If you are heading out in the evening, pull on this vest, press the button and you will instantly improve your visibility. The Vizirider LED vest features bright LED lights on the front and on the back. I have often worried that the single red light on the rear of my bike is not enough to make me visible to drivers. With this vest that worry disappears as you get an additional 6 red lights on the upper part of your body. Night safetyIt's the law to use bike lights if you cycle on roads in the dark. However, the minimum requirement for a red rear light and white front light can sometimes feel inadequate on some of our roads. Cycling at night is a whole different ball game to cycling in the day and it does need a certain level of confidence to get over the fear that you are going to be hit by a vehicle because the driver does not see you. Some people will simply not venture out in the evening for that reason. The solution is to remove that fear completely by having proper segregated cycling infrastructure. However, that feels like a long way off for many parts of our country, so any product that helps to reduce that fear of night cycling is to be commended. This vest vastly increases your visibility from what you could ever get from a set of bike lights. It covers your whole upper body with lights. It has 6 white lights on the front and 6 red lights on the rear. I've seen other people try to cover this part of their body by attaching a second light to a backpack or helmet, but this vest does a much better job. Simple set upThere's a small power bank that you charge with a USB cable. It's got a red light to indicate that it is charging and this will turn green when it is fully charged. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge it. You then connect the power bank to the vest. There's a neat inside pocket with a connector that you attach the power bank to. There's a velcro flap so that you can close the pocket and keep the power bank secure and protected from rain. That's all there is to the set up.
On the outside of the jacket there is a power symbol. On the other side of this symbol is the pocket that has the power bank. The power bank has a button on it and this needs to be be aligned to the power symbol so that you can push it on the outside of the jacket.  The power symbol on the outside of the Vizirider vest. Push this to activate the lights There are three settings for the lights. Press the button once for a solid light, twice for a fast flash and three times for a slow flash. Using the flashing modes will make the battery last longer. You'll get about 20 hours from the fast flash and 10 hours for the solid lights. Using the vest The vest is super easy to use. Pull it on and press the button. That's what makes this such a great product. There's no faff with setting it up. Extra bike lights and lights that you have to attach to your backpack or helmet require set up time. It can make leaving the house more time consuming than it needs to be. The lights on this vest are excellent quality and the level of visibility that they provide is superb. I felt a lot more confident wearing this vest than I did when I just relied on my single red rear light.  The rear of the Vizirider vest, showing the 6 red LED lights Weather performanceThe vest is water resistant, wind resistant and breathable. The lights are waterproof. I used it in rain and it performed well. Vizirider also offer jackets with LED lights. That's a good option if you don't already have a cycling jacket or want something a bit more substantial for wetter weather. They also have gilets so check out their website for other options. Summary and costThis vest currently retails for £39. It's good value when you consider you get a high-visibility vest plus 6 lights.
This product is a really great idea. It provides a practical solution to improving the visibility of the upper part of a cyclist's body. Personally I feel more confident heading out into the dark wearing this vest. It makes me much more visible to other road users. I love that it is so easy to set it up when you are going out. You can just grab it off the peg, like you would with any coat, and you are ready to go.
