Donkey Label’s new Staple Bibshort has been a long, long time in the making. Founder Paul Krumrich has been telling us about it for what seems like more than a year. And he’s very excited about it.
It blends Italian fabrics with a premium Citech chamois and their characteristic fine detail work, then it’s put together in Minneapolis, MN. Subtle color details will match up with most of their jerseys. Wide mesh shoulder straps should keep them comfortable, meeting in a wide back panel and high waisted rear section.
If you like a little video to go with your pre-order renderings, we’ve got that, plus their Spring 2014 limited edition artist series jerseys and fresh threads from Chrome, Bluff Works and one of the best reissues from Defeet ever, below…
The new jerseys are part of their new Limited Release Artist Series. The designs, Mountains (left) and Miami (right), are from Gritchelle in San Francisco. They use the same basic construction and fantastic attention to detail as DL’s original Donkey Jersey…which is to say it looks great. I’m long overdue on a review of that one, but suffice to say it not only feels and works great, but I complements on it every time it’s worn.
These will retail for $165, and the bibs are marked $225, but use “preorder” code during checkout and get special pricing. Shipping after April 1 (jerseys) and May 1 (bibs). More at DonkeyLabel.com.
CHROME
Chrome has two new cycling pants/shorts on tap, one offered as both. The Folsom comes as either pants or shorts and is made with 4-way stretch Everest material. All feature seamless, gussetted crotch panels with an extra layer of fabric, plus bound interior seams for overall comfort. The back has a reinforced u-lock holster, and double tacked belt loops all around. A reflective rear tag rounds them out.
All are water and stain resistant.
The Folsom shorts show the interior detail also available in the pants. Pants are $160, shorts are $120. Available now.
The Union shorts are more similar to Chrome’s fantastic original knickers, just shorter. They’re a bit looser, longer cut than the Folsom and are made from 2-way stretch Schoeller fabric. They lose the u-lock strap and additional interior fabric over the crotch, but run the gusset the full length of the leg for good mobility. They use red mesh pockets, just like the originals. These are $100. ChromeIndustries.com
BLUFF WORKS
Stefan Loble launched Bluff Works last year via Kickstarter and has just introduced an updated design for his bike friendly work pants.
“I created Bluffs to go from the bike to the boardroom and still look great. They are made from a technical fabric to be wrinkle-free like travel pants, yet look great for the office. They stand up to being rolled, folded, stuffed in a bag and worn time and time again without ironing or washing in between.”
He says they’re also very tough, with customers saying they hold up to the occasional tumble without tearing or scuffing. The new design has slash front pockets with multiple zip pockets to place things in more saddle friendly positions. We especially like the higher placement of the rear cell phone pocket so it’s not getting smashed when seated.
The material is an imported technical, quick dry polyester with nylon pocket lining, designed and made in NYC.
They retail for a very reasonable $88.00 and you can mix and match waist size (28″ to 42″, mostly in single inch increments) and length (even increments from 28″ to 36″, plus an unfinished 40″ for tailoring). Four colors available – tan, khaki, gray and dark gray. Check ’em out at BluffWorks.com.
DEFEET
Remember these? Defeet’s Survival of the Fittest style socks were around many moons ago, and now they’re back for a limited run. These Aireator Hightop socks are made of stretch Nylon, COOLMAX EcoMade and Lycra and retail for $10.99 per pair. Get ’em while you can at Defeet.com.
