This winter I’ve had the opportunity to add pretty key pieces to my cold weather attire. With a good amount of cold base miles, I’ve shredded some items and some have stayed strong and worthy of a solid review. A few different long sleeve jerseys are my main highlights from this shredding that I’ll be reviewing this week.

There is something comforting about a soft merino wool piece of clothing. It wraps you up in it’s natural warmth, and can be reused for a couple weeks at a time if you don’t sweat it up too badly. Most folks who are purchasing their first piece of merino get sticker shock, but quickly they understand they are replacing 2-3 piece of clothing due to the wicking, warmth and longevity of wool. Ever purchased a pair of Smartwool socks? I bet you wish all of your socks were that amazing.

Features

MSRP: $140
Colors: Black or Gray

There are a handful of features that Surly will want to tell you about, but the best feature for me is the ability to wear this on and off the bike easily. The jersey turns into a sweater when paired with a pair of jeans. The sleeves with thumb holes are long enough and easily flipped up for casual use. The back has a “cigarette pocket” which is one pocket with zippers on either side.

Fit

Traditionally women’s wool jerseys have fit pretty baggy and boxy on me. I can say that this jersey in size large fits me pretty darn well. With room for a tshirt or jersey underneath it isn’t super snug but it does allow me to feel like a woman when wearing it. As I mentioned I often wear it into shops as a sweater and it does look like a women’s sweater (with a sweet pocket in the back!)

Overall Thoughts

If you can swallow the price tag of $140 this jersey will last you many seasons, keeping you warm and dry. It’s an essential for me when traveling as I can wear it a handful of times and not be overwhelmed by stench or dirt.

See it on SurlyBikes.com

Photo Credit: Benjamin Wilson

Some clothing pieces in my internet travels that have grabbed my attention.

Let It Rain Jacket – Athleta $178

Cortina Hoody – Smartwool $120

Viva Cycling Cap – Castelli $14.95

Grand Prix Wool Jersey – Terry $140

Fit & Vicious – Endurance Conspiracy $30

Merino Wool Hoodie – Twin Six $180

A guest post from Laura Colbert of Loose Nuts Cycles in Atlanta, GA.

I am a girl who loves denim.  Outside of work time, I’m always in dark, well-fitted pair of jeans, even if I’m on a bike.  So when I started commuting more, I didn’t think twice about what I would wear for the ride.  I would just wear what I always wear—jeans, wool socks, Vans, and a comfy shirt that I can sweat in a little bit.  Well, as it turns out, riding a 20 mile round trip several times a week, plus some extra miles to run errands or socialize on the way home, can really wear out jeans quickly.  Also, comfort becomes much more important at 7 am on Monday morning, than it is cruising around town on a Saturday afternoon.

Realizing these things more and more with each ride, I started looking around for some pants that I could ride to work in.  I should note here that I have one big criteria for cycling clothing:  I don’t want to look like a cyclist.  Don’t get me wrong.  I wear chamois and jerseys and clip-less shoes and all of that good stuff when I’m “on a bike ride”.  But commuting is not a bike ride.  I want to look like a “real” person when I get to work, not a cyclist.  When I run errands on the way home, I don’t want to be “the cyclist” covered in spandex standing awkwardly in the grocery line.  It may be silly, but it’s my preference.  As I browsed the internet for the right pair of pants, I found that there aren’t a whole lot of great options out there for ladies.  After some searching, I stumbled upon Outlier’s Women’s Daily Riding Pant.

I immediately loved the look of the pant, but didn’t love the price tag.  I asked around and found that one of my male friends has the male version of this pant and loves it.  He said it was well worth the money, so I decided it was worth a shot and ordered a pair in black.

Meet the Outlier Women’s Daily Riding Pant

From the Outlier website:

Truly a do-anything pant cut for women. Lean and sleek with an elegant silhouette. Made with our core 4Season fabric, the four way stretch and a soft inner face of the doubleweave twill fabric ensures you move in both comfort and style. The “self-cleaning” Nanosphere treatment makes it highly resistant to dirt, coffee and beer, so don’t worry about your morning cup of joe spilling all over you as you ride. Wear them to work or out for drinks, rain or shine you’ll be looking good and feeling better.

Made locally in New York City. Not only does our 4Season fabric shed rain and dirt, dry fast and resist wear and tear, but it also meets the strict bluesign environmental standards. It’s a low impact fabric, made with tight emissions standards that ensures it’s produced with the absolute minimum amount of waste. A better way of clothing for a better way of life, enjoy them, and let us know what you think.

