Cycling Clothing Brands: Who Makes What and Why It Matters

Bought my first “real” cycling jersey from a random Amazon seller. It fell apart in three washes. Then I overspent on a premium brand and felt stupid paying that much for a shirt. Eventually found the middle ground where quality meets reasonable pricing. Here’s what I’ve learned about who makes what.

The Premium Tier

Rapha

The one everyone knows. British brand that made cycling clothing aspirational. High prices but genuinely good quality. Their Core line is more affordable than the Pro line without sacrificing much. Strong club community if you’re into that.

Assos

Swiss, expensive, exceptional chamois. If bib shorts are your priority, Assos is hard to beat. The S9 shorts are legendary for long-ride comfort. Jerseys are excellent too but less differentiated from competition.

Castelli

Italian heritage, innovative designs. The Gabba jacket basically created the rain-jersey category. Race-oriented fit — if you’re not a racer, you might find it aggressive. Great quality across the board.

Strong Mid-Range Options

Gore Wear

The Gore-Tex people make cycling clothes. Obvious strength: weather protection. Their rain gear is outstanding. Regular jerseys and shorts are solid but less distinctive. That’s what makes Gore endearing to us year-round riders — they understand bad weather.

Pearl Izumi

Japanese brand with decades of cycling heritage. Wide range from budget to premium. Their Attack line offers good value. Historically known for making gear that lasts.

Specialized

Bike company that also makes clothes. Their SL line is performance-oriented; RBX is more everyday. Fit tends to match their bikes — optimized for riding position. Good availability through bike shops.

Value-Focused Brands

dhb

Wiggle’s house brand. Surprisingly good for the price. The Aeron line punches above its weight. Not flashy, not cutting-edge, but solid basics at reasonable prices.

Endura

Scottish brand focused on practicality. Great for commuting and bad-weather riding. Their GV500 gravel line is well-regarded. Durable construction, reasonable pricing.

Style-Forward Brands

MAAP

Australian brand with bold designs. High-quality construction with fashion sensibility. Expensive but looks distinctive. Popular with the coffee-ride crowd.

Pas Normal Studios

Danish minimalism meets cycling. Clean designs, premium materials. Very specific aesthetic that you either love or don’t care about.

Attaquer

Another Australian brand, more colorful than MAAP. Artistic collaborations produce interesting designs. Quality holds up to the visual appeal.

How to Choose

For beginners: dhb, Pearl Izumi entry-level, or similar. Learn what you actually need before spending more.

For regular riders: Mid-range from any major brand. Gore, Endura, Pearl Izumi Pro, Specialized RBX. Good quality, reasonable investment.

For serious enthusiasts: Pick your priority. Chamois comfort? Assos. Weather protection? Gore or Castelli. Style? MAAP or Rapha. No single brand excels at everything.

What Actually Matters

Chamois quality in shorts and bibs. Everything else matters less. A great jersey with mediocre shorts is worse than mediocre jersey with great shorts.

Fit varies by brand. Some run race-tight, others relaxed. Check sizing guides and reviews. Returns are part of finding what works.

Weather-specific gear is worth buying from specialists. Rain jackets from Gore, thermal layers from Castelli’s Perfetto line, etc.

The Reality

Brand loyalty in cycling is strong but often unexamined. Mix and match based on what each brand does well. Your kit doesn’t need to coordinate perfectly — despite what Instagram suggests.