When you stay in additional northern climes, you’re not snowed in, and also you’re an HTFU-rider keen to courageous the chilly and parts, good winter equipment is totally important. If it’s trendy (I do know style is within the eye of the beholder) too, that’s a bonus. PEZ bought some prime shelf winter equipment from RUBBER N’ ROAD that IMHO is each useful and trendy.
RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment comes slickly packaged
The title RUBBER N’ ROAD evokes two completely different ideas for me:
- RUBBER – The phrase acceptable to each biking and motorcycling: Maintain the rubber facet down
- ROAD – Nicely, the open highway that all of us like to journey
I’m guessing RUBBER N’ ROAD is a model most PEZ readers haven’t heard of. It’s a boutique luxurious efficiency model based mostly out of The Large Apple aka New York Metropolis. Their retail retailer is situated in Midtown Manhattan (however they’re additionally worldwide with international retail companions in Dubai (UAE), Osaka (Japan), Quebec Metropolis (Canada), and Seoul (Korea). On the second ground above the shop is their design studio and atelier the place they design, develop, prototype, and produce idea items for his or her product testing staff. Inspiration for his or her equipment is drawn from literature, movie, images, style, and philosophy and expresses their relationship with New York Metropolis’s style, artwork, and avenue tradition. Numerous their equipment is manufactured inside a two mile radius of their retailer in NYC’s Garment District (additionally known as the Style District).
Insurgent Hybrid Jacket – $320
In response to RUBBER N’ ROAD:
- The Insurgent Hybrid Jacket blurs the traces between jersey and jacket for cold-weather using. Fusing a mix of efficiency materials in progressive weights to advertise adaptive thermoregulation. The piece offers wind, water, chill safety, and breathability the place you want it most.
- Densely woven waterproof and windproof material on the entrance and outer arm areas, mixed with a extra open construction and moisture-wicking fleece material on the again, protects in opposition to the chilly whereas stopping overheating and build-up of extra moisture.
- Appropriate for temperatures between 32ºF – 50ºF (0ºC – 10ºC), the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket provides a flexible choice based mostly in your chosen base layer.
- Designed in NYC and made in Italy.
Chuck Peña PEZ sez: For winter using, I’m an enormous fan of what I name “jersey jackets.” Basically a jacket (so “beefier” than a jersey however not so cumbersome) that gives sufficient thermal insulation and wind resistance such that it may be worn by itself as a jersey with an acceptable baselayer beneath — fewer layers and fewer bulk to keep away from the Michelin Man look. That’s precisely what the RUBBER N’ ROAD Insurgent Hybrid Jacket is.
If there’s something that makes the jacket a jersey, it’s the three rear pockets plus the safe zipper pocket
Building-wise, the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket is principally a entrance panel that has two halves joined collectively by the full-length zipper, a again panel (with three rear pockets and safe zipper pocket), and raglan sleeves which might be two-piece building. The sleeve ends are a double-cuffed stretch materials. A excessive collar. And the hem is a semi-wide stretch silicone gripper.
Full-zip with a full-length wind flap behind the (gold normal) YKK zipper
NOTE: We in all probability don’t consider sleeves a lot in terms of equipment. I imply … sleeves are sleeves, proper? However raglan type sleeves are significantly well-suited for biking. Raglan sleeves match the pure contours of your shoulders higher. This prevents bunching up or chafing and leads to a extra snug match. Additionally they permit for elevated vary of movement, making it simpler to maneuver your arms and shoulders with out feeling restricted.
Excessive collar with a zipper storage to stop the zipper from flipping up (and one other zipper storage on the backside)
The Insurgent Hybrid Jacket makes use of two completely different supplies. The entrance panel and the highest of the sleeves are a waterproof/windproof materials. The within has a brushed really feel that’s gentle and clean. The again panel and the beneath a part of the sleeves are a moisture wicking material. And the within feels even softer and smoother — very flannel-like.
Designed in 🇺🇸 however made in 🇮🇹
RUBBER N’ ROAD doesn’t spec weight, however I’m positive there are those that will wish to know
Max at RUBBER N’ ROAD instructed measurement XS for me. On me (5’8″, 130 kilos, skinny ectomorph), it’s very a lot a second pores and skin race match (my spouse nonetheless can’t imagine I can squeeze into an XS). But as tight as it’s on me, it doesn’t really feel restrictive. Nevertheless, in case you’re not shopping for from the RUBBER N’ ROAD retailer in NYC (or one among their different shops) the place you possibly can strive before you purchase, I’d strongly recommend discussing with them about sizing.
Type becoming might be an understatement
No mistaking that it is a winter jacket/jersey with the excessive collar
I really like the chrome emblem on the jacket … undoubtedly bling
Winter Thermal Base Layer – $160
In response to RUBBER N’ ROAD:
- The Winter Thermal Base Layer employs a US-milled recycled material to offer gentle insulation and distinctive moisture wicking properties within the type of a chilly climate base layer. When worn in opposition to the pores and skin, this superior thermal waffle-knit material pulls moisture from the pores and skin whereas trapping warmth to control physique temperature.
- Designed and made in NYC.
Chuck Peña PEZ sez: Like all winter base layers, the RUBBER N’ ROAD Winter Thermal Base Layer is basically a long-sleeve jersey that’s thermal insulating. Just like the Insurgent Hybid Jacket, the sleeves are raglan for higher match and luxury. #marginalgains What’s completely different from most different winter base layers is the fabric. On the skin the feel is clean. However on the within it’s what I’d name “waffle-like.” The texture of it in opposition to my naked pores and skin is paying homage to old-fashioned thermal underwear. All of the seams are flat stitched.
