shorts
I wanted to love these shorts more. They’re gorgeous to look at. The fabric, fit and finish are beautiful Italian quality. I had one ride where I got chafed by a seam in the rear, but I didn’t want to give up on them. Sometimes we have rides where we’re just not 100 percent comfortable. NBD. It happens. I kept riding them and for whatever reason, the chafing went away. I know these shorts will fit me better if I lose 5-10 pounds, but I don’t want to be that roadie. I’m not racing these days and I don’t want to be that strict with food. So, the bottom line I guess is that these shorts are slightly more compressive than all the shorts I tried this season. I’d probably do well to size up one size with this model. If you love Velocio as I do, and you want to try these, that would be my suggestion. I KNOW they’re quality. You can see that. Everything I’ve tried from Velocio is top-notch. So, for now, I’m keeping these in the rotation, just using them for shorter rides, which is perhaps ironic for their Endurance Bib Shorts. We’re still getting to know the brand and the fit. So far most things have been on the snug side of things. Maybe I just need to size up.