Solo cycle clothing was formed by two friends who loved the styles worn by the pro-riders of the 1950's - 1970's. Simple, powerful designs which demonstrated that less is more. They searched worldwide for clothing that had the flair and emotion of that age. Nothing existed. It was then that they realised that there must be other cyclists who felt the same. So the two friends decided to put their cycling and design backgrounds to good use and create something special: cycle clothing that made you want to ride - rain or shine. Taking their inspiration from the great riders, grand tours, equipment and cycling culture of that golden era, Solo's mission is to produce the most beautiful cycling jerseys in the world - jerseys made for like-minded souls.

• see more Solo cycling Jerseys
• see more from retro and vintage cycle clothing from Solo

The new white version of Solo's woollen Équipe jersey guarantees that you'll be the most stylish rider in the chaingang. You'll be one of the most comfortable too because it's made from MAPP Matrix fabric with a merino wool inner face that's warm, breathable and super-soft next to your skin. The polyester outer stops the wind blowing in, as do the ribbed merino neck and wrist bands and the stretchy hem. The attention to detail is excellent - right down to the web address printed on the back pocket buttons. It washes fine in the machine too, even when filthy. 

SOLO is a new clothing brand established in New Zealand by two friends, setting out to reproduce the styles of the 1950s-1970s era. The Équipe jersey features Mapp Matrix fabric — a polyester front and Merino wool backing that are fused together, providing wind and water resistance as well as wicking properties. A full-length reflective strip is a nice touch and the Equipe has two large button-fastened rear pockets offering ample storage and Merino wool cuffs and collar. Solo has a conscience too — the brand believes in fair trade and not global sweatshops. Available in rich blue, black, red or white for £90





by Brian Palmer at the washing machine post

on tuesday of last week, this jacket was sitting in auckland, new zealand, happily minding its own business and looking forward to a career down under, midst the acres and acres of merino wool and roads full of skinny wheels. and here we are, less than a week later and it's supping an espresso on the patio at debbie's in bruichladdich. an interesting dhl world is it not?
solo have blind-sided most of the western world by producing quality, retro style clothing as if from nowhere and are currently very much on the up and heading towards being a major player in the niche market that is cycle clothing. the solo equipe jersey adheres to rule number one regarding dressing for the road: if you're warm enough in the first two miles or so, then you're probably overdressed. heading out towards bruichladdich on a cold but sunny islay sunday morning, coolness (sartorially and physically) was mine at least until reaching bridgend around three miles later. after that i was still cool but cosy (if you know what i mean).

the equipe is available in red, blue or black, with a white contrasting hoop across the chest and back, full zip, merino wool collar and cuffs (with amply proportioned sleeves) and two generous rear pockets with button fastening. and working on the principle of art lies in the details, the buttons have solo's website monogrammed on the centre (plus solo generously supply a spare button, zip tied to the label). the fabric is a new one on me which solo use for both the jersey and their leg and armwarmers (which will be the subject of a future test/review). called mapp it basically consists of a 100% merino wool inner layer, somehow welded to a polyester outer. this provides all the properties of merino next to the skin, while presenting a windproof and water resistant outer to the world at large. the mapp fabric also has incredible inherent stretch properties that make it a delight to wear on the bike.
in order that you shouldn't mistake this garment for any other, the solo logo is flocked (can he say that?) in black onto the white contrasting hoop both front and rear. the look, as you can see from the photo is decidedly old skool, much like the wearer, and very much the better for it.

having had it travel several thousand miles to its new home in the hebrides, it seemed only right that it be taken out on the colnago to see the countryside. the mighty dave t dictated that climbing should be the order of the day, so there was a lot of puffing and panting on a remarkably sunny and windless islay day (uncharacteristic or what?) up the hill at storakaig. despite the threat of itchy and scratchy from the merino collar, that impression was very much wide of the mark - the collar was transparent in use, but kept the earl morning chill at bay. the equipe is a comfortably loose fit - not so much so that it flaps in the breeze, but warm enough that it was worn with merely a short sleeve merino thermal underneath. on really cold days, i think a long sleeve thermal would offer more cosiness on the arms - the fabric is windproof but not wind block, and while the opportunity to test the water resistance did not present itself, i think on really cold, wet, west coast days i might still pack a waterproof. what i'm probably getting at is that this is more of autumn/fall, early spring apparel than thick of winter.

i can think of one or two other manufacturers who provide for this fleeting part of the market, but perhaps not with such panache. i did feel rather distinguished in the solo equipe jersey, even if jez did beat me to the top of the pass. and always assuming that you don't mind being too bright and shiny in those apres velo hours, it's quite practical to wear the jersey off the bike - i know, because i've just done so.

read the article over at the washing machine post >

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