Rivelo Women’s Cycling Kit Review: Holmbury jersey, Tideswell bibs & Haresfield gilet

Over the past few weeks I’ve been testing some of the latest Rivelo women’s cycling kit: the new summer range includes the Holmbury jersey, Tideswell bib shorts and Haresfield gilet. At the start of the year we reviewed the brand’s winter offering which we loved, finding the quality and performance top notch and the styling chic. We’ve been excited to get our hands on the summer kit after the bar was set so high in the winter.

Rivelo cycle wear isn’t the flash kid on the block; it isn’t showy or garish. It’s understated and sophisticated, and this kit feels really fresh for summer.

 

 

Rivelo Women’s Holmbury Cycling Jersey

 

 

The female-specific Holmbury cycling jersey is made from breathable, wicking, quick-drying performance fabric to keep you feeling comfortable on summer rides. It features four roomy rear pockets, including a water resistant zip pocket to keep valuables safe. I was grateful for that water resistant pocket on my first outing when it inadvertently protected my hip from further damage in a nasty tumble. The pocket is now rather scuffed, but my hip was just bruised rather than grazed thanks to the reinforced pocket!

 

 

I like the styling of the Holmbury cycling jersey. I’m a sucker for nautical stripes – they always feel sharp and summery – and the colour combination of teal and coral with clean white accents works very nicely. It feels really fresh and modern.

 

 

Size-wise, the sizing of the summer range feels a little bit smaller than the winter collection: I’m wearing size 12 again but it’s a more snug fit than expected (and I’m a few pounds lighter than I was in the winter). It might be worth sizing up if you want a bit of room. However, in terms of length it’s really generous and there’s no danger of it riding up, with a dropped hem at the rear featuring a Rivelo silicone gripper to keep everything in place. It’s a fitted, feminine shape, accommodating my – erm – womanly curves nicely. The striped design is unisex but the cut keeps it feeling like a women’s jersey, not a sized down men’s jersey.

The jersey is available for £39.99 at SportPursuit.

 

Rivelo Women’s Tideswell Bib Shorts

 

 

I’ve raved about Rivelo’s Monsal winter tights (here) which are supremely comfortable, so the Tideswell bib shorts had a lot to live up to.

These female-specific bib shorts are anatomically cut and feature a quality high-density Cytech chamois pad with a bacteriostatic, quick drying and cooling fabric covering. The legs of the bib shorts are constructed from a robust 70 denier circular knit Lycra which feels really supportive on the legs (and gives a flattering silhouette). The fabric also incorporates UPF 50+ sun protection, a useful feature when you’re as fair-skinned and prone to burning as I am.

 

 

The breathability of the bib shorts is good and the wicking is effective. I like the zip pocket feature on the back, too. I’ve worn the Tideswell bib shorts on rides of varying lengths up to 45 miles and they’ve been so comfortable that I plan to wear them for the upcoming Prudential RideLondon 100 mile event; the chamois is really supportive. In fact, I would go so far as to say it’s one of the best chamois pads I’ve worn (and I have tested a lot…)

The bib shorts are priced at £120.00 from Rivelo.cc.

 

Rivelo Women’s Haresfield Gilet

 

 

A lightweight gilet is such a useful piece of kit in any cyclist’s wardrobe, particularly if you’re cycling in the UK with our ludicrously changeable weather conditions. Jumpers in June, anyone? Having a windproof vest to slip on during coffee stops that can then be folded and stuffed in a pocket and bidon really is handy.

The Haresfield gilet coordinates nicely with the Holmbury cycling jersey and is windproof, water resistant and breathable. What’s more, its reflective design features make it a useful item to slip on as dusk falls. It has a central back vent for extra breathability which also allows easy access to the jersey pockets underneath which is a handy feature. The dropped rear hem protects your bum from road spray when the weather turns damp and the collar is lined with soft microfibre which is a comfortable touch.

 

 

The gilet is well thought out in terms of design features but for my hourglass body shape the fit isn’t ideal – I need something which is more generous on the bust and hips and more fitted at the waist. If you’re less top heavy, the straight cut won’t be a problem but I’d like a bit more tailoring around the middle for a cleaner silhouette.

The Haresfield gilet is available for £29.99 at SportPursuit.

 

Summer 2016 Rivelo women’s cycling kit – the verdict

I’m impressed by the latest offering from Rivelo. The summer designs look sharp and fresh and the good looks are backed up by great technical details. The sizing does seem a little bit smaller than the winter collection and for fellow big-boobed cyclists, the gilet could be problematic. However, the quality is as good as expected and the design features are really well thought out. The jersey looks gorgeous, and the bib shorts are top notch. Rivelo really know how to do chamois pads.

For a fresh summer cycling kit to put down miles in comfort, the latest Rivelo women’s cycling kit is a great place to start – it’s excellent value from Sport Pursuit and has better technical credentials than most brands at this price point.