Cycle Clothing – pedalnorth

GripGrab spring warmth cycling clothing for women

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:46:34 +0000

Spring warmth with GripGrab

Kristi Kuldkepp

GripGrab Winter Testing Review

Early Season Performance in Nordic Conditions

by Kristi Kuldkepp, Women’s Cycling Editor

Early season training in Northern Europe is always a challenge. Cold temperatures, wind, and constantly changing conditions demand cycling gear that is not only comfortable, but reliable over long hours on the bike.Too often brands forget this, working simply towards aero products, whilst not appreciating that comfort and movement equals performance.

Over the past weeks, I’ve been testing several pieces from the GripGrab PACR collection in real training conditions in Estonia – temperatures around +2 to +8°C, strong winds and typical early spring variability. Yes, cold for early spring, but ideal for testing women’s cycling clothing! The focus of this review is on functionality, performance and comfort during structured training (10–14 hours per week), rather than just first impressions. For me, as a semi-pro racer, clothing has first to perform, and that means that it has to be functional – style is an added benefit.
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Tested Equipment

• Women’s PACR Long Sleeve Jersey
• Women’s PACR Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey
• Women’s PACR Insulated Midlayer Vest
• Women’s PACR Thermal Bib Shorts
• Waterproof Knitted Winter Gloves
• Ride Thermal Leg Warmers
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Images by Diane Unt Photography

First Impression – Clean Design, Functional Fit

GripGrab follows a very clean and minimal design approach, but what stands out more is the fit. All pieces feel purpose-built for riding, with no unnecessary bulk or distractions. They use a body mapping process, meaning that the fit is performance-oriented but not overly aggressive, which makes it suitable for long endurance sessions without compromising comfort.

How did I find it: overall comfortable, and yes, it did have that necessary movement, whilst being quite simply a nice product to wear. Ultimately, if it’s comfortable and functional, then I feel better and I’ll perform better. Do GripGrab achieve this – yes, I think that they do.

The quality is good, with excellent cut and fabrics, and the pockets are strong and easy to reach, with a good quality zip on the security pocket. Small points matter with cycling kit, far more than loud aesthetics.
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Performance in Cold Conditions: Layering System – What Works

GripGrab produce technical fabrics and don’t over-complicate things. Their combination of:

• PACR Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey
• Insulated Midlayer Vest
• Thermal Bib Shorts + Leg Warmers

This proved to be a very effective setup in temperatures between +2 and +8°C. Ultimately, it kept me warm and I felt comfortable. Ultimately, that’s what we want to achieve. It’s unfussy and uncomplicated kit, that allows me the freedom to move on the bike and to relax in the cold temperatures of early spring. The leg warmers stayed firmly fitted and formed a “second-skin” feeling, which is necessary. They didn’t sag and they were comfortable at the upper hem, tucked neatly under the shorts. They were warm without being too warm, and had the right level of moisture beading for light rain. They have superb stretch, due to the quality of the material, which is always a bonus.

Layering and leg warmers are important in early season and races. Would I be happy to take these along to a race – absolutely.

The layering works especially well because:

• the vest adds core warmth without overheating
• the jersey regulates temperature effectively during changing intensity
• the system adapts easily as conditions change during the ride

This is particularly important during longer Zone 2 sessions where body temperature fluctuates over time. Maintaining layers when training in early season can be tricky. Clothes have to work and be comfortable – these are.
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On the Bike – Comfort and Stability

During longer rides (2–4 hours), the key factors for me were:

• Stability of the fit – no shifting or adjustment needed
• Breathability – no excessive overheating even during harder efforts
• Freedom of movement – especially noticeable in the upper body

I guess that this is due to the work carried out GripGrab to develop and use the right fabrics. They work closely with world teams such as UNO X, and that feeds down into these jerseys and shorts.

The PACR Thermal Bib Shorts combined with leg warmers provided a surprisingly versatile setup. They offer enough warmth for cold starts, while still feeling lighter and more flexible than full winter tights. Best of all, the compression and cut means that they stay firm and stable when I ride – like a second skin, allowing me to simply focus on performance.
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Gloves – Critical in Nordic Conditions

Gloves are often an overlooked but critical element of our cycling kit. GripGrab made their name with gloves, and they still stand out today. The Waterproof Knitted Winter Gloves stood out for me during these tests, as one of the most important pieces of kit in these conditions.

In temperatures close to freezing:

• hands stayed warm without overheating
• grip remained secure in both dry and damp conditions
• no loss of control or dexterity during braking and shifting

For Nordic riders, this is a key detail that can make or break a ride. The gloves fitted comfortably, had the necessary stretch and feel to them; and I was able to use my devices screens with them on – always a bonus. Gloves should never be a secondary thought, and these from GribGrab are a good option for early spring. They feel quality and are tough, and should last a long time.
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Breathability vs Protection

One of the most important aspects of early season gear is balancing insulation with breathability.
GripGrab manages this well:

• the fabrics protect against wind and cold
• but still allow moisture to escape during effort

This reduces the “overheating → cooling down → getting cold again” cycle, which is common in spring riding. The kit is stylishly simple, functional and offers that protection from the elements without sacrificing breathability.
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Who This Setup Is For

This kit is especially well suited for riders who:

• train consistently in cold or variable conditions
• prioritize functionality over aesthetics
• need reliable gear for long endurance rides

It’s priced in the right area to make it accessible for most riders, and will give you a comfortable ride – and ultimately, that is always a key focus. GripGrab design and produce cycling clothing and accessories that work. The kit is also stylish, in a cool and modern way, which I like. It’s not loud or garish – it simply works on the bike and fits my purpose, whilst adding that modern styling. Fundamentally though, it allows me to train in early spring, with those cold winds, and it functions on long rides in zone 2.
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Conclusion

GripGrab may not position itself as the most visible premium brand, but it delivers where it matters most: performance, reliability and functionality in real training conditions.

