Published by Lyn on 2 October 2016
We road-tested Akuma Cycling's women's bib shorts and jersey during a rainy, windy week in Normandy.
Akuma Cycling, Women's Bib Shorts and Jersey
Women's Reglia Bib Shorts: £70.79
Women's Short-sleeve Jersey, £36.00
Official website
A long overdue review of some cycling kit I road-tested in Normandy at the start of the year.
Akuma is a family manufacturing business that specialises in sports wear – based in Warwickshire, it prides itself on all its kit being designed and made in England.
I tested samples of their women's long length bib shorts and a jersey with a quarter length zip.
The kit held up well over five days of cycling through all kinds of weather (I even had light hail). I wore the jersey all week underneath a long-sleeve jersey and/or a rain jacket, and the material breathed well. The bib shorts were comfortable with thermals underneath.
The jersey was made of 100% polyester, with three decent pockets at the back that held all the usual bits and bobs. They were easy to acccess and in the right places. (You can get a concealed pocket as well for a surcharge). I prefer full front jersey zips to the quarter length ones, and there is a full zip option in the Akuma range.
The bib shorts were also comfortable and performed well, though I'd probably prefer the padded bum section to be a bit smaller as it felt a bit bulky off the bike (though I recognise that everyone's bum is different!) The bib shorts were a mix of the company's polyvel, ignitex and venvel fabrics, though polyester leads the mix.
After a bit of wear and subsequent washing (I've worn them maybe a half dozen times since the Normandy trip), I have noticed a few frayed edged and lose threads, though I must stress these were samples and not the finished product.
The range included merino options, as well as full sleeve jerseys and a range of caps and winter hoodies.
You can design your own kit using their online tool that mixes and matches existing designs, or you can have their team of designers mock something up for you. When I asked, they sent back this within 24 hours, which was pretty impressive.
Akuma is certainly an option worth exploring for cycling clubs and charity riders, especially those wanting to support locally owned and operated businesses, and UK-based production. Bespoke kits come with a guaranteed turnaround time of three weeks.
Akuma Cycling, Women's Bib Shorts and Jersey
Women's Reglia Bib Shorts: £70.79
Women's Short-sleeve Jersey, £36.00
Official website
