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The Best Summer Cycling Kits for Men

Stylish choices from Rapha, Café du Cycliste, Velocio and more.

Summer-Cycling-Kits-Gear-Patrol-Lead-1440 Henry Phillips
AJ Powell

By AJ Powell

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Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with new picks for 2017. You can find last year’s picks on Page 2.

Summer is upon us, and as we drop the insulated booties, scrap the full-leg tights, pack away the windproof jacket and push the indoor trainer behind the sofa, so too do we greatly anticipate new, calf-highlighting warm-weather kits. Few glories in the cycling world are as gratifying as a tight kit, freshly shaved legs, a clean bike and a new, unstained cap. So, to get everyone in the mood for big-ring grinding, I asked the cyclists on staff to pick the kits they’d love to slide over their svelte frames. Each selection reflects different personalities and rider types, and each kit is primed to hit the pavement, from summer’s egg-yolk sunrises to its orange-sherbet sunsets. —Matthew Ankeny

Café du Cycliste

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Based in Nice, France, Café du Cycliste was born with the premise of looking great at the mid-ride coffee shop and still having the performance chops to ride all day. This summer’s collection is bold — epitomized by the print on the Zahira Fleur jersey. It’s a difficult look to pull off, for sure (a beard and long hair certainly help), but you’ll stand out from the black-clad crowd.

Zahira Fleur Jersey by Café du Cycliste $144
Josephine Bib Shorts by Café du Cycliste $190
Sardine Cycling Cap by Café du Cycliste $31

Rapha

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Rapha. What more must be said? The U.K.-based brand is synonymous with quality, understated, well-thought-out cycling apparel. The brand recently redesigned its Pro Team bib shorts, and they are perhaps the best Rapha has ever made. If you want to learn more about Rapha’s design philosophies, check out our interview with the brand’s creative director, Alex Valdman.

Synthe MIPS by Giro $270
Lopez Sunglasses by SALT Learn More
Pro Team Midweight Jersey by Rapha $185
Pro Team Bib Shorts II by Rapha $295
RCC Socks by Rapha $20
RCC Cap by Rapha $35

Style Rules to Ride By
1. Socks match the kit, match the bike, match the wheels.
2. Bibs always. Shorts never.
3. Keep your junk in your pockets. Nothing looks more disheveled than a tube hanging out the back.
4. Glasses over helmet straps.
5. Six-inch socks, the way the pros do.
6. If you’re wearing arm protection, mind the gap — don’t let the bicep show between jersey sleeve and arm protection.
7. Hats are cool and all, but keep the brim down, unless you’re in Italy.
8. If you’re not a pro, don’t wear a pro team’s jersey.
9. Boldness equates to speed. The faster you go, the more flare you’re granted.

Velocio

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Endorsed by New Englander, maple syrup lover and professional cyclist Ted King, Velocio is very firmly planted in the top three cycling clothing brands in existence. The attention to detail, colors and material choice all make for lust-worthy kits that are instantly recognizable on the road. We’ve included the Signature Bibs here to complete the Signature kit, but the Luxe bibs are perhaps the best we’ve ever tested.

Signature Jersey by Velocio $169
Signature Bib Short by Velocio $229
Signature Sock by Velocio $19
Nightfall Cap by Rothera $30

Podia

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Podia is a relatively unknown brand in the cycling world, but its poppy designs and bright colors make them stand out from the crowd. The Club Colors jersey features body-mapped ventilation panels that give you plenty of breathing room where you need it most. If you get satisfaction when people respond “Who?” after you tell them who makes your kit, then Podia is for you.

Club Colors Light Jersey by Podia ~$124
Club Bib Shorts by Podia ~$186
Rainbow White Socks by Podia ~$16
Chihiro Cap by Rothera $30

Pactimo

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Colorado’s Pactimo is one of our favorite cycling clothing brands. They make ultra-comfy bibs, jerseys that feel like a second skin and some of the best cold-weather cycling apparel out there. The brand’s summer kit is no different. Enough style to keep things interesting, without looking like a bowl of Froot Loops.