And for a rider, that’s exactly what counts. I’ve enjoyed testing their latest kit, and it does actually work. They’re a brand that doesn’t go for unnecessary headlines. Instead they focus on function and fit, which is what all cyclists want.

It’s time to ride!

Kristi

It’s time to ride!

with GripGrab

2026 Spring-Summer Cycle Clothing Collection from ALÉ

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:18:27 +0000

New ALÉ Spring-Summer 2026 Collection

A collection that blends technological innovation, cutting-edge materials and contemporary design, created to experience cycling with freedom, comfort and personal style.

As the cycling seasons begins once more, and we start to look ahead to warmer spring days and short sleeved jerseys, Italian brand Alé has unveiled its new Spring–Summer 2026 cycling apparel collection. This latest range from their world-leading design team, celebrates the warm season with a distinctive balance of technical performance, functionality and modern style. It’s a range for the complete cyclist, bringing the Alé experience to all riders, from professionals to passionate enthusiasts.

Alé’s DNA is rooted in the fusion of functionality, design and textile engineering. Each garment supports the cyclist on a journey that is both physical and emotional, where comfort, innovation and aesthetics coexist in perfect harmony. Clean lines and carefully engineered details, and meticulously selected fabrics define a collection designed for those who experience cycling as a personal and authentic expression.

SS26 Collection – inspirational themes

The Spring–Summer 2026 collection is built around several creative universes and themes:

• Pure Essentialism – Clean, no-frills garments designed for riders who want only what truly matters, with no compromises.

• Cosmic Horizons – Celestial colour palettes and space-inspired textures turn every ride into a visual experience, where each shade evokes a journey toward new sensations.

• Energy & Dynamism – Vibrant tones and bold designs that convey speed, adrenaline and freedom, expressing the most instinctive and passionate side of cycling.

• Urban Style – Metropolitan vibes that merge performance and contemporary aesthetics, created for cyclists who live the city with a sporty, distinctive attitude.

• Reinterpreted Heritage – A tribute to cycling’s history, reimagined through modern fabrics and contemporary cuts, preserving the elegance of tradition without sacrificing functionality.

The five macro clothing collection families for 2026

As always, the Alé SS 2026 collection is structured around five main product lines:

• R-EV1 – The capsule collection representing the pinnacle of Alé innovation: advanced technologies, cutting-edge materials and design developed in the brand’s research center.

• PR.E – Creativity and performance inspired by the professional peloton. Garments designed for riders who want to combine technical excellence, colour, style and originality on every ride.

• PRAGMA – Essential, comfortable and practical. A range of durable, refined pieces where quality and craftsmanship are guaranteed by Alé’s long-standing expertise.

• OFF-ROAD GRAVEL – Designed for gravel and mountain biking, a robust and functional collection engineered to tackle off-road terrain with comfort and protection.

• TRIATHLON – Built for triathlon challenges. Ultra-high-performance materials, advanced aerodynamics and maximum breathability for every leg: swim, bike and run.

Together, these lines form the Alé Spring–Summer 2026 catalogue, a comprehensive offering for every type of cyclist, from elite athletes to leisure riders.

Garment engineering and technical performance

At the heart of the collection lies Alé’s commitment to seamlessly integrating technology, materials and design to deliver high performance in all riding conditions. Highly breathable, lightweight and elastic fabrics are combined with advanced construction techniques aimed at reducing friction and improving aerodynamics, while seams and hems are optimized to follow the body’s natural movement without interfering with pedalling efficiency.

Bib straps are anatomically shaped and crossed to distribute pressure evenly, ergonomic cam-lock zippers ensure ease of use and safety while riding, and reflective details enhance visibility in low-light conditions. Selected fabrics feature textures and microstructures engineered to increase stability and grip on the saddle, while advanced body-mapping technology allows each garment to adapt to different areas of the body, improving fit and comfort on long rides.

Every element of the collection is designed to maximize performance without compromising style, making the garments suitable for professional cyclists, dedicated amateurs and everyday riders alike, on the road or off-road. The combination of innovative materials, technical construction and attention to detail defines a versatile, high-performance and comfortable collection, engineered to support every ride with confidence and freedom.

It’s all ready and waiting for eager, style-conscious cyclists, and will no doubt light up the tarmac and trails this cycling season. We’ll be testing out a few selected items from this extensive tapestry of cycling style, with detailed reviews coming to our website, soon.

Visit the ALE Website

ALÉ men’s winter cycling clothing

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:54:04 +0000

ALÉ Men’s Winter Cycling Clothing

Your Winter Breakaway

by Alex Sabin, with images by Andre Dina

As a pro level mountain bike racer, with experience competing on the roads, too, cycling kit performance and comfort is crucial to me. It has to stop the elements in winter, allow me a good degree of movement, and give me that extra security that comes with high-performance and comfortable winter cycling clothing. Thankfully, working closely with many of the world’s top cycle teams in the pro peloton, Italian brand Alé understand this, and their latest Fondo & Clima Warm range of men’s winter cycle clothing carries forward their adherence to excellence. Testing Ale is always reassuring, reminding me what good cycle clothing should be.
Alé Pragma Jacket Fondo 3.0

In terms of a winter cycle clothing choice, the Pragma Jacket Fondo 3.0, together with the Clima Warm Plus 2.0 tights and the Klimatik shoe covers, create a well-balanced winter cycling setup designed for low temperatures and variable conditions. It should be perfect for winter cycling here in Transylvania – so, let’s see!

