ekoï Cold Weather Clothing Review: The winter still hasn’t left us, well not in the northern hemisphere. Our man in Spain, Alastair Hamilton, has braved his idea of cold weather to test out the long sleeved jersey COLD EXTREME and the heat generating bib tights from ekoï. Maybe they will get him off Zwift for a while for some outdoor fresh air?
For those cooler days
Long Sleeved Jersey EKOI COLD EXTREME – Check your local Ekoï website for current price
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: So far I’ve found the Ekoï clothing, shoes, helmet and glasses all very well made and when you have a look on their website for your country, you will usually find most items at a very keen price. The last Ekoï kit I reviewed was the Outlast® Jersey And Supersoft Bib Shorts, in the summer – Technical kit for the hot weather. The long sleeve jersey and bib-tights I now have, are also technical, but now to keep you warm.
Warm in black
Just like the Outlast® jersey, the ‘Cold Extreme’ long sleeve jersey is also a technical garment, but this time to keep you warm. The BeHOT fabric generates warmth when you move, no idea how it works, but it does. The interior of the jersey is soft and the exterior feels like it is wind proof, but the genius is in the heat generating fabric.
Classy and warm
The cut of the jersey is for comfort and a little longer for warmth. The collar is double thick and the cuffs are of a soft stretchy material, no drafts here. The three rear pockets are strong and sturdily made. There is a gripper strip round the bottom to hold everything in place. The full zip has protection flaps and a pouch at the bottom. The material is quite stretchy, so has a snug fit, but not super tight with no flapping in the wind. My only comment would be to have a small zipped pocket for change or card etc.
Very strong stitching
Black isn’t my favourite colour for jerseys, but the subtle little Ekoï logo and fabric badges set it off nicely. So, how does it feel out on the bike? Nice and warm. The jersey is lightweight and comfortable and does everything Ekoï claim. Well worth having on a cool day. It was around 12ºC, the day I tried it out, but cooler in the shade and with a cold wind. I was warm enough, even when I stopped. nice.
‘Where is that chocolate bar?’
What Ekoï sez: The lightweight aero jersey, ideal for riding between 5 and 15°C ( 41°F / 59°F). Thanks to BeHot heat-generating technology, this jersey is insulating while being 30% lighter than a conventional thermal jersey.
Throughout your ride, the fibres stretch and generate heat. This protects you from the cold while riding, but also when you stop for a break or at the end of your ride.
Weighing just 210g in size M, this technical jersey combines lightness/protection/aerodynamics.
Gripper round the waist
Features
- Flat seams.
- YKK auto-locking zipper.
- Zipper garage at the bottom of the jersey to prevent chafing.
- COLD STOP cuffs: blocks cold air entry.
- Silicone gripper at the back hem.
Material:
- Lightweight and breathable.
- Proactive: stores body heat and generates an additional 1 to 2°C.
- Effective down to 5°C. To be worn with an Ekoï thermal base layer.
Composition:
- 83% Polyamide.
- 17% Elastane.
EKOI Heat Generating Bib Tights – Check your local Ekoï website for current price
A comfortable fit
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: The Ekoï bib-tights just seemed to fit as soon as I put them on, a very good fit. The material is the same as the jersey, but the outside isn’t a shiny, maybe less wind proofing? Although you do need some cooling on the legs and the fabric does creates its own warmth.
Ekoï – Black on black
As with all the Ekoï clothing, the bibs are well made, I couldn’t find any faults in the stitching. Starting at the ankles there is griping silicone to hold the legs in place and zips for pulling them on and off with ease. The material stretches over the knees, without any pressure. The Ekoï on the legs is black on black, you can see it, but it is not ‘in your face’. a nice subtle touch.
Very neat ankle
As with the other Ekoï shorts I’ve ridden, the pad is one of the best. Gel just where you want it and only material at the sides and the front, where you don’t want any bulky padding. The bib has solid, wide straps that sit comfortably on the shoulders, with a mesh section between the straps at the back, which also holds everything in place.
Zip and grip
As I said, the bib-tights fit snugly and are flexible. The fabric definitely warms you up and the pad feels great on the saddle area. The jersey and bib-tights combination works well together, feels great and has a subtle classy look.
Lots of gel
What Ekoï Sez: Thanks to BeHOT technology, the fabric of these tights offers high thermal performance.
Made in Italy, it has the particularity of generating additional heat each time it stretches, in other words with each pedal stroke. This reduces heat loss and prolongs the pleasant feeling of comfort created by the heat, even after the end of training.
Maintained constantly warm, your muscle fibres preserve their elasticity. Your movements remain fluid and your peddling efficient, despite winter weather conditions. A real technical feat.
Nice wide straps
The comfort is also optimised by the stretchy nature of the fabric which adapts perfectly to your silhouette. Its brushed fleece interior also ensures a soft contact with the skin. Well wrapped up in your tights, you can rack up the miles with the best pleasure and without shuddering.
And if by chance you had to face high humidity or a sudden shower, the water-repellent treatment of the fabric would then offer effective resistance to keep you dry.
On the seat side, the tights are equipped with the Comfort Zone padding, which, thanks to its shape memory gel inserts and its V-shape, guarantees the best seating comfort and real well-being in the saddle. Its wide elasticated and seamless straps contribute to a pleasant general feeling, whatever the duration and intensity of your rides.
A man in black
With their very opaque black colour and their logos discreetly engraved in the fabric, the HEAT GENERATING TECHNOLOGY tights are sober. A way of indicating that behind this aesthetic temperance lies a real concentration of technologies.
Product advantages
- BeHOT technical fabric: heat generation (+1 to 2°C/ 33°F to 36°F) during exercise.
- Maintains constant temperature, even after exercise.
- Effective down to -10°/14°F.
- Water-repellent treatment to protect against humidity and rain.
- More info at: www.ekoi.com
Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews or a slap in the head if you feel the need!
PezCycling News and the author ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper/safe use, handling, maintenance, and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
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