‘Apparel’ Articles
Written by Enid Burns on 29 September 2010
Just because it’s pink, doesn’t mean it’s made with women in mind. That’s the feeling among bikers and the emphasis of a handful of “made for women” bike clothing companies. That doesn’t mean they don’t have a pink jersey or pair of socks in there. Here’s a few companies tailoring their gear just for the fairer sex.
Shorts are among the most important garments for cyclists. They must have padding, and they should have coverage enough so people don’t see whether you wear underwear or go bare underneath. We’ve had a pair or two that were too revealing. Tough Chik Woman’s Cycling Shorts are a six-panel style with a rear privacy liner to keep things to the imagination. They feature an E.S.P. Chamois, silicon gripper and tagless labeling so you don’t have the discomfort of a tag poking at you while you ride. This short is recommended for mid-distance rides. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: chamois, Cycling, cycling shorts, Interbike, Jersey, women's cycling
Posted in Apparel, Interbike | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 27 September 2010
There is looking like a team player when riding, and then there is really showing your support. Or if you’re like us you just like flags a lot. That’s why we were seriously impressed by the cycling attire from World Jerseys. The company has a handsome line jerseys with international flags, so whether you’re a fond of a particular nation, or just happen to like the idea of being decked out in a flag, you can show your true colors – and many colors at that.
Each jersey is made of 100 percent polyester Euro-Mesh fabric to provide moisture wicking, whilst the lightweight material features an antimicrobial finish that resists odors and reduces germs. Now is your chance to fly the flag – such as the Spanish one pictured (in honor of Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of course).
World Jerseys
Tags: Cycling, Euro-Mesh, flags, Interbike, World Jerseys
Posted in Apparel, Cycling, Interbike | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 24 September 2010
With apologies to the classic Irish tune, and to our friends at DannyShane: Oh Danny Boy, the bamboo, the bamboo is calling.
The eco-conscious cycling apparel company is doing something very unique with bamboo. While we heard about a bamboo water bottle previously, and even a bamboo bicycle, we never thought we’d ever have the chance to wear bamboo whilst riding. The whole grass skirt thing doesn’t seem ideal for use with a bike. But DannyShane will suit you up in the fast growing grass.
The has created a line of proprietary fabric blend materials that 44 to 50 percent bamboo white ash (BWA), the latest innovation in truly natural fibers. And according to reports the BWA should capture odor naturally, breathe easily and provide natural UV protection while still feeling soft. The fabric dries quickly too, as it provides the BWA into every weave of fabric, helping provide natural moisture-wicking capabilities. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Attire, bamboo, bamboo white ash, BWA, Cycling, DannyShane, Interbike, Jersey, Shane Hunt
Posted in Apparel, Cycling, Interbike, Sustainable | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 23 September 2010
Looking good and doing so while wearing recycled water bottles isn’t really a stretch, and you don’t even have to be Lady Gaga to pull it off. Modrobes makes it easy as the company is set to launch a new line of urban cycling apparel made from recycled water bottles.
Toronto designer Steven Sal Debus spent five years cycling in some truly lovely locales including Amsterdam, Zurich, Portland, Vancouver and New York. He hit upon the idea to create a “new school” of cycling attire, and came up with an idea to use a product that typically is used once and discarded. The result is a line of products that looks good, feels good and is also good for the planet. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Apparel, Attire, Cycling, Interbike, Modrobes, recycled, Steven Sal Debus, water bottles
Posted in Apparel, Cycling, Interbike | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 15 September 2010
A soaked shirt at the end of a workout is a good sign that you put in the miles, went the distance, played really hard or just otherwise really sweated the small and big stuff. With the ViewSPORT line of t-shirts users not only see a soaked shirt, but also can get motivated by working just hard enough to have the shirt (almost magically) provide an inspiration message.
The technology behind the ViewSPORT shirts is the brainchild of chemist Ben Wood and Joe Yacano, who created a special process for their Sweat Activated Technology. The apparel that offers a variety of slogans, such as one that says, “I Am” and after a bit of time pumping iron or running it reveals, “the Competition.” Think of this as a personal way to manage your workout routine by merely looking in the mirror, and the result is what the makers call a visible measure of a wearer’s “sweat equity.” Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Ben Wood, I Am the Competition, I Fight Cancer, Joe Yacano, Sweat Activated Technology, t-shirt, ViewSPORT
Posted in Apparel, Exercise | 2 Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 14 September 2010
In the comic books super heroes are always wearing tight spandex type clothing, and what is really amazing is that the attire can hold up to all sorts of mayhem. The fabric must be a super duper as the heroes. But that’s the comic books, and in real life about the only thing super about most guy’s gym shorts is the smell after a workout!
The real life super fashion statement might just be the Uniqlo calorie-burning underwear, which was developed with Toray Industries and the University of Tokyo. The idea behind it is that it gets a little snug down there, which in turn applies resistance to the wearer’s muscles, thus forcing him to put a bit more strut into each step. It makes us think that maybe it is Superman’s tight red shorts that helped him stay so buff? Either way, the concept certainly has us intrigued.
Currently the product is only sold in Japan, but could arrive in the United States soon, which should be good news to fitness addicts looking for an extra edge, as well as hipster with their skinny jeans.
Tags: calorie-burning underwear, Japan, Toray Industries, Uniqlo, University of Tokyo
Posted in Apparel, Exercise | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 08 September 2010
The Italians take fashion seriously; there is simply no denying that fact. And although it is also a well-established fact that the Italians really like to keep their hair well styled, they also are taking safety on the mountains quite seriously these days. But just because you need to protect your eyes and your noggin on the slopes doesn’t mean you can’t look good at the same time.
