Best known for their quality shoe lines, Northwave has in recent years expanded more and more into high performance cycling clothing as well. Almost seeming like a click bait name the updated Extreme Graphic (yet thankfully not extremely graphic) line presents their top-end clothing, designed to appeal to both road and dirt crowds. Building on over two decades of producing Italian designs, Northwave’s new kit includes a healthy dose of fluorescent yellows, greens, and orange and reflective details, but also some more conventional colors in shorts and jerseys that manage to be striking and branded, while somehow remaining relatively subdued.
Join us after the break for some more color samples, a bit of fabric tech, pricing, and availability….
Besides fluorescents, there are some reds, whites, and blues in the Extreme Graphic kits, plus the odd Italian tricolore. As a part of their Pro line, each piece is built from Northwave’s best performing fabrics. The 80€ short sleeve jersey uses a stretchy open mesh Airskin fabric throughout, with raw cut arms, heat welded grippers, and a zippered 4th rear pocket.
The 90€ bibs use an Atlanta Plus lycra with some compression to give comfortable support and an aero fit. Their high density Comfort Plus seamless chamois varies from 4-13mm in thickness and is perforated throughout for enhanced breathability. Leg openings are finished with a 4.5cm MicroSkin microfiber elastic cuff that holds the shorts in place without rubber grippers.
The 24cm/9.5″ socks are made of Coolmax and include reinforced toes and heels, plus varied stretch/support through the instep and ankle for a close fit and durability, and retail for just 12€. The lightly padded 25€ gloves offer a close, aero fit with raw cut seamless edges. In between the fingers the gloves are mesh for excellent ventilation and include unique pull tabs to help take them off.
Availability for the entire spring/summer 2015 line should be by the middle of March. The entire line seems relatively affordable based on the way the tech is described, and we’ve had reasonably good experience on some of their mid range clothing in the past. Northwave has promised us an updated 2015 kit for an extended test so we look forward to testing its real world performance, comfort, and durability; keep an eye out later in the spring.
