Le Col adds the ARC gravel clothing collection to its portfolio
British cycling apparel brand, Le Col, has revealed its ARC collection – designed for mountain bikers and gravel riders.
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The ARC range was developed by an all-woman team under the product leadership of Jen Choi. Creating the visual identity for an off-road garment range can be demanding because mud and dust are encountered on each ride. Colours must look good ‘dirty’ and remain durable for several seasons of riding and washing.
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Le Col’s design team navigated the challenge of choosing colours for the ARC collection that work with diverse mountain and gravel bike frame colourways. There are eight pantones used throughout the ARC range, including white. The core colours, used on jerseys, are purple, orchid, amber and olive – giving riders generous choices to match their kit with bikes and frame bags.
British designs – Italian fabrication
Using Italian fabrics, the ARC collection promises to bring breathability, thermal comfort, and small item storage to all off-road riders.
This new range from Le Col features Pertex® Shield fabric, promising excellent thermal insulation and comfort on those autumn rides. There are also Merino wool blend garments, for mountain bikers and gravel riders who value the traditional appeal of cycling’s legacy performance material.
2024 lecol 1.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Riders who need an ultralight rain jacket can opt for the ARC Lightweight Rain Jacket, at only 190g. It features YKK zips, which won’t seep moisture if you get caught riding out in the rain. Priced at £280, the ARC Lightweight Rain Jacket has Ripstop material construction, known for its durability.
Bib shorts have become increasingly technical, with riders demanding not only comfort and moisture wicking to prevent chafe, but also storage. Le Col’s ARC Cargo Bib Shorts feature rear and side pockets, for snacks, tools, spares, or anything else you need to access while riding along.
Pad construction is crucial to any bib shorts, and the ARC Cargo Bib Shorts feature a bamboo blend microfibre pad that promises long-distance riding comfort, even on those corrugated, gravel bike routes. Le Col’s Cargo Bib Shorts retail for £210.
The £110 ARC Overshorts are created for optimal riding and hike-a-bike walking comfort. With four-way stretch material, they won’t impede your pedal stroke or stride off the bike. Recognizing the need for utility, the ARC Overshorts feature zipped pockets to safely store small items like keys, credit cards, or snacks.
Many Merino options
Most of Le Col’s new ARC collection is Merino. The trusted thermal regulation and comfort material for riders, Merino has been happily revived with advanced blends, enhancing the soft-touch feel and thermal comfort across a generous temperature range, when riding.
2024 le col2.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Le Col’s £180 ARC Merino jerseys are available in short or long-sleeve versions, all made from premium Italian Merino, supplied by Biella. Rear pockets provide ample rear-around storage.
Riders needing more insulation from those crisp autumn temperatures can add an ARC Merino base layer, for £75. There are three versions of the ARC Merino base layer: long-sleeve, short-sleeve and sleeveless, catering to whichever calibre of additional wool insulation you need.
The Merino base layers are all constructed with flatlock seams to prevent chafing on those 100-miler endurance gravel rides.
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