Old Meets New in Kitsbow’s Icon Shirt
Time-tested Pendleton wool alongside high-tech Schoeller fabrics for performance and versatility
There’s no shortage of cycling brands designing clothes to transition seamlessly from the on the bike to on the street. From moisture management to visibility to ease of movement, cycling apparel has made a quantum leap in wearability for the neon lycra-averse riders. On the mountain bike side, things have been less progressive—that is until Charlie Cronk and Zander Nosler put their self-described obsessive approach to design, function and quality to work with Kitsbow. Based just north of San Francisco in the mountain bike haven of Sonoma County, California, Kitsbow’s blending of style with technical fabrics and features has caught the eye of style-starved single-track riders around the world. Their take on the classic overshirt, the Icon, embodies this considered and versatility-focused approach to apparel design.
Combining time-tested Pendleton wool with strategically placed Schoeller 3X Dry panels, the Icon is designed for the trail but works just as well off the bike. “Pendleton wool has endured the test of time as a true classic of the outdoor-person’s wardrobe,” says co-founder and designer Cronk. The material is naturally insulating and anti-microbial, “so it does not stink, even during or after high exertion activity,” Cronk continues, “And it keeps one relatively dry in a light rain, is very durable and wears well for a long time, indeed.” Laser-cut Scholler panels are placed on the elbows and shoulders to offer an extra layer of protection when keeping the rubber side of the tires down doesn’t work out and to resist wear marks from backpack straps.
Articulated arms with ventilation in the shoulder area further enhance the natural breathability of the wool and lend to greater range of motion. Ideal for colder rides with enough water resistance for light rain showers, the Icon is the ultimate piece of Pacific Northwest trail-to-work-to-bar gear. Plus, the wool will only get softer with each ride.
Hand-sewn in San Francisco and available in limited qualities, the Icon is available in three colorways from Kitsbow for $195.
Images courtesy of Kitsbow
