List Your Favorite Bike Apparel

[itself]

#1 11-19-2009, 06:07 AM
itself Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 629

List Your Favorite Bike Apparel

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I wanted to start a central thread where folks can list their favorite bike apparel, be it for summer or winter. And as you list stuff, tell us what you like about it, does it breathe well, hold up well to washing, etc. (if you don't want to list what you like about your apparel, that is ok too!)

Also, if you want to hear about certain apparel that you need, put that at the end so perhaps someone can give us some feedback!


So I will start:

1. Louis Garneau Bib Mens bib shorts: I have literally had them for 10 years and they hold up amazing well, great chamois, and great price. They didn't have women specific ones ten years ago!

2. Sidi Dominator Mtn bike Shoes: These shoes last forever, have a great fit, and the nylon soled ones transfer energy well to the pedals

3. Ibex Woolie Zip Top: Great piece for layering in cold weather, and it does NOT hold odor! Washes really well and doesn't itch.

4. Louis Garneau Bike Shirts: Again he has outdone himself. Great price, and I have had his shirts for at least ten years. And I don't have to break the bank like an Assos or Castelli shirt!

Need Feedback on the following items:

1. leg warmers/arm warmers (ones that don't stretch out!)
2. lightweight pair of tights for cool weather riding
3. lightweight gloves for my extra sensitive cold hands
4. a breathable shell where I won't sweat to death

So chime in!

Lisa

[Blueberry]

I've been really happy with PI Gavia gloves - bought them last year and have been wearing them on and off the bike.

Shorts - Shebeest SSS; the old Elite D
Shoes - +1 on the Sidis. Love them

CA

[Veronica]

I don't believe there is such a thing a breathable shell where you won't sweat to death when you're riding.

I have a couple of tops with Windblocker in the front. One from Ground Effect and the rest of it is wool. One from Patagonia and the rest of it is fleece. I like these a lot because they do keep my core warm, but the wool and fleece allow my sweat to dissipate as I ride.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

1. smart wool oversized lightweight hat. Covers my ears, is not bulky under a helmet
2. ibex long sleeved teeshirt wool, light, warm, soft
3 terry shorts fit very nicely
4 showers pass raincoat keeps me warm and dry
5 Sidi MTB shoes. my "expensive red leather shoes" great fit
6 kneesocks - smart wool, lots of colors. wearing kneesocks with knickers is my favorite get up for cool seattle weather. if i get hot, i can roll the socks down.
I wish there were more knickers that are priced reasonably etc... the only wool ones i have are the ibex; i'd love to have tweed or something.

[Eden]

Sidi winter boots - (though I'm sure another brand would be great too) - love, love, love having dry warm feet throughout a PNW winter.

wool glove liners - I've yet to find a pair of gloves that is warm enough or dry enough, but having wool liners at least makes it bearable.

Canari for us little folks - they are probably the only manufacturer that makes things small enough to really fit me properly.

[Becky]

Sidi shoes- fit well, last forever.
Terry Bella shorts- they fit me well, and the chamois is thin enough to keep my parts happy.
Pearl Izumi Optik ultralight vest- this thing blocks so much wind, but scrunches up really small. I wish they were still making the women's version.

[GLC1968]

I've been really happy with PI Gavia gloves - bought them last year and have been wearing them on and off the bike.

Ditto - my PI Gavia gloves are my favorite (I bought the men's small for a wider, shorter fingered version) and they rock with wool glove liners underneath for non-athletic pursuits.

I really vary my favorites depending on the conditions I'm riding in. I do find myself grabing my smartwool super light weight zip neck top quite a bit. It's just perfect for so many different conditions (due to it's weight, it's breatheability and it's woolness). I just bought a second one in a different color.

[zoom-zoom]

As a noob cyclist I really appreciate this thread.

