Cycling has always been immensely popular, but the past twelve months has seen the number of people embracing it skyrocket. Particularly inspiring is the huge number of women who’ve joined in with this upward trend. With this in mind, I’ve decided to put some of the brands leading the way in female-led cycling apparel under the spotlight.
Cycling is more popular than ever right now in the UK, and there’s been a huge surge of women getting into the sport. Having started cycling just over a year ago, I know how tricky it can be to find women’s riding gear that doesn’t look like it’s straight from a 1980s Jane Fonda workout video or a Jazzercise class.
So if you’re new to cycling or you’re rediscovering its joys, I’ve rounded up five of my favourite reputable brands for you, who do women’s cycling apparel really well. The brands below have taken the time to research and design their gear with women – and for women.
Velocio
New England-based Velocio is a market leader for women’s riding gear. The brand caters for a bit of everything – from Off-road’ gravel’ riding to the everyday commute. They originally launched specifically for women and were one of the first cycle brands to do so.
Velocio isn’t the cheapest, but then again, you’re paying for cutting-edge materials, sustainable sourcing and artful designs.
No two bodies are alike, and I really like how committed to accessibility Velocio’s sizing is.
Their women’s sizes range from XXS to XXXL. Their Signature Guarantee also means that you can try any product for 30 days, and if you’re not satisfied, you can return it for a full refund. Another huge plus point about Velocio is its positive approach to sustainability. You can read more about this on their website.
Among their newest releases, I really rate the LUXE Bra (£56), LUXE Bib Short (£195) and Stealth Leggings (£84). I found that high-impact running bras are too restrictive on the bike—step in Velocio. Specifically made for cycling, The LUXE Bra is a game-changer. Worn over a 5-hour ride, I barely noticed it there, yet I felt completely supported. It’s incredibly comfortable and breathable, with thin fabric and soft seams.
Moving onto the LUXE Bib Shorts. The shorts maintain high levels of compression with a minimalist, almost seamless design for all-day comfort. Even better, they feature the brand’s innovative Fly Free design for quicker, easier loo breaks while you’re out riding for the day.
Finally, the high-waisted, silky soft Stealth Leggings are a move toward more focus on leisure riding, with the added benefit of compression for muscle recovery. They’re really flattering, too.