​Shimano may be best known for its groupsets but it’s now branching out into the clothing market, with the launch of the S-Phyre range of performance apparel. 

The range includes a jersey and bib shorts, skinsuit, socks and gloves, and will be used by WorldTour team LottoNL-Jumbo this season. 

The Japanese company first used the S-Phyre name last year with a range of shoes and it already produces clothing under its own name, but this new range looks like a serious bid for the high-performance market.

Shimano enjoys a dominant position in the cycling market, its groupsets feature extensively on top-end race bikes as well as entry-level models, and its shoes are massively popular. It owns clothing brand Pearl Izumi and works closely with several professional race teams, so it’s sure to have done its homework before venturing into the clothing business. 

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Shimano S-Phyre clothing 1 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Shimano says it has one goal with the new clothing range, to “maximise power transmission by delivering more performance per gramme, cheating the air, and using the linkage effect to create efficiencies.” That’s certainly some bold talk, and we look forward to testing the new clothing to see if it helps us ride faster. 

Included in the S-Phyre range are jerseys, bib shorts, skinsuits, gloves and socks, all designed using Shimano’s growing expertise with bike fit and aided by performance studies. 

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Shimano S-Phyre clothing 39 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

“S-PHYRE is the newest expression of our passion for leading, using everything we know about performance to create meticulously engineered cycling apparel. S-PHYRE lives up to everything you expect from Shimano and everything we demand from ourselves,” explains Marco Zaja, Shimano Europe Deputy Director Softgoods.

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Shimano S-Phyre clothing 20 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The highlight of the range is the jersey and bib short, both of which have been developed using 3D construction and details like seamless shoulders, all to reduce wrinkles in the fabric that can contribute to unwanted drag. Pockets are positioned anatomically with easy access a key design criteria. The bib shorts use a “shock-absorbing winged chamois” which sounds fantastically exciting for a padded insert, with woven leg grippers in the shorts. 

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Shimano S-Phyre clothing 19 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The Skinsuit aims to be well fitted with a second-skin approach and is made using seamless shoulders and a fabric that provides advanced moisture management. 

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Shimano S-Phyre clothing 35 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The S-Phyre gloves are designed for spring and summer use and are a fingerless mitt with a 3D construction and a pull-on design to reduce bulk around the wrist. 

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Shimano S-Phyre clothing 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Lastly, the socks will provide cushioning in key places with ventilation and slip resistance on the sole and heel.

You can find out more, and your nearest dealer, here www.shimano-lifestylegear.com/gl/index.php