When it comes to training, there aren’t many moments for you to catch your breath. After that well-deserved month off following a full season, comes… winter. The weather takes no prisoners, either, and you have to be dedicated – which is why good kit is critical. There are days when it’s not safe to head out on the road, but there are also days when… by having the right equipment and clothing, it makes the difference.

Ultimately, that’s why ALÉ comes with a collection designed for the cold season.

Ale Pragma Fondo 3.0 Jacket

For me, the Ale Pragma Fondo 3.0 jacket stands out through a successful combination of protection and breathability, offering enough warmth for winter rides without feeling bulky or restrictive. Well, yes that’s the technical description – but what does it feel like in real conditions and a cold winter in Romania? It actually does what it says; made from high-performance and multi-stretch fabrics, this well-cut jacket is close enough a fit to feel right, but with the benefit of allowing me freedom of movement on the bike. The fabric is not too heavy and not too light, ensuring that warmth and breathability is regulated, whilst the coating also beads a good degree of the moisture if required.

Yes, when the going gets tough, the innovative and technical membrane provide good wind protection and repels light rain, while the thermal interior helps maintain a stable body temperature even on descents or in exposed areas. All of this means that I remain smiling and comfort, helping me to maintain that all-important performance.

Finally, then, the fit of this stylish winter cycling jersey is sporty and performance-oriented, typical for Alé, sitting nicely on the bike without flapping at speed, and the eucalyptus color adds a modern and elegant look that is easy to match with other kit pieces. It has the usual 3 pockets at the back, allowing plenty of on-the-ride storage, a good high collar to keep the wind out and away from my neck, and a strong zip that seems as though it will last the test of time – always useful on winter clothing. Do I like it and did it work well – absolutely. And, it carries forward the Alé badge of quality and styling that should last you for a long time.

Alé Clima Warm Plus 2.0

The Alé Clima Warm Plus 2.0 winter bib tights perfectly complement the Pragma jacket, delivering a high level of thermal insulation for the lower body and making them ideal for long rides in cold weather – viola! When the temperatures drop here in Romania, that really is important to me; but these bibs did their job and kept me warm and comfortable.

We all know the importance of this, alongside the close but unrestricted fit, in this case due to Alé using high-quality multi-stretch fabric with good compression, and choosing the panelling in a body-mapping way. The fabric is as I mentioned, stretchy in the right way, yet still having reasonable compression. In use, the bibs feel relaxed and comfortable, adapting well to the riding position, and protecting efficiently against cold and wind without restricting movement. At the same time, the breathability is good enough to prevent overheating during sustained efforts. All good for a hard winter training ride, then!

When it comes to pads, whether you’re a pro rider or a weekend warrior, quality is the difference between a successful ride and pain. Fortunately, the material and structure used by Alé is up to expectations and I didn’t experience any issues. One thing I appreciate about all Alé pants are the braces. I have never tested a pair of pants that I didn’t like the braces on. The craftsmanship and the fact that they fit perfectly on the body are a real plus.

With the Clima Warm model, Alé managed to create perfect equipment for cold days, but he didn’t skimp on quality either, and you don’t feel like you’re overdressed.

Alé Klimatik shoe covers

The Alé Klimatik shoe covers are for me, an essential part of this winter setup, providing excellent protection against cold and moisture, and keeping the feet warm and dry even in wet or rainy conditions. In terms of the fit, they fit well over cycling shoes, feature a solid and well thought out and tough construction, and add an extra layer of safety thanks to reflective details. The zipper is always an area of weakness for overshoes. Alé have thought about this and spent time selecting a tough zipper, which works will with the stretch waterproof fabric.

Overall, this latest Alé kit is an excellent choice for those cyclists who train or ride long distances in winter. It offers you that all-important balance between comfort, protection, and a premium look, without major compromises in performance.

Is it something that I would choose myself – absolutely, and the remainder of this winter will only clarify this for me.

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ALÉ Cycling Cosmic jacket & KLIMATIK K-ATMO 3.0 tights for women

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:44:41 +0000

Cold weather clothing
for women

Teodora Sabina

ALÉ Cycling Cosmic jacket & KLIMATIK K-ATMO 3.0 tights for women

Review by Teodora Sabina

Let me be clear about this: I liked the look of Ale Cycling’s products from the very beginning. In addition to the unique design, with an aesthetic sense, the quality of the products is clearly superior to other brands. It oozes quality from first sight, and is also well finished. Yes, aesthetic elements and finishing are important to women cyclists in particular .

This cold season, I had the opportunity to test some of the latest kits from Ale Cycling, specially designed for women, for the cold periods of the year, with wind, rain and low temperatures. Here in Transylvania it gets very cold and clothing has to perform .

Alé Cycling – Cosmic Women’s Jacket

Cold mornings have a way of testing your motivation to train . The air is chilly, the road is damp and every piece of gear suddenly counts. It’s in this environment that the Alé Cosmic women’s jacket starts to make sense . From the first few minutes on the bike, it feels like a natural extension of your body, rather than an extra layer. It effectively blocks the cold wind, especially on the more exposed sections of the road, while the soft thermal fleece inside maintains a stable warmth without overheating once the pace picks up.

Fit to form

As the ride progresses, the strength of the Cosmic Jacket becomes apparent. The windproof, three-layer material keeps the cold away from the chest and arms, while the body-hugging construction allows excess heat to evaporate efficiently where it’s needed most. Even during very intense efforts or long climbs, the jacket remains breathable, avoiding that uncomfortable, damp feeling common with heavier winter gear . The carefully designed women’s cut follows the riding position perfectly, staying close to the body, and the silicone-grip hem keeps the jacket firmly in place. Practical details like back pockets and subtle reflective elements add to the feeling that this jacket was designed for real-world riding, with necessary utility, not just for their good looks.

