Published June 8, 2018 02:01PM
The spring classics inspire all of us, and while the hardmen of the pro peloton may be charging the cobbles of Flanders in a driving wind and sideways rain, we are just a tad more sensitive. Fortunately, as the saying goes for cyclists, there is no such thing as bad weather just bad kit choices.
Velocio, perhaps more than any other boutique cycling brand, has made a name for itself on the strength of quality production and connecting with the community. Crowd-favorite pros such as Helen Wyman, Ted King and Tayler Wiles have been drawn to the brand because of the quality of the product, but also the company’s commitment to community.
For Ted King that dedication to community is what made Velocio stand out. “Being from New England, I’ve witnessed their entry into the industry and their rapid progression in the sport. I’ve seen them go from just an idea to the title sponsor at the highest level of women’s racing. I’ve observed the passion that resonates with a broad audience thanks to the intricate design of their clothes, yet that comes across as beautifully simple. With Velocio’s clean, bold style, but more importantly their approachability, they’ve opened the doors to so many people wanting to share the community of cycling,” King says.
And because of Velocio’s commitment to the quality of the product, that means production in Italy. That quality is evident in the feel of the product as well as the performance. And fabrics are chosen for their durability, quality and style.
Founder Kristy Scrymgeour turned her eye toward cycling kit as a directeur sportif for the women’s professional squad Velocio-SRAM. “We started wanting to provide a better quality item for women,” she says. “That took into account fit and fabric choice and style. From the inception of the brand we didn’t focus on where we set up shop or making our clothing in a particular place. The goal was to make sure that whatever we did, we chose quality. We make our clothing in Italy because they do an amazing job of making great quality cycling apparel. We chose mostly Italian fabrics for the same reason, but we also incorporate some great fabrics made in the U.S. by Polartec and some high-quality wool products from Global Merino that use Australian wool. It’s about being able to choose the best quality from wherever that may be.”
Aside from the Belgians, the Italians often do well in those nasty classic conditions, and so perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the following Italian-made rain pieces from Velocio are more than up to the test.
From issue 75. Buy it here.