Evaluate – RUBBER N’ ROAD Winter Equipment

Should you dwell in additional northern climes, you’re not snowed in, and also you’re an HTFU-rider keen to courageous the chilly and components, good winter equipment is totally important. If it’s modern (I do know vogue is within the eye of the beholder) too, that’s a bonus. PEZ received some high shelf winter equipment from RUBBER N’ ROAD that IMHO is each purposeful and trendy.

RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment comes slickly packaged

The identify RUBBER N’ ROAD evokes two totally different ideas for me:

• RUBBER – The phrase applicable to each biking and motorcycling: Hold the rubber aspect down
• ROAD – Properly, the open highway that all of us like to trip

I’m guessing RUBBER N’ ROAD is a model most PEZ readers haven’t heard of. It’s a boutique luxurious efficiency model primarily based out of The Massive Apple aka New York Metropolis. Their retail retailer is situated in Midtown Manhattan (however they’re additionally worldwide with international retail companions in Dubai (UAE), Osaka (Japan), Quebec Metropolis (Canada), and Seoul (Korea). On the second flooring above the shop is their design studio and atelier the place they design, develop, prototype, and produce idea items for his or her product testing crew. Inspiration for his or her equipment is drawn from literature, movie, images, vogue, and philosophy and expresses their relationship with New York Metropolis’s vogue, artwork, and road tradition. Plenty of their equipment is manufactured inside a two mile radius of their retailer in NYC’s Garment District (additionally referred to as the Trend District).

Insurgent Hybrid Jacket – $320

In line with RUBBER N’ ROAD:

• The Insurgent Hybrid Jacket blurs the strains between jersey and jacket for cold-weather using. Fusing a mix of efficiency materials in progressive weights to advertise adaptive thermoregulation. The piece gives wind, water, chill safety, and breathability the place you want it most.
• Densely woven waterproof and windproof cloth on the entrance and outer arm areas, mixed with a extra open construction and moisture-wicking fleece cloth on the again, protects towards the chilly whereas stopping overheating and build-up of extra moisture.
• Appropriate for temperatures between 32ºF – 50ºF (0ºC – 10ºC), the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket affords a flexible choice primarily based in your chosen base layer.
• Designed in NYC and made in Italy.

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: For winter using, I’m an enormous fan of what I name “jersey jackets.” Basically a jacket (so “beefier” than a jersey however not so cumbersome) that gives sufficient thermal insulation and wind resistance such that it may be worn by itself as a jersey with an applicable baselayer beneath — fewer layers and fewer bulk to keep away from the Michelin Man look. That’s precisely what the RUBBER N’ ROAD Insurgent Hybrid Jacket is.

If there’s something that makes the jacket a jersey, it’s the three rear pockets plus the safe zipper pocket

Building-wise, the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket is mainly a entrance panel that has two halves joined collectively by the full-length zipper, a again panel (with three rear pockets and safe zipper pocket), and raglan sleeves which can be two-piece development. The sleeve ends are a double-cuffed stretch materials. A excessive collar. And the hem is a semi-wide stretch silicone gripper.

Full-zip with a full-length wind flap behind the (gold commonplace) YKK zipper

NOTE: We most likely don’t consider sleeves a lot relating to equipment. I imply … sleeves are sleeves, proper? However raglan type sleeves are notably well-suited for biking. Raglan sleeves match the pure contours of your shoulders higher. This prevents bunching up or chafing and ends in a extra snug match. In addition they enable for elevated vary of movement, making it simpler to maneuver your arms and shoulders with out feeling restricted.

Excessive collar with a zipper storage to stop the zipper from flipping up (and one other zipper storage on the backside)

The Insurgent Hybrid Jacket makes use of two totally different supplies. The entrance panel and the highest of the sleeves are a waterproof/windproof materials. The within has a brushed really feel that’s gentle and clean. The again panel and the beneath a part of the sleeves are a moisture wicking cloth. And the within feels even softer and smoother — very flannel-like.

Designed in 🇺🇸 however made in 🇮🇹

RUBBER N’ ROAD doesn’t spec weight, however I’m positive there are those that will wish to know

Max at RUBBER N’ ROAD urged measurement XS for me. On me (5’8″, 130 kilos, skinny ectomorph), it’s very a lot a second pores and skin race match (my spouse nonetheless can’t consider I can squeeze into an XS). But as tight as it’s on me, it doesn’t really feel restrictive. Nevertheless, when you’re not shopping for from the RUBBER N’ ROAD retailer in NYC (or certainly one of their different stores) the place you’ll be able to strive before you purchase, I’d strongly counsel discussing with them about sizing.

Type becoming might be an understatement

No mistaking that it is a winter jacket/jersey with the excessive collar

I really like the chrome emblem on the jacket … positively bling

Winter Thermal Base Layer – $160

In line with RUBBER N’ ROAD:

• The Winter Thermal Base Layer employs a US-milled recycled cloth to supply gentle insulation and distinctive moisture wicking properties within the type of a chilly climate base layer. When worn towards the pores and skin, this superior thermal waffle-knit cloth pulls moisture from the pores and skin whereas trapping warmth to manage physique temperature.
• Designed and made in NYC.

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: Like all winter base layers, the RUBBER N’ ROAD Winter Thermal Base Layer is actually a long-sleeve jersey that’s thermal insulating. Just like the Insurgent Hybid Jacket, the sleeves are raglan for higher match and luxury.  #marginalgains  What’s totally different from most different winter base layers is the fabric. On the surface the feel is clean. However on the within it’s what I’d name “waffle-like.” The texture of it towards my naked pores and skin is harking back to old style thermal underwear. All of the seams are flat stitched.

