TESTING OF CYCLING CLOTHES FROM INDEPENDENT MEDIA
BY JEPPE TOLBØLL / PHOTO: UGGI KALDAN/ALTOMCYKLING.DK
AOC TESTS CYCLING WEAR FROM ES16
THE STORY BEHIND ES16
ES16 is the Danish cycling clothing brand founded in 2016. The clothing is produced in Europe at the best factories. All factories are carefully selected and tested. At ES16, great emphasis is placed on quality and factories that comply with the strictest requirements for the environment.
"I have spent a few years finding the right suppliers, so that in 2018 we have the quality I myself want for team clothing , at a fair price and reliable delivery time”
- says the owner of ES16
ES16 makes cycling clothing for cycling clubs, associations, professional teams, cycling networks, cycling races, companies or other groups that care to bikes, but of course also sell their clothing in bulk on the website.
Currently there is a 4 week delivery time from the design being finally approved, but the delivery time can of course change as we approach the high season in spring.
ES16 Elite Bib Shorts
I've cycled well over 400 kilometers with the ES16 bibs and I haven't noticed the cushioning at all. It's really positive. On the very first trip I could tell it was a brand new pillow, it was a bit "strange" to sit on, but after I had put the bibs in the washing machine once, they were really good. In general, it is always a good idea not to drive far in a pair of bibs that have not been washed.
The bibs also passed the indoor test, where you usually sit a little more static than out on the road. Two hours on the home trainer in front of Zwift was no challenge!
They are made in classic lycra, with good elastic capacity, and I am not the smallest rider, so it is also nice that the bibs are cut according to a Scandinavian rear, and not a narrow Italian model. I tried on a size XL which was perfect for me and my little over 90kg.
The ES16 Elite bibs have a really nice finish on the legs which I personally really like. The elastic ends tightly around the thigh, without being uncomfortable and leaving marks.
After 5 washes, there is still plenty of "tension" in the elastic, so it bodes well for long-term durability.
Overall it's a pair of really nice bib shorts that I could easily imagine riding a whole season in.
ES16 Elite Jersey
I love the shirt. Of course, it helps that the colors of the test shirt really appeal to me, but in addition, it fits close, in the right places, which is how I like my shirts. There shouldn't be anything fluttering, because what if you lost speed because of that! ;)
However, there was one thing that teased me. The shirt ended very tight at the neck when I tried it on straight out of the bag. So my immediate thought was that it was a dealbreaker, at least for me. But after washing the shirt, it fit perfectly, so I should just take my own advice. Wash your cycling clothes before riding them for the first time, and you will have the best experience.
What really stuck out to me the most was that this was only ES16's 2nd best jersey. In addition to the Elite, they have the big brother Pro, and the little brother Active. However, Thomas could tell that there is not a huge difference in the choice of materials for Elite and Pro, but there is a big difference in the cut.
Elite has nice cuff ends on the sleeves that fit well, and also don't seem to become loose. The front material doesn't stretch that much, on the other hand it breathes well, the side panels are really elastic and it gives a really good fitting.
There are the classic 3 pockets at the back, with a small "hook" in one of them, so that you can attach e.g. his mobile (in cover with booklet) or wallet, and other important things, a very nice little detail.
For the price, the shirt really wins my heart! You just have to wash it before use, maybe! ;) I tested a size Large and it fits snugly, in just the right way.
ES16 Elite Jacket
The jacket is the item of clothing I got to test the least. During the test period, simply because the weather was so warm that the jacket was too warm. So I've managed to test it 3 times, and 2 of the times I've had to zip it up in order not to sweat to death.
So on that account at least you can say that it's long enough to 13-15 degrees, but there I usually also ride in short sleeves, with loose sleeves and windbreakers. The one day when I was allowed to try it in its own right, it was 8-9 degrees and a hellishly windy weather, and it was only for an hour's roll.
But I didn't freeze, so it took just the worst that I expect from such a jacket, which I would typically use in the spring and autumn, or if the summer should again be below those 10-12 degrees.
The fit was quite nice, but I would personally don't use it in races as it didn't fit close enough, but I don't think it's made as a race jacket either. I also tried here a size Large.
Conclusion
The jacket is the item of clothing I got to test the least. During the test period, simply because the weather was so warm that the jacket was too warm. So I've managed to test it 3 times, and 2 of the times I've had to zip it up in order not to sweat to death.
So on that account at least you can say that it's long enough to 13-15 degrees, but there I usually also ride in short sleeves, with loose sleeves and windbreakers. The one day when I was allowed to try it in its own right, it was 8-9 degrees and a hellishly windy weather, and it was only for an hour's roll.
But I didn't freeze, so it took just the worst that I expect from such a jacket, which I would typically use in the spring and autumn, or if the summer should again be below those 10-12 degrees.
The fit was quite nice, but I would personally don't use it in races as it didn't fit close enough, but I don't think it's made as a race jacket either. I also tried here a size Large.