This is especially true with Carrera’s new line of ski products that include new helmets with eye-catching colors, fine details and exclusive graphic effects. Among the new products for the 2010/11 ski season are the Bullet Rosso Line of lightweight, but still durable fiberglass ski helmets that ensures users an excellent fit with an aerodynamic design. The helmets feature a special “dry wave” inner lining that will absorb moisture and provide better comfort – unfortunately it can’t promise unkempt looking hair after a day in the powder, but that’s probably why the Italians eat dinner so late. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Beatch SPH Lace, Bullet Carrera, Bullet Rosso Line, Carrera. Italian, Crown, fashion, goggles, Helmet, ski, Steel X, style, Vanity, X-Change
Posted in Apparel, Equipment, Exercise, Outdoors | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 07 September 2010
What’s the one defining characteristic of a team? Is it a legendary coach, the color of the stadium’s artificial turf, or the hide of the animal the team’s named after? Nike introduced its Nike Pro Combat Uniform to 10 college football teams that rank in the preseason top 25, and each have unique designs to their uniforms. The design of the uniforms also got a revamp.
Teams will have an advantage with a lighter uniform. The padded base layer allows for specific pad placement to suit each position, which adds a customized element to the new cloth. The base layer’s fabric and padding also allows for critical protection and greater mobility over traditional pads for unencumbered speed. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: College Football, Nike Pro Combat Uniform
Posted in Apparel, Equipment, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 23 August 2010
Socks are socks, right? Well, there’s running socks, tennis socks, cycling socks, general sports socks, dress sock and we could keep going. A little known sock is the compression sock used frequently for medical conditions. Travelers and athletes are learning compression socks can aid training and recovery. One Mile Runner David O’Meara, whose goal is to inspire athletes over 30 to avoid injury, wears compression socks during and after performance events.
As a runner O’Meara wears the Athletic Recovery Sock while traveling and after exercise. He wears the Performance Sock for running. Both are part of the Active Therapy Line from Sigvaris. The comparession in the sock helps to flush out lactic acid that builds in the leg during exercise. The sock’s benefits are the ability to relieve tired, aching legs and exercise-induced muscle soreness. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: compression sock
Posted in Apparel, Cycling, Footwear, Outdoors, Pro Sports, Running, Travel, Triathlon | 1 Comment »
Written by Peter Suciu on 17 August 2010
A war of words could be brewing over those so-called “toning” shoes reports MediaPost, which notes that Nike is firing back at rivals Reebok/Adidas (Adidas owns Reebok). Nike is running print ads (see below) for its own Trainer One women’s shoe, with the headline “The Ultimate Quick Fix is not a magical toning shoe,” and follows with the tag line: “This shoe works if you do.” In other words it goes back to the old Nike slogan of “Just do it.” So is that the end of the “toning” craze? Not likely. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Adidas, Attire, Avia, Clothing, Darren Rovell, DiamondFLX, EasyTone, Just Do It, New Balance, Nike, Nike Trainer One, Reebok, Sports Biz, Toning Shoes, Training Shoe
Posted in Apparel, Equipment, Exercise, Footwear, Research | 1 Comment »
Written by Peter Suciu on 16 August 2010
When it comes to doing a triathlon you can complete or you can try to conquer the competition. That’s what the makers at Australian-based Conquest Bike Wear also seemed to have in mind, with its latest line of new triathlon and cycling attire. Our friends at Trizone reported that the company has announced several new products, many of which have been upgraded to feature the latest material and technical components.
These include the Conquest trisuit, a protestional-level kit constructed of hardwearing “Lyrca power.” The fabric is reported to be chlorine and salt water resistant, as well as offering sun protection rated at UV50+. Making sure that the clothing can stand up to the harsh conditions is a real plus, as is the additional use of hydrophobic fabric to repel water quickly. This means that you won’t have to feel you’re sitting on damp sponge as you hit the bike. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: bib shorts, Conquest Bike Wear, Cycling attire, lyrca power, trisuit
Posted in Apparel, Cycling, Running, Triathlon | 2 Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 13 August 2010
It’s the gas in your TV. And now it’s the gas that created the surface of your clothes. Plasma is a gas created by applying electrical fields to pure gas or gas mixtures in a vacuum chamber. A Swiss company called Eschler is using plasma to cause systematic surface modifications to fabrics. Translation: A process that creates water-resistant, water-absorbing and dirt-repellent fabrics through the use of electricity and an ionic gas rather than the use of chemicals or excessive water. Plasma changes the surface of the fabric to grant these properties through particular textures whether they’re smooth or mottled. The process has traditionally been achieved through the use of wet processing with chemicals and lots and lots of water. The chemical process often makes the fabric too stiff, and wears away with repeated washing.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Apparel, Cycling, performance fabric, Swimming, Triathlon
Posted in Apparel, Cycling, Research, Swimming, Triathlon | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 12 August 2010
You can't walk on water, but Sperry's Ping with SON-R technology let you walk in water.
Back in the ’80s topsiders were popular as the preppy shoe of choice. They faded into the background to be kept afloat by sailors and other boaters. But while the traditional style is still available from manufacturer Sperry, some new designs use tech specific to water sports. The Ping uses SON-R technology that gives the wearer feedback of the surface he’s walking on. Made to go on land and under shallow water for launching boats and small boat water sports like Kayaking and canoeing, the Ping has an “outsole-to-insole-to brain” sensory feedback system constructed of multiple pads comprising the same sole. This SON-R system lets you feel the rocks under your feet and navigate different surfaces even when you can’t see them under water.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: SON-R, Sperry, water shoes, water sports
Posted in Apparel, Footwear, Outdoors | No Comments »