Alé Klimatik K-atmo 3.0 tights

Paired with the Cosmic jacket, the Klimatik K-atmo 3.0 tights water-repellent bib shorts are the perfect complement to your cold and unpredictable weather experience.
When the air is crisp and the roads are glistening with morning dew , few pieces of cycling gear are as indispensable as a pair of trusty cycling tights. On one of those pre-dawn workouts, I slipped on the Alé Klimatik K-Atmo 3.0 tights and instantly felt the difference – these weren’t just your regular cycling shorts, but a piece of clothing specifically designed for those days when you’re going to ride anyway.

Winter warmth & moisture management

From the moment I put them on, it was clear that these tights were serious business. The material wraps around your legs like a second skin, hugging your curves without restricting movement, thanks to an ergonomic cut that minimizes seams and maximizes freedom of movement . The tights are made from a durable water-repellent material – B-Tour DWR – which causes steam and light rain to collect and roll off, rather than soak into the material. Even on stretches where road spray reached mid-legs, the material remained surprisingly dry and breathable, striking a balance between protection and ventilation that many winter garments lack.

But it’s not just about moisture management; there’s also warmth. A soft, brushed inner mesh adds a cosy feel against the skin, helping to trap body heat on cold, damp mornings without making you feel overheated once you put it on. Whether on tougher climbs or more intense workouts, the tights felt comfortable and confident, allowing me to focus on the ride rather than the weather.

One of the key moments that stuck in my mind was when a light drizzle started—the kind that usually soaks regular pants in minutes . With the K-Atmo 3.0 on, I barely noticed the change; the water-repellent treatment did its job, and the fit didn’t feel tight or chafe uncomfortably even after an hour in the saddle. As the sun rose, the reflective details caught the light and helped me feel safer on quieter roads, a small but valuable touch when visibility is reduced.

Comfort & performance

Another subtle but important detail was the seating experience. These bib tights feature a quality integrated pad tailored for long rides, offering enough cushioning to ease saddle pressure without feeling bulky. Combined with the supportive fit and the flat, wide shoulder straps that stay comfortably in place, they feel like a thoughtfully engineered piece, especially for riders who value both performance and comfort on colder rides.

The temperature range here leans toward cool to chilly conditions — somewhere around 0°C to 5°C felt just right, though layering light leg warmers underneath could certainly extend that range if needed.

Together, the Cosmic Jacket and Klimatik K-atmo 3.0 tights create a confidence-inspiring setup when the weather isn’t perfect, supporting every workout. They allow you to focus on your pace, rather than the cold wind or wet roads, turning challenging conditions into an opportunity to enjoy cycling all year round. For cyclists who refuse to let fall and winter limit their time on the bike, this combination from Alé Cycling offers comfort, protection and performance in a refined, discreet and aesthetically pleasing way – all of those things that we value and find important in our cold weather clothing choices!

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The best womens cycling clothing

Pedalnorth Website — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 09:37:03 +0000

Cycling Kit
for Women

Performance clothing with style

Women’s Cycling Clothing

Tips for choosing the right clothing for you

by Nadezhda Pavlova & Robert Thorpe

Some time ago, we examined the issue of finding the best cycling clothing for women. IN an arena where women’s cycle clothing brands are still in their infancy, it’s not always easy. After all, the cycle clothing market has been sexist for too many years, and this won’t change overnight. We still get too mant brands failing to understand the specific cycle clothing needs of women: shape, fit, style and performance.

Whilst getting the right bike is critical, so is getting the right cycling shoes to aleviate painful feet, and getting the very best cycle clothing for women, that fits your body curves and unique shape, is comfortable in all areas,and which allows you to ove freely on the bike. Yes, women have different but similar needs for cycling clothing – especially with cycling jerseys for women, which does not need explaining!

When choosing women’s cycling clothing, there are a few things to think about if you want comfortable cycling jerseys and bib shorts that perform well and allow you to focus on the ride. We need womens specific cycling clothing that is actually designed for our needs, and and not an afterthought from the pink it and shrink it days bygone.

Ultimately, high-performance and stylish women’s cycling clothing needs to be made with high-quality materials, made to perform at a high level, be highly stylish and super comfortable in all areas,as it wraps our beautiful bodies in cycling comfort.

What to look for

Starting with the best women’s cycling jerseys, here are a few things to look for:

Race Cut Style

Even if you don’t race, you want a women’s cycling jersey that looks good and fits well as you ride. A race cut jersey has a longer back and a contoured fit that is both supportive and flexible. It needs to wrap you properly where it touches, like a second skin, and to move freely with you. That means support and comfort on the bike, with no issues of the back, riding up as you lean forwards; and, having the compression that keeps your muscles supported to prevent early fatigue on long rides. The best women’s cycling jerseys have been designed with all of this in mind. Brands like Ale, Jelenew, DS Pro and Pissei all take the time to research their fabrics and how they wrap the contoured and sleek forms of the female cyclists body.

Material

Look for multi-directional stretch material that gives good compression, but that does not restrict movement. This provides you with great support while remaining comfortable even on long rides. In addition, take time to look at the materials used for the best womens cycle clothing brands, and find out more about that material itself and how it performs. Look for material that wicks moisture away from the skin and helps to control body temperature, while giving sun protection, too.

Cooling

Cycle clothing that controlling body temperature is essential, and here women’s cycling kit has a variety of features to look for. The most obvious is a long zip that allows adjustable ventilation. However, vented areas elsewhere, such as under the arms and on the back, including the use of breathable materials can keep you cool all day long. The best women’s cycling jerseys will be more expensive, but will ensure a far more comfortable and enjoyable ride.

