The 21 Best Road Cycling Clothing Brands in 2021
Designing road cycling clothing is an art and a science. You need to produce the most breathable, highest-quality jerseys to perform well in all sorts of riding conditions, all while making it look attractive to the buyer.
Many companies have taken on the challenge of being that standout brand, making for a crowded market filled with countless options. Some of them are sponsors of professional teams and you can see them during the Tour de France.
Because there are so many companies on the market today, we wanted to break down some of our favorite road cycling clothing brands out thereby giving a little history and some product highlights from each one.
Here are 22 of the clothing brands favored by a lot of cyclists.
Castelli
- Founded : 1876
- Origin : Italy
They invented the skinsuit and the sublimated jersey, and they’ve been dressing professional cyclists for well over a century. When it comes to road cycling clothing, there’s no brand more prominent than Castelli.
While the brand is popular worldwide, it’s specially recognized in Europe and Italy, where Castelli dresses the Italian national cycling team.
The company is perhaps best known for its popular Gabba jacket. The jacket, which has been a staple of Castelli’s brand for the past decade, is a must-have piece of apparel for professional road cyclists.
The Free Aero Race Bibs are extremely popular in terms of bibs and now in their fourth iteration. The bibs feature the company’s Progetto X2 Air Seamless seat pad, making those long rides extra comfortable.
Castelli apparel is priced at a premium and tends to run on the smaller side.
Rapha
- Founded : 2004
- Origin : England
You can’t miss a Rapha jersey in a large crowd thanks to its iconic stripe on the right sleeve.
The British company gained a following in 2013 when it sponsored Team Sky, which won several Tour de France titles in subsequent years. The relationship ended at the end of the 2016 season.
In terms of its clothing, Rapha makes high-end cycling gear. Its Classic Winter Gore-Tex Jacket, for instance, retails for $370, while it’s Classic Bib Shorts start at $235.
If you really love the Rapha brand, you can join the Rapha Cycling Club. The club gets you to access to members-only apparel and an opportunity to connect with other cyclists from around the world.
Sportful
- Founded : 1973
- Origin : Italy
Sportful operates under the same parent company as Castelli and carries a similar quality level to that leading brand.
Sportful’s lineup includes some warmer jackets, but the brand is best known for its apparel worn in hot conditions.
A favorite among cyclists is the Bodyfit Pro sleeveless base layer. The company’s Diablo mesh fabric does an incredible job of regulating body temperature, in addition to giving you some UV protection.
Before getting into cycling, Sportful was exclusively a skiwear label. The company continues to sell skiing apparel.
Sportful products run on the more expensive side of the spectrum in terms of price, similar to Castelli apparel.
Assos
- Founded : 1976
- Origin : Switzerland
The 44-year-old Swiss brand Assos was the first to develop, market, and sell Lycra shorts in the mid-1970s, setting the path for the countless moisture-wicking fabrics we see in the cycling world today.
Known for its high-quality products that amateurs and Olympians have worn, Assos continues to innovate. The latest series is all about seamless base layers that use carbon fibers to efficiently draw moisture from your skin and use wool to trap in heat during the winter.
In other words, it can regulate your body temperature any day of the year, making it a must-have base layer.
Alé
- Founded : 2013
- Origin : Italy
Cycling Weekly once described Alé as the biggest cycling clothing company you’ve never heard of.
And there might be some truth to that. The company manufactures more than 75,000 pieces of road cycling clothing each month.
Like many top brands, Alé has made Tour de France yellow jerseys and kits for the Discovery and Motorola teams.
The average consumer cyclist will be happy to know that Alé jerseys, including the warmer ones for cold-weather riding, are much more affordable than some of the premium brands on this list. The company’s Solid Blend Winter Men Long Sleeve Jersey, for example, costs $124.99.
The company is known for its creative designs and colorful jerseys.
dhb
- Founded : 2004
- Origin : United Kingdom
Dhb is a favorite road cycling apparel brand among cyclists for a few reasons. The quality is a hint about good enough, and many of its more popular items cost a fraction of what the leading brands would sell it for.
The Flashlight Waterproof Jacket, for instance, starts around $50.
The company is actually the house brand of Wiggle.com, a popular cycling shop visited by millions of people.
Dhb makes no-frill clothing. It looks nice enough and can perform in challenging situations, like rain or cold weather.
If you’re a cyclist on a budget, it’s definitely worth taking a look at dhb products.
Endura
- Founded : 1993
- Origin : Scotland
As a Scottish brand, Endura knew it needed to produce road cycling apparel for all weather conditions, which makes them an extremely versatile brand.
The brand actually started making technical apparel for mountain bikers and eventually expanded its lineup for road cyclists. It became a race team sponsor in 2010 and, today sponsors a handful of professional teams and individual riders.
The company left the world tour in 2019 after UCI, the governing body of professional cycling, banned the company’s Silicone Surface Technology, calling it “too fast.”
