CLUB RIDE APPAREL REVIEW

Review by Ricky Ranel | Photos by Brian Niles

Club Ride was founded in 2008 to solve one very simple and important issue – how can I go straight from the trails to the post-ride beers? Born from the belief that ride gear can be stylish enough to fly under the radar in the local watering hole without being uncomfortable out on the trails, they’ve developed a range of apparel that is built to perform on the full spectrum of life’s adventures without losing the all-important style.

THE LAB
We were supplied with a full kit of the apparel to ride in, with their Detour technical shirt combined with their Hifi shorts in some interesting and contrasting patterns to stand out on the trails.

Detour Shirt
The Detour men’s shirt is a short sleeve comfort-fit collared shirt constructed from a lightweight 93 g/m2 4-way stretch material to maintain movement on the bike. This material is a 85% poly/15% spandex mix that has anti-wrinkle, sweat wicking and quick-drying properties. To further boost the breathability of the jersey, mesh ventilation panels are present under the arms, to which reflective accents are connected to stay safe when riding in the dark. The button-down front features clear pearl snaps to make fastening a breeze; has a classic chest pocket paired with a hidden rear zippered pocket for carrying the essentials; and a hidden sunglass cleaner to keep the vision clear. The Detour shirt is available in sizes S-XXL, a variety of colors to suit every wardrobe, and retails for $89.95.

Hifi Shorts
The Hifi shorts are a 13” technical mountain bike short constructed from a midweight double woven 2-way stretch material, designed to keep you on the trail longer. This fabric has a water and dirt resistant finish to keep the rider comfortable in all conditions and keep them looking fresh at the pub. The crotch is gusseted to handle the rigors of life in the saddle, and stretch panels are added to key areas to allow for unrestricted pedaling. Velcro adjustments are present on the waist to tailor the fit, with ridelight reflective accents added to boost visibility in the dark. There are a whopping 8 pockets on offer to store all the essentials on the trail, with 2 front and 2 rear hand pockets, 2 zippered side pockets and a final 2 stretch mesh pockets. The Hifi shorts are available in sizes S-XXL to suit waist sizes from 30-41 inches and retail for $99.95.

THE DIRT
As soon as I opened the box, I was in love with the unique design patterns and color options that the Club Ride apparel provides. First impressions of this cycling kit combination were great, with high quality materials that fit comfortably thanks to their relaxed cut without being too loose to feel appropriate in the saddle.

The Detour shirt proved to be impressively breathable, feeling cool to the touch and letting me pedal hard without sweating through. As advertised, it stayed wrinkle free after the ride, and I had no problem keeping it on for post-ride activities. The snap closures on the front wouldn’t be my first choice, with a preference towards a classic thru button to add a bit of fastening security.

The Hifi shorts felt very durable and had a casual look to them, perfect for the mountains or the town. However, contrary to the ultra-flexible shirt, the Hifi’s didn’t share quite the same freedom of movement. Perhaps sizing up would have helped this as they do have a relatively tight fit on my thighs, but I would have liked to see more stretch paneling, or a 4-way stretch material used to aid flexibility. Otherwise, they’re clearly a high-quality item that’s perfect for a casual ride followed by some socializing.

The Wolf’s Last Word

The Club Ride Apparel provides comfortable performance without compromising on style, letting it serve great as dual-use clothing for on and off the bike. Buyers should be wary when selecting their short size to ensure there’s adequate room to obtain the desired freedom of movement, and the fastening on the shirt could be more secure, but otherwise there’s a lot to like about this kit.

Price:
Detour Shirt – $89.95
Hifi Shorts – $99.95

Website: Clubrideapparel.com

Disclosure: Our team selects all of the products we review and do so with honesty and objectivity in mind. Some of the products we receive come directly from Competitive Cyclist, who also value our readers and have offered them a 15% discount (exclusions apply) on their first purchase by using LOAMWOLF15. Through this program we may also receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support, TLW.

We Dig

Stylish
Shirt is comfortable and lightweight
Shorts feel durable

We Don’t

Shirt fasteners
Limited shorts flexibility

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