reflective

Fledgling British apparel and accessories startup LUMO – fresh off the back of becoming the highest-grossing cycle clothing project on Kickstarter and having secured equity investment via Crowdcube – has now launched its debut range of jackets and bags.

The ‘London Collective’ range of jackets and bags is inspired by the capital and designed to make cyclists safer on their bikes and more stylish off them, said the brand.

Discussing the inspiration for the collection LUMO Co-founder Lucy Bairner said: “Cycling in London is like playing a game of Snakes and Ladders. Whilst riding a bike in a city certainly has its challenges, we believe there is simply no better feeling than the freedom you get from getting around on two wheels. The London Collective is inspired by, and in some cases, made in the capital,”

“The look of the garments has been very much influenced by classic British designs, with cutting edge technology subtly integrated for less snakes, more ladders. The launch video is called ‘#freedomofthecity: London’ and aims to showcase the city as well as our new collection.”

The jackets and bags contain ultra-high brightness LED strips on both the front and back, subtly hidden within the construction of the design. The lights are visible from 400 metres away and they have been deliberately positioned to ensure they’re visible regardless of riding position.

The LEDs are waterproof and washable and are powered by a removable USB-rechargeable battery unit that is tucked away in a small inside pocket.

The jackets use Schoeller fabrics to deliver water-resistance, dirt repellence and breathability and the waterproof bags are made from hardy waxed cotton from Halley Stevensons.

The jackets also feature dropped hems, inner cuffs, stretch shoulder panels and lots of useful zipped and magnet closure pockets, and the bags come with an inner laptop sleeve.

Discussing the evolution of the range Co-Founder Doug Bairner explained: “After I was knocked off my bike, yet was still too vain to wear fluorescent clothing, came the realisation that city cyclists don’t just dress for our journey, we dress for our destination too.”

“We gave up our jobs and set out to design garments that would make cyclists more visible on their bike yet allow them to step straight off it into a business meeting or nice restaurant,” he added.

The London Collective is inspired by, and in some cases, made in the capital

“Speaking about the brand’s plans for the future, Bairner concluded: “The plans go way beyond visibility. Through the design process we’ve uncovered ideas for building various technologies into garments to make life easier for city cyclists. Imagine a day where you can charge your mobile phone in your pocket as you cycle to work, navigate from your jacket sleeve or ultimately contribute to the grid by pedalling from A to B.”

LUMO jackets are available now in both men’s and women’s specific cuts and are priced from £250, with the backpack available from the end of September at a price of £200.

LUMO’s online store can be found at www.lumo.cc

They are also now available in Cloud 9 Cycles, Velorution, Selfridges, Fully Charged and soon to be in Frame’s new retail outlet and online at Cycle Chic.

Has anyone ever pulled up alongside you in a Porsche at traffic lights to ask where you bought your reflective gilet? – no, I thought not. But that, quite seriously, happened to me the other day.

Let me backtrack for a second…

All of us cyclists (ok, most of us) (oh, alright, some of us) resist facing up to an inconvenient truth: that being visible on these increasingly dark autumn/winter rides is marginally more important than our sartorial sensibilities would generally allow.

It can seem like a bit of rum deal – a fly in the ointment – to be forced to contemplate spoiling the aesthetic of your beautifully considered kit choices by making concessions towards your visibility on the road.

I can’t imagine there are many cyclists in these enlightened times who relish dressing up like a trainee Police Community Support Officer in order to feel a little safer on the roads.

While super high-viz neon does have its place within the cycling community, for those of us with more than a passing regard for style as well as function its adoption can seem like a compromise too far.

It is show-stoppingly bright, giving you a sense of security that – while not being something to take for granted – is a welcome feeling on roads where you need every bit of help you can get.

British sportswear brand Proviz has come up with the definitive solution to this issue with the launch of its latest PixElite collection, a supremely eye-catching range of refelctive garments that satisfies the desire to be seen in all senses.

The PixElite range features a jacket, jerseys (long sleeved and short sleeved), gilet, bib shorts, arm warmers, gloves and shoe covers. The jacket and jersey are available in both men’s and women’s specific cuts.

The PixElite Softshell Gilet (the focus of this review) is billed as a “high-performance, Italian-manufactured garment for those chillier days when you need an extra layer.” It is those things and more.

 

STYLE, COMFORT & PERFORMANCE

Having bought the PixElite Gilet initially to improve my overall safety and visibility on evening commutes, I have found myself wearing it on almost every ride since it arrived. It has elongated the lifespan of my summer kit (with the aid of some great Sportful arm and leg warmers) and kept me warm on cold-snap days. It is an incredibly versatile piece of kit that marries great visual appeal with warmth and protection against wind and showers.

The PixElite collection is a supremely eye-catching range of high-visibility garments that satisfies the desire to be seen in all senses.

