Northwave is a unique company when it comes to bicycle kit. For example, even though it’s still a family-owned business after more than 50 years, there’s nothing old-fashioned about the company: innovation and development are its watchwords.
Perhaps more importantly for UK cyclists, even though it’s a proud Italian brand whose home is among the hills of Treviso, its approach to sizing is very much sympathetic to what British riders might expect. If something with a Northwave logo takes your fancy, you shouldn’t need to double guess what size to buy.
That knowledge can be very useful as Northwave’s 2023 line is full of great bits. Whether you’re looking for breathable, lightweight summer jerseys, the protective qualities of hi-tech modern weather proof jackets, all-day bibshorts, or simply super-comfortable socks, Northwave has what you need.
So we caught up with distributor Raleigh UK’s Northwave brand manager, Tom Waugh, to look at some of the brand’s 2023 road cycling highlights.
Northwave Extreme 2 Jersey £79.99
“All of Northwave’s top-of-the-range road and gravel kit carries the Extreme name. There is the Extreme jersey; the Extreme Pro bib-short that we’ll look at next; and then the Extreme Pro 3 shoe. For the ultimate high performance, you can shop the ‘Extreme’ range. There are even Extreme Air socks,” Tom says.
“This Extreme jersey is designed to be a close-fitting ‘pro-fit’ jersey and it’s made with an elastic component in the fabric, so that it grips to the body very tightly. Even the gusseted rear pockets are designed to fit closely, so when you put something in the back-pocket it stays tight against the body.
“It’s the modern understated design with Italian style that makes this is a real stand-out product. This product is a benchmark in performance and quality, surpassing other brands on the market. What I find most exciting is the Extreme 2’s value-versus-performance ratio. To get a top performing cycling jersey, with great styling at an affordable price, there’s no need to look anywhere else.”
Highlights of the product
- Colours: Black | Purple | Forest Green
- Ultra-thin imperceptible-to-the-touch fabric that combines excellent breathable properties with UV protection (UPF50+)
- Stretchy, breathable mesh sleeves for easy movement
- For enhanced visibility even in low-light conditions, reflective details are available
- Three gusseted rear pockets
Northwave Extreme Pro Bibshort £139.99
“The Extreme Pro bibshort from Northwave features the company’s Explorer pad. Multi-density construction ensures that the pad has a slim profile and minimal seams, which helps to minimize chafing. It provides all the support you need in exactly the right places and is ideal for long days in the saddle,” Tom says.
“Northwave uses a multi-fabric construction for its Extreme Pro Bibshorts. A softer fabric around the groin and inner thighs provides additional freedom of movement and breathability, whereas the outer leg is a tighter nylon, so you get a nice close fit and support around the rest of the short. Clean lines are achieved by the raw-finished cuffs and silicone grippers that hold the legs in position.
“Northwave clothing is often seen as more of a mid-tier brand but the top-end stuff really packs a punch when it comes to value for money.”
Highlights of the product
- Only available in black
- Three densities of open cells on an Explorer Pad
- Construction of panels with variable compression
- Straps made of microfibre elastic in perforated
- Raw-cut panels for the legs with silicone non-slip application
Northwave Storm Air Jersey £69.99
“At the same price, Northwave has both the Storm or this Storm Air jersey. They are the same cut and the same style, the difference being the Storm Air is more breathable and lightweight, so it’s suitable for hotter weather,” Tom says
“The Storm Air jersey has a more relaxed fit in comparison to the Extreme 2 jersey as it features a lighter weight mesh-like fabric designed for warmer days. While still a close fit, the fabric allows for additional freedom of movement for warm days in the saddle. It’s perfect if you’re riding abroad or if we are having a hot summer here in the UK, or even for wearing on the turbo-trainer.”
Highlights of the product
- The colours of Viola | Yellow | Viola
- Linfa fabric is made with structured mesh for breathability
- Mesh inserts are placed on the bottom and back of the yoke to increase airflow
- Silicone grippers on the waist, sleeve and hem
- Three back pockets featuring a full reflective border
Northwave Blade Jersey £59.99
“The Blade is Northwave’s best-selling jersey and for good reason. With the Blade, there are loads of colour options – in fact, Northwave’s colour palette is consistent all the way from clothing, to socks, to footwear – and while the Blade is a looser fit, it still benefits from modern styling,” Tom says.
“It’s a bit more relaxed on the fit, so if you are somebody who likes a close-fitting product, I’d suggest you downsize on this one. There is also a lighter weight Blade Air jersey at the same price, with the same cut but with additional breathability, much like the Storm Air. Blade and Blade Air both have the same ventilated fabric at the back, but Blade Air has the mesh fabric on the front.
