Road Cycling Clothing

Autumn/Winter Women’s Cycling Clothing: What’s New from dhb for 2016?

We've teamed up with dhb to bring you highlights from the 2016 collection

The autumn/winter women’s cycling clothing range from dhb has arrived and is ready to buy – and it includes some brand new additions as well as staple favourites.

The clothing brand aims to provide quality cycling clothing at affordable prices. Though the price tags are far removed from ‘bargain basement’, the garments on offer boast performance focused features you’d expect to find on far more expensive kit. For this reason, dhb has fast become one of the most frequently spotted brands in cycling since launching in 2004.

High percentage of female customers (compared to other brands)

Kit from dhb has long been particularly popular among women, winning the TWC Award for Best Clothing Brand in 2015.

Discussing their ‘success with women’ earlier this year, Product Manager, Ben Hewitt told us: “This year about 24 per cent of our sales are women’s, something we’re really proud of and hope to build on. We seem to be doing better than some of the other brands we keep tabs on.”

He added: “I think it’s probably because we don’t just ‘shrink and pink’. I think we’re honest, we’re direct to customers, so we learn quickly and act. The women’s market share is fairly small in comparison to the men’s, but it always will be unless we make kit especially for them, make it accessible and don’t treat the women’s collection as an afterthought.”

dhb’s cycling clothing collections

The cycling range (there is running and swimming kit available for triathletes!) consists of five key collections:

Blok: Bold and bright prints applied to quality fabrics, most key styles offer accompanying matching accessories such as buffs, arm warmers and socks
Classic: More timelessly understated designs, technical fabrics but more forgiving cuts
Aeron: More technically minded kit with a sporty fit, tons of special features and a special focus on weather proofing
ASV: The ultimate in racing attire from dhb
Flashlight: The commuter range, with plenty of bright highlights to help ensure you’re seen

Each of these key collections has seen new additions for 2017, but there are some specific highlights dhb want to shout about from the rooftops.

Here’s a look at their shiny new additions for the season ahead…

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dhb Aeron Women’s Roubaix Halterneck Tight (here)

After much anticipation – halterneck shorts are now available as tights!

The halterneck shorts from dhb have long been a favourite at TWC, even winning our ‘Ready, Steady, Pee’ bibs test. The deign allows you to pull down the back of the shorts when you need to stop for a comfort break. It’s easy, and quick, to use which is why we love it.

Up until now, this style has only been available in shorts. A substantial amount of development went into making the design work in bibtight form. This is because the bottom half needs to stay in place without requiring support, and putting pressure on the neck. The brand have finally cracked it – hence the arrival of the first ever dhb halterneck bibs.

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At £80, these also feature Italian Roubaix brushed fleece fabric, with a mesh panel at the back to allow your skin to breathe under winter’s layers of jersey. The chamois pad is Cytech’s ‘Elastic interface Tour HP Air Chamois’ which is designed for rides up to five hours. There are some reflective details, plus silicone grippers and zips at the ankles.

Coming soon… Aeron Storm Jacket

It’s not on sale yet – but dhb will unveil their most advanced cycling jacket ever in a matter of weeks. Designed for riders who seek breathable fabric and wet weather protection, the Storm jacket utilises innovative ‘37.5 fabric’. This material aims to keep your body temperature at the optimum level – 37.5 degrees – as the weather changes around you. These won’t be cheap, but they’ll be highly competitive with other brands on the market. That’s pretty much all we can share with you for now.

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Roubaix and Softshells from dhb’s Blok collection

The Blok collection features a huge selection of jerseys, jackets, shorts, socks, buffs and arm warmers.

For 2017, mosaic, diamond and polka-dot patterns are in, all printed on the quality materials we’ve come to expect. Highlights include…

dhb Blok Women’s Micro Short Sleeved Lightweight Roubaix Jersey (here)

We reviewed this lightweight roubaix jersey last year, and were hugely impressed by the lightly brushed inside that provided just enough warmth for the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, without becoming ‘boil in a bag’ worthy should temperatures increase. In very cold weather, it might also be a welcome layer underneath a jacket – and costs £45.

dhb Blok Women’s Polka Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey (here)

Upping the ante on the cold weather protection, this long sleeved jersey is fleece lined. The fabric still wicks sweat so you can work hard in it without becoming damp and cuffs are elasticated to keep out the chill. This one is available in Navy or Burgundy, with a cool print to keep your spirits high in grey weather, and costs £50.

dhb Blok Mosaic Women’s Softshell Roubaix Jacket (here)

This softshell is about keeping out windchill whilst still allowing heat to leave your body. At £70, it’s a performance level piece of kit with a wind resistant membrane and water resistance. There are plenty of pockets, and the centre compartment has a sweat resistant barrier. All hems are elasticated, to keep the chill out and there’s an internal chin guard, too.

The dhb Classic range goes on a little adventure

The Classic range is all about understated style for comfortable riding, all day if you like. This season the staples have remained the same, with some even more classic new colour additions and patterns.

dhb Classic Women’s Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey (here)

dhb Classic Women’s Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey in Marl Grey

This snuggly warm long sleeved jersey has all the performance features you’d expect – breathable fleece lining, elasticated grippers, plenty of pockets and reflective features. All for £50.

So what’s new? dhb have added a very on-trend Blue Marl/Navy colourway. Textured, heathered fabrics were all the rage at Eurobike this year, and the relaxed style screams ‘all day adventure are go’. There’s no doubt that someone wearing this jersey has packed their jam sandwiches and expects to be home as the sun goes down.

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If it’s not your thing, there are plenty more colour options on offer.

dhb Classic Women’s Breton Short Sleeve Jersey (here)

dhb Classic Women’s Breton Roubaix Short Sleeved Jersey

We might be approaching autumn, but if you’re not ready to leave light short sleeved jerseys behind, then this one could be for you! Timeless breton strips offer a stylish twist on an old favourite – and there are matching socks for those who like to be super coordinated.

At £45, this is a light, poleyester jersey with an anti-bacterial control fabric, silicone gripper at the hem and some reflective features.

dhb Classic Women’s Breton Roubaix Long Sleeved Jersey (here)

Like the breton style – but want something that offers a bit more protection from the breeze? This £50 roubaix jersey carries the same features as the classic women’s roubaix above, with a hint of quintessential French style in the form of those lovely stripes.

That’s A LOT to take in – but then dhb’s Autumn/Winter women’s cycling clothing collection is pretty extensive! If that’s not enough, they’ve also extended their glove collection to cater for pretty much every temperature, and added more for triathletes – including wetsuits and running tights. Needless to say, there really is probably something for pretty much every rider.

Looking for autumn clothing advice? Check out 5 Essential Clothing Accessories for Autumn Road Rides