0 Comments
 Vulpine's men's Omnia cycling jean. Image from Vulpine.cc Jeans. The iconic piece of urban fashion. Almost everyone wears them, but if you use a bicycle to get around you'll probably find jeans to be impractical over longer distances. They can be too tight and too restrictive for the movements you make when riding a bike, but a cycling jean promises to solve these problems. I tried out the Omnia cycling jean from Vulpine, to see how they stood up to the demands of urban cycling. Why cycling in normal jeans is not a great ideaOn my first ever cycle touring trip I wore jeans. That's before I knew anything about selecting the right clothing for cycling. It was a disaster. They were simply too tight for my legs to pedal properly. And when it rained heavily they got soaked through and weighed a ton- they become near on impossible to pedal in. I learned my lesson that jeans and cycling don't go together. Why a cycling jean is a great ideaAfter that experience I kept my jeans packed away in the panniers and only wore them off the bike. I switched to specialist cycling shorts when going on cycle tours. However, when I am riding in the city I don't want the faff of getting changed when I arrive at my destination, or feeling a bit self-conscious in cycling clothes. I want to be able to step off the bike in the clothes I am wearing and step into whatever work or social setting I am attending. Cycling jeans are ideal for this, so I was really excited to try out Vulpine's jeans. Off the bike performance of the Vulpine Jean
A cycling jean that you can also wear when not cycling can save you a bit of money. It means you don't need to invest in separate cycling and non-cycling clothes. You can just have 'clothes' that work well on and off your bike. The Vulpine Omnia jeans currently cost £100. This is good value when you consider that these jeans can be worn both on and off the bike. Plus they have some fantastic features that make them practical or riding a bike in.  The Cycling Scot wearing Vulpine's Omnia jeans on a bike ride On bike performanceThe first thing I noticed about these jeans is the quality of the finish. They feel like they are made to last, that they will withstand a life on the bike. The stitching is flawless and the feel of the garment is luxurious. On normal jeans there is a seam down the middle of the backside. If you've ridden any great distance in normal jeans you will know that this seam is a major pain point. It hurts! Vulpine's design has a diamond gusset. This is a piece of cotton on the inside that protects you from the seams. This feature works brilliantly and I had no issues on my 5 mile commute. With these jeans your movements are not restricted like they are with normal jeans. Normal jeans can feel stiff and rub against your skin. Vulpine has clearly thought about the movements you make when riding a bike and incorporated this into the design. In particular, the area around the knees is great for ease of movement compared to a normal jean. There's a high waist band to stop the jeans slipping down as you ride. There are some reflective details for night time cycling. These are on the side of the back pockets and if you roll up the trouser leg, there's some there. I love that these cycling specific features are practical, but also subtle. You don't notice them and that means it can look and function like a normal pair of jeans when you are not riding your bike. I would have preferred slightly deeper side pockets. I was always slightly worried that my phone or cards would slip out, especially if there was a bump on the road. To be fair they never did fall out, so it's a minor criticism.  The rear pocket of the Vulpine cycling jean. There's lovely detail here with the 'v' shaped stitching, the subtle reflective slip down the side of the pocket the Vulpine logo up at the belt loops Rain and longer distancesThe jeans are not waterproof, but I tried them out in a light rain shower. It was about a 5 mile ride and they were fine. They didn't get soaked through or stick to my skin or become too heavy, like normal jeans would. If the rain is heavier then I'd be reaching for waterproofs anyway, but for light rain I would just keep going, safe in the knowledge that they would dry off pretty quickly once I got to my destination. These jeans are really for urban cycling and I would choose something else for cycle touring. I didn't test them out on longer distances simply because I wouldn't ever choose or recommend cycling jeans for that purpose. SummaryThese cycling jeans are superb. They have all the practical features that you need for cycling and they also look great off the bike. For urban cycling these jeans make a great addition to your wardrobe. You'll find them on the Vulpine website. More Vulpine reviewsI've reviewed more of Vulpine's clothing, including:
I love that there are more and more sustainable cycling products available and this is the first time I have come across a recycled cycling jersey. It's from Craft Cadence, a London company that specialises in gear for cycling commuters. They asked if I could review one, so I tried it out over the summer and pretty much love everything about it. I always use a cycling jersey in warmer weather. Although the main market for this type of clothing is road cyclists I have always used jerseys when cycle touring and for commuting. I Find them to be the best clothing to keep me cool because of their wicking action. The close fit is ideal for cycling and the quality makes them pretty indestructible, they tend to last forever. The rear storage pockets often mean I don't need to carry a bag. Would a recycled jersey provide all these features? Initially I was a bit concerned that a jersey made from recycled material would not match the performance capabilities of a standard cycling jersey. I had no need to worry. From the moment I put this garment on I found it to be as good as any other jersey I have used. Comfort, fit and style I loved the feel of the material. It felt nice against my skin. I tried comparing the feel of it to one of my standard cycling jerseys and could not notice enough of a difference. The fit was great. Just the right balance. It was close fitting, but not body hugging. I like the teal colour with the black dots. I think it looks awesome. It also comes in orange and a couple of designs in black. Testing the jersey on a warm day I wore the