High-end cycling apparel company Kitsbow recently made a big move from Petaluma, California to Old Fort, North Carolina. The brand is focusing on eliminating waste from unsold garments by making made to order clothes. This means that some garments are created after you order them from the website. The company’s goal is to reduce production dependency in Asia and work toward making 95% of its clothing stateside in the next two years. Several of their pieces are already made in the USA including the Gloreita V-Neck Tee that I got the opportunity to test alongside the All Mountain Jersey, which is made in Canada.
Glorieta V-Neck Tee
The Glorieta V-Neck Tee is a technical tee that performs well and also looks good both on and off the bike. Made with the Polartec Delta fabric, the Gorieta V-Neck Tee works to wick sweat and regulate body temperatures even on the hottest of days. The shoulders and sleeves even offer UPF 30 sun protection. The fabric has been woven to help with airflow and doesn’t stick to your body, and features HeiQ odor control treatment. The material is lightweight and soft to the touch, and even though it is a poly blend, it almost feels like cotton.
The top is offered in seven different color-ways with four solid earth tones and three two-tones. The V-neck gives a nice feminine edge but isn’t cut too low. Kitsbow also offer two similar performing tech tees with a crew neck (Hilso and Hymasa). The top does run snug, so riders should pay attention to the chest measurements when deciding on a size. I tested out the XS, and while the stretchy fabric did move with my body and didn’t inhibit riding, I probably could have been more comfortable in a size up.
At $79, the Gloreita V-Neck Tee is on the more expensive end for a tech tee. However, with its temperature-regulating and sweat-wicking ability, this tee keeps you cool on the hottest days while providing extra protection with its sleeves. It is a classic cut tee that performs well on the trails, and since it doesn’t hold odors, you might be reaching for it again on your next ride.
The All Mountain Jersey
The All Mountain Jersey is basically a hybrid of a cycling jersey and a henley. At first glance, the jersey just looks like your classic henley with its button snaps and three-quarter length sleeve. However, this top offers more. On the back there are two cycling pockets to store essentials like a water bottle or a trail snack, and there is also a zippered side pocket to store other small items like a key. The snap closures on the front can be unbuttoned to increase air flow, and there is microfiber cloth inside the bottom hem to clean protective eyewear.
The three-quarter length sleeves offer extra protection on the trails, and there is a loop closure that can be unbuttoned to roll up the sleeves. The hem is longer in the back, and grippers inside the side and back hems ensure the jersey does not ride up. The Jersey is a blend of Nylon (48%), Merino Wool (46%) and Spandex (6%) making it soft to the touch while offering the perfect amount of stretch on the bike. While the wool helps regulate body temperature and wick sweat while minimizing odor, I found the jersey to be too thick on days when the temperature was above 70 degrees.
Unlike the Glorieta V-Neck Tee, I personally found the All Mountain Jersey to run slightly big when looking at the size chart. According to the chest measurements, I should should have been small, but I found the XS to run truer to my size. Unless a rider wants the jersey to be on the loose side, I would suggest sizing down when looking at the chest measurements. Priced at $149, the All Mountain Jersey is stylish and offers nice features like extra pockets and an integrated microfiber cloth. Not only do you look and feel good on the trail, you can also sport this jersey at your favorite post-ride brewery.
Thanks to Kitsbow for providing these jerseys for testing.
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