Apparel | Evolving Consumer

State Your State!

Want to show some state pride while you ride? Pactimo’s new line-up of cycling jerseys includes design’s for California, Colorado and New York. Each State jersey features a full length YKK zipper along with hidden elastic sleeve openings, and a silicone gripper at the waist. These new 2014 jerseys are also quipped with the standard three rear pockets, while the jerseys even have a race radio earpiece opening in the rear pocket with a cord loop in the collar.

We’re not sure if more states will follow, but Pactimo could certainly help encourage a race between the states!

Pactimo State Series Official Website

Antigua Drives Into Spring

After the long winter it might be good to put away the coat and put on a pair of skorts or shorts and hit the green. Antigua has new offers in its Antigua Spring 2014 Women’s Golf Collection.
“Women are going to love these new skorts and shorts,” says Ron McPherson, president and CEO of Antigua. “The Unity, Classic and Cinch bring a variety of color, style and fabrics to our spring line. We’re very excited about them, as are our customers. In fact, our women’s business is up 40 percent this year. This new trio of products help make us a strong contender in complete outfits and women’s bottoms, and not just in women’s tops.” Continue reading Antigua Drives Into Spring

Chill Out?

After this long harsh winter the last thing most people are likely to want to do is “chill out,” but soon the temperatures will rise and the Adidas Climachill technology will keep athletes from getting overheated. And it does so by putting metal into the clothing, but this is no suit of armor.

The line incorporates innovative fabric woven with titanium and industry-first 3D aluminium cooling spheres that provide an instant chilling sensation. The high tech fabric is designed to transfer heat away from the body to help the athletes’ performance in warm conditions – lowering their body temperature so they can train harder, run longer, retain focus and compete at the highest level.

The micro fiber fabric allows the apparel to provide the cooling properties of mesh, and in doing so can move excess moisture away from the skin. It utilizes evaporation and conduction methods together for the first time, the ground-breaking SubZero flat yarn contains titanium and is woven throughout the inside of each article of clothing. Flat yarn has more surface area than traditional yarns, which enables it to transfer heat away from your body.

Adidas Climachill Official Website

The Ice Tee

It’s hard to think that soon we may want to “cool down” but after a long winter the warm weather is on the way and when working out you can get overheated all too easily. The IceTee is an athletic shirt that is features reusable gel packs that are strategically placed to help wearer’s stay cool.

Users do need to place the garment in a freezer, and the gel packs will remain cold for up to one hour. While this shirt is probably best for when you’re already getting warmed up, it can help you stay a little cooler on a hot day. The IceTee is now being developed via Kickstarter campaign, and we think it is one cool idea. Video after the jump

LG Goes to the Backcountry

Louis Garneau knows a thing or two about going off-road, but the Canadian-based apparel and accessories maker will sponsor the Backcountry.com Professional Mountain Bike Team, providing the helmets, shoes and apparel. The team, which will wear Garneau Custom Apparel, Course and Quartz II helmets and T-Flex 2LS shoes, will compete in major North American cross-country and stage races throughout the year, including the Sea Otter Classic later this month in California, the Whiskey 50, the BC Bike Race and the 2014 Pro XCT Series.

“We make amazing mountain bike gear, but we haven’t invested as much into this segment. This has become a priority for us for 2014. We can build off of our expertise for comfort and performance found in every piece of gear we craft,” said Pierre Perron, Global Marketing Director at Louis Garneau. “The Backcountry.com Professional Mountain Bike Team, head to toe in Garneau, is the caliber of athletes we love to work with.” Continue reading LG Goes to the Backcountry

Lucky 13

Dutch cycling brand Allez Cycling knows that pro cyclists who ride with the number “13” often place it upside down. With this in mind, the company now offers a cycling-themed t-shirt for men and women that reflects the cycling tradition that race number 13 is bad luck. The number on this 100 percent organic cotton shirt is also upside down – making this shirt sure to be a conversation starter.

Allez Cycling Official Website

Looking Hip

It was no April Fools this week when Mt. Borah announced that the April Jersey of the Month would be the Hipster, a jersey that will feel at home on the trails to the post-ride pub. It features an urban plaid design that it is hip wherever it goes.