Bib shorts for women cyclists

The other crucial item in every cycling kitchoice are women’s cycling bibs; and again, there are several things to look for. Not least of which are the cycling bib straps that go over or around the women’s chest area. This is a sensitive and important part of our bodies and the cycling bib shorts we choose, needs to take account of this. Soft, wide straps that sit comfortably, or straps that cross over and avoid going directly over the breasts are avaialble and worth looking for.

Shaped Fit

For women’s cycling bibs, a women specific cut is critical, as we are quite different in how we are designed! Our hips, our waist and our legs are unique and the best women’s cycling bib shorts will take account of all of these aspects, along with well-placed seams to avoid chafing, and a tight, but unrestrictive fit to provide the compression support needed. We simply want clothing that fits to form, and fits our female body shape like a second skin. It needs to move with us and be a part of us too. Multi-directional fabrics are best for this, and high-quality fabrics with some compression in the right places. Brands like DS Pro also do a shorter leg version of women’s cycling bib shorts, allowing you to get that tan whilst retaining the necessary high-performance and high quality required.

Wicking Material

Material matters for all women’s cycling kit, but especially for the bib. Wicking material draws moisture away from the skin to allow it to evaporate, this helps prevent chaffing and keeps you comfortable for longer by assisting with temperature control. Women’s cycling bibs should feature wicking materials for optimum performance – especially with the pad.

Padding & Comfort

You need a selection of pads for your body type and for the riding you’ll be doing. The pad also needs to be layered correctly, to stay stylish, and to take away the moisture created on the ride.

Top brands use high-quality pads from companies such as Elastic Interface and others; or spend a huge amount of time and expense themselves on researching the right pad. The best women’s specific cycle clothing brands like DS Pro and Jelenew can be relied upon to have been designed and tested by top women cyclists.

For health and comfort, good padding in the right place is essential when cycling. The best women’s bib shorts depend on your own riding style, distances and your body type. There is no ‘one size fits all’ option. Take time when choosing women’s cycling bib shorts.

For long distance riding, thicker pads with excellent moisture wicking abilities are the best option. For road riding at shorter distances, a thinner pad provides all the protection needed while reducing weight and increasing mobility. Think about your ride style and choose an appropriate chamois type.

The best women’s cycling kit and cycling clothing has advanced considerably in the last few years, and is now tested thoroughly with the very best riders. Whether you’re looking to find the best women’s cycling jersey or high performaning women’s cycling bib shorts, there is now a huge range to choose from. Whatever your style, you can find high-quality, feature rich women’s cycling kit to fit your needs today, and which wraps your unique and beautiful body like a second skin, whilst allowing you to be super stylish too.

Isn’t it time that you joined the women’s cycling revolution. You can be a comfortable and stylish cyclist, and show off what makes you a woman! JUst press pause when choosing and only accept the very best!

VISIT DS PRO

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Alé Maglia Quick cycling jersey

Pedalnorth Website — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:39:14 +0000

Alé R-EV1 Maglia Quick ls

Style and performance for those cooler days

Reviewed by Robert Thorpe

Over the many years that I’ve been testing and reviewing cycle clothing; there are only a few items that have stayed in my mind as being truly exceptional. When the Alé Maglia Quick jersey arrived some time ago, its style and quality immediately struck me and I was itching to get out on the road. However, significant health issues arose and delayed my cycling by many months; by which time the high temperatures had arrived and short sleeves were the order of the day.

Recently though, the summer sun had dipped away behind clouds for a few days, and rather than resort to uncomfortable arm warmers, it was the perfect moment to wear the Alé Maglia Quick jersey – result. Expanding on my initial impressions of the jersey; it’s simply a stylishly modern, well designed and lightweight mid-season cycling jersey – long sleeved. The jersey is super comfortable for those cooler overcast days, thanks to the well thought out fabric choices and the high-quality Italian finishing. I tend to wear my jersey close to the skin in summer, and the Alé Maglia Quick is exceptionally comfortable against the body, and fits to form, due to the body mapping cut, the anatomical design and the high-quality multi-directional fabrics.

Less sweat, more comfort!

Alé have chosen world-leading fabric technology, QuickDry Frame® for their fabric on this state-of-the-art mid-season cycling jersey. It works in unison with their own renowned fabrics, by applying a precise functional grid to the fabric, allowing excess moisture produced by the body during activity, to be channelled through a hydrophilic process, increasing the level of comfort by keeping you drier on the inside. Ideal then for a cooler, overcast summer day, where I’d hopefully be working hard on the bike!

The choice of fabrics to the front are rear of the jersey are as you’d expect from Alé, with a slightly heavier fabric to combat the wind, and a light fabric to the back. It’s the arms however, that really draw your attention. Alé have kept a very light – and very narrow strip of super-light and super wicking, stretch fabric on the underside of the arms. However, the majority of the long sleeves are constructed of a unique mesh-like fabric, that clings neatly to your arms and moves freely with them, whilst allowing air in and moisture out. It also adds to the super-stylish look of the jersey; contrasting with the soft colour tones and sweeping geometric design for the body of the jersey.

Yes, the whole look and feel of this thoroughly modern and technical cycling jersey makes it a ’must have’ piece of cycling clothing for riders looking for the very best quality and performance, at the right price point.

Italian quality for comfort and longevity

The double cuffs on the jersey, sweep neatly across the wrists, and the silicon waist works in unison with the stretch fabric to keep things in place. It has the usual 3 rear pockets, which hold items in and don’t over-stretch and sag. There’s also a useful zipped pocket at the rear, which is easy to access – unlike some. One aspect of all Alé clothing that I like, is the high-quality zipper. There’s nothing worse than paying out for a high-end branded cycle jersey, only for them to fit a cheap zip which simply breaks or malfunctions too soon. Not so with Alé, who ensure that Italian style and quality comes as standard!

