Road Cycling Clothing

Reviewed: Queen of the Mountains AW17 Cycling Collection

Merino wool and Roubaix fabrics make for a cosy winter ride with Queen of the Mountains

I don’t know about you, but this weekend I had to pull on the thermals and dig out the baselayers because it was biting out there at the early hours. The clocks have gone back and the days are drawing in so it’s about time we reconsider our winter cycling wardrobe.

British cycling brand, Queen of the Mountains, set out to inspire and empower women to perform their best on the bike, and have fun doing it. The brainchild of creator, Alicia Bamford, the cycling apparel brand has gone strength-to-strength as they continually introduce stylish and practical cyclewear into the market.

TWC was lucky enough to get their hands on the new winter collection a little early this year and here’s how we got on…

Winter Merino Jersey

Merino wool technology has really come into full-force this year as we see many more brands utilise its unique properties.

Queen of the Mountains has developed a merino jersey for winter which is soft against the skin with a brushed textured finish on the outside. There are three spacious pockets in the rear with one waterproof zipped pocket on the side panel.

There’s a full-length zipper along with an elastic silicone hem to grip to the bibs, helping the jersey to stay in place.

Like with any merino wool product, great care needs to be taken when washing and drying the garment in order to preserve its shape and ideal properties. Be sure to check the care instructions before throwing it into the machine with all your other kit, bits and socks!

The Winter Merino Jersey is available in sizes x.small to x.large here for £130.

Deep Winter Padded Bib Tights

If you’re looking to truly embrace the cold weather this winter then you’ll need suitable coverage and these new winter padded bib tights certainly offer all of that and more.

Constructed from super soft Roubaix fabric, these Lycra-infused bib tights offer warmth and compression throughout the ride. There’s a zip on the front of the body to make these easier to get on and off.

Queen of the Mountains has taken all things winter into consideration when developing these tights. Not only are they warm for winter, but they have waterproof fabric on the lower leg panels and chamois, so road spray and winter showers won’t dampen your ride… or your bum!

Personally, I quite like the full coverage that the upper body provides. It’s supportive, comfortable and definitely keeps the draught out.

Deep Winter Padded Bib Tights are available in sizes x.small to x.large here for £190.

Winter Gilet

For chillier days out, Queen of the Mountains has developed a Winter Gilet for additional protection.

It’s both wind and water resistant and can be easily packed away into a cargo pocket of the jersey when you don’t need it. The gilet itself does have its own pockets, however, so to save you from fumbling underneath to reach your stash of gels and bars, you can keep them accessible.

The Winter Gilet is available in sizes x.small to x.large here for £110.

Verdict

The new winter collection from Queen of the Mountains has been designed to see you through autumn, winter and even the chillier spring mornings. The navy blue colourway is subtle and flattering, and the colour-fade corals add a flare of colour to brighten up the dimmest of rides.

This collection isn’t the most affordable on the market but if you’re looking for quality winter cycle wear to last you through many miles of riding, then this collection will do just that.

Check out the full Queen of the Mountains range of clothing on their website here.

Topics:

Road Cycling

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