Sportful Giara jersey and bib shorts

Gravel is a Big Thing in cycling right now, with a whole new category of bikes and a growing list of dedicated tyres, accessories and now clothing aimed at those who want to break away from the shackles of the road network. Sportful's new Giara (Italian for gravel) range is intended to appeal to people who want performance clothing wrapped up in a more casual fit and look, and it's a trick it manages very well.

Sportful is a brand perhaps best known for its race-focused clothing, with designs that have benefited from its sponsorship of professional cycling teams over the years. The existing BodyFit jersey and shorts form the basis for the new Giara range, with a similarity of design wrapped up in a new colour palette of muted hues and understated style.

> Buy the jersey online here

> Buy the shorts online here

From the outside, the first thing you'll notice is the new style direction. A two-tone colour palette (available in two colour options) with a simple striped design that looks, in my opinion, really good. Colour and design is a subjective thing but there's no denying Sportful has struck a toned-down, subdued appearance with nice flashes of brighter colours that tie the jersey and shorts together. There are reflective details for those rides that last longer than expected and you're chasing the sunset home.

Is there anything gravel-specific about the clothing? No. What would make clothing gravel-specific anyway? I'm not sure. Answers on a postcard. Sportful is betting on people who want to do the gravel and adventure thing wanting more subdued clothing so they don't look like a wannabe pro. There's no stopping you using this kit on the road too; I used it in a 214km audax and the relaxed styling felt very much at home in the numerous tea shops.

The construction of the jersey and shorts appears to be the same as Sportful's regular BodyFit clothing, with no beefing-up in high-wear areas that might have been expected of clothing designed for gravel riding, where the demands on the kit are arguably higher. Suffice to say, testing in the Strade Bianche sportive and subsequent miles on Salisbury Plain's gravel roads and local woodland trails has put the kit through its paces and it's come through it all just fine.

Sportful Giara Bib Shorts (£75)

Let's take a closer look at the shorts. They're very much the same as the regular BodyFit shorts I've tested in previous years. Well-shaped panels ensure a good fit around the legs and hips with no restriction noticeable when riding. 

Holding the shorts up in place are thin, mesh bib straps that are comfortable over the shoulder, and there's a thin elasticated hem lined with silicone gripper tape to keep them from shifting about. Even during more energetic gravel riding when throwing some shapes, the shorts didn't budge. 

Inside, the padded insert is Sportful's own BodyFit Pro, a chamois comprising various thicknesses and densities of foam padding. It's a well-proven design and provides incredible comfort for rides as long as you have the energy to tackle them. There's no irritation at the edges with the interface between the pad and shorts, and they remain dry during hotter rides well.

Sportful Giara Jersey (£75)

The Giara jersey is similarly based on the BodyFit jersey, but Sportful has employed a slightly more relaxed fit, reasoning that those riding gravel and adventure events and rides might not want a second skin jersey that maximises aerodynamics, and are prepared to trade a few watts for a looser, less restrictive fit.

It's a comfortable jersey. The polyester fabric is pleasant against the skin and it copes well in hot weather, staying dry under the most demanding riding conditions. You get three regular sized pockets for stashing all your ride essentials, along with a small zipped pocket for safely storing house/car keys, especially when riding over bumpy ground when there's a risk of your pocket contents being ejected.

Conclusion

There's no denying the rise in popularity of gravel and adventure cycling, and away from the obvious hype this movement is attracting there is definitely more interest in mixed terrain, go-anywhere riding. The bikes are getting more capable and making it easy to add off-road detours to otherwise regular road rides, with less focus on average speeds and KOMs and more interest in getting out into the countryside and riding quiet bridleways, byways, gravel roads and woodland trails.

> Buyer's Guide: The best gravel and adventure bikes

The new Sportful Giara clothing range, with its understated appearance underpinned by performance design and comfort, perfectly meets this style of riding. It might not bring anything revolutionary to the table but it's an attractive alternative to race-inspired clothing designs. Whether you're doing a gravel event or riding around the hills on a sunny Sunday afternoon with a relaxed coffee stop, the Giara range gets a thumbs-up from me.

Verdict

Understated and stylish kit with good performance at a good price