Secrets in the cycling apparel industry

You probably know someone who claims to know everything about cycling apparel. But do they really have it right? In this blog, we’ll uncover the 5 biggest secrets from the cycling apparel industry. Never lose a debate on the bike again!

Chinese Clothing Isn’t Bad

Let’s kick off with one of the biggest secrets in the cycling apparel industry: Chinese clothing! Many people assume it’s not good quality, but that’s far from the truth! While it’s true that China produces a lot of cheap and low-quality goods, some of the best cycling apparel comes from the Far East. In fact, nearly every piece of cycling clothing is ultimately sourced from Asia. Even the cyclists in the Tour de France wear Chinese clothing. So, while your perception of China might be negative, remember that many of the products you use daily, including luxury items, originate from there. Take it from us, they know a thing or two about quality production.

Polyester vs. Cotton

Cotton, the darling of the fashion industry. Or even better, organic cotton! Much better than the polyester your sportswear is made of, right? Did you know that polyester is made from petroleum? You might think it’s incredibly polluting, but that’s not entirely true. Cotton, on the other hand, is remarkably polluting due to the use of pesticides in cultivation, water wastage, and soil depletion. While polyester isn’t the most sustainable fabric, its environmental impact is often lower than that of cotton. Polyester is reusable, lasts longer, requires no ironing, and is versatile.

Quality Isn’t Tied to a Brand

Expensive brands must have the best clothing, right? Not necessarily. We won’t name names or point fingers, but the most expensive brands don’t always have the best clothing. Often, you’re simply paying twice as much for branding and design differences. It’s nice to belong to something or own a cool piece of clothing, but don’t get fixated on price. Did you know that an excellent pair of cycling shorts for €150 could be just as good as one from a luxury brand for €300? Deep down, you already knew this. After all, is that €5000 handbag really that much better than one for €300?

Made in Italy

Next up, the fourth of the 5 biggest secrets of the cycling apparel industry: Italian cycling apparel. That’s what you need, right? Decades ago, that statement held true, and Italy was indeed the best at making cycling clothing. Over time, production shifted to cheaper countries, so now it’s mostly Italian fabrics rather than entirely Italian-made clothing. Nearly all cycling apparel is produced outside Italy. However, Italian quality still stands for “high-quality,” even if it’s made elsewhere, allowing Italians to focus more on design while production happens outside Europe.

Recycled Material

The future, you’d think! But be cautious because while recycling sounds great, it’s not always the best option if it requires more energy (and emissions) than making a new product. Imagine the effort and emissions needed to collect bottles for recycling into polyester for clothing. Always consider the actual emissions and costs of producing recycled material. Collecting bottles in the Netherlands, shipping them to Asia for recycling, then back to the Netherlands for production isn’t very efficient. So, opt for products made from locally recycled materials whenever possible.

Do you want to see for yourself if the quality of our clothing is good? Design it yourself via this link.