Personal thoughts on the Women’s Daily Riding Pant

Fit

I ordered a size 4 (I normally look for a dress size 4 or a jeans size 27) and it fit perfectly.  They definitely run true to size.  The fabric is stretchy, so that helps if you are normally between sizes.   The fabric is super flexible and fits very comfortably.  It fits well when I’m off the bike, but it doesn’t squeeze me at all when I’m on the bike either.  The higher waist keeps my lower back and rear well covered when I’m riding.  I will say that the fabric was “techier” (more techy?) than I was expecting.  It seems similar to the fabric of which my mountain bikes shorts are made.

Call me a hipster, but I only wear skinny or straight leg pants.   This pant falls into the skinny category.  Speaking of legs, Outlier gives you a lot of extra fabric, length-wise.  As a 5’7” woman, I don’t often have extra length in my pants, but I have at least 2 extra inches here (see picture).  If you’re shorter than me, you may have to hem the legs.  If you’re taller than me, you’ll be really excited to start riding without exposed ankles/socks. One of my favorite features is that Outlier has built in 2 deep pockets in the front of the pants and two sizable pockets in the back too, which makes the pants look less like athletic wear and more like everyday wear.  .

Like I said, I ordered this pant in black, but I would love to see the other colors in person. I love the slate grey option and I drooled a little over both greens.  My one worry is that this fabric doesn’t look very high-quality (even though it obviously is), so the colored pant options might look cheap.  shoulder shrug

Performance

Georgia’s in the middle of its weird bi-polar fall/winter weather, when we have 30-40 degree mornings, but about half of our afternoons are 60-70 degrees.  It’s hard to find clothing that works for both conditions and these pants do the trick.  When it’s above 45 degrees, they keep me warm enough.  At temperatures when I start to sweat, they breathe well, keeping my sweatiness to a minimum.  When I do sweat, I don’t feel gross at all (not like when denim sticks to you…gross).  On the other end of the temperature spectrum (below about 45 degrees), I do have to layer them with some running tights and wool socks.  Even then, the pants stretch well to fit an extra layer and they still breathe nicely.

I haven’t ridden with them in the rain yet, so I can’t speak to the rain-proofiness.  However, the one time I’ve washed them since October, they dried super fast.  Also, when I read that they were “self-cleaning” I laughed a little, but with multiple wears each week and only one wash since I bought them (probably 2 months ago), they still look brand new.  And they still fit wonderfully.

Final Thoughts

So far, I love this pant.  I’m glad that I went ahead and spent the money.  It’s comfortable to ride in, looks good enough to wear in public, is sturdy enough to survive many miles each week, and it’s U.S. made (hard to find in women’s clothing, much less cycling gear).  I don’t want to speak prematurely, but my denim drawer may need to be cleaned out to make room for the other colors of this pant.

Disclaimer:  I am not receiving any benefits from Outlier for my review of their product.  I purchased this product myself.

YMX makes clothing for the athletic woman. While many women look at the clothing line and think yoga the fit and style really fit in well across cycling. The fit is sexy, the material is soft and light. As YMX rolls out more fall and winter clothing I’ll be picking out my favorite’s to share with you.

YMX Core Long Sleeve Top

MSRP: $98

Details: This pink Tribal print long sleeve top is feminine and energetic. Perfect for workout, running, cycling, or with your favorite pair of jeans, this YMX top is sure to be a favorite. YMX tops are sized to fit close to the body, and are light, soft, and have a generous shape-holding stretch. If you prefer a relaxed fit, stepping up from your usual size is recommended.

Keep up to date with the Bike Shop Girl coverage of the 2012 Interbike Trade Show with coverage, previews, exclusives and interviews

Fashion, meets fashion, that you would go to a mall and wear. Oh wait, it has cycling function? Sign me up now.

Meet Gravity Check Cycling Clothing. gravity-check.com

A Bike Shop Girl exclusive, first look at the new Active Angelz line that will be launched next week at Interbike!

Active Angelez’s Launches New Female Endurance Athlete Line September 19^th at the Interbike Expo 2012

Active Angelz announces their athletic line’s launch at the Interbike Expo, September 19^th at booth 12138. Be one of the first to feature and review this line before it hits the mass markets of athletic wear.

Active Angelz is designed to appeal to the woman who is fit, stylish and fashionable, appreciates quality and demands athletic wear that incorporates the very best of technology. She is feminine yet strong, athletic and stylish. She balances a busy life but still finds time to work out and whether she is working out or hanging out she still feels and looks great.

