The Best Cycling Apparel Manufacturers

Looking for the best cycling apparel manufacturers out there? You've come to the right place. Cycling is no different from any other sport. If you want to perform your best, you have to wear the proper clothes. Sure, you can get by riding for a while in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, but if biking is not just a more than a mode of transportation or a relaxing afternoon in the park for you, if cycling is your lifestyle, you’ll want to be wearing the best cycling apparel available.

Castelli

Castelli has been outfitting athletes for more than 133 years. That’s more than 20 years before the first cycling clothing was ever even created. Castelli boasts the first pair of Lycra racing shorts, among a series of other important cycling apparel inventions. Today, they’re one of the leading designers of cycling apparel, and their gear is sold all over the world. If you’re looking for a lightweight, windproof jacket or high-performance apparel for wet or cold rides, Castelli is the first place to look. Bicycling Magazine has awarded Castelli’s Bibs a number of Gear of the Day awards, including one for the comfort and style of Castelli’s Endurance Bib, which is available for $170.

Pearl Izumi

Another top-notch cycling apparel provider is Pearl Izumi. This company has been around since 1970, providing gear constructed from highly engineered fabrics and materials. They have four main high-performance fabrics. Transfer, their moisture-wicking and quick dispersing material, keeps cyclists dry for hours. Thermal is the material that holds heat close to the body while releasing moisture into the air. Barrier has a protective surface that blocks wind and rain while still allowing athletes’ skin to breathe. The last one is Soft Shell, which combines the other technologies for a soft, stretchable and still waterproof material.

Endura

Then there’s Endura, whose products are well-known in the cycling community for their durability. Endura is based in the Scottish Highlands where, their website proclaims, they test all their gear. Bicycling Magazine lauds the Endura Singletrack Shorts, which defend cyclists against spills, slides, wind and rain while still keeping the rider as comfortable as can be. The Singletrack Shorts have side vents for airflow and stay tight after many uses. These shorts are available for $80, which is a steal for shorts as tough as these.

Nalini

Nalini’s first claim to fame was the innovation of the Nalini Pad, a chamois adjustment that made racing shorts more comfortable and fit much better. Nalini was founded in 1970, and now produces apparel for both professionals and amateurs. The range of product choices are wide and well-respected, and include the Colombo Glove, which was reviewed in Bicycling Magazine. Not only does the glove grip handlebars with the best of them, it also wicks moisture up off the tops of the hands and includes quick release snaps which allow you to pull off your sweaty gloves quickly when you arrive.

If you’re going to be spending hours on the trail, you want to be sure you’re wearing the very best. Wearing the best gear will leave you both comfortable and satisfied after a long ride. These are just a few of the many amazing cycling manufacturers out there.