Nalini, an Italian brand that is the official manufacturer of team clothing for Astana, Caisse d’Epargne, Cofidis, Euskatel, FDJ, HTC-Columbia, Liquigas, Rabobank and Sky (branded adidas) this year, has introduced their new summer 2010 PRO clothing line with items designed around that race experience.
The collection features items with their Protego Active treatment, a special fabric with nanotech that infuses vitamins into the material during the wash cycle, then releases them into your skin during the ride. They also have items made from their eco-friendly Re-Pet fabric, made from recycled PET plastic bottles converted to polyester-like yarn.
The 2010 line includes numerous bibs, shorts, jerseys, vests and light jackets, plus a host of accessories like gloves, socks, arm and leg warmers etc.
The Protego Active Olivo jersey, above, uses the vitamin infusion technology, which Nalini says offers improved performance and reduces hydration requirements. It’s an ‘extremely’ tight fitting, water resistant jersey with mesh insert on the lower rear sides. It has a full-length zip, silicon gripper at bottom and a cellphone and rear zip pocket. MSRP is $195.
Check out the rest with pricing and specs after the break…
The Vite bibshorts also incorporate the Protego Active vitamin treatment. To ‘recharge’ the vitamins in the fabric, you simply put a packet of their vitamin mix into the wash with the garment. (Check this post for more tech/graphics on the vitamin infusion stuff)
The Vites are very tight fitting, water resistant and use a mesh back panel to keep your back cool. They have white silver leg grippers, contrasting three-needle stitching (which they claim improves strength as well as aesthetics) and an anti-abrasive synthetic chamois material on the pad. MSRP is $165.
The Pesco jersey (above and immediately below) is made from Nalini’s Re-Pet recycling fabric, giving it the same performance properties as polyester, a staple of cycling garments.
The Pesco has mesh inserts for cooling, a 1/2 zip and silicon gripper on the bottom. It comes in six color combos (shown) and retails for $99.
The Ciliegio bib shorts are also part of the Re-Pet recycling line. The entire bib upper is a lightweight mesh, and it has silicon leg grippers. I’m testing a pair of these now and after a few rides in the heat, both on trails and pavement, I can say they’re pretty comfortable. In addition to the colors shown, there’s a yellow/black combo, too. It’s available with either a gel pad or a coolmax/microfiber pad with antibacterial treatment (which is what I’m testing). MSRP is $99.
In addition to the Re-Pet and Protego Active lines, Nalini has a very broad offering of bib and regular bike shorts and jerseys. The items here are the ones imported to the U.S. by Albabici, who sent us this info. Above is the Geranio bib shorts, and directly below is the Fringuello.
The Tucano bib short (above) is one of Nalini’s upper end products. Featuring a mesh upper and contrasting stitching, the real tricks on this item are the ColdBlack sunblock treatment, which provides a UPF30 protection and supposedly keeps the fabric cool to the touch, and the UCN Ultra Comfort Nalini pad, their top-end chamois. MSRP is $149.
At the very top end of Nalini’s bib short offerings is the Cedro. It’s part of their Pro Uni Select group, where each piece has its own serial number, and gets contrasting four-needle (not three…four!) stitching and the choice of the UNC chamios or STP gel pad, which has a Coolmax cover with anti-shock gel inserts. The anatomic cut is made from microfibers for a soft feel. MSRP is $160.
Two cycling shorts are available through Albabici, the Babaco and Rovo (pictured above). Both have the same basic features as the bib shorts, including silicon leg grippers and a variety of pads.
In addition to the Pesco and Olivo jersey’s shown already, Nalini is offering the Guava from it’s Pro Uni Select line. It features a tight, aero fit, water repellent fabric, a breathable mesh insert and three back pockets plus a cellphone pocket. MSRP is $180. Albabici will also carry the Arancio, Betulla, Carrubo and Ribes mens jerseys, which basically offer some variation on the styling and features of the jerseys shown here.
For cooler days and nights, the Kaki Ultra-Light Jacket is another Pro Uni Select item. It’s made of Mantovent stretchable, wind-resistant fabric with a mesh insert on the back. White only, MSRP is $295.
For slightly less cool days and nights, the Puma is a lightweight, packable vest. It has an anti-droplet water repellent treatment, wind-blocking front and snug fit. The back has a mesh insert and reflective tape for visibility. MSRP is $125.
Worth checking out if you live in cooler climes is their Mango jacket, which we covered at Interbike. It’s part of their four-season collection and has removable sleeves that you can rip off mid-ride without having to stop, so it can function well throughout the year and on days when you’ll be covering a wide range of altitudes or you’re not quite sure what Mother Nature has up her sleeve.
Lastly, the Valdez is a Polar Heart Rate compatible base layer undershirt that has a built-in Polar HRM strap on the rear. Having seen this, I’m totally going to try wearing my strap on the rear so it’ll stop sliding down so much. The Valdez is sleeveless with seamless construction for a tight, comfortable fit. MSRP is $85.
Want some? Check out Albabici.
