Category: Apparel

Under Performaning

Shani-DavisThe Under Armour designed speed skating uniforms were supposed to be super suits – there was already talk of a potential ban as the suits could give an unfair edge to the competitors. However, as The Wall Street Journal reported late last week – the super suits were a super dud!

Gold medal favorite Shani Davis didn’t show super speed on the ice and the paper reported that the suits may have a design flaw that could be slowing down skaters. This is the vent on the back, which is designed to allow heat to escape. Instead it is allow air to enter and is creating drag, which in turn is making it difficult for the skaters to maintain their low position.

[Via The Wall Street Journal: Under Armour Suits May Be a Factor in U.S. Speedskating’s Struggles]

Retro High Tech Gloves

VeekaRetro and high tech are usually not things we associate together, but Veeka has managed to provide both in its new line of cycling gloves. These look downright old school and feature handwoven cotton with a classic Velcro closure, but these also offer a non-slip silicone texture that provides grip on the handbars or a mobile phone. The company has an entire line of stylish gloves that will look like a blast from the past, yet still be ready to roll with your 21st century ride.

Veeka Americas Official Website

Reflective Cross Wear

Bio-RacerFor last months cyclocross world championships last month apparel maker BioRacer introduced a new highly reflective cycling jersey. It utilizes a material dubbed “Pixel,” which will practically glow when hit by car headlights, ensuring that a rider can be seen. What is notable about this technology is that it makes the apparel look like a solid color in normal light, but when hit by a headlight or other bright illumination it glows! We hope to see more of this fabric in the coming months.

BioRacer Press Release: Reflective warm-up clothing WC Hoogerheide – Pixel fabric

Move Your Mbody

MbodyThere is no shortage of shorts that provide compression, but the Mbody system from Myontec does much more than just provide some compression to the legs. These Finnish made athletic shorts are designed to get you across the finish line by helping track your muscle activity.

The MShorts as these are called are equipped with an Mcell module that plugs into the apparel and displays the processed data on a mobile device. The sensors monitor that activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings and transmitted to a user’s Android mobile device. This allows users to tell if one leg is working harder than the other and allows users to change up their activity as necessary.

Mbody Official Website

Made in America: Mountain Man Jersey

Mt.-Borah-JOMWith all the snow on the ground it might be a while before we make it to the mountains on a bike, but Mt. Borah has us itching to ride. The company’s February JOM (Jersey of the Month) pays homage to trail buildings around the globe. This micro polyester fabric jersey features a full-hidden zipper, club cut with three pocket back and tagless care content label.

It was made in Wisconsin, where we think they’re probably still digging out from the latest mountain of snow.

Mt. Borah: To the Trails JOM

Armed for Sochi

Mach39While security is tight at Sochi some American athletes will be suited up in armor – or at least Under Armour’s new speedskating uniform. For the 2014 games Under Armour partnered with Team USA and Lockheed Martin to create a skinsuit that should be a speed machine on the ice. The Mach 39 could be a game changer that helps Americans bring home the gold this year.

Under Armour Official Website

Clash of the Titin

TitinThere is a new opinion that if you train with extra weight than you’ll perform better when it’s taken off. This is just part of the concept behind the Titin Weighted Compression Shirt, which also allows athletes to pack the base layer with gel inserts. These can be heated or cooled and either way add eight pounds to the torso. The heat can obviously help relax sore muscles while cold packs could be used to stay cool on hot day. In addition it could be used post-workout for an icing routine.

Titin Official Website

Sky Suits Up

SkyIf you thought existing cycling apparel was already a little revealing Rapha has introduced a new Road Race Mesh Skinsuit that takes it up a notch. The skinsuit is meant to breathe and then some. It is designed for ultra hot weather locations such as Qatar and Oman, but it does leave little to the imagination! Continue reading Sky Suits Up

Adidas Expands Bra Collection

adidas_EnergyBraThis year the sports bra collection doubled in size. That is to say, there are twice as many bra styles as last year, and includes the new maximum support Energy Bra. The collection, adidas says, “helps control the ladies”

The Energy Bra offers maximum support and is best for contact sports, running and high intensity workouts. The new Energy Bra will retail for $55. It has a three-clasp closure that allows for better adjustability. The cross-back strap design offers a personalized fit and more ventilation. Continue reading Adidas Expands Bra Collection

Mariachi Skier

Hubertus-von-HohenloheWhile the U.S. Olympic Opening Ceremony uniform may not be scoring points with everyone – despite the fact that it was actually made in America – the choice of attire for Mexican skier Hubertus von Hohenlohe is another story. He unveiled his “Mariachi” motif this week and it is as remarkable as his story.

As his name suggests he is actually a descendant of German royalty but was born in Mexico. “The Prince” – as he’s known – been a staple on the slopes since he raced World Cup at age 22 in 1981, and he made his Olympic debut at Sarajevo in 1984. He’ll turn 55 on Sunday but he’s heading to Sochi next month where he’ll once again represent Mexico.

We applaud that he’s back for more, but we seriously question whether he’ll actually don that uniform on the slopes.

[Via The New York Daily News: Mexican ski racer Hubertus von Hohenlohe ready to wow at Winter Olympics in Sochi]

Primal Gives Back

PrimalThis week cycling apparel maker Primal announced that it had donated more than a million dollars to the cycling community last year. The Denver, Colorado-based company said this is part of its ongoing commitment to the progression cycling and cause-related organizations. Through its dedication to sponsoring events and organizations that benefit people’s lives, Primal contributed more than $300,000 in cash and over $800,000 in product last year alone.

Primal has been a long standing supporter of organizations that include the League of American Bicyclists, Bike MS, NICA, IMBA, Tour de Cure, Bicycle Colorado, People for Bikes, US Military Endurance Sports, Rails to Trails, the Alliance for Biking and Walking and Trips for Kids, among many more.

“Giving back is a part of our culture here at Primal,” said Dave Edwards, founder and president of Primal, “and as we’ve grown we have been able to drastically increase our commitments and support of organizations that make a difference in the cycling community and around the world.”

A major part of Primal’s contributions come through the Primal Gives Back Program, which is open to all teams who participate in a charitable cycling event. For 2014 Primal has already announced several new and continuing sponsorships that will include partnerships with NICA, Bike MS, Tour de Cure, the National Bike Summit, Colorado Bicycle Summit, Sea Otter Classic and the Bicycle Leadership Conference.

Primal Community Official Website

Made in America: Uniformity

TeamUSAWhen the U.S. Olympic team headed to London it wore uniforms made in China, but not this time. Team USA will head to Sochi, Russia in just two weeks wearing uniforms designed by fashion icon Ralph Lauren that were made in the USA. The uniforms don’t come cheap, but can we really put a price on going for the gold?

We wish our U.S. Olympic team the best luck as they head to the games. May they have safe games as well.

[Via Bleacher Reporter: Team USA Unveils Opening Ceremony Uniforms Designed by Ralph Lauren]