jersey on some really warm days. Twenty-five degrees might not sound much, but this is Scotland and I start to feel too hot in anything over 17 degrees! Not once did I feel sweaty as the jersey did its job brilliantly of wicking away the moisture. At the end of one of those warm days a smell test showed that the jersey didn't need to go in the wash. I could get a good few rides out of it before it needed a wash. When I did wash it the jersey came out looking as good as new, and its probably had over 15 washes since I got it. Pockets and other features The three rear pockets are well made and reinforced. Anything that you keep in there will not be falling out if you happen to bounce over something during your ride. One of the pockets has a small zipped section, for a bit of extra security for belongings. There is some reflective material under the pockets, but it doesn't seem like very much for it to be that effective. However, with bike lights and reflectors it will be an addition to your arsenal of night time safety measures.  The rear of the cycling jersey has a recycled logo Made from recycled plastic bottles
Cycling is sustainable transport, so all of the gear that comes with it should also be sustainable. That's why I was thrilled to come across a cycling jersey that is made from recycled bottles. My review has shown that the recycled material is up to the job and I could detect no difference when compared to the material of a standard jersey. Cost £64.99 (November 2021). Cycling jerseys are performance clothing and built to last, so they will pay back the cost by lasting for years and helping to make your rides comfortable. Summary This is a quality cycling jersey that looks great and feels great to wear. It is robust and does a superb job of keeping you cool in hot weather. The fact that it is made from recycled material makes me love it even more.
Inspire.Repeat is a Dublin company that produces a range of cycling socks. They have an eye catching design and technical features that make them suited to bike riding. I put them to the test. Unique design The socks come in a selection of bold colours with words that capture the passion that cyclists have for their sport. Current choices include 'inspire, repeat', 'road hero', and 'no pain, no gain.' The design looks great and will appeal to those who want to be noticed. Cycling socks can be pretty bland and functional, but these are interesting. I was excited about receiving them in the post, which is not something you normally say about socks. A great feeling When I tried them for the first time I was struck by how rigid they are compared to normal socks and I had to pull them quite a bit to get them on. This is a sign that they are built to last and this tightness is what stopped them from falling down or bunching up inside my show. They felt soft against my feet and really comfortable.  Performance
The socks are made of something called PROLEN®YARN which is light, but lasts longer than cotton or wool. It is also a quick drying material. After a couple of months of using these socks I have been impressed. Best thing about them is that they are built to last as they still feel and look like they did when new out of the box. I have bought similarly priced socks from other manufacturers and been disappointed at how quickly they started to fail. In one case it was a matter of weeks before my toe was poking out! However, the Inspire.Repeat socks have had no such issues. Warm weather There was a week of hot weather and I wore the socks everyday on my bicycle commutes. Although my feet felt warm in the socks, they were not uncomfortably hot. There was no build up of sweat, so the material must have been wicking away the moisture. After 5 days I dared to sniff the socks and they smelt fine, certainly not of smelly feet. Don't worry, I did eventually wash the socks, but I just wanted to see how well they would perform. They have been through the washing machine more times than I can remember, but they always come out looking like they are new. Wet weather I have used the socks on rainy days and they kept my feet dry. This was normal rain, nothing too heavy and the duration of the ride was 30 minutes. To be honest, I don't expect any cycling sock to keep me dry in the worst of the worst rain. That's what overshoes are for. I am more than happy that these socks kept me dry for typically rainy conditions on a short commute. Considering that these socks come out of the washing machine almost dry they can probably stand up to a good soaking, or at least dry pretty quickly once the storm has passed. Sustainability Inspire.Repeat have a strong commitment to lessening their impact on the environment. There is a CO2 offset for every order and the amount of water used to produce the yarn is a lot less than is needed for cotton. They don't use pesticides or toxic dyes. These socks preform well on the bike and they are going to last a very long time because of the high quality of the material and construction. The design with the colours and motivational words is unique and adds to the appeal of this product. Take a closer look at the Inspire.Repeat website for great images of the socks. Let me know if you get a pair and what you think of them.  Vulpine men's portixol waterproof jacket in charcoal A good rain jacket is a cycling essential. Even if you only cycle in the summer months there is always the chance of getting caught in a rain shower. Vulpine's rain jacket is both practical and stylish- the kind of garment that you would feel comfortable wearing both on and off the bike. Vulpine's clothing is the best of both worlds- stylish (i.e. looks like normal clothes) and also performs the technical function of cycling clothing. Think, being able to go from bike to work or bike to meeting friends for drinks and not having to change clothes or worry that your clothes shout 'cycling geek.' This design brief can also be seen in the other products I have reviewed - the socks, rain trousers and polo tops. Rain performance I tested this jacket in some horrendous conditions. On one of the days the rain was relentless and being blown horizontally into my face, but this jacket kept me dry. The waterproof and windproof qualities performed brilliantly. I did not get wet and I did not feel cold. The jacket is also breathable, so I did not feel uncomfortable when working up a sweat on uphill climbs.
