dhb Aeron 2016 Autumn/Winter Range

Paul Horta-Hopkins

A preview of the dhb Aeron 2016 Autumn/Winter Range, which should see you through the changeable days ahead.

Ok it’s not quite Game of Thrones weather yet, but winter is coming and we took the opportunity to try out the the new dhb Aeron autumn/winter clothing range at the Wiggle South Downs 100 Sportive. With the day starting off chilly and finishing with me basking in t-shirt and shorts, adaptability and layering was going to be the order of the day; typical autumn weather.

The Aeron Autumn/Winter collection should keep me going until winter proper sets in

dhb had supplied a full set of clothing that would be the kind of kit you would need for a fast ride at this time of year. With early morning starts after a cold night, then developing in to late autumn sun, you can never be sure what to wear. You can either end up toasty in the morning and boiling in the afternoon. Or go the other way and be stood shivering at the start, but smug in the sun at the end. Of course the other option is to wear clothing that you can add or remove as the conditions demand.

With a combination of dhb’s Aeron Sportive long or short short sleeved jerseys, a Super Light Packable Windproof Gilet, R-Line arm and knee warmers, Speed Bib Shorts and not forgetting a pair of Aeron Thermolite® Socks, I had enough options to cover me; unless it rained!

The Aeron Sportive jerseys come in male and female fit

The jerseys are made from a lightweight polyester fabric, that feels ridiculously light and has anti-bacterial properties, so no more offending non-cyclists at the cafe stop. Both jerseys have three rear pockets and a zipped fourth one. The zip on the short sleeve is very discreet, with the zip pull the same colour as the jersey, so it blends in. The longer jersey has a reflective bottom to the central pocket and both have silicone grippers on the hem. Laser cut sleeves on the short sleeve jersey lay nice and flat and leave no marks.

The Aeron Speed shorts use a CyTech Comp HP chamois day long comfort

The Aeron Speed bib-shorts are “dhb’s most technical short to date”, so I’ll be expecting a lot from them. They certainly look and feel good. With lightweight, flat, ribbon-like straps I feel they ought to in the lingerie section rather than sports! The shorts have a Coldblack® finish applied to the Revolutional® Energy fabric. The latter “offers a high compression action,” apparently this provides ” perfect muscular compression as well as an aero fit – helping reduce fatigue and improving efficiency of movement.” The Coldblack treatment is designed to reduce heat build-up due to direct sunlight, perhaps not a major problem on a cool autumn day, but handy for an Indian summer or warmer climes.

Keeping up the lingerie item feel is the Lightweight Merino Short Sleeve Baselayer. Using a 120gsm merino wool/Polyester blend, this baselayer has a lovely soft feel to it; too nice for a sweaty cyclist? As someone who has always used man-made fibre baselayers I’m interested to see how this natural product fares.

The Aeron Super Light Packable Windproof Gilet is a featherweight item and will squash down into a tiny package

The Aeron Super Light Packable Windproof Gilet is exactly what it says it is; super light, packable and windproof. Like the jerseys it is so light – 67g claimed – and scrunches down to fit in a rear pocket with room for more. Initial impressions from one ride were impressive. It kept me warm, with no annoying flappage and when it was time to remove it, it disappeared into my rear pocket.

Aeron Thermolite® Sock, keeping my toes toasty this winter?

Last up are a pair of Aeron Thermolite® socks. These use hollow core fibres in the Thermolite® material to produce a warm sock without bulk. While I’m not in to the whole “sock game” thing, I do like warm toes, hopefully these will keep my tootsies toasty!

dhb’s Aeron Storm Waterproof Jacket is their most advanced jacket so far and like most of dhb’s range comes in male and female specific item

Also in the range are the Aeron Storm Waterproof Jacket, this is dhb’s most advanced water-proof jacket to date and uses some advanced materials to keep you going when the weather is doing everything it can to keep you indoors. Eighteen months in development it uses 37.5™ Technology – active particles between the waterproof layers – to try and keep you body core temperature at 37.5°C, while 37.5% is the “optimum relative humidity in your micro-climate”. All this is to keep you comfortable and performing at your best and is achieved with the help of bamboo fibres and volcanic ash; clothing technology is getting as advanced as any other part of our sport! I hope to review one of these jackets and will let you know once we have one.

Details and prices can be found on the Wiggle website. Check my earlier review of the 2015 Aeron winter range to see how their cold weather gear fared.

Wiggle

[rps-include blog=127.0.0.1 post=30824]