On the bike, despite it being summer and at the end of July, heading into August; this Alé Maglia Quick jersey proved itself the ideal jersey choice for the cooler temperatures as I cycled the steep Yorkshire Dales roads, into the hills.

I’m now looking forward to also wearing it regularly in its natural mid-season environment this forthcoming autumn. Ultimately, it’s already a favourite of mine and a definite recommendation.

Check out more from ALÉ

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Fatima Berton – Cycling Vlog

Pedalnorth Website — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 18:44:14 +0000

Bertoniiii Vlog

A life on 2
wheels

A life on 2 wheels!

This new area of our website links to our close friend, Fatima Berton, and her video blogs on YouTube and elsewhere. A former women’s pro racer from Flanders, and a junior national track and field athlete; yes, Fatima knows sport, as she’s lived it since childhood, and raced it and now wants to share her cycling lifestyle and adventurous spirit with you.

Let Bertoniiii inspire you on your own cycling journey, and let’s take a ride together, into a great future on 2-wheels!

Inspiring adventures!

We often fail to understand that cycling is still in need of change, and that there’s a long way to go for women to receive parity in our sport. Thankfully, Fatima always gives an honest and clear opinion on this and other key issues, as she rides on through her exciting and demanding life on 2-wheels, balancing motherhood with her work away from bikes, and her desire to continue cycling in a way that inspires others.

We’ve got a couple of great videos from Fatima to get you started, with a link to her YouTube channel too. And, as we progress, we’ll be adding some unique Pedalnorth videos with this inspiring women from the heart of European cycling – Belgium.

There’s also a link to the Bertoniiii Facebook page, so that you can follow her daily posts too; and, we’ll soon be recording a regular Podcast with Fatima, as we talk raw facts about world cycling, in an honest, no holds barred style.

Join Fatima and find your own adventure, on the world’s best independent cycling lifestyle website

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Ale Pragma Jersey Color Block Jersey and Master 2.0 bib shorts

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:26:36 +0000

Summer cycling style

with Alex Sabin

Ride in style – with Alé

Alé Pragma Cycling Jersey, Color Block
Bibshort Master 2.0

by Alex Sabin

Images by Andrei Dina & Teodora Sabina

All Alé apparel are born in Verona, the land of Romeo and Juliet’s love. So, that’s probably the reason why they put love into their continual search for innovative materials, and into the care of every little detail. The Alé cycling clothing is made with a passion and with high-performance cycling in mind, from the finest available fabrics and high-quality materials. It’s incorrect to think that Lycra is Lycra. Ultimately, it comes in a whole spectrum of qualities. Over the years, in continuous tests and trials to keep improving, this leading Italian brand have sought to keep their cycle clothing relevant, and their latest Pragma cycle jersey and Master 2.0 bib shorts are an excellent example of their adherence to excellence. The result is Alé garments that are a true expression of tailoring and Italian quality.

Thanks to Pedalnorth.com, I’ve recently had the chance to test out these new items from the latest Alé range, and I have to say, they’ve been impressive. As a pro elite mountain bike rider, my clothing has to perform, and both the Pragma Color Block jersey, and the Master 2.0 bibs didn’t let me down.

Quality materials & style in perfect harmony

The most important thing about cycling jersey, and bib shorts is the quality of the materials used, and how they’re cut. The clothing has to fit well, move with you, be hard-wearing and relate to the conditions of a long and hard bike ride. Detail is important, and Alé know this when they design a cycling jersey. The Pragma Color Block jersey is a close fitting, race-ready jersey, with high breathability, especially under the arms and on the back; and, this lightweight jersey also has great UV protection, meaning that’s it’s ready to ride in the sun.

Whilst the jersey is close fitting, the material is multi-directional, with strong stretch properties, meaning that you maintain free and unrestricted movement. On the bike, I can simply concentrate on riding, whilst the jersey does its job as a second skin. In terms of all-important styling too; what did Teodora say when she saw me dressed like this?

“That’s it—you finally look like a cool cyclist!”

So yeah, besides the fact that the fabric, fit, and attention to detail make the outfit super comfortable, it definitely doesn’t hurt that it makes you look good on the bike too.

The short answer is that bibs are important

What’s the first thing I care about as a cyclist? The quality of the chamois in the bib shorts. It’s as important to a cyclist as tuna is to a cat – and that’s critical! If there’s one secret to surviving long training sessions and full days in the saddle, it’s this: happy rides start with a happy backside. Thankfully, Alé knows this, and support – literally- many of the world’s leading teams, and use only the finest chamois pads. They describe these high-performance shorts as ‘The go-to shorts for comfort, […] engineered to deliver the ultimate fit and functionality for every rider, whatever the occasion,’ and I have to agree. They’re close fitting, stable and have the necessary compression – alongside that all-important, high-quality chamois. In this case, Alé have used their in-house 4H chamois.

The 4H chamois offers luxurious comfort for medium distance rides. Many riders don’t check the chamois and what it is actually designed for – you should do so. In this case, the pad was ideal for fun rides and mixed training for me. The 4H pad is constructed from elastic micro-fibre with padding strategically positioned in the contact points and features a central relief channel to avoid pressure on the nerve endings. High density 90 kg/cm2 padding is used in the ischiatic and perineal areas where it is needed most. This pad combines comfort, flexibility, wicking and breathability to ensure the utmost protection against the stresses of the road.

Alongside the wide, soft and strong, high-quality straps, and the laser cut legs, these shorts have been comfortable and easy to wear on my training rides – and that’s an important issue, as well as a thumbs up!