Endura products fall in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to price. The company’s Pro SL lineup is probably the most popular offering due to its comfort, performance, and budget price.
Gore Bike Wear
- Founded : 1996
- Origin : Delaware, United States
As an extension of the Gore Brand, you expect two main things from Gore Bike Wear. One, It’s going to keep you dry. And two, it’s going to make a windy day feel like the lightest breeze.
Gore Bike Wear is another high-end, high-performing brand that has a nice advantage over its competition. It has access to its parent company’s ever-evolving Gore-Tex technology, allowing the brand to plan and release new products with the latest technology quicker than most.
Gore Bike Wear’s most exciting product right now is its lineup of ultra-lightweight jackets that use Gore’s Shakedry Technology. The newest material allows the company to make clothing super lightweight, all while doing an incredible job of blocking wind and beading off any precipitation. The technology isn’t cheap, which is why it’s geared toward more serious cyclists.
Nalini
- Founded : 1970
- Origin : Italy
Nalini is another high-end European cycling brand that’s considered the largest cycling apparel manufacturer in Italy, beating Castelli and other prominent Italian brands.
The company has a rich history of dressing professional riders. Cyclists wearing the Nalini brand have captured 11 Tours de France, in addition to other major world titles.
I like how Nalini breaks down their apparel lineup using color labels like Black Label, Blue Label, and Red Label. The Nalini Black Label Collection is the most expensive and most technical lineup, geared toward the most serious of cyclists. All materials used in Black label clothing are geared toward speed and performance.
The Red Label Collection is more affordable and geared toward amateur and entry-level cyclists.
Santini
- Founded : 1965
- Origin : Italy
The folks at Santini want every piece of cycling apparel you buy from them to feel like a second skin. And the Italian brand has delivered on that goal time and time again with its range of mid-priced products.
In terms of products, Santini bib shorts are about as good as it gets. Several trade publications have called the shorts the most comfortable bib shorts that money can buy. In addition to UV protection and great muscle compression, they are designed for long-distance comfort. You could easily go out for an eight- to 10-hour ride and feel quite comfortable in the saddle.
The core of Santini products is its Legend fabric, which is super durable.
Velocio
- Founded : 2014
- Origin : New Hampshire, United States
As a relatively new cycling apparel brand, Velocio, an American company that manufactures its pieces in Italy, needed to stand out.
So, the company focused on aesthetics and user experience and have come up with products that have really made a splash in the cycling market.
Bibs tend to be slim cut, and the fabrics used in jerseys and bibs feature great muscle compression. In other words, you get the feel of wearing a second skin, but it’s not so tight that you exhale the moment you take off the apparel.
In terms of price, Velocio finds itself on the higher end of the spectrum. Its signature soft-shell jacket will run you $300 but can keep you warm in temperatures that dip below the freezing point.
Soomom
- Founded : 2020
- Origin : Australia
The latest addition to Australia’s cycling scene, Soomom brings top-quality to the mid-market of cycling gear. Founded on Sydney’s Northern Beaches the goal was to create gear so comfortable you’d forget you were wearing it on long rides.
Built for extreme Australian weather with the best Italian fabrics and chamois pads to create a lightweight, breathable and soft range of apparel.
A Classic jersey starts at $120 and comes in stylish hues, but those wanting to stand out will find plenty of unique designs styled in-house.
As they do on the beaches, the team wants to know you’re just as comfortable getting a coffee, or beer, after a long ride. So bring your wallet in one of their many pockets.
Pedla
- Founded : 2014
- Origin : Australia
Pedla is a niche Australian brand that offers cycling gear with a beautiful, modern design, highlighted by its seven-dot logo.
The brand’s most popular jersey is the LunaLUXE. It’s marketed as the go-to jersey for all seasons. The company recommends pairing it with one of its gilets for late fall and early spring rides, which cost more than the jersey or a jacket.
Pedla gets all of its materials from suppliers in Italy and Switzerland, ensuring its products are made with the highest quality fabrics.
And if you’re curious about why these designs look so good, company co-founder Marcin Wojcik is actually an artist who has had work featured in numerous Australian galleries over the years. That artistic flair was brought over to the cycling brand.
MAAP
- Founded : 2014
- Origin : Australia
The year 2014 was a big year for startup cycling brands. Like many others, the Australian company MAAP was launched by a group of cyclists and designers who wanted to create technical apparel that looked very fashionable.
The brand’s design and color choice is like no other brand out there today. You can tell MAAP takes chances and delivers on its goal of making cycling gear that performs well, but that can also make a fashion statement.
The company’s flagship product, the Encore Pro Base Jersey, features extremely soft fabric across the chest and back. In addition to being lightweight, it does a great job at wicking away moisture.
And it looks cool. The company’s logo stretches across the chest in a modern font.
Pedal Mafia
- Founded : 2014
- Origin : Australia
Like many Australian cycling apparel startups, Pedal Mafia brings a bold design to the table that’s targeted at high-end amateur cyclists who want their jerseys and jackets to perform well and to look great.
