Sugoi Hydrolite Jacket
The best cycling gear performs in a variety of situations, and Sugoi's Hydrolite jacket is light with a full-zip and made of a porous, breathable fabric that reacts when it contacts water, swelling up slightly and closing its pores to make it waterproof when it rains. Bikeradar.com summed it up nicely by indicating the Hydrolite is packable and extremely breathable protection against weather surprises.
Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Octane Bib Shorts
As every rider knows, a good pair of shorts is essential to enjoying your ride. A snug, aerodynamic fit and a comfortable chamois pad are necessary components of cycling shorts. Pearl Izumi's P.R.O. Octane bib shorts (under $300 in 2010) are made up of P.R.O. transfer fabric that stretches with your movements while applying compression and keeping its wearer dry with moisture wicking. The Octane also uses a fourth-generation chamois pad to conform to the rider and provide comfort in the saddle. James Huang at cyclingnews.com lauded the Octane, praising it for its near-perfect fit and outstanding chamois.
Specialized Activate Jersey
The Specialized Activate long-sleeve jersey is a solid, versatile option for cyclists. Warm enough to wear on early morning rides, but fully zippered to ventilate if the ride warms up, the Activate is made of lightweight brushed polyester for comfort, and denier gradient fabric for effective moisture transfer. Ron Koch at Bicycling magazine said the Activate was one of his favorites because of its lightweight, sweat-wicking fabric and noted that the jersey's cut prevented the zipper from bunching up on a ride.
Article Written By Billy Brown
Billy Brown is an outdoor sports writer living in Northern California.
An avid rock climber and trail runner, he's been writing about outdoor activities, fitness and gear since 2005. He regularly contributes to "The Record Searchlight," uncooped.com, and Trails.com, as well as other print and online publications. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Simpson University and is a NASM-certified personal trainer.