Mt. Borah Men’s Hipster Jersey of the Month
Mt. Borah Women’s Hipster Jersey of the Month

True Colors

Nike Soccer has unveiled the 2014 U.S. National Team Away jersey – and it offers a lot of red, white and blue, yet still sort of doesn’t say America. A number of countries – the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Russia come to mind – as having the same colors. However, it does feature 13 red and white stripes to represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence and formed the first states on the back of the neck in a pennant tab.

Nike Soccer also noted that the “kit aids performance by regulating player’s body temperature during the course of the match. By using a combination of Nike Dri-FIT Technology, ‘burnout’ mesh and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localize cooling where players need it most.”

The kit also features Nike Dri-FIT technology, which pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where it evaporates more quickly, while laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased breathability and airflow across the skin.

Press Release: Nike Soccer Unveils 2014 U.S. National Team Away Kit

Backcountry Hits the Trails

Online retailer Backcountry.com has announced that it is launching its first pro mountain bike team, which will include a four-person squad to race in cross-country and stage races across North America this year. The team, which will race on Niner bikes, and consists of rider-manager Jason Sager, Chloe Woodruff, Evelyn Dong and TJ Woodruff, also expects to compete at the Mongolian Bike Challenge.

“Mountain biking is at the core of who we are as a brand and being able to extend our expert gear knowledge to the trail and support the sport is a priority,” said Jill Layfield, Backcountry.com’s CEO. “Assembling a pro team of this caliber that possesses the tools to compete at the highest level is a natural extension of our cycling brands and culture.”

Besides Niner, other team sponsors include: Geax, Clifbar, Louis Garneau, FSA, WTB, Chris King, ENVE, SRAM, Crankbrothers, Eureka, Jet Boil and Gore Bike Wear. The team kit shows the Backcountry.com logo and trademark mountain goat on the front and legs. The company’s bike-specific e-commerce site, Competitivecyclist.com, is featured on the shoulders.

Backcountry.com Official Website

Royal Attire

The new skinsuit developed by King’s College London is far from “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” This special skinsuit, which was developed with help from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), could help counteract the degradation of bone and muscle mass during long term exposure to microgravity.

The conditions of space can be harmful to the backs, and can result in a slipped disc back on Earth.

“Here on Earth we are constantly resisting gravity, meaning that even by sitting and walking around we’re exercising our muscles and bones,” said Phil Carvil of the Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences (CHAPS) at King’s College. “In space the loading effect of gravity is removed and as a consequence, astronauts’ bones and muscles aren’t getting the natural forces they need to keep them healthy.”

The skinsuit could also be used on Earth to counteract the effects of ageing on bone density and muscle mass.

[Via King’s College: ‘Skinsuit’ to help astronauts avoid back problems in space]

Get Into Spring With Antigua

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvCnN8RA3Bk&list=UUKtD3G1RptIVRH0NXSMVgdQ&feature=share

The clocks have sprung forward and as of last week it is officially. While we can hope Mother Nature will play along Antigua is ready with its updates to its Spring 2014 Men’s Performance 72 Golf Collection as seen in the video above.

The Collection for men includes 17 shirt models, 12 outerwear tops and seven hats – as well as our proprietary Desert Dry and Desert Dry Xtra-Lite moisture management technology that wicks away moisture.

“It’s bright and bold – really colorful,” says Ron McPherson, president and CEO of Antigua. “Golf has always been a colorful business and this year just a little bit more intense. The consumer is really wearing bright colors right now and having fun with it. This line has vivid color, sophisticated styling and luxurious fabrics…truly a winning combination.”

Antigua Official Website

Armor Warmers

The StantoVelo Protective Arm Warmers could just as easily be called “armor warmers,” as these feature 6mm EPDM foam padding within the Lycra/elastane and micro fleece fabric. The result is a cycling arm warmer that features an antibacterial and waterproof covering for those cool spring rides – but also some padding to protect from road rash and much worse. The StantoVelo logo is even reflective to help riders be seen at night.

StantoVelo Official Website

Nau Covers Up For Spring

The calendar says spring – and while winter might hang on, we know that soon the rains will fall and wash away the snow. That’s the good news for cyclists. The bad news is that it will mean wet riding. However, Nau has you covered. The apparel maker has introduced its Spring 2014 Pedal Collection, which includes the Poncho Via, a hardshell poncho made from a three-layer blend of recycled polyester and cotton.

It features sealed seams and water resistant DWR finish to protect your clothes from the rain. A belted waist ties on the front while a long back protects the back as well as seat from wet commutes to and from work.

Nau Official Website