Conclusion
Women’s kit can’t be easy to design so that it fits and appeals to everyone, so we were pleased to see that most brands have upped their game and improved their offerings of both tops and bottoms. However, there were definitely a few stand-out items. Firstly, Decathlon deserves praise for putting together an outfit that we’d be happy to wear for less than £40. With some outfits here costing well over £100, that’s really refreshing. In terms of shorts, the Adidas Five Ten Brand of the Brave shorts were a favourite with accurate sizing, great comfort and a moderate price tag. Troy Lee Designs’s Lilium Shorts also stood out, but were let down by the small sizing.
In the end Endura took the win with its Singletrack Lite short, mainly due to the wide variety of options – it comes in three colours and two different lengths. While the sizing does come up a touch small, the slight stretch in the fabric and the chunky waistband make them super comfy to pedal in. A great option for most women at a reasonable price point.
In terms of jerseys, there is an element of personal preference in terms of fit – some prefer a tailored cut while others go for a loose, baggy style. Somewhere in-between is our favourite option, the Troy Lee Designs Lilium Short Sleeve jersey, with its technical t-shirt styling and fit.
The fabric is breathable, quick-wicking, odour-free and lush against the skin. The simple design and subtle branding combined with neutral colours and high performing technical fabric produces a lightweight jersey we’d be happy wearing all summer on the trails as well as for an after-ride vino.
Most brands have upped their game and improved their offerings