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Eliel is a Californian kit company with a strong roots in the cycling community. They offer some of the coolest kit designs on the circuit, but half of what makes their kit so beautiful are the modern, anatomically correct cuts of the clothing, which generally tend to be more aerodynamic than club cuts.
Underwear Eliel Merino
the Underwear Eliel Cambria ($ 80) is a perfect example of Eliel’s flattering, tailored cuts. It is appropriately designed and sized to allow it to fit comfortably over the chest without being too loose or too tight in the armpits, and short enough to avoid an annoying ridge of fabric below the jersey hem.
Even after multiple washes, the merino wool blend is still smooth – no itching – and provides temperature regulation, allowing me to wear a gilet over a thin thermal later in 30 degree weather. My body heat stayed, while the sweat evaporated instead of soaking in my shirt like a sponge.
Read also : Cold weather cycling gear for people who don’t like to ride in the cold
Eliel Wool Socks
the Eliel signature wool socks ($ 18) almost feel like high-end poly-blend athletic socks – none of that loose, easy-to-stretch wool material, and fits the same way. They keep my feet warm while commuting, and they’re not too tight or bulky. They are also a reasonable length for my long legs. I suggest noting the size to be sure they aren’t too tight. The poor circulation in the toes due to tight socks will definitely make your feet feel cold, even though the material of the socks is insulating. The “saying†of a good sock is its longevity, and I haven’t had them long enough to say if they will stand the test of time.
Eliel Gibraltar jacket
I looked for a good windbreaker to take me from fall to spring, and the Eliel Gibraltar jacket ($ 180) does the trick due to the rarity of its feature mix; it is a compressible and waterproof windbreaker with a double zipper which comes in several colors. These characteristics make it an element close to the “unicorn”. Colored options might not be uncommon, but a jacket that combines colors with compressibility and a double zipper is harder to find than I initially thought. There are quite a few black windbreakers with these characteristics, but not many colors. Gibraltar black is shown, but other color options are available.
I’m also particularly interested in this because the triple-layered material is slightly heavier than the extremely light compressibles designed specifically for summer. The thicker material allows the Gibraltar to remain useful in cooler temperatures as an outer layer while wearing a thin thermal jersey (like the Eliel T2 or T1 jerseys). The Gibraltar jacket also features my main requirement: a double zipper. Some people may prefer a slit in the lower back, I prefer the double zipper because the zipper not only serves to facilitate access to the pockets but also to control the temperature.
The relaxed cuffs are the other feature I was looking for, unfortunately the Gibraltar features the expected crumpled circular cuffs that suffocate my cuffs and make the jacket more difficult to take off than the overlapping cuff design on my old Castelli, for example. The sleeves are also proportionate which means they are a bit short for me. I need a 23 inch sleeve – which is rare – for small or medium sizes. The Gibraltar jacket doesn’t get any points deducted for standard design, but no additional points for ingenuity either. Overall the Gibraltar is a very worthy windbreaker for the stitch quality, color options and double zipper.
Eliel Marin T2 thermal jersey
the Eliel Marin T2 thermal jersey ($ 180) drops the double zipper feature. This is not as necessary on the jersey as it is on outerwear as it has back pockets, so there is no need to wear a jersey with pockets underneath as with a pocketless windbreaker. The standout visual feature of the Eliel T2 are the reflective accents, which are very popular on winter clothing as there are fewer daylight hours and I’m more likely to be surprised by daylight. which is fading.
The only downside to the T2 thermal jersey: the fleece is white, and it sometimes shows where the panels end. The places where the seams pull on the garment, like the shoulders or the pockets, have a white stain and it is probably the fleece that shows through, assuming the outside is dyed and not printed. The garment still performs well (despite the same issue of too short sleeves that I have with almost all thermal swimsuits). The windbreaker on the front and the evaporative panels on the back do their job efficiently. The Eliel Thermal Level 2 – the brand’s mid-weight insulation – is comfortable with just the Merino base layer in temperatures of 30 degrees.
Eliel thermal cap
the Eliel thermal cap ($ 40) is fantastic, but unfortunately not big enough to accommodate my hair. I can wear it, but it’s uncomfortably tight. For those who hold the cap, it is well designed and well made. The fit features ear panels that should cover the ears of most riders, and the panels are cut in an anatomical arc to prevent slipping under a helmet. The thermal fleece is black like the outer material, so there is no gray “smile†when the hood stretches.
Read also : Bootleg kit against the real thing – how to spot fakes
Panties Eliel T2
the Eliel T2 thermal brief ($ 260) are admittedly my first pair of a mid-temperature garment. Considering where I live, the temperature window for the three-quarter bibs is so narrow, but now that I have the T2 panties, I find myself wearing them when I would have worn bib shorts before. thermal and embrocations. The quality of the Eliel bibs is so high, including the narrow silicone leg clamps, which I generally hate. They work well considering they hit me just below the knee, but that’s the fight of those who are taller than usual proportions for our width. Bean sticks, like me, either sacrifice leg length or end up with baggy bibs, which is a huge “no”.
The bibs adapt well to the rest of my body, and the chamois does well for a century. The material is compressive and warm, but light enough not to look like ski equipment. Wind protection is moderate, so they’re not for colder days (like the Eliel T3 line).
The panties sent to me are labeled as men’s clothing so I’ll never know if the women’s panties are that much different, but that’s fine with me. The overall high quality of stitching and materials goes beyond the gender specific fit.
Eliel’s cold weather gear, from the Merino base layer to the windbreaker, forms a good adjustable system in cold weather. I have experience with Eliel’s summer jerseys and bibs, which have been going on for years. Even if you don’t like their great team designs like I do, Eliel delivers solid quality that’s built to last. The only downside I have to point out is that sleeve and leg lengths aren’t for the overly long legs or long arms of us, but if you’ve ever found ways to alleviate this like most tall people, then Eliel is a good buy and built to last.
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