Giro used to be primarily known for their line of helmets, but in the last few years it’s clear they’ve got their sights set much higher. They’ve already released a line of shoes and gloves that show they get it, and after our time with the stuff, we count ourselves as fans.
Last year they launched the New Road Collection, a line that at first seemed a bit confusing in its intentions. The initial push to change of uniform of road cycling, while commendable, didn’t seem to be hitting the mark. We recently were bestowed with a New Road kit of our own to test out, and although it is clearly packed with performance, I’ll be honest— the last thing I’m about to do is don it when I’m embarking on an aggressive road ride.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t amazing gear. I’ve taken to the merino/ poly blend tops. They have a nice heathered texture, are comfortable, and I’m a fan of the clean, basic aesthetic. I find myself wearing the stuff whenever I can, whether it’s commuting, to work, around the house, or running errands on the bike. And if I planned to do a long road ride that involved restaurants, beer breaks and safety meetings, it would certainly be my first pick.
However, my favorite piece of the bunch is the bib undershort. The heart of the New Road System, it features rear cargo pockets and a front fly that makes you wonder why no one has made a bib short like this before.
The irony is that I’ve only worn it mountain biking to date. I’ve been doing most of my riding without a pack these days, and the storage capacity of the rear stowage pockets mean I’m not limited to lame XC jerseys. The other pieces are great, but this piece really is the star of the show, and deserves a close look.
The collection expanded as of Monday, with the addition of a women’s line to compliment the men’s, and we have word that several pieces on the way for Inga to try. Knowing how picky she can be, I’m definitely interested to hear her take on the new collection. We’ll be reporting back from the field with additional thoughts on how the gear holds up.
Click here to view the Spring 2014 Collection