The PixElite reflective fabric built in to the shoulders, sides and lower back is astonishingly effective in car headlights. The micro-beads which make up the reflective element of the fabric bounce headlight beams back toward the driver; it should be impossible to miss a cyclist in one of these garments when it is illuminated by a car’s headlights.

The PixElite Gilet features rear pockets giving ample room for all your ride essentials and with a lock-zip middle pocket you can keep valuables secure.

FIT & SIZING

The sizing of the PixElite Gilet is a little closer than garments from some of Proviz’s other ranges (360+ and Switch in particular). If you are usually a large in either of those styles, I would consider going up a size.

The bulk of the gilet is made from a soft-stretch mix of polyester, elastane and brushed thermal microfibre. Think race fit, especially if you are going to be wearing it over another long sleeve softshell or gabba-style garment.

I’m 183cm and weigh around 75kg (165lbs) and with fairly broad shoulders I’m around a 38-40 inch chest. The large is comfortable, but might be a little tight or short for those above a 40 inch chest. If you prefer your fit a little looser then it might be worth going up a size or two.

VALUE FOR MONEY

The PixElite Gilet is available on the Proviz website for £69.99, putting it in competition with gilets from many other brands. What sets this apart, however, is the additional safety functionality. In daylight it looks just as good (if not better) than most cycling gilets, but at night it really comes to life. It is show-stoppingly bright, giving you a sense of security that, whilst not being something to take for granted, is a welcome feeling on roads where you need every bit of help you can get.

Which brings me back to the intro of this review…

Having a sports car labour slowly behind, pull up beside you – the window already on its way down – might lead you to expect a terse exchange (although my riding is always exemplary of course). In this instance however nothing could be further from the truth: a polite gentleman simply wanted to compliment me on the visibility of my ‘top’ and ask where I bought it.

It made me love the PixElite Gilet even more.

 

REVIEWER STATS

Height: 183cm

Weight: 75kg

Measurements: 38 inch chest, 32 inch waist

Cycling activity: 80-150 miles per week, in moderate British conditions.

I suppose it would be handy for the purposes of this Huez* Race Day Special jersey review (and all reviews hence forth) – to point out that when it comes to life, music, food, bikes and cycle jerseys, I tend to have very immediate reactions. I will either love it or loathe it.

Very occasionally, there will be something that grows on me. Like very specific songs from the canon of Phil Collins, say, or pavlova. But for the most part, you have a narrow window of opportunity to ingratiate yourself with me.

Fail in those first few minutes and I’ll never be able to bring myself to be evangelical about the brand.

On the other hand, if those first impressions are good (or even better, great) then woe betide any friends or cycle club members in earshot for the next month (or six). They will hear about little else.

With that background firmly established I’ll move on.

Very occasionally, there will be something that grows on me. Like very specific songs from the canon of Phil Collins, say, or pavlova.

In my relatively short but increasingly financially crippling road biking career I must have tried on, ordered, returned and generally lusted after hundreds of cycling jerseys. And in that time, I can honestly say I have only loved wearing about two.

There is always something that niggles. Poor quality finishing; a cheap zip; awkwardly placed seams; an uncomfortable cut.

With the Huez* Race Day Special Jersey, all those worries were assuaged as soon as I tried it on.

 

Comfort & Performance

The Race Day Special is so unobtrusive on the body that you almost forget you’re wearing it. Super lightweight, it’s soft against the skin and incredibly breathable – a testimony to the work Huez* have undertaken with professional riders to integrate the latest carbon fibre construction to improve heat transfer and dissipation.

It incorporates mesh inserts under the sleeves to bring additional breathability – something you really notice when riding on gloriously sunny days like the one we chose for our test ride.

The Race Day Special is so unobtrusive on the body that you almost forget you’re wearing it.

Huez* have included a removable waterproof pouch in one of the three rear pockets to store a phone, money or whatever other superstitious knick-knacks you like to carry around with you on your ride.

There are also strong reflective elements: tabs at the side seams, hidden bands on the sleeves, a superbly positioned reflective logo on the left breast (right on the nipple, though this mightn’t be the case for everyone if you have them in weird places) and a large reflective rear pocket area.

Fit & Sizing

The fit of the jersey seemed tailor made for me: the sizing chart is absolutely bang on, so get your order right and you will find a form-fitting garment that really moves with your body in the saddle.

And while I’m probably a little more slender than some in my age bracket, I believe there is enough play across the sizing bands for it to feel comfortable without leaving you feeling trussed-up or saggy.

Get your order right and you will find a form-fitting garment that really moves with your body in the saddle.

I’m 183cm and nowadays weigh around 75kg (165lbs in old money) and with fairly broad shoulders I’m around a 38-40 inch chest. Across most brands that puts me in the Medium to Large sizing chart. With the Huez* Race Day Special I opted for a Medium and it was spot on.

If you prefer your fit a little looser then it might be worth going up a size, but the Polyester/Polymide/Carbon material mix contains plenty of stretch.