Portability For many road cyclists a rain jacket that is as light as possible and can be folded into a tiny bundle when it isn't raining will be a priority. Although this jacket is not the lightest that you can get, I thought it could be folded up to a small enough size to easily shove in a backpack without it taking up too much room. If you need a jacket that can be folded up even smaller than that then this may not be your first choice.  Detail on the rear of the jacket showing the Vulpine logo Quality and style This jacket feels like a quality product. It feels like something built to last. It feels up to the job of protecting you from rain and wind. There is a lot more weight in it than the lightweight jackets that road cyclists may prefer, but that's what makes it feel like a jacket that you can wear both on and off the bike. I felt comfortable wearing this out and about, whereas I feel a bit more self-conscious when wearing one of those jackets that are specifically for cycling, particularly the ones with high visibility colours. Is charcoal too dark? I reviewed the charcoal version of the jacket, but it also comes in an orange colour if you prefer something that stands out more. All cyclists have their views about the effectiveness of high visibility colours. Personally, I was happy with the charcoal colour as I am not the biggest fan of high viz. The jacket does have some reflective elements for being seen by traffic. Pockets One of my favourite things about this jacket is that it has two pockets. I cannot tell you enough how brilliant it is to have somewhere to put all those commuting essentials like keys, wallet, phone etc. The cycling jackets that I have owned in the past don't have much in the way of pockets as they are designed more for their function than practical features. Plus, the pockets of this jacket have a fleece lining on one side, which is a wonderful feeling if you are using them to keep your hands warm. The inclusion of the pockets is another feature that makes this jacket fit that design brief of working well on and off the bike. Splash guard The neatest feature on this jacket is the splash guard. It is tucked out of sight by means of magnets and you can easily pull it out to give your backside extra protection from spray and mud. The splash guard also has reflective details on it, so that it can be deployed to increase your visibility. Summary This jacket currently retails for £100. This is good value when you consider that the jacket has a dual function of providing practical cycling clothing and a stylish garment that can be worn after you park up your bike. The waterproof qualities are excellent and the build quality means that this will last for years. Read my reviews of other Vulpine products Merion wool socks Henley and polo tops Rain trousers  Vulpine Rain Trousers. Image from Vulpine website Vulpine's cycling rain trousers are stylish and ideally suited to cycle commuting. After using them for about one month I fell in love with these trousers. Seriously, these trousers are superb and have become my favourite piece of commuter cycling kit. They are packed full of useful features and because they look like normal trousers they are smart enough to be worn in the office or wherever it is you are going to on the bike. Why do you need cycling trousers? Yes, you could just wear a pair of jeans or jogging bottoms and that would be fine for short commutes and good weather. But the further you need to travel on a bicycle and the more often you do it then you will soon discover that 'normal' trousers are not going to cut it. What you need is a trouser that:
First Impression The initial thing that struck me about these trousers was the quality of the construction. They feel tough and they look made to last. When I first put them on they felt quite heavy duty, like something you might wear on a building site and when I walked in them they 'swished' noisily. I admit to not liking this at first, but within a few days I got used to it and it was no longer an issue. In fact. I happily wear these trousers on any occasion and not just on the bike. The trousers come in khaki, forest green, charcoal and blue denim. It was the khaki colour that I wore.  