Cafe du Cycliste (CDC) has teamed up with Icelandic apparel company 66°North to create a capsule collection for winter and foul weather cycling. The four-piece capsule delivers the technical features riders have come to expect from winter active wear specialists 66°North with the style and premium quality Cafe du Cycliste is known for. The two brands share a dedication to technical excellence and their brands’ identities are tied to their respective homes.
In a chance meeting between the two companies in Iceland, evaluating the problems of biking through a North Sea winter sparked a partnership that led to four unique designs. 66’s know-how in weathering the cold has combined with CDC’s expertise in cycling kit to create four products to equip riders for some of the worst weather a cyclist can face.
The collection, which features men’s and women’s pieces includes:
Skyli (MSRP $415USD)
The Skyli is a pullover anorak made from Gore-Tex Infinium, loaded with features specifically for cycling. A lightweight, windproof, water-resistant shell designed for packability and resilience, ideal for bikepackers and people who don’t check the forecast. The pullover design features good sized zips on the sides of the body to make donning and doffing easy, as well as ventilation when the conditions afford the opportunity to shed some heat. A stowable hood folds into the collar when not needed, and when deployed can fit over a cycling helmet comfortably. Available in sizes XS-XL.
Seigla (MSRP $350USD)
Seigla is a breathable insulated zip-up for cold-weather activity. Made to wear under a shell or on its own, it’s designed to be stylish, flexible, and safely visible. A piece that is uniquely suited for cycling, the Seigla features details that make it an excellent candidate for any aerobic activity in cold weather.
The back and underside of the arms (the areas not exposed to wind) utilize a super breathable technical fabric that takes advantage of the large surface area to provide excellent breathability without exposing the wearer to warmth robbing drafts. The frontal areas exposed to the wind are made of a sandwich of 3 layers: a mesh fabric against the body optimized for breathability, an insulation layer in the middle provides heat retention and insulation – the synthetic high loft down-alternative is made with 50% recycled fibers from PET bottles.
The outer layer is a lightweight fabric which was selected for its air permeability level (around 40 CFM) which according to CDC and 66°North is the right balance – enough to break the cold wind while riding but still allow enough permeability to be breathable during intense aerobic effort.
The Seigla also incorporates some reflective panels on the back tail of the garment and sleeve cuffs for low light visibility built right in, and features lots of storage in the traditional jersey pocket configuration – with a twist to allow for some bulkier items. Available in sizes S-2XL.
Landmannalaugar (MSRP $300USD)
A body-hugging insulator made of recycled fleece, the Landmannalaugar balances warmth with range of movement and breathability. Featuring a pattern inspired by its namesake, a treasured Icelandic nature reserve. Available in sizes S-2XL in men’s sizing, and also women’s S-XL.
Landmannalaugar bum bag (MSRP $60USD)
Lastly, there’s a small pack made from the same recycled fleece as the Landmannalaugar jacket. Adjustable to wear across the body, at the waist, or over the shoulder and featuring zipped pockets for organization. CDC claims it’s suited as much for a ride as for a festival.
Both pieces that use the signature black and white patterned fleece use a material from an Italian textile specialist utilizing NewLife™ polyester yarns. The fleece is made of 97% recycled polyester derived from recycled plastic bottles and 3% elastane.
CDC and 66°North note that the collection was designed with a trim fit optimized for wearing while cycling, so they recommend sizing up if you’re planning to wear the garments casually.
To learn more about the limited edition collection, head over to Cafe du Cycliste.
