Following the launch of the S-Phyre line of premium footwear, yesterday at the Tour Down Under Shimano announced that the line would be expanding to clothing. Following the same concept of using the best materials and construction to create clothing with “numerically proven results,” the S-Phyre clothing lineup will initially include a skinsuit, jersey and bib short combo, gloves, and socks. Looking for performance gains wherever possible, the skinsuit, bib short, and jersey are the only Shimano clothing pieces made in Japan and draw on their knowledge gained from Bikefitting.com to create anatomically designed clothing that both cheats the wind and remains comfortable while on the bike…
Starting off with the skin suit, Shimano claims their design results in fewer seams, better aerodynamics, and a second skin fit with a variable density weaving structure. Both the Skinsuit and the new bib shorts utilize a new chamois design that incorporates a split wing in the rear to help the chamois move with with you while pedaling. It’s also heavily ventilated and uses “targeted support” for key areas of the saddle interface. Promising a 93 second savings on a 40km time trial compared to a traditional jersey and short, the skinsuit is only available in black and will go for $349.99 in S-XL.
The bib shorts also include some highly technical details with a 100 percent engineered knit construction and an S-Phyre graphic knit into the thigh. The leg grippers are woven for a compressive, comfortable fit, and the inside of the thigh features a higher thread count for improved durability where it may rub the saddle. Bib shorts will run $219.99 in black and S-XL sizes.
In addition to being available to consumers, the LottoNL-Jumbo team will be racing in custom S-Phyre clothing, shown here with the S-Phyre short sleeve jersey.
Built with a 3D construction to make the jersey fit better around the shoulders with fewer wrinkles, it also uses a full length zipper, anatomically placed pockets, and are available in black or yellow for $199.99, also in S-XL.
Details of the graphic treatments which are minimal.
To give your hands the same advantage, the S-Phyre gloves use an aerodynamic pull on fit with knit construction and a 3D breathable mesh knit on the back of the hand. The palm uses a perforated Clarino for a thin connection between you and the bar. Selling for $59.99, gloves are available in S-XXL.
Finally, you can’t have a high end clothing and shoe line up without a sock to integrate the two, so of course there is an S-Phyre version. Claimed to include cushioning, better ventilation, slip resistance on the sole, and efficient pedaling specifically tailored to the S-Phyre RC9 and XC9, the socks are sold in black or white for $21.99 in S-XL.
Look for all the S-Phyre clothing to hit retailers in February.
Photos from the launch by Gravel Cyclist. Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.