Value for money

The Race Day Special jersey retails at £100, so in jersey terms it is certainly in the upper reaches. Although that price point might cause some to baulk, the noticeable rise in quality above standard sportive fair should put it firmly on the radar for those looking for comfort and performance with more than a splash of style.

 

It is a supremely well-crafted jersey which is beautifully cut and good looking. It will undoubtedly generate a loyal following should an expanded range of designs be forthcoming. With only one design in the range at present I would urge Huez* to take the Race Day Special and run with it: some bold hues would have me completely sold on Huez*.

 

Reviewer stats

Height: 183cm

Weight: 75kg

Measurements: 38 inch chest, 32 inch waist

Cycling activity: 80-150 miles per week, in moderate British conditions.

When it comes to wearable reflectives, the launch of the Proviz REFLECT360+ range is game changing. In daylight the garments are silvery grey; fairly unremarkable, you might think. But in direct light – a camera flash, a headlight – jeepers! The transformation renders even the most cynical speechless.

In direct light, the Proviz REFLECT360+ glows like a beacon. It reminds me of chemistry lessons where we would study the bright white light of burning magnesium. The Proviz 360+ is positively dazzling in headlights.

With the nights drawing in, I’ve found myself in a highly reflective mood lately.

I’ve been reflecting on the dangers of cycling as the evenings darken; that worry, as someone who is both a cyclist and a motorist, of just how many things compete for our attention on the road and how we owe it to one another to make journeys as easy as possible, by ensuring we can be seen.

The Proviz REFLECT 360+ reminds me of chemistry lessons observing the bright white light of burning magnesium.

And I’ve been looking at reflectives to add to my cycling wardrobe.

You’re unlikely to ever see me in hi-vis yellow – I want to be safe and I want to be visible, but I don’t want to be garish.

I want motorists to be able to see me in low light on the awkward roads of London with their hit-and-miss cycle paths and narrow lanes. I’m not one of those militant cyclists who thinks I shouldn’t have to make myself seen because I have the right to be on the road: we’re all fallible. I believe cyclists have a duty to make themselves visible in the same way that car drivers have a duty to turn on their headlights when it goes dark.

I’ve been reflecting on the dangers of cycling as the evenings darken; that worry, as someone who is both a cyclist and a motorist, of just how many things compete for our attention on the road.

But what you want to know is how it actually performs, right?

Comfort & Performance

I’m a sweaty sort of person. I’m generally reluctant to cycle in any sort of water resistant clothing because I worry it will steam my torso until it resembles a dim sum, but I can safely say I did not feel like a steamed dumpling after my 10 mile commute in the REFLECT360+ jacket.

The fabric is lightweight and surprisingly breathable, and the jacket has a ventilation flap across the shoulders to help keep you cool. What’s more, it has zippered under arm ventilation which you can unzip for extra air flow.

Sweaty cyclists of the world rejoice!

There are just two downsides: the first is that the sleeves are unlined, unlike the body of the jacket, so don’t feel very nice against bare skin – a bit clammy on the arms. For my evening ride home I wore merino arm warmers which solved the problem. I doubt I’ll be wearing the jacket with bare arms over the coming months, so it’s a minor gripe. The second is that although the reflective fabric is incredible in the dark under headlights, in low light the grey is very un-visible, so while it’s a great jacket for night time riding, it’s not so good for wearing on dull greys or at dusk.

Freedom of movement is excellent thanks to the redesigned raglan sleeves. A large back pocket coupled with chest pockets for debit cards and tissues mean you can keep your commuting essentials handy.

On the bike, the jacket is very comfortable. It doesn’t pull across the shoulders, it’s nice and long, it keeps water out and the fleecy collar feels lovely.

I usually cycle at around 6.30pm. At the moment, that means I set off while it’s light, so the reflective element doesn’t really come in to its own. In a few weeks’ time, it’ll be a different story and I’m really looking forward to standing out on dark rides home.

 

Fit & Sizing

The REFLECT360+ women’s jacket is generously sized – particularly in the skimpy world of cycling apparel – so there’s no need to order a size up.

I’m 5’7” and a curvy size 12 in non-cycling clothes.

If I’m buying Castelli I always order size large. In DHB, I’ll always go for size 14 (which is still quite snug). But the size 14 Proviz 360+ jacket is plenty big enough – in fact, I could probably wear a 12 comfortably. But as winter draws in and there are more layers to fit underneath a jacket, I don’t mind having a bit of extra room. The sleeves are rather long, as you can see from the photograph; however, the Velcro straps around the wrists allow you to cinch them higher up if need be. (It’s worth noting that the sleeve length increases by 2cm for each size up in the range.)

 

Value for money

The Proviz REFLECT 360+ retails at £109.99. For a garment that provides good water resistance and incredible visibility at night, we think it offers great value for anyone who will be cycling in the dark this winter.

 

Reviewer stats

 Height: 172cm

Weight: 69kg

Measurements: 94-74-97

Cycling activity: 80-100 miles per week, in moderate British conditions.