If weight issues

RUBBER N’ ROAD didn’t have XS in inventory so I ended up getting measurement S within the Winter Thermal Base Layer. Not a second pores and skin, however measurement S match me simply high-quality. Which is to say comfortably cosy.

Type becoming … sure. Uber race second pores and skin … not fairly.

PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights – $390

In line with RUBBER N’ ROAD:

• Designed for all-day adventures in delicate to chilly temperatures if you require superior local weather safety, cupboard space, consolation and sturdiness, to get essentially the most out of your trip.
• Lengthy lasting consolation and sturdiness using the newest technical achievements in design, cloth composition and manufacturing capabilities. A complicated thermal microclimate is constructed utilizing 5 unique woven and knit materials. Most consolation is achieved by way of patented ultra-sonic stitching expertise for final ergonomic shaping of the chamois, engineered utilizing Hybrid Cells inserts with 4 densities.
• Excessive-stretch woven Dyneema® yarn gives excessive safety from saddle abrasion and potential pilling, a standard concern with brushed fleece materials in winter, when static electrical energy can create undesirable clings. Patented silicone-free gripping cloth and our proprietary cuff shaping guarantee stability and diminished quantity across the ankle cuff.
• Designed and made in NYC.

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: If I counted appropriately, the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights have at least 13 stretch panels (plus the ankle gripper sections, the bib strap again part, and the bib straps). Clearly, RUBBER N’ ROAD is from the varsity of “extra is healthier.” The thought behind having so many panels is that the bib tights will conform/map to your physique higher. And for bib tights, higher articulation on the knee for the pedal stroke.  In fact, extra panels means extra seams. In all however a couple of, RUBBER N’ ROAD makes use of flat stitching (serge stitching within the others) to minimizing rubbing/chafing. And all of the panels (which use totally different stretch supplies) have a brushed lining for heat and luxury. Type of like flannel pajamas. So snug towards my naked pores and skin.

The bib a part of the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights is a tried-and-true Y-back the place the again panel is a ribbed/mesh vented materials for wicking and the vast bib straps are lay flat, uncooked lower.

For the load weenies

One factor that’s totally different concerning the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights is that they’ve pockets.

Two aspect pockets like these discovered on cargo bib shorts which can be the fad with gravel riders

Two pockets within the again are clearly meant for stuff you don’t want quick access to

A few different issues which can be totally different concerning the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights:

The ankle gripper part grips extra than simply across the ankle; it goes up alongside the fibula (NOTE: It’s not a silcone gripper)

The surface of the chamois part is Dyneema for abrasion resistance within the saddle

Talking of the chamois aka pad, RUBBER N’ ROAD makes use of a chamois made for them by Elastic Interface — a model with a confirmed monitor file. A superb variety of my bib shorts (and bib tights) have Elastic Interface pads and all of them are nothing lower than snug for lengthy hours within the saddle.

In any pair of bib shorts or bib tights, the chamois/pad is the cash

As with the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket, Max at RUBBER N’ ROAD really useful measurement XS for me for the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights. It positively takes some tugging and pulling to squeeze into them, however they match me (once more, my spouse can’t consider I can put on XS). Just like the jacket … second pores and skin tight. But snug … for me (race match is my most popular match — I actually just like the agency compression). However the match wasn’t boa constrictor tight and didn’t limit my freedom of motion. That mentioned, take note of RUBBER N’ ROAD’s sizing and, if wanted, give them a name to speak about sizing. If something, you’re most likely extra prone to want/wish to measurement up quite than down.

Spray-on bib tights

One of many causes I choose race match is as a result of with the firmness of the compression and the bib straps being “tight” (however not so tight as to be binding/digging in on my shoulders) the chamois is held firmly in place (to stop friction, which is the primary reason behind any discomfort down below quite than lack of padding).

Broad bib straps that sit comfortably on my shoulders (NOTE the 2 again pockets simply above the waist)

The aspect cargo pockets are sufficiently big for many bigger measurement good telephones (my daughter’s previous iPhone 6S Plus for reference)

Elegant equipment

I mentioned at first that IMHO the RUBBER N’ ROAD winter equipment is each purposeful and trendy.

Right here’s the purposeful half:

Up to now this winter, I’ve managed a number of shorter (20-something miles) rides within the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment (each within the Lowcountry once I was down there for Christmas and up in Babylon on the Potomac afterwards) with temps right down to the low 40s (F).  So far as chilly climate equipment goes, the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment is the true deal. As somebody of tropical (Filipino) ethnic heritage, I are inclined to get chilly simply. I gained’t say the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment saved me heat (within the sense of heated), nevertheless it saved me heat sufficient (as in preserving me from getting too chilly) — with simply the Insurgent Hybrid Jacket, Winter Thermal Base Layer beneath (no jersey), and PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights.

Not that I do a complete lot of outside winter using as of late (one of many perks of being a senior citizen is that you just get to be a wimp), however I’ll be reaching for the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment on these days once I’m courageous sufficient to enterprise out into the chilly (40F is about my restrict and the solar must be out with little or no wind). And who is aware of? With the RUBBER N’ ROAD equipment I’d even be keen to embrace the coolness.

And right here’s the modern half:

I really like the white Insurgent Hybrid Jacket paired with the PREVAIL Professional Bib Tights. It’s an aesthetic, basic look. With simply that bit of glitz with the chrome logos on the back and front of the jacket. Flash with out being too flashy.

Furthermore, the second pores and skin race match is the equal of a match to perfection tailor-made swimsuit.

Chrome bling

For me, the look evokes James Bond sporting a white dinner jacket (Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Diamonds are Endlessly; Roger Moore in The Man With the Golden Gun, Octopussy, and A View to a Kill; and Daniel Craig in Spectre). So not simply stylish and basic … cool, if not the epitome of cool.

If James Bond rode a motorbike, that is the type of equipment he would put on

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