The Evolution of the Cycling Kit

A cycling “uniform” is called a kit. A kit basically includes the jersey, bib shorts, shoes, socks, helmets, eyewear and gloves. However, a kit these days includes the jersey and the bib shorts only.

Back in 1988 when started to ride and join bicycle racing, there were no high-end jerseys that you could buy. The jerseys were silk-like material in which the team logo was stitched to it. The cloth was heavy and the stitching made it heavier.

High-end jerseys were actually available but not in Cebu. At the Cartimar Market, there were plenty of bike shops that sold these Italian branded jerseys that cost more than my monthly salary.

Like most wannabe pros, we all wanted to wear the jerseys that the pros were wearing and looking back, we all looked like trying hard, cheap copycats.

But in the early 90’s I was able to get a jersey made by Santini, a famous Italian brand that used to be a sponsor for the Tour de France. It set me back by 3.5kphp, a large sum in those days but I didn’t care. I felt like I was Claude Criquilion!

Since only a few could afford those high end jerseys, some local cyclists made a business of buying jersey and shorts in Manila and resold them here. National athletes like Rene Mier, Boy Pagnanawon and Dondon Romales used to bring those goodies back home.

Andot Sabal, a cyclist and a friend, decided to make jerseys by using the silk screen process in printing the logos. It was a big hit back then because it was cheap and though a little itchy, it was better that what we used to wear. Andot was more into mass production of jerseys and running singlets rather than the artistic side of it and when he passed away, his son in law continued the business and it’s now called &Dot.

The design of the jerseys were still based on what the pros wear, bright luminescent and loud. It was the theme for so many years- the louder the jersey, the more it sells.

Although I don’t remember exactly when the tide turned, it was the advent of a pro team from Great Britain called SKY. SKY was the first to wear all black jerseys and at the same time it was minimalist in design. The logos were small and their black jerseys created a stir. There was this belief that black attracts heat and when you are a road cyclist racing under the sun…

The maker of the SKY kit was a company from Great Britain called Rapha. It was what is known back then as a boutique brand- very expensive. It was and is still a status symbol to wear that brand today.

But then came the jerseys from China. They were better and way cheaper than those produced from Europe or the US.

At the same time, another local brand started to make noise, SALT+FIN, owned by another friend Nino Abarquez. S+F was I would say lucky because cycling became a big hit during the pandemic and with it a demand for affordable and durable jerseys. Nino promoted S+F as a local product but with a premium connotation.

These days, the market is almost saturated with jersey brands coming out. I didn’t even include those coming from Lazada or Shopee.