Pedal Mafia does a lot of things well. The company’s fabrics are very high quality. And their design team knows how to make a cyclist stand out in a crowd in a good way. They produce jerseys with an incredible amount of stretch and comfort. And it’s built for cycling in all sorts of weather.
Unlike other brands, you may want to size down with Pedal Mafia as their gear tends to run on the larger side.
Cafe du Cycliste
- Founded : 2009
- Origin : France
France is a country known for high fashion and apparently great looking cycling apparel also.
Cafe du Cycliste was born on France’s Mediterranean coast to deliver fashionable cycling gear that performs in all sorts of conditions.
The easiest way to evaluate a brand is to look at their jerseys and bibs.
Cafe du Cycliste uses high-end lycra from Miti in Italy in terms of bibs, which creates a tight fit with balanced compression. The front is fairly open, which makes going to the bathroom for males easier.
The Violette Jersey is made of sports wool, which makes it perfect for cooler rides. It does run big, so you may want to size down if you desire a tighter fit.
Pas Normal Studios
- Founded : 2015
- Origin : Copenhagen
Relatively new to the scene, Danish brand Pas Normal Studios is yet another brand to create highly technical apparel that looks absolutely stunning.
While the brand honors cycling traditions, it definitely pushes the envelope when it comes to its choice of colors and designs.
That creativity doesn’t come cheap, either.
The T.K. Long Sleeve Jersey is a bold expression of art that looks like a second skin painting, and it retails for more than $300.
The women’s lineup of jerseys is even more colorful.
So, if you’re into bright fashion, Pas Normal Studios definitely gets the job done on that front and the technical side of things.
Black Sheep Cycling
- Founded : 2014
- Origin : Australia
Flamboyant flamingos. Floral prints. These aren’t typical designs you see on high-performing cycling apparel.
But then again, Black Sheep Cycling isn’t an ordinary brand.
The niche Australian brand that’s part of the 2014 boom of startup companies down under has made a dedication to being different in its designs. Yes, its jerseys, bibs, and jackets fit great, feel comfortable and manage your body moisture, but this brand is all about the looks.
That means super-bright colors and wild designs.
All of Black Sheep Cycling’s apparel is also extremely soft, which is welcomed.
Isadore
- Founded : 2013
- Origin : Slovakia
Founded by two former World Tour riders, Isadore is a Slovakian brand that used Peter and Martin Velits cycling celebrities to design and sell performance clothing that other cyclists craved.
You’ll find that Isadore products use plenty of high-end material, like Merino wool and lightweight lycra. The colors tend to be muted and more refined.
All the standard pieces, from jerseys and bibs to cold-weather gear like jackets, and prices are relatively affordable for cycling gear.
My favorite Isadore piece is the Alternative Essential Jacket, which features a beautiful shimmer and plenty of reflection. The jacket is wind and light rain resistant and extremely breathable. The price isn’t too bad, either.
Le Col
- Founded : 2008
- Origin : United Kingdom
Founded by British cyclist Yanto Barker, Le Col has consistently pushed for apparel that allows all cyclists to perform at a high level.
Barker’s insight into the world of racing is evident across its lineup of kits.]
The Le Col by Wiggins Hors Jersey uses Meryl fabric, which is very soft and luxurious and does a great job with moisture management. The jersey runs small for muscle compression and aerodynamics.
Le Col also recognizes some cyclists enjoy club rides that end at a pub at the end of the day. That’s why they make a more relaxed-fitting jersey that won’t feel too restrictive while enjoying a beer or two.
Every Le Col product is tested to the extreme by professional cyclists inside the company’s lab.
Morvelo
- Founded : 2008
- Origin : United Kingdom
Morvelo is a serious brand for cyclists, but the company prides itself on not being too serious. Instead, the brand is focused on fashionable pieces that perform well to help you ride faster.
The company’s flagship product is its Thermoactive Jersey, which is made using recycled fleece-backed fabric. It offers adequate insulation without the extra bulk. It’s also great for wicking away moisture and antibacterial properties.
Because Morvelo is focused on the everyday cyclist, as opposed to the more serious rider, their prices are competitive, with short-sleeve options priced under $100.
Morvelo products tend to be a bit more slim fit, so if you’re larger than the average person, consider sizing up.
Attaquer
- Founded : 2013
- Origin : Australia
You have the love the meaning behind Australian cycling apparel maker Attaquer. It’s French for to attack,” which seems pretty appropriate for cyclists about to hit a major hill.
Attaquer focuses on simple colors and high-quality materials and technologies.
The company’s Race ULTRA+ Aero Jersey uses the Italian-made Kinetech Drag Zero 3D to assist with aerodynamics and reduce drag. The trick with the jersey was to put the textured surface in the areas of highest resistance, like the arms and shoulders.
Attaquer products tend to be quite breathable and comfortable, but they are on the higher end of the price spectrum. Bibs start around $220, while jerseys begin around $150.
