Let’s admit it - looking cool on your bike is half the battle.
Believe it or not, there is more to the cycling apparel world than Pearl Izumi and your local bike shop (LBS) kit. [Note: a “kit” is the full-body spandex dealy where the shorts match the top jersey] Not that there is anything wrong with your old and faithful go-to cycling clothes, but it’s always fun to spruce up your biking wardrobe. There are, after all, plenty of other fish in the sea.
Cycling brands are going through a period of crazy innovation, creating bold, high-performance, and affordable clothing and accessories for all kinds of cyclists. Whether you’re a daily commuter, racer, mountain biker, or weekend warrior, there’s some new swag out there with your name on it. In no particular order, here’s our list of a few favorites. (Note: we have no affiliation with any of these brands and are not being paid any commission, this is unbiased love!)
Cycology
Originating in Sydney, Australia, Cycology is an “All-Athletes” brand specializing in original graphic designs and casual clothing for when you’re off the bike. They also make water bottles, prints you can hang up in your pad, and all sorts of other sweet accessories. It’s fun to rep dat bike lifestyle when not pedaling away.
Cadence Collection
Located in San Diego, Cadence also makes t-shirts and casual wear (they even make special-designed jeans!). But they also make some high-quality and low-graphic advertisement designed performance wear. What does that mean for you? Quality cycling gear that you can wear for years to come. And it’s nice to add something to the collection that doesn’t scream about a beer, bike shop, or charity ride.
The Athletic
Based in Portland, Oregon, The Athletic focuses primarily on socks. Yep, you heard us right…socks. But don’t get it twisted, The Athletic knows their socks. Rumor has it that the right socks can improve bloodflow into your feet, kicking your performance up a notch. And - your ankles will look sweet.
Attaquer
These guys are another Australian based company hits our list. Pronounced “Attacker”, the brand produces everything from your basic black and white cycling kits and bibs, to a kit with a fish print on it…seriously! And just like many of the other brands mentioned here, they also offer water bottles, bike components, and stickers. Put a fish on it!
Shinola
This Detroit-based company does much more than just bike clothes and gear - they also specialize in leather goods, producing anything and everything from watches, to dog collars, to leather notebooks. The idea behind the company was to give families-in-need a job during Detroit’s tough times. Do good, look good, boom.
House Industries
HI reigns from Delaware, and (similar to Shinola) they’re well-known beyond cycling gear (including as a typography and graphic design company). But recently, the design warehouse came together with previously-mentioned The Athletic and produced a whole line of bikes, cycling clothing, and small accessories. It’s always interesting to see what a new entrant comes up with in the space, and their bike caps in particular are something different.
Search and State
S&S is out of NYC, and keeps it simple both in their single-color designs and their focused offerings (jackets, shorts, and jerseys. Period.) Their clothing is stylish and on the more expensive side. But if you want bike jerseys that could also (sort of) pass as normal shirts at the bar, check them out.
Black Sheep Cycling
Hailing from California, Black Sheep Cycling gear is colorful and meant to get you noticed. Black Sheep offers mostly cycling kits and their designs can be one-off; once they’re sold out of a certain print or style, it’s gone for good.
Endurance Conspiracy
Endurance offers items from t-shirts with Chewbacca riding a bicycle to awesome bike kits. They cater to athletes of all kinds, though their cycling jerseys are certainly the most fun of the bunch.
Pedal Chic
This company from South Carolina focused on empowering ladies on bikes. If you didn’t think heels and bikes go together, let Pedal Chic try to convince you otherwise. They have everything from bikes to jewelry. They recently partnered with designers all over the U.S. to produce leather goods including bike commuter bags that look more prone to be found in a designer handbag store than a bike shop.