Visit their Facebook and check here next week for more info and photos from the show!

Last summer I reviewed the Icebreaker Halo jersey and shorts. As I rode around today in the Halo shorts I felt pretty compelled to do a follow up on these shorts, as they deserve it.

If you shop at Dick’s Sporting Goods and not REI, or believe in working out at the gym and not hiking, you may not understand the ways of wool. (Please don’t take that offensive, it’s just probably true.)

I’m found often in stupid expensive Capo or Hincapie shorts for stupid long rides. The chamois are overly developed and “wear in” as the miles turn up.

The Halo shorts from Icebreaker are not these, they fit like boxer briefs, are super comfortable and feel as sexy as shorts can get. (I’ve also been told they don’t make me look like I’m wearing a wad and make my butt look nice.)  As these are quick drying, non-spandex looking, they are also my go to for around town and over night rides to camp fires.  They also look a ton better with my Keen’s than most other cycling shorts.

If you are looking for a set of shorts for longer rides on the greenway, bike touring or to commute on.. look at these Halo shorts from Icebreaker!

For the past few years I have heard the spectrum of reviews on Chrome’s shoes. Chrome, known first for their made in the US bags that started in Colorado. Now the company is based out of San Francisco and has probably 3/4 of their line made over seas. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just putting some back story out there.

Back to Chrome’s shoes

Chrome has been making “bike specific” sneakers for a few years now. Gum bottom or SPD ready, these shoes were made for those that live on their bike and want to look the part. Available in three different series, the PRO Series has the SPD compatible clip-in, the Pedal Series has a fiberglass sole for better pedaling, and the All City Series with stronger uppers and not so stiff sole.

Earlier this month Chrome released a new shoe into their All City Series it is also their first WOMENS shoe, the Dolores. Read the preview by clicking read more..!

Meet the Chrome Dolores

MSRP: $70
Colors: Black and gray
Fitting: If you have a wide toe box you may want to go up a size or be prepared for these shoes not to fit. I normally wear a Euro 42, or womens 9.5/10. The box I was sent is a 11.5 but on their website it doesn’t show that large of a size. I’ve emailed to get direct specifics.

*note: the shoes fit me fine as a 11.5 womens, I normally ride a 10. 

This shoe has a Cordura fabric, much like what you’ll find on messenger bags, gum bottom and a super low profile front toe box to fit in toe cages better. You can wear the shoes with or without shoe laces, and two pairs of shoe laces are provided. One black and one white. Currently I’m wearing one shoe without laces and the other with! (Stylish I know.)

I’m super glad that Chrome sent me the gray pair as black shoes really aren’t my fancy. I’ll be trying these out in the next week commuting with my Ergon pedals as well as putting some toe straps back on my fixie. Until then, check out the shoes online!

This product was provided at no cost for review by Chrome. I was not paid or bribed for this review or my opinion.

Touch points on the bike are critical. I talk about saddles, shorts, grips, gloves and shoes enough that I hope you realize how important those comforts are.

Introducing Giro DJ Gloves $34.99

Last week I was in Piney Flats Bicycles in Piney Flats, TN. On their wall a rather bright pair of gloves caught my eye. Giro DJ Gloves, the padding was minimum, the venting looked great, and the wrist wrap was very comfortable. Of course I bought them. Forever I’m looking for good gloves that fit my very long, skinny, hands.

Initial Preview

The gloves have about 4 rides on them. They are working well in the hot North Carolina temperatures. The grip is perfect. The color doesn’t match anything, but that makes it wonderful. The wrist wrap is probably more than a normal XC or roadie will like as it comes up your over your wrist. For longer rides I like the compression and for harder rides I like the grip. The gloves don’t have tons of padding, it’s more about proper contact and keeping your hands from wilting.

So far I am pleased. So much that I probably will end up ordering the orange and white ones from the Giro website. They match my bikes perfectly, that is important too.

See these and all of Giro’s gloves over at Giro.com.

Disclaimer: I purchased these gloves and my opinion is my own, no one else’s. 

Capo Cycling – an italian made cycling clothing company has released a new line of women’s cycling clothing. It includes a jersey in two colors, shorts with a comfy yoga waistband and knickers. I understand the italian way of subtle with black and whites but I would love to see some accent pop on this!

Modena Donna Jersey – MSRP $90

Modena Donna Shorts – MSRP $120

Modenna Donna Knickers – MSRP $130