Zonyk Aero Pro by Adidas Eyewear Learn More: Here
Summit Aero Trace Jersey by Pactimo $130
Summit Stratos Bib by Pactimo $225
Sleeveless Base Layer by Pactimo $40
Converge Cycling Cap by Pactimo $25
Trace Socks by Pactimo $12
Synthe MIPS by Giro $270
R1B Uomo Shoes by Fizik $400

Café du Cycliste

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In a world of neons, gradients and oversized logos, this kit is a breath of fresh air. Clean lines and sharp details help keep a low profile, while Café du Cycliste’s modern dot pattern adds the perfect amount of swag. The bib and jersey are extremely breathable and quick-wicking, making this setup one to keep in position #1 of your summer-riding rotation. – Andrew Haynes, Art Director

Pin-Dot Print Twill Cycling Cap by Café du Cycliste $30
Fleurette Stretch-Shell Cycling Jersey by Café du Cycliste $140
Blandine Mesh-Panelled Cycling Bib Shorts by Café du Cycliste $220
Merino Cycling Socks by Café du Cycliste $24

The Pedla

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There’s no such things as “too loud” a kit if you have the legs to back it up. Australian brand The Pedla brings some non-camo camouflage to the tarmac to make sure the peloton can see you even long after you’ve left on the break. – Jeremy Berger, Senior Editor

Head Case Cap by The Pedla $45 AUD
Full Gas LunaAIR Jersey by The Pedla $192 AUD
Long Haul G2+ Knicks by The Pedla $284 AUD
Spinners Socks by The Pedla $28 AUD

Rapha

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Rapha is always consistent when it comes to performance and style. Whether it’s a pair of city trousers or deep-winter bibs, you can trust that they will perform and make no sacrifice on style. The lightweight jersey and bibs here will keep you cool and comfortable during a hot summer day while still keeping style a high priority — making you the flyest dude in the weekend-warrior peloton. – Sung Han, Motion Photographer

Lightweight Cap by Rapha $35
Super Lightweight Jersey by Rapha $140
Pro Team Lightweight Bib by Rapha $285
Pro Team Socks – Extra Long by Rapha $30

Castelli

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I’m not a hardcore cyclist. I’m just a guy who, given the time and the motivation, will get out and ride when the weather allows. Simple, comfortable and lightweight gear at the right price is therefore all I look for in my kit, and Castelli provides (though you have to put up with the brand’s fakakta sizing). And while some cycling gear trends towards muted colors, I’m a firm believer that bright red is appropriate if you want to maintain an iota of visibility in NYC traffic. – Andrew Connor, Associate Staff Writer

Free Cycling Cap by Castelli $11
Entrata 2 Jersey FZ by Castelli $60
Mondiale Bib Shorts by Castelli $225
Rossa Corsa 13 Socks by Castelli $13

Ornot

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Riding in Ornot’s cold-weather kit in Vermont this spring, I was impressed by the quality and comfort it provided. I figured their summer-weight kit would have the same chops. The jersey, bib short and cap are each handcrafted in southern California, and the socks are produced in North Carolina. The aesthetics on the Blue Line jersey and Bib Shorts 3.0 are also perfect for standing out from the Rapha-heavy NYC cycling crowd while still being understated and stylish. – AJ Powell, Editorial Apprentice

Cycling Cap by Ornot $25
Blue Line Jersey by Ornot $125
Bib Shorts 3.0 by Ornot $165
Radical Blue 2.0 Socks by Ornot $15

CHPT.///

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Produced by Castelli but designed with huge input from former pro David Millar and Saville Row tailor Timothy Everest, CHPT.///’s kit features tons of little tweaks to the traditional pro cycling kit that were doubtless dreamed up over thousands of hours in the saddle. Overall, the quality is much higher than what you’ll find on similar Castelli gear (and the price reflects it), with just as much attention paid to how it looks as to how it rides. – Henry Phillips, Manager of Photography

1.21 Race Fit Cycling Jersey by CHPT./// $325
1.11 Padded Cycling Bib Shorts by CHPT./// $325
1.51 Colour-Block Performance Cycling Socks by CHPT./// $25

Velocio

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To do the polka-dot dance just right, there needs to be a nod to the white-and-red best climber jersey, while still maintaining an “I don’t actually think I’m Nairo Quintana” demureness. Velocio does it proper. Pair the top with Velocio’s signature bib short — which, with a cross-strap design on the back, ensures the chamois sits just right — and I’m ready to randonneur up and down Alpe d’Huez all day long. – Matthew Ankeny, Senior Editor

Cycling Cap by Velocio $39
Ultralight Jersey by Velocio $140
Signature Bib Short by Velocio $219
Breton Sock by Velocio $20

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