Me wearing Vulpine's rain trousers. I am also wearing Vulpine's cycling socks. See bottom of the blog for a link to the review Style That brings me to the next point, that these trousers look good. To an untrained eye they could be smart casual trousers from the high street, a trouser that could be used as office clothing or pub wear. Vulpine's mission is to offer cycling clothing that not only performs, but looks good off the bike. It is the principal of being able to wear the same gear when you cycle to work or to meet friends and not feel like you 'look like a cyclist.' If you are not a fan of lycra and/or do not want to have the hassle of changing out of cycling clothes when you arrive at your destination then Vulpine clothing is ideal.  The front of the rain trouser showing the button and belt loops Performance on the bike Vulpine have really excelled when it comes to getting the balance right between a stylish trouser and a practical cycling garment. Some of the features that I love are:
 The clip to attach your keys is inside one of the pockets. Eliminates the risk of dropping your keys  Rear pocket with the Vulpine monogram. This pocket is secured with a magnet Epic Cotton
The trousers are made of a material called Epic Cotton. With a name like that you're going to expect something special. It means you get a tough material that is made to last and is water resistant, windproof, stain proof and anti-bacterial. Rain Test Possibly the most important feature of a cycling trouser is its ability to deal with rain. I tested them out in light rain and in heavy showers. They performed brilliantly in the light rain, keeping out the water and drying very quickly after the rain passed. The fact that the material is breathable means that you don't get sweaty in the trousers. In heavy showers I could feel some water coming through, but not enough to make me feel uncomfortable and once I arrived at my destination the trousers dried very quickly. Note that these are not waterproof trousers, but water resistant. It was a 6 mile ride in the heavy rain and I felt that if I had further to go and the rain was prolonged I would need to put on waterproof over trousers. However, the main market for these trousers is the city commuter and they are unlikely to be doing a lot of mileage in the rain. Summary These trousers currently retail for £140. It is a lot of money, but they are made to last. They also have so many useful features for cyclists that the outlay is a sound investment for a product that you will not need to replace for years to come. For the purpose of commuting and looking presentable on arrival at your destination these trousers do a fantastic job. If it rains during your ride the trousers will repel the water beautifully. For long distance cycle touring where long periods of heavy rain could be expected these are unlikely to be your choice of garment, but for getting around the city and looking smart whilst doing it these are the trousers to pull on. I have loved wearing them out and about in town and feeling much smarter when I got off the bike at my destination. Read my reviews of other products from Vulpine: Merino wool socks Henley and Polo tops Vulpine specialise in cycling clothing that performs well on the bike, but also looks stylish off the bike. I had the opportunity to review some of their products. This blog reviews the merino Polo and Henley tops.
 A closer look at the Polo's collar Unpacking the tops and you are met with simply lovely items of clothing- flawless cut, stitching and design. The feel of the merino is soft and luxurious. When I tried them on I was delighted with the fit. They look great on, the sizing is perfect and flattering.  Me wearing Vulpine's Polo  Both the Polo and the Henley feature this handy rear pocket. It has lovely detailing with the "V" monogram How do they perform when cycling? What you need with cycling tops is for them not to feel too tight or too lose when your body is moving about as you pedal. Both of these tops excelled on this front. The fact that I didn't notice them, they didn't enter my thoughts when I cycled was a great sign that they did their job well.  A closer look at the Henley The merino material is designed to keep you cool when it is warm and keep you warm in colder conditions. I tested both tops on very warm days- above 25 degrees centigrade- and I felt comfortable. The breathable material wicks the sweat away from the body, so I never felt sweaty and uncomfortable. It also meant that there was no odour from the clothing rendering them serviceable for a day at the office or meeting friends for drinks.
