Road Cycling Clothing

Review: Giro New Road Outfit

Adele Mitchell goes for a ride head to toe in the Giro New Road range.

Words By Adele Mitchell, photos by Paul Mitchell.

For years I have been moaning about the lack of grown up, stylish cycling clothes for women. Looks like Giro have sat up and paid attention….

Giro are a cycling brand based in Santa Cruz, California. They’re best known for rather fabulous cycling helmets and shoes, but have recently dipped into women’s cycling wear with their Giro New Road range. It’s technical on/off the bike gear suitable for casual riding or commuting. First impressions? It’s a go-to for quality and understated style (oh we love a bit of that!) but be warned: it’s not cheap.

Ride Jersey

This is a really classy cycling top in a merino wool/polyester blend, styled with contrast side panels and a full-length zip. Lightweight, breathable and soft, it has a quality look and feel to it and performs just like a cycling top should. There are three rear pockets in the Giro New Road Ride Jersey (none are zipped though) and grippy elastic tape to keep the jersey from riding up mid-route. It’s a generous length too.

I really love the design – its very flattering and you could wear this top without going near a bike and still look great. One tiny point: the label is stitched into the back of the top – knowing how fragile wool can be, I wonder if this might be a weak point long term.

Care wise, it requires a cold wash (so don’t just shove it in the machine and with the rest of your washing!). I also use wool-specific detergent to keep merino at its best.

Price: £99.99

Available in XS- XL.

Ride Overshort

The Giro New Road Ride Overshorts are unpadded shorts in a lightweight, two-way stretch infused twill that allows for lots of movement (up and down on the front and rear panel, side to side at the hip and leg opening) on the bike.

They are cut so that there are no seams to sit on, and are generous enough to wear padded knickers beneath should you wish to. The contrast stitch, zip fly, and belt loop detail create a smarter ‘city short’ look and they are very well put together.

They’re available in two cuts – classic (pictured) and tailored – to flatter different body shapes. The above the knee length looks very sporty and the slimmer cut stops you from looking like a Boy Scout.

They arrived just in time for the good weather we enjoyed through September and I wore them pretty much all the time. They are ridiculously easy, comfortable and stylish. Care wise, it’s a simple cold wash again – and they don’t need ironing after washing. This makes me very happy indeed.

I love these shorts and will wear them a lot: again, they are pricey but taking cost per wear into consideration, I think they will represent pretty good value for money in the long run.

Price: £89.99

Available up to size 16

Ride Legging

Styled to look like jodhpurs, these stretch cycling leggings are made from a mid-weight herringbone knit. They may be called leggings, but they’re actually thick enough to be worn as trousers and feature faux pockets and a faux fly to give them a streamlined, tailored look.

There’s a back stow pocket with zip on the waistband though it wont hold much more than a tissue and some loose change. The waistband itself is quite high so you don’t get a gap at the back when you ride. Abrasion-resistant leg panels add durability and make them look a bit ‘equestrian’. The label is printed onto the fabric so they are super soft to wear.

They’re put together like conventional trousers with seams that meet beneath the gusset: I didn’t find this a problem when I rode in them (even on a road bike saddle!) but may find you need padded knickers for a longer ride.

To sum up, well made, stylish and comfortable.

Price: £99.99

Available in size XS- XL.