Training & Nutrition

Reviewed: ACAI Thermal Sweater and Water Repellent Trousers

Casually active or actively casual?

Gone are the days where activewear meant wearing full-on compression clothing, tight-fitting garments in garish colours which were purposely designed for the gym – and not for a trip to the shops.

With more and more people getting active, there has been a flourish of brands looking to push the boundaries and blur the lines between active and casual. Edinburgh College graduate, Kasia Bromley, set out to achieve a delicate and functional balance between the two. And so, ACAI Activewear was born.

From their exclusive collection of women’s active apparel, we’ve been running around and pedalling the town in ACAI’s Stretch Trousers and Thermal Sweater, so how have we gotten on with them?

ACAI Thermal Sweater

I don’t know about you, but when I think of thermal clothing, my mind immediately reaches for items likening to thin flimsy cotton, luxury merino wool or a ghastly well-intended knitted jumper from my Nana. The Thermal Sweater from ACAI is none of these – thankfully.

This mid-weight sweater is constructed from Nylon and elastane whilst containing mesh inserts across the upper half of the top. This blend of fabrics gives this sweater great wicking properties to help regulate body temperature whilst remaining stretchy and comfortable.

The asymmetric design is quite striking with two pockets on one side of the jumper which seems to have a “Marmite effect” on those whose opinions I asked about it. Personally, I quite like the asymmetry.

The fit is fairly loose allowing you to wear a layer underneath on colder days out and to help improve air flow throughout as you work up a sweat.

ACAI’s Thermal Sweater is available in sizes UK8 to UK16 here for £49.

ACAI Skinny Trousers

Often we’re left with little choice in bottoms when it comes to activewear. Many of us opt for loose-fitting joggers or tight-fitting spandex, but ACAI has created an active pair of trousers, that not only look like trousers but are coated in DWR repellent to make them water resistant too – what more could you want?

Designed with 4-way stretch technology, this blend of Nylon and elastane certainly, provides a greater degree of movement not often found in other trousers. They’re stretchy, body-forming and certainly skinny, as the name suggests.

However, an air of caution with these as I found the fabric to be quite thin and for something with tattoos on their legs, there was no doubt that they were visible through the material. If you’re not covered in ink, you’ll be ok but be careful what colour knickers you have on!

ACAI Skinny Trousers are available in sizes UK8 to UK16 here for £59.

For more information and to check out the full range of ACAI’s activewear, head over to their website here.