If weight issues
RUBBER N’ ROAD didn’t have XS in inventory so I ended up getting measurement S within the Winter Thermal Base Layer. Not a second pores and skin, however measurement S match me simply high quality. Which is to say comfortably cosy.
Type becoming … sure. Uber race second pores and skin … not fairly.
PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights – $390
In response to RUBBER N’ ROAD:
- Designed for all-day adventures in gentle to chilly temperatures whenever you require superior local weather safety, space for storing, consolation and sturdiness, to get probably the most out of your journey.
- Lengthy lasting consolation and sturdiness using the most recent technical achievements in design, material composition and manufacturing capabilities. A complicated thermal microclimate is constructed utilizing 5 unique woven and knit materials. Most consolation is achieved via patented ultra-sonic stitching know-how for final ergonomic shaping of the chamois, engineered utilizing Hybrid Cells inserts with 4 densities.
- Excessive-stretch woven Dyneema® yarn offers excessive safety from saddle abrasion and potential pilling, a typical concern with brushed fleece materials in winter, when static electrical energy can create undesirable clings. Patented silicone-free gripping material and our proprietary cuff shaping guarantee stability and decreased quantity across the ankle cuff.
- Designed and made in NYC.
Chuck Peña PEZ sez: If I counted accurately, the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights have at least 13 stretch panels (plus the ankle gripper sections, the bib strap again part, and the bib straps). Clearly, RUBBER N’ ROAD is from the varsity of “extra is best.” The concept behind having so many panels is that the bib tights will conform/map to your physique higher. And for bib tights, higher articulation on the knee for the pedal stroke. In fact, extra panels means extra seams. In all however a couple of, RUBBER N’ ROAD makes use of flat stitching (serge stitching within the others) to minimizing rubbing/chafing. And all of the panels (which use completely different stretch supplies) have a brushed lining for heat and luxury. Form of like flannel pajamas. So snug in opposition to my naked pores and skin.
The bib a part of the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights is a tried-and-true Y-back the place the again panel is a ribbed/mesh vented materials for wicking and the broad bib straps are lay flat, uncooked lower.
For the burden weenies
One factor that’s completely different concerning the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights is that they’ve pockets.
Two facet pockets like these discovered on cargo bib shorts which might be the fad with gravel riders
Two pockets within the again are clearly meant for stuff you don’t want easy accessibility to
A few different issues which might be completely different concerning the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights:
The ankle gripper part grips extra than simply across the ankle; it goes up alongside the fibula (NOTE: It’s not a silcone gripper)
The surface of the chamois part is Dyneema for abrasion resistance within the saddle
Talking of the chamois aka pad, RUBBER N’ ROAD makes use of a chamois made for them by Elastic Interface — a model with a confirmed observe report. An excellent variety of my bib shorts (and bib tights) have Elastic Interface pads and all of them are nothing lower than snug for lengthy hours within the saddle.
In any pair of bib shorts or bib tights, the chamois/pad is the cash
As with the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket, Max at RUBBER N’ ROAD advisable measurement XS for me for the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights. It undoubtedly takes some tugging and pulling to squeeze into them, however they match me (once more, my spouse can’t imagine I can put on XS). Just like the jacket … second pores and skin tight. But snug … for me (race match is my most popular match — I actually just like the agency compression). However the match wasn’t boa constrictor tight and didn’t limit my freedom of motion. That mentioned, take note of RUBBER N’ ROAD’s sizing and, if wanted, give them a name to speak about sizing. If something, you’re in all probability extra more likely to want/wish to measurement up quite than down.
Spray-on bib tights
One of many causes I favor race match is as a result of with the firmness of the compression and the bib straps being “tight” (however not so tight as to be binding/digging in on my shoulders) the chamois is held firmly in place (to stop friction, which is the primary explanation for any discomfort down beneath quite than lack of padding).
Extensive bib straps that sit comfortably on my shoulders (NOTE the 2 again pockets simply above the waist)
The facet cargo pockets are large enough for many bigger measurement good telephones (my daughter’s previous iPhone 6S Plus for reference)
Elegant equipment
I mentioned originally that IMHO the RUBBER N’ ROAD winter equipment is each useful and trendy.
Right here’s the useful half:
To this point this winter, I’ve managed a number of shorter (20-something miles) rides within the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment (each within the Lowcountry once I was down there for Christmas and up in Babylon on the Potomac afterwards) with temps all the way down to the low 40s (F). So far as chilly climate equipment goes, the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment is the actual deal. As somebody of tropical (Filipino) ethnic heritage, I are inclined to get chilly simply. I gained’t say the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment stored me heat (within the sense of heated), nevertheless it stored me heat sufficient (as in retaining me from getting too chilly) — with simply the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket, Winter Thermal Base Layer beneath (no jersey), and PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights. That undoubtedly speaks to their tech.
Not that I do a complete lot of outside winter using nowadays (one of many perks of being a senior citizen is that you just get to be a wimp), however I’ll be reaching for the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment on these days once I’m courageous sufficient to enterprise out into the chilly (40F is about my restrict and the solar must be out with little or no wind). And who is aware of? With the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment I’d even be keen to embrace the coolness.
And right here’s the trendy half:
I really like the white Insurgent Hybrid Jacket paired with the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights. It’s an aesthetic, traditional look. With simply that bit of glitz with the chrome logos on the back and front of the jacket. Flash with out being too flashy.
Furthermore, the second pores and skin race match is the equal of a match to perfection tailor-made go well with.
Chrome bling
For me, the look evokes James Bond carrying a white dinner jacket (Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Diamonds are Eternally; Roger Moore in The Man With the Golden Gun, Octopussy, and A View to a Kill; and Daniel Craig in Spectre). So not simply elegant and traditional … cool, if not the epitome of cool.
If James Bond rode a motorbike, that is the type of equipment he would put on
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