The tops do not look like cycling clothing and this is what makes them so versatile for wearing on and off the bike. I have often worn them on days when I have not been cycling as their smart casual appearance makes them ideal for lots of different occasions. I have been testing these out for about a month and have loved wearing them. They look good, they feel good and they have the technical features that you need for cycling. Both the Polo Shirt and the Henley are priced at £80. It is good value when you consider that they can be worn both for cycling and non-cycling occasions. They have the technical features that a cyclist needs and the quality means long lasting clothing. I have also reviewed a pair of Vulpine's socks and if you need a bit more convincing about this type of cycling clothing read on... Why do you need special cycling clothes? It's one of those hotly debated subjects among the cycling community. One argument is that you should just wear your normal clothes when cycling. The problem with that is that not all normal clothes perform well when cycling longer distances or are any good when the weather turns nasty. Jeans, for example, do not give you the freedom of movement that you need when pedaling. If it rains jeans get heavy and wet, and that's a nightmare if you are on a bike for any length of time. The other argument is that you should wear things like lycra and high visibility yellow jackets for freedom of movement, safety and performance in bad weather. The problem with these clothes is that it means you look like 'a cyclist' and its probably not the look you want for the office or meeting friends for lunch. Vulpine offers clothing that is the best of both worlds- stylish (i.e. looks like normal clothes) and also performs the technical function of cycling clothing. Think, being able to go from bike to work or bike to meeting friends for drinks and not having to change clothes or worry that your clothes shout 'cycling geek.' Visit Vulpine's website to check out their range. Vulpine specialise in cycling clothing that performs well on the bike, but also looks stylish off the bike. I had the opportunity to review some of their products. This blog reviews the mid merino polka dot socks. Cycling socks need to keep you cool in hot weather or warm in colder weather. You are not going to get that from cotton socks bought from a normal clothing store, but Vulpine's sock is made from merino wool, a material well-known for its superior qualities. I tried the red polka dot socks. They look great and I would definitely be happy to wear them in the office or anywhere off the bike.
 They feel nice and soft when wearing them. I tried them out on three very warm days- averaging 25 degrees centigrade- and they definitely kept me cool. Even though my feet were sweating the socks have a wicking action that pulls moisture off the skin and out of the sock.
The other amazing thing about these socks is the odour resistance of merino wool. I decided to really put this to the test and wore the socks for one week without washing them! This included the three very warm days mentioned above. And they smell of nothing other than wool. Perhaps a bit musty by the end of the week, but not of smelly feet, which you would get from cotton socks. That's great news for cycle commuters who do not want to have to change their socks when they get to the office. I tried these during the summer, so have not yet been able to test their winter performance, but I have had used merino socks from other stockists in colder weather and know that the material is excellent at keeping feet warm. These socks are currently priced at £15. It's good value when you consider their technical qualities, stylish looks, that they are made to work in both cold and hot weather and that they will likely last for years because of the quality of the material. I will be reviewing more of Vulpine's products, so look out for my next blog. If you need a bit more convincing about cycling specific clothing read on... Why do you need special cycling clothes? It's one of those hotly debated subjects among the cycling community. One argument is that you should just wear your normal clothes when cycling. The problem with that is that not all normal clothes perform well when cycling longer distances or are any good when the weather turns nasty. Jeans, for example, do not give you the freedom of movement that you need when pedaling. If it rains jeans get heavy and wet, and that's a nightmare if you are on a bike for any length of time. The other argument is that you should wear things like lycra and high visibility yellow jackets for freedom of movement, safety and performance in bad weather. The problem with these clothes is that it means you look like 'a cyclist' and its probably not the look you want for the office or meeting friends for lunch. Vulpine offers clothing that is the best of both worlds- stylish (i.e. looks like normal clothes) and also performs the technical function of cycling clothing. Think, being able to go from bike to work or bike to meeting friends for drinks and not having to change clothes or worry that your clothes shout 'cycling geek.' Visit Vulpine's website to check out their range. The shopping buzz can be just as good with new bike clothing as it can with a new pair of shoes or a new tablet. This evening I purchased a windproof water repellent jacket. Such a mundane sounding thing and why should you care? Well, it opened up a world of possibilities and got me excited about where I could cycle to when wearing this new clothing. My usual combination of a thermal base layer with a micro fleece was never that satisfying against the coldest weather, so I had been thinking about a replacement for a while. I have always wanted to extend my cycling season into the chillier months, but have never quite made it because whenever I head out I always get too cold. As I made my way home from the bike shop clutching my purchase I had a big grin on my face. This clothing was going to allow me to start my cycling trips earlier in the year and finish them later in the year because it would keep me comfy. I would be able to explore more of Scotland each year. I started to picture myself riding through glens, forests and past mountains whilst feeling warm in my new wind stopper and not caring if it was windy or cold. I certainly got a shopping buzz today because my purchase had me dreaming of the adventure and exploring that lay ahead.
|
