It’s been a busy year for Oxford’s Shutt Velo Rapide, with two race teams, Shutt Squadra Donne and Twenty3c-Focus, extending sponsorship of the Women’s Team Series and 3 Days of Bedford, the UK’s only multi-day women’s stage race. Not a company to take things easy over summer, they have been busy with their new designer, Lucy Gardner, and they’ve added three new women’s Merino Perform™ jerseys, a New Men’s Classic Jersey, and several limited edition Tweed Caps all handmade in their UK Factory to their range of Autumn Winter clothing which includes 2 performance jackets and winter leg-wear.
First up are the gorgeous women’s jerseys. AW13 sees Shutt launch their Sportive,Classic & Signature Jerseys in a women’s fit. Brand Manager Lauren Peppiatt is excited about “building on Shutt’s core values to make its clothing available to all cyclists”. Shutt has, since its launch in 2009, ensured that its clothing range looks gender neutral but has a performance fit to match. After 4 years of development and testing by its women’s cycling team Squadra Donne it now has a range of women’s garments to be truly proud of.
While they share many similarities with the men’s jerseys constructed from lightweight Merino Perform™ fabric, with a reinforced 3 pocket design a 4th hidden waterproof lined valuables pocket, 360° reflective hem and gripper, full length reflective zip [Classic Jersey] and neat zip garage they feature a closer fitting women’s specific fit.
The men are not missing out this Autumn either as Shutt has extended both its Classicand Sportive jerseys by bringing out both in a red long sleeve edition. “We’ve used a high merino content Merino Perform™ fabric, much higher than any comparable jersey, but we feel that the investment makes for a better performing jersey for this time of year.” said Miss Peppiatt. “We finished them off with all the detailing our customers have come to expect from a jersey handmade in the UK.”
That’s not all, Shutt has extended its range of handmade cycling caps in lovely new Scottish and Welsh tweeds with contrasting linings and trims. They are a one size fits most and suitable for men and women. “We think they really look fabulous and were a big hit at our recent photoshoot.” joked Miss Peppiatt.
To finish up the line up for Autumn/Winter we should not forget the other staple garments available from Shutt to complete your wardrobe.
The Performance Jacket gets a bit of a revamp from the popular Winter Jacket of Shutt’s 2011 range. An essential for winter it has plenty of reflective piping, reflective panels, elasticated cuffs to get the rain out, zipped pockets and a storm flap.
Constructed from a range topping fabric from Swiss firm Eschler, who also supply a well known Swiss cycle clothing company. It’s a three-layer fabric designed to meet the four requirements – waterproof, windproof, breathable and insulating – essential for a winter jacket.
Casual clothing is becoming ever more popular in cycling so Shutt has set out to provide a jacket which can be worn pre or post-ride, to the pub, all without screaming cyclist. As a result it has a more relaxed cut than the Performance Jacket.
Shutt’s Active Jacket is made from a soft-shell fabric which, like the Performance Jacket, is waterproof, windproof, breathable, while a micro-fleece lining provides extra warmth.
The Roubaix Bib Tights make another appearance this autumn and are lined with a brushed Thermo-Roubaix fabric, with a water repellent outer treatment.
Shutt’s wardrobe is completed with the Roubaix 3/4 Bib Knicks. Designed for cooler spring and autumn days, and warmer winter rides. In contrast to the tights, the Knicks do have a chamois, constructed from multi-density foam with an anti-bacterial fabric. In fact with the British Summer being what it is the guys at Shutt have been wearing them all year as their tan lines betrayed!