Testing time on the bike can be comfortable

I’m always happy to try out and test high-quality gear—and Alé definitely proves to be a reliable partner when it comes to that. The color and styling on both of these products have been well thought out and are modern and stylish. Thankfully, they each go with several other items from the current Alé range – or within your wider cycling wardrobe. That’s a key point these days, when cost might be an issue. Thankfully though, the quality of both the jersey and bibs means that if you decide to wrap yourself in the Alé Pragma Cycling Jersey, Color Block jersey and Master 2.0 bibs shorts this summer, you’ll ride away in comfort, looking stylish as… well, a cyclist should look!

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Ladies Cycling Kits

Pedalnorth Website — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 07:15:38 +0000

TIPS FOR CHOOSING LADIES CYCLING KITS

Nadezhda Pavlova

Cycling Kit
for Women

Performance clothing with style

Ladies Cycling Kit

Tips for choosing the right clothing for you

Cycling is a great way to keep fit, a wonderful sport to compete in, and a fantastic fun way to spend time with friends. Whatever your reasons for cycling, there are some things that you want to get right.

The first is the bike itself, but almost as important are your cycling clothes. Women’s cycling kit matters, because having uncomfortable clothing, or a women’s cycling jersey that causes chaffing or doesn’t offer support, can turn an enjoyable ride into an ordeal. When choosing women’s cycling kit, there are a few things to think about if you want comfortable kit that performs well and allows you to focus on the ride. Women are built differently and we need kit to perform in a specific way for us. We also need ladies cycling kit that is actually designed for our needs, and and not an afterthought.

Ultimately, ladies cycling kit needs to be high-quality, high-performance, highly stylish and super comfortable.

What to look for

Starting with a women’s cycling jersey, here are a few things to look for:

Race Cut Style

Even if you don’t race, you want a women’s cycling jersey that looks good and fits well as you ride. A race cut jersey has a longer back and a contoured fit that is both supportive and flexible. That means support and comfort on the bike, with no issues of the back riding up as you lean forwards and the compression that keeps your muscles supported to prevent early fatigue.

Material

Look for stretch material that gives good compression, but that does not restrict movement. This provides great support while remaining comfortable even on long rides. In addition, material that wicks moisture away from the skin helps control body temperature, while sun protection allows a women’s cycle jersey to keep you save on exposed routes.

Cooling

Controlling body temperature is essential, and here women’s cycling kit has a variety of features to look for. The most obvious is a long zip that allows adjustable ventilation. However, vented areas elsewhere, including the use of breathable materials can keep you cool in the best women’s cycling jerseys.

The other crucial item in every cycling kit are women’s cycling bibs, and again, there are several things to look for:

Shaped Fit

For women’s cycling bibs, a women specific cut, well placed seams to avoid chafing, and a tight, but unrestrictive fit to provide the compression support needed are all important. We want clothing that fits to form, and fits like a second skin. It needs to move with us and be a part of us too. Multi-directional fabrics are best for this, and high-quality fabrics with some compression in the right places.

Wicking Material

Diane Vilarem: Lifestyle Editor

Padding & Comfort

For health and comfort, good padding in the right place is essential when cycling. The best women’s bib shorts often depend on your riding style. For long distance riding, thicker pads with excellent moisture wicking abilities are the best option. For road riding at shorter distances, a thinner pad provides all the protection needed while reducing weight and increasing mobility. Think about your ride style and choose an appropriate chamois type.

Women’s cycling kit has advanced considerably in the last few years, and today whether it’s a women’s cycling jersey or women’s cycling bibs, there is a huge range to choose from. Whatever your style, you can find high-quality, feature rich women’s cycling kit to fit your needs today.

Nadezhda

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High Performance Cycling Clothing

Pedalnorth Website — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:51:29 +0000

Cycle Clothing

Image by Evgeniya

Style & Substance in harmony

All that glitters should be gold… but is it

Analysing & identifying high-performance cycling clothing

Robert Thorpe, & Nadezhda Pavlova

As cycling has become more popular, over the past 20 years or so, the cycle clothing scene has become flooded with brands who claim to be the Messiah of modern style and high-performance. And yet, in truth, many of these brands are simply as exaggerated as Donald Trump’s I.Q.; and you’re more likely to find Unicorn pooh in the local forests than you are to feel the expected benefits of what is all too often, simply cheap Lycra products with a fancy design printed onto the fabric. In too many cases, the names are also just as ridiculous as the claims, and they’ll add the word ‘Italian’ into the mix, purely to create some association with quality and style. Yes, we’re sorry to burst a few bubbles, folks; however, too frequently, too many mediocre brands are fooling you when they promise you high-performance clothing. Simply adding an expensive price-tag doesn’t add quality. Using a variety of technical fabrics, with a quality weave and weight; often with some added genuine science, alongside true design will denote quality. The problem is that it’s getting harder and harder to sort through the forests of false promises.

Whilst it’s time to say that goods made in China are often of the highest quality, and on a par with any other country; there are still sweat shop style factories in China and indeed, elsewhere, with poor fabrics, poor quality, and poor working conditions – making cheaply produced clothing, that you’ll pay over the odds for. And, production of cycle clothing has expanded across the world, as brands seek to reduce costs. Coming from a strategic review background – how to save millions in the public sector – reducing costs nearly always impacts on quality. After all, there’s a reason why the reliably good brands costs more – they innovate, research and test their products. The alternative is simply an online cycling shop filled with colourful and cheaply produced, lightweight, minimal stretch poorly fitting clothing, that’ll look good for minutes, and perform poorly from day 1.