“This is perfect for road or gravel or pretty much any riding at all!”
Highlights of the product
- Colours: Deep Blue | Dark Grey, Black | Light Grey, Purple | Forest Green
- Fabric is made with microscopic pores to ensure first-rate airflow
- For additional ventilation, super-breathable inserts of 3D mesh on the sides
- Hemless cuffs with dotted silicone and silicone waistband
- 3-back pockets with reflective borders
Northwave Fast Bibshort £129.99
“The Fast bibshort is the next option in the range after the Extreme bibs. The Fast bib still features Northwave’s Explorer pad but does not benefit from the multi-fabric construction seen in the Extreme bib. By using only one type of material in the main short construction, the Fast loses the additional breathability and freedom of movement that the Extreme provides.” Tom says.
“Over recent years, Northwave’s shorts technology has really stepped up and the range of pads featured in the company’s range has been refined. Historically, Northwave had more than 25 different pads in the range, it has now been reduced to just eight options – across both men and women. Northwave is now much more precise in terms of how it is making its pads and how they are specced.”
Highlights of the product
- Only available in black
- Construction of panels with variable compression
- Elastic straps in perforated microfibre and perforated bib for excellent moisture management
- Three different density options for an Explorer Pad with Open Cells
- Raw-cut panels for the legs with silicone non-slip application
- Mesh pockets on the back provide additional space
Northwave Active Bibshort-Gel £109.99
“Unlike the Explorer and the Fast bibshort, this Active Bibshort-Gel comes with Northwave’s Adventure gel pad. The way you can think about this is: the Explorer pad is great for long days in the saddle; the Adventure gel pad is designed for the less seasoned cyclist looking for additional padding, who perhaps only spends a few hours in the saddle each week,” Tom says.
“Not to be confused with the Active bibshort, which features Northwave’s entry-level pad, this Active gel pad is a little bit thicker, offering extra protection. In terms of other design elements, the Active Bibshort-Gel features silicone grippers to ensure the short stays in place and, while it does not have the raw-cut finish on the cuffs featured on bibs higher up the range, it’s still a fantastic short.”
Highlights of the product
- Only available in black
- Panel construction
- Perforated microfibre elastic with perforated backing for moisture management
- Adventure Gel pad
- Leg ends with non-slip silicone elastic
- Logo with reflective elements for better visibility
Northwave Rainskin Shield 2 Jacket £124.99
“The Rainskin Shield 2 jacket is absolutely mega! One of the most exciting things about this garment is that it is a soft-finish nylon – so it’s actually very nice to touch. It’s as waterproof and as breathable as you need it to be. It’s four-way stretch because it’s designed to be close fitting – so you have full freedom of movement. And it also has an elasticated loop in the neck that looks like a label or a tag, but you can tuck it all into that and it’ll pack away into your back pocket,” Tom says.
“The secret to the Rainskin Shield 2’s incredible performance is its 2.5-layer construction. The face fabric is laminated and then the back has a dimpled printed surface. This creates an air gap between your skin and the jacket. It allows water vapour through the membrane more efficiently and protects it. For £125, a fully-taped, four-way stretch, genuinely all-year-round jacket is really pretty special.”
Highlights of the product
- The only colour available is grey
- Engineered to adhere to the body like a second skin – ultra aero-fit waterproof
- 10,000mm airflow| 10,000mm breathability
- 4-way stretch, 2.5-layer fabric with fully taped seams
- P4Dry® print process together with S.Café® technology helps to quickly wick away excess moisture
- Bottom of elasticated jacket with silicone gripper and reflective details. Also includes a packable function.
Northwave Extreme Air Socks £13.99
“These Extreme Air socks are low profile, well fitting, super breathable, and designed to be anti-bacterial and odour-free thanks to the Qskin yarn they’re made from. In theory, you could even wear them on back-to-back days,” Tom says.
“Cyclist often overlook the importance of socks and sometimes don’t consider that a pair of road or mountain bike shoes are pieces of performance kit, and not like any other kind of footwear they may own. Much like you would have with a running or hiking shoe, for me it is extremely important to have the right sock to deliver the best fit and performance. Northwave is well aware of the role that socks play in the fit and comfort of footwear. Northwave’s socks deliver the best fit and feel, and work great with any cycling shoe – although, of course, they work best with Northwave’s own footwear range!”
Highlights of the product
- Green Forest, Grey | Black, Grey | Yellow Fluo, Black | Green Forest, Grey | White, Black | Purple, Light Grey | Grey, Black
- Qskin yarn is odour-free and has a natural balance bacteriostatically.
- Airflow is promoted by super-breathable openwork knit
- Double elastic hem
- Height: 17cm