Sportful summer kit you need
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By Nicki Giles
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Summer is prime riding time in the UK, so it’s the perfect time to invest in some amazing Sportful kit!
With the right clothing you can train comfortably all year round in the UK, but even the most avid cyclists will admit that there’s something wonderful about rolling through the softly scented countryside on a sunny day, unencumbered by layers.
The real trick is to pick a few staple items for your kit bag that will be winners in summer but are such a pleasure to wear that theyll be worth inducting into your collection of year-round staples. We’ve picked some Sportful jerseys and shorts that might just fit the bill.
Sportful Giara Jersey
Reviewers love the Sportful Giara Jersey. Road.cc gave it 8/10 when it came out, while Cycling Weekly bestowed a 4.5 star rating on its shoulders. Why? Because this jersey, modelled on the brand’s premium Bodyfit Jersey, combines the performance of racing kit with the relaxed fit most of us prefer for everyday cycling.
The upper half of this understated yet stylish jersey is made from tough, robust, quick-drying and breathable polyester, while the lower half is perforated, with a touch of elastane to add stretch. The hem is grippy, so you can throw the bike around without it budging, and there are three tough pockets, plus a zipped pocket to keep your valuables from rattling out. Finally, reflective detailing will keep you visible if your ride over-runs.
The Sportful Giara Jersey is a wear-everywhere piece of kit that is roomy and classic enough to enter a café in without embarrassment, but feature-rich enough to keep you cool when you’re putting your all in. It is sufficiently comfy and practical to wear on a full day’s ride and beyond.
Sportful Monocrom Women's Jersey
The Sportful Monocrom Women's Jersey has two primary selling points. First, it’s incredible to look at, thanks to its tasteful, modern colours, shaped yet unrestrictive cut and piece-dyed fabric that ensures each jersey looks different. Second, it’s cool and light thanks to its perforated, open weave fabric, making it the perfect choice for summer cycling.
Other highlights include a nice long body with dropped tail, which ensures taller cyclists won’t have to worry about the hem gapping in ride position, four-needle stitching for a smooth feel, three rear pockets and raw-cut sleeves and hem for maximum comfort. The inside of the back hem has grip tape, so you can trust it to stay put all day long too, however hard you ride.
With a mix of polyester and polyelastane panels ensuring a close yet comfortable fit, the airy Monocrom Women’s Jersey is forgiving and easy to wear, but will draw the eye with its sleek, minimalist styling.
Sportful Classic Bib Shorts
With the Sportful Classic Bib Shorts, the brand has incorporated lessons learned from its pro connections into a versatile and comfortable design. The result is a close-fitting garment that will perform well and feel great for both racing and riding in.
Made from sturdy yet stretchy 210g/m2 Lycra®, these bibs compress the muscles as you ride, encouraging peak performance without feeling restrictive. Four-needle stitching creates a smooth feel, while a simple arrangement at the front eliminates the use of waist seams. The straps are barely there, being narrow and composed of open mesh, while the raw-cut legs are held in place by grip dots. Finally, the multi-density Bodyfit Pro MD Seatpad is comfortable without feeling bulky.
Suitable for wearing over long distances, the Classic Bib Shorts are supportive yet airy, especially thanks to those feather-light bib straps. They’re perfect performance shorts for warm weather riding, while being solid enough to serve you well in the hinge seasons as part of your layering system.
Sportful Fiandre NoRain Women’s Bib Shorts
At first glance, the Sportful Fiandre NoRain Women’s Bib Shorts may not seem like the obvious choice for summer riding. After all, they have a warm brushed fleece inside, a nanotechnology water-repellent treatment on the outside, and relatively wide and sturdy – albeit perforated – bib straps.
But May saw the UK get a fifth less sunshine hours on average, while parts of Scotland got over 50% more rainfall that usual, so it’s clear that British cyclists need to be prepared for all weathers, even in summertime!
With the NoRain Women’s Bib Shorts you will stay warm when it’s wet or windy, but remain cool if the weather picks up, thanks to the breathability of the fabric and bib straps. Plus, the raw cut edges, comfy and breathable women’s specific TC Pro Seatpad, lie-flat straps and minimal seaming mean that, however long you’re out and whatever the day has in store, you’ll feel great on your bike. What more could you want from a staple kit pick?
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