These Stylish Cycling Brands Will Make You Want to Ride
This weekend is all about fireworks and BBQs to Americans, but our friends in Europe are celebrating too. Not only are the Euro Cup finals heating up this week, but the Tour de France just kicked off as well.
All professional athletes have a certain tribal cool and cyclists are no exception. If watching the races has you thinking about taking up the sport, here are a few stylish cycling brands that’ll probably seal the deal for you. Some are new and some date back more than a decade but all are experts at making unitards, aerodynamic sunglasses, and helmets look damn cool. Which, when you think about it, is no easy feat.
Café du Cycliste claude jersey, $205, available at mrporter.com
Café du CyclisteIf you dig classic French style in your everyday wardrobe, you'll like this cycling label, which is light on logos and heavy on stripes. The brand launched in 2011 and is headquartered in Nice, where they have a clubhouse and cafe for riders passing through town.
Pas Normal Studios water bottle, $15, available at pasnormalstudios.com
Pas Normal StudiosPas Normal is a Copenhagen-based brand that launched in 2014 and yes, they make more than just water bottles (see above). The clothes and accessories have an urbane feel, with color combinations that go beyond the typical neon and black look.
Chpt 3 padded cycling bib shorts, $325, available at mrporter.com
Chpt 3This new brand is a collaboration between retired cyclist David Millar and Italian brand Castelli. The objective is to create performance gear for non-professional riders that's understated and sophisticated. Millar, born in Scotland, takes inspiration from British tailoring.
Brandt Sorenson Pro Club Jersey, $200, available at brandt-sorenson.com
Brandt SorensonIf the 4th of July has you feeling especially patriotic, here's the token American brand in the lineup. Brandt Sorenson was founded on the West Coast in 2007 and specializes in made-to-measure jerseys and other cycling gear with a mere three-week turnaround time.
Rapha Pro Team Flyweight Lens, $120, available at rapha.cc
RaphaRapha is a British brand that launched in 2004. They outfit Britain's Team Sky, who are competing in the Tour de France, and run non-professional cycling clubs in cities around the world. Rapha's gear is colorful and nods to retro cycling style.
POC raceday cycling cap, $25, available at mrporter.com
POCIf you ski or snowboard, you might be familiar with Swedish brand POC. They're known for their helmets but they specialize in stylish performance apparel as well. Their Raceday collection is the most technical; products are tested and refined in a state of the art lab.
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