Apparel | Evolving Consumer

Made in America: Wash and Go in Style

Our friends at Chamois Butt’r have been on a roll. In addition to the Her’ Chamois Butt’r, which the company recently introduced, it has looked to launched a premium cleanser for laundering of technical sportswear and delicate fabrics. The Eurostyle Sports Kit wash was developed for use across the entire spectrum of endurance sports and is purpose-built to address the specific needs of high-end technical fabrics such as those found in cycling, skiing, running or the yoga studio.

Despite its name it is actually produced in the United States, and is minimally scented and easily rinsed away. The Sports Kit Wash thus can prolong the life of garments helping to remove chlorine from bathing suits and yet is 100 percent wetsuit-safe. It is like washing in style – Eurostyle.

Chamois Butt’r Official Website

The Water Viper

While various “speed suits” have been banned in swimming competition the new Roka Viper Speed Suit is ready to race. This new suit was designed for swim trainers and triathletes with help from NASA technology. It might not help you get to space, but with this suit you might just fly through the water.

Roka Viper Speed Suit Official Website

Made in America: Coming Up Shorts

Summer is almost here and that means it is the season of shorts (not that all seasons can’t be short-worthy). The Top Designs’ Mountain Shorts are made in America from ripstop cotton and these can stand up to the rigors of hiking, yard work or just hitting the BBQ.

These feature large top-stitched front pockets with reinforced stress point stitching, offer large rear pockets with inner zip wallet security pocket, key clip loops and adjustable waist belt. These are available in khaki, olive and woodland camo.

Topo Designs Mountain Shorts Official Website

Bike in Black

We’ve been seeing an increase in more causal and less hardcore apparel for cycling. For those early days and cool nights the Betabrand Bike to Work Jacket might be just the thing. This jacket looks good, features a detachable hood and reflective patches and is ready for the office and the road. Video after the jump

Time to Move

Riding a bike doesn’t have to mean skin tight apparel – something we’ve noted before but will say again as Boulder, Colorado-based Panache Cyclewear reminded us that riding can be a casual thing. As the name suggests this line of apparel has a little “panache” to it as well. The Move line features button-up shirts and button-fly shorts that are aimed for those times off the bike as much as one.

The company likes to provide clothing that provides the right fit, with pockets that can hold phones and wallets and still be comfortable on the bike. In this way Panache has moved the apparel of cycling in another – casual – direction.

Panache Cyclewear Move Collection

Sweat Proof

We see many products that are waterproof but bioengineers at the University of California, Davis are developed a new fabric that can form excess sweat into droplets that drain away. In other words this could lead to fabric that is actually “sweat proof.” The new textile microfluidic platform utilizes hydrophilic (water-attracting) threads stitched into a highly water-repellent fabric, which can literally suck droplets of water from one side of the fabric, propel those droplets along the threads and expel them from the other side. This in turn could leave the fabric dry against the skin. Video after the jump

Subtle Campaign

Apparel maker Pearl Izumi is nothing if not subtle. The company has come up with some rather “controversial” ad campaigns over the years. Gear Junkie recently highlighted a few – we’ll just say not all are appropriate for all viewers.

[Via GearJunkie: ‘Sexy Bodies, Naughty Words’ are Hallmarks in Pearl Izumi Campaigns]

Weekend Reading List (05.25.2013): Final Ride, Rocket Man, Compressed Research

Final Ride

From KVAL: Bicycle hearse offers ‘one last ride’ to final resting place
Wade Lind takes the lid off a 7-foot bamboo coffin inside his business, Sunset Hills Funeral Home. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (05.25.2013): Final Ride, Rocket Man, Compressed Research

Made in America: Headliner

Working up a sweat is one reason we work out an exercise but sweat in the eyes is never fun when on a long summer bike ride. This is where the SweatHawg comes in. It is a helmet liner that is made in Oregon of Hydo-phillic fabric from Germany and can reportedly absorb 10 times its weight in water, and which can be rung out if it gets too saturated. It can keep the sweat out of the eyes and thus help on those hot summer days!

SweatHawg Official Website

Urban Outfitted

Cycling jackets don’t have to feature team branding or other colorful designs. REI’s house brand Novara has introduced the Dutchtown, a jacket designed to provide protection when riding in some wind and rain. It features a Polyester fabric with a durable water repellent finish that resists water to keep you warm and dry on those wet spring days.

The jacket offers roll-down cuffs with reflective trim to help keep you visible in low light, while two front pockets and one inside zippered pocket will let you stash whatever you need to carry. The Dutchtown jacket even features a media port so you can also keep your music player stashed inside and out of the elements.

REI Dutchtown Official Website

Upright (Not Uptight) Rider

We’ve seen a movement towards cycling attire that isn’t so aimed at the hardcore rider – however some of it is for the truly “uptight cyclist.” Phil Siegert’s line of cycling attire isn’t so uptight, but it is for the Upright Cyclist – which is now the name of his business.

His line of clothing is for those who don’t want to change what they are wearing to go for a ride, so whether it is for commute to work, a leisurely weekend trip around town or a journey to the store, Upright Cyclist can have you covered. The company, which just launched last month, introduced five pieces that include shorts, pants and three jackets and each is meant to handle riding around town, while still looking good off the bike.

Upright Cyclist Official Website

Sidi Goes Italian

Cycling apparel maker Sidi has partnered with Castelli this season with a new line of men’s and women’s cycling attire that offers a bit of flare and a whole lot of fashion. This new lineup pairs nicely with the Sidi road shoes, and is inspired by some of the greats of Italian cycling, including the Pippo, named for Flippo Pozzato; an Ivan Basso design and even one for Dino Signori, the founder of Sidi.

Sidi Official Website
[Via Bike Rumor: SIDI EXPANDS CLOTHING LINE, WITH NEW SIDI BY CASTELLI TECHNICAL WEAR]

Fitting Performance

Assos has introduced a new pattern of cycling jersey that offers a fit between the brand’s SS.Uno and SS.Mille fits. Designed for athletes and those with larger body types the PerformanceFit jersey utilizes new fabric designed by the Assos Textile Lab.

The Type 151 fabric has less volume and is thus designed to react quickly to body temperatures, when riders perspire a lot the jersey reacts by speeding up the moisture transfer, and when riders cool it slows the evaporation process.

With a UV protection rating of 50+ this one will be good for a ride on a bright sunny day as well. It features zippered safety pockets with an inside opening for earphone cords, rear reflective visibility stripes and a covered full front zipper.

Assos Official Website