High-quality clothing production at Alé, Italy

The science of synthetic fabrics

There’s a whole science around fabric technology, as the trusted brands spend time and money, working with some very clever people to bring you the very best high-performance cycling wear. If a brand is headed by an athlete or former athlete, that’s usually a good starting point for choosing a small and up and coming brands. Simply put, good athletes, such as our own Nadezhda Pavlova, know exactly what high-performance clothing needs to do, and how stylish that it needs to look and feel. For these people, there’s no such thing as second best; clothing has to perform, fit well, and look absolutely amazing – time after time, and after extensive use and many months or even years. That means constant research and innovation, and working with producers who are willing to put that effort into creating the best cycling clothing in the world. Yes, small brands can out-source production to expert companies. It makes sense to do so, benefitting from their research and development budgets, and work carried out, frequently in conjunction with leading universities. Where brands start out simply as a means to jump on the cycling band wagon and make money, you can usually be assured that they’ll forgo quality for profit, and that they’ll be experts only at exaggeration.

Whilst natural fabrics have proved their worth over centuries, they do have limitations. That’s ultimately why synthetic fabrics are perfect for sportswear. They work when required, and in the way that’s required, with excellent reliability. However, all that glitters is not gold; and not all fabrics – and cycle jerseys – are equal. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of good quality, high-performance synthetics, such as those used by brands such as DS Pro, Alé, Beihler, G4 Dimension, Q36.5 and others.

Pros & Cons of Synthetic Fabrics

Well made and high-quality synthetic cycling fabrics such as world leaders, Lycra, give brands the very best moisture-wicking performance. This simply means that they get sweat away from your skin quickly and that they can bolster the breathability factor for any additional layers. You’ll feel comfortable and fresh all ride long, when you’re wrapped in good quality, highly technical fabrics. Even in the worst of weathers, they don’t hold on to moisture and will dry quickly, allowing you to keep on riding through the storms.

Synthetic fabrics are also cheaper than the natural alternatives, and importantly, they should provide superb 4 way or multi-directional stretch, wrapping your body in a second skin that looks amazing, whilst retaining good movement. Poor quality synthetic cycling jerseys will usually have a limited range of fabrics used in the product, with no form fitting, and no consideration for how the different areas of the body work and perform when cycling. Add to this, the downside of synthetic fabrics being that they’re not always produced in an environmentally friendly way, and that unless specially treated – an added cost – bacteria will thrive on synthetic fabrics, meaning unsavoury smells coming from you and your cycle clothing.

The good brands counter this by using a variety of fabrics in the different areas of the jersey and bib shorts; by using fabrics specifically designed for a sole purpose in that region of the body, such as under the arms, or a lighter, more breathable fabric for the back. Aero and truly form-fitting fabrics will cost more, and these are obvious to se, in high-quality brands such as DS Pro and G4 Dimension, from Barcelona and Nice respectively. High-quality brands will also focus on climate positivity, such as Alé, who use more than 90% low environmental impact materials sourced from recycled plastic waste in the construction of their latest cycling jerseys. Yes, you can ride with added sustainability in the synthetic fabrics used in your own choice of cycle clothing.

High-quality clothing by DS Pro – Nadezhda

Price-point doesn’t always equal performance

Ultimately, increasing the RRP doesn’t mean an increase in performance. It may simply mean that the brand is led by somebody who wants more profit from you. Trust me, I’ve actually witnessed this; being asked for advice on increasing pricing, for no other reason to make the jersey seem better quality, and obviously increasing profit. It’s not something that I agree with, and yes, my own thoughts at the time reflected this moral stance. A well thought out, well designed and well researched cycling jersey will cost more. You’re paying for all the expertise that’s gone into creating such a high-performance garment – at all stages, from the fabric scientists to the creative designer producing the stylish look.

The jersey and bibs will fit you like a second skin, and move with you. It won’t sag or degrade over several washes, and you’ll look amazing and feel fresh all ride long. It really isn’t worth trying to save money on buying cheaply produced cycling clothing; nor focusing simply what seems like a cool and radical design. Anyone can print a cool looking design onto cheap fabrics – it takes an idiot though to purchase and wear it. True design should be accompanied by high-quality technical fabrics – the good brands know this.

When buying or building your bike, you put a lot of time and effort into choosing the various components. Choosing high-quality, high-performance cycling jerseys and bib shorts should involve the same detailed analysis by you. After all, you deserve to ride with style, comfort and performance in perfect harmony – don’t you

High-quality clothing by DS Pro: Athlete – Evgeniya

Remember – style isn’t optional… and neither is quality and performance. We only review and write about the brands that we trust to wear ourselves, in all weathers and all conditions. Join the style revolution, and support quality brands, and let’s consign the imposters to history!

The people behind truly high quality and high-performance clothing are motivated and dedicated to bringing you the world’s best cycle clothing. Let’s support them and call out those whose only claim to fame is based on a thin layer of aesthetics. Looks can be deceiving, but long term wear and performance is always the best way to judge truly high-quality products.

note – We’d like to thank the following high-performance brands and cycling friends, for their help in producing this blog: Alé, Ds Pro, G4 Dimension, Evgeniya, Vitamina C PR.

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Early Season Performance in Nordic Conditions

by Kristi Kuldkepp, Women’s Cycling Editor

Tested Equipment

First Impression – Clean Design, Functional Fit

Performance in Cold Conditions: Layering System – What Works

The layering works especially well because:

On the Bike – Comfort and Stability

Gloves – Critical in Nordic Conditions

Breathability vs Protection

Who This Setup Is For

Conclusion

Kristi

It’s time to ride!

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Ale Pragma Jersey Color Block Jersey and Master 2.0 bib shorts

Ride in style – with Alé

Alé Pragma Cycling Jersey, Color Block Bibshort Master 2.0

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Tips for choosing the right clothing for you

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