Nobody wants to feel sweaty and uncomfortable after a bike ride, even in hot weather. Nobody wants to spend hours riding on a chamois that seems to get flatter over time. And nobody wants their movement restricted while they are peddling.
Fortunately, the folks at Primal Wear are on it.
Primal Wear, a Colorado company founded in 1992, makes clothing for cyclists. That's all they do, and they take it seriously, paying particular attention to moisture-wicking, easy-to-move-in fabrics and details such as seam placement, which can make a big difference in comfort levels, especially on long rides.
Their new Primal Wear T-11 Cycling Jersey and Short are available for women, in sizes extra small to 2X.
The jersey is made of a silky-feeling proprietary fabric called Speed-Pro, engineered to pull sweat away from the rider and provide stretch. The short is constructed of a light but strong and stretchy material called PriFlex. Even on sweaty, muggy-weather bike rides, both materials wick away moisture.
The APX chamois is meant for long rides and is designed to stay cushiony over time. It's also resistant to bacteria and microbes.
The Speed-Pro and PriFlex fabrics are designed to take color and hold designs well. The women's set is bright blue and black, with the word "Primal" printed in white along the legs of the short and the front and back of the shirt. Both can be machine-washed in cold water and allowed to drip dry.
Both the T-11 jersey and the short are designed with comfort in mind. The shirt has a hidden-placket zipper that can be pulled down almost to the waist, improving mobility and allowing riders to cool off. The tag is printed on, not sewn, to avoid scratchiness. Sides are tapered for a close fit and the back is longer than the front.
The shorts have a sewn-in elastic waist, slightly higher in back, and ergonomic panels that distribute pressure and create compression on the muscles.
But it's the attention to details that set the Primal Wear T-11 Cycling Jersey and Short apart. Things like a pocket on the back of the shirt that is divided into three sections, so keys don't jangle against cell phones. And things like the elastic grippers on the legs of the shorts that hold the pants in place without leaving grip marks on the thigh.
With this cycling kit, the end of the ride feels as good as the beginning. (MSRP: Kit – Jersey, Shorts and Socks $141.95 or Jersey $66.95/Shorts $74.95)
Karen Nitkin likes to run, hike, bike, camp and swim. She spends as much time as possible on these activities, while juggling a writing career, family life, and doing errands like laundry and going to the grocery store.
Nitkin lives in Maryland, where the relatively mild climate allows her to run and bike year-round. She also spends at least a few weeks each year in New Hampshire, camping and hiking in the White Mountains. She has set a goal of hiking all 48 New Hampshire peaks that are above 4,000 feet. As of the fall of 2010, she is at number 20, following an epic rain-drenched four-peak overnight in the Pemigewassetwilderness over the summer.