While Dainese has new gravity-specific clothing coming too, we checked out the versatile new AWA line at Crankworx. The acronym stands for All-Weather Activity, and the pieces are designed to work as a system to keep you comfortable in all conditions. The AWA line includes shorts, jerseys, an insulated jacket, an ultra-thin wind shell, and a 3L rain jacket.
Dainese’s AWA jersey line includes four different models ranging from technical Tees to long-sleeve jerseys with rear pockets. The long-sleeved jersey pictured above is knitted with a combination of a hydrophilic inner surface and hydrophobic outer yarns, so sweat gets wicked away from your skin and the jersey dries up quickly. The insulated Hybrid Jacket uses two types of Polartec insulation to vent heat from the back and shoulders, while keeping your stomach and sides warm.
The Hybrid jacket and AWA Wind jacket are both packable, and as shown above the wind shell folds into a tiny bundle that weighs just 70g. All AWA clothing comes in XS-XXL sizes, check out Dainese’s website for color options and prices.
For 2018 the general trend for Dainese’s protective gear is going ‘Lite’ with soft, flexible protective pads instead of hard shells. The Trail Skins 2 Knee and Elbow Lites were designed with entry-level riders in mind (or the E-Bike crowd who can access advanced level terrain with beginner level fitness and skills). The Lite pads feature a simple open back design with wide, silicone-printed elastic bands which are intended to go under or over top of pants/shirts.
The Knee/elbow joints are protected by Dainese’s flexible Pro Armor shell, which provides more protection in key impact zones and more flex in less crucial areas. The Trail Skins 2 Lite Knees retail for $69.99 USD and the Elbows will cost $64.99. Sizes S-XL will be available.
The Rhyolite 2 Safety Jacket Lite provides full protection for your chest, shoulders, elbows and spine. The body is made from breathable, run-resistant Jersey Hole mesh, with Pro-Armor elbow and shoulder pads, Crash Absorb chest and rib padding, plus Dainese’s Flexagon Lite back protector. The Flexagon design features unique hexagonal cutouts to allow the spinal and chest pads to move with your body. The jacket’s sleeves can also be zipped off so you can wear it as a vest. The jacket sells for $214.99 in sizes XS-XXL.
Dainese named their kid’s protective gear Scarabeo, which is Italian for beetle. Why? Because as a beetle grows larger, its exoskeleton expands… and so does Dainese’s youth protection. Both the Scarabeo jacket and shorts feature Ribbo cutaway straps, which allow them to incrementally expand by two sizes. This clever innovation means most kids won’t outgrow their gear in one season.
The Safety Jacket uses the same mesh body material, Crash Absorb chest pads and Flexagon back protector as the adult Rhyolite jacket, but the shoulder and elbow pads are a more solid design versus the Pro Armor style. The Scarabeo Safety Jacket comes in JS/JM/JL sizes, which should fit riders aged 6-12. It will retail for $159.99.
The Scarabeo shorts include Pro-Shape hip padding, and come in the same sizes as the jacket. They sell for $74.99. The Scarabeo knee and elbow pads both use a slip-on design with a silicone printed elastic band to snug them up. The knees and elbows cost $54.99 and come in JS/JL sizes. All Scarabeo gear comes in red/black only.
All of next year’s products will be available late winter/spring 2018. Dainese still has limited distribution in the USA so online ordering is the best option for American customers.