ISADORE SIGNATURE JERSEY& BIB SHORTS

£105/£119

ISADORE IS THE BRAINCHILD OF Slovak pro cycling brothers Martin and Peter Veltis, who aim to create clothing that’s been informed by their racing days. The company also looks to produce locally, using sustainable materials, so all of Isadore’s products conform to Oeko-Tex standards for ecologically sourced and produced textiles and leathers.

The jersey

The Signature jersey uses a mix of merino wool, polyester and Lycra. The material is thicker than a standard polyester jersey but the close fit is comfortable. The Lycra in the mix gives the wool more elasticity. It features flat-locked stitching, inset reflective panels, reinforced pockets, a metal zip and logos. The jersey is ideal for cooler days or early mornings, keeping chills at bay thanks to the wool’s natural warmth, yet wicks well enough to keep you comfortable when the temperature rises, especially when combined with Isadore’s excellent 100 per cent merino wool base layer.

The shorts

The Slovakian-made bib shorts major on comfort and fit, like the Signature jersey. Two weights of Lycra are combined to make the shorts with a thinner, lighter inner section and a thicker, softer fabric on the outer panels. The bib section is finely meshed and the braces are generously wide. The Isadore smoothly-topped pad is made up of four densities of foam.

On the bike they are extremely comfortable, and even though they are made with Power Lycra (produced in Italy), the compressive qualities never felt restrictive, just gently supportive. The Lycra is also ColdBlack treated to protect you from UVA and UVB rays, and it’s claimed that ColdBlack fabrics are 9 degrees cooler than standard black fabrics in the sun.

Isadore also offers a climber’s cap (£17), socks (£14) and Signature gloves (£39) featuring luxurious Italian-made fabric on the palm.