[Selkie]

Assos Bib shorts (a luxury item that's worth it - even if its just one pair)

Amici Veloci Jersey

VeloGirls Jerseys

TwinSix Jerseys

The rest are my "go to" winter gear favorites:

Lake winter bike boots (much warmer & less expensive than Sidi winter boots)

PI AmFib Lobster Gloves paired with SmartWool glove liners

SmartWool zip neck base layers (medium weight)

Exte Ondo winter jerseys

Patagonia Capilene base layers (all weights)

Patagonia Wool 4 Zipneck top (great base layer for really cold days)

Buffs (thermal and regular type)

Smartwool snowboard socks

[Eden]

Lake winter bike boots (much warmer & less expensive than Sidi winter boots)

perhaps less expensive if you have to pay full retail.... being petite isn't always an asset, but small feet are nice oh - and Sidis run small... no winter boot really comes small enough for me. At least Sidis that are 2 sizes too large can work with thick socks. Lakes in my experience run big. Lakes 2 sizes too big probably wouldn't even stay on my feet...

As far as why winter gear.... my summer stuff is pretty much all team kit, so its dictated by what ever we are ordering, not my choices.

I did get switch from Sidi to Specialized carbon shoes this summer. I really like them. 1 - in my very small size I could get carbon soles (not so for Sidis - the carbon soled shoes don't come small enough) 2. they have a nice wide toe box, but still have a narrow heel - they stay put, but don't pinch my toes 3. they are much more economical than Sidis

[Trekhawk]

Sidi shoes
Buffs
Knee warmers
Bolero
Amici Veloci gear

[Crankin]

My Terry Bella shorts.
Any jersey by Voler.
Shebeest arm warmers.
Sugoi liner shorts that I wear under baggies or commuting pants.
Ibex tights. Mostly for winter sports, but I wear them for the few very cold rides I do each year.
My Hind tights that are so old, the zipper broke on one leg and I had it fixed because they don't make them anymore.

[Selkie]

perhaps less expensive if you have to pay full retail.... being petite isn't always an asset, but small feet are nice oh - and Sidis run small... no winter boot really comes small enough for me. At least Sidis that are 2 sizes too large can work with thick socks. Lakes in my experience run big. Lakes 2 sizes too big probably wouldn't even stay on my feet...

Eden, sorry if my post made me sound like a snit! I wasn't criticizing and I can see why you love the Sidis. I have the Sidi Diablos but in my experience, they aren't as warm as the Lakes. I paid full price for the Sidis, too (this was about 3 or 4 years ago). Had to pair them with shoe covers and toe covers. Poor Diablos have seen no wear since winter '07.

SheFly turned me on to the Lakes. They are clunky and not very stylish, but good for someone who is out for 90+ minutes each ride. My feet are average size and I'm "pre-bunion" so I go for roomy. I also wear smartwool snowboarding socks/chemical toe warmers during the cold months, so I need amble room in the toe box to allow for air circulation.

Good news, they now make winter Lakes in a women's version.

[Eden]

Maybe I'll have to look into them if they go small. My Sidis are a 39 and I'm really a 37 even in Sidi... though with a good thick pair of socks they are tight enough to do, but definitely not tight enough to use for racing. I really did get a good deal on them. They were only $78 and at that I got them as a present, so essentially they were free (of course I never would have presumed to ask for anyone to buy me a $300 pair of shoes - so I did only get them because they were such a good deal).
I already top my boots with booties to keep rain from going down the tops - out here it is wetness over extreme cold that is more the issue, so stylish or non clunky looking, I am not.

[GLC1968]

After the past couple of weeks, I had to come back and offer up some love for my new favorite piece. I LOVE my Ibex El Fito knickers! I've worn them the past two Saturdays - first one was about 50 degrees and sunny and the second one was in the low 30's and sunny. They rocked in both situations! Now I just need some light rain to give them the full consideration.

I also wanted to ditto this:

I did get switch from Sidi to Specialized carbon shoes this summer. I really like them. 1 - in my very small size I could get carbon soles (not so for Sidis - the carbon soled shoes don't come small enough) 2. they have a nice wide toe box, but still have a narrow heel - they stay put, but don't pinch my toes 3. they are much more economical than Sidis

I can't buy Sidi's because they are too narrow for me, but I am a BIG fan of Specialized carbon soled shoes. My first pair was my road shoes (I buy mens in a 37 - because they CARRY mens in a 37 and the men rarely buy them so I get smashin' deals!!) and I loved them so much I went back and got the mountain shoe version. AWESOME shoes - so comfy, so supportive, so affordable and so far, they've held up amazingly well.