This little combo instantly caught my eye with its cute argyle pattern on the knickers (3/4 length pants) and jersey.
The knicks are made of this stretchy nylon material that moves when you do, so you don’t feel bound up while you’re riding the trails. And pockets galore – 5 pockets including an MP3 pocket! I love removable liners in mountain bike shorts and these knicks have got them, along with a nice chamois that’s not too bulky. The liner is mesh, so you don’t feel like you’re smothering on really warm days. A flat waistband and slim cut helps the knicks look like regular street wear rather than the “sack of potatoes” look some mountain bike knickers give you.
ZOIC’s Ride with Me jersey has 3/4 length sleeves and a medium weight fabric (31% enviro-friendly bamboo!) appropriate for cooler weather rides. There are three pockets across the back, one is a big zippered pocket in the back, so none of your important stuff bounces out, and the other two smaller pockets are hooded to keep items accessible. ZOIC has put little zips at the bottom of the hem on each side, called “waist cleavage” zippers, just to give you a little extra breathing room down there. The bamboo makes the jersey feel really silky – I love that soft stretch bamboo gives fabrics.
With a total of eight pockets at my disposal while wearing this outfit, I was tempted to fill all of them up with “just in case” items and get so loaded down I couldn’t swing my leg over the bike. But I resisted and with my MP3 player going (in just one ear – gotta hear the other guy coming) I was one happy, stylish camper. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the ZOIC argyle socks that coordinate or go for the Breast Cancer Research Fund socks, with 50% of the net profit going to BCRF.
ZOIC Knickers: msrp $60 in four colors, XS-XL
ZOIC Ride with Me Jersey: msrp $50 in three colors XS-XL www.zoic.com
