Test: The collection of Martin and Peter Velits, the founders and owners of Isadore, is gradually being expanded (we reported). With lots of merino wool and a classic look, the professional twins are right on trend. And the quality is also right, as Velomotion was able to determine.
On a racing bike in a wool shirt? A few years ago, this idea would have passed for hopelessly old-fashioned (and not particularly clever). In the meantime, however, a lot has changed in terms of fashion - a certain classic touch is highly topical today. The materials have also been significantly further developed and have nothing to do with the heavy woolen fabrics of yesteryear, which hung itchy and baggy on the body. High-tech blended fabrics made from merino wool and polyester have various advantages over pure synthetic materials: the material is softer and doesn't feel as plastic-like; it's already nice and warm at a moderate material thickness and completely immune to unpleasant odors over time – a fate that threatens just about every pure polyester jersey. Jerseys with wool content dry on the body just as quickly as those made of synthetic material, so they don't soak up sweat like they used to.
The only disadvantage of merino jerseys is their mostly steep price, but that doesn't have to be the case. The brand of the professional brothers Martin and Peter Velits, Isadore Apparel, offers beautiful and high-quality wool jerseys in the online shop for just over 100 euros, not made cheaply in the Far East, but in a traditional textile factory in Puchov, the home of the two racer. Seamstresses make the collections of well-known fashion brands there, and the care that has to be taken can also be seen in the Isadore jerseys.
To give us an impression of the versatility of their products, the Velits' sent us three jerseys. The very easy Climber's Jersey (above) in summery white with blue color accents (130 €) is something for very hot days and can also be worn without anything underneath - don't worry, the 23 percent wool content certainly won't itch on the skin.
The eye-catching La Flame Jersey (€125, left) is a good choice for averagely warm summer days when you can shiver on descents, tours that lead into the evening or rides in early autumn, then with an undershirt and the warm merino arm warmers that Isadore has in stock - and which are manufactured in the USA.
A large collection and many useful details
Basically, you only need a long-sleeved jersey (left) in really cool weather, and that Long sleeve jersey (€130) in the bold color “Burnt Orange” is consequently made from a fairly thick material, this time with 44% merino wool. With the prominent stitching on the elbows and on the chest (where an inner pocket is placed), this is perhaps the Slovakians' most modern-looking kit. Like the other jerseys, it has a fairly high collar, which makes a lot more sense with a warm jersey than with the light mid-summer model.
All jerseys have a full-length zip in common. The solidly sewn back pockets are equipped with a small zipped pocket, which in turn has a buttonhole for routing a headphone cable.
To match their jerseys, the Velits brothers offer a small collection of cycling shorts that are all black and have a rubberised Isadore lettering on the left and right leg as the only decoration. The regular Bib shorts (120 €) consists of a slightly stronger material and is equipped with a mesh back on the straps that reaches up to the neck, so it is quite comfortable to wear even at temperatures below ten degrees. The trousers are made entirely with flat seams; A different material is used in the seat area than on the side panels, which is said to be particularly abrasion-resistant. The rubber on the leg end is quite sparse - it could have been a little more than narrow Isadore logos to keep the pants on the skin. The turquoise seat padding, which is not too thick in the crotch, is pleasant - finally cycling shorts that don't feel like diapers! For colder days, Isadore offers bib shorts made from warm Thermoroubaix (€130), as well as a pair with long legs (€160); the only thing you would wish for in the range was light midsummer trousers.
And finally ...
The twins Martin and Peter Velits deserve a lot of praise for their collection, which is no longer so small – after all, one shouldn't forget that both are still active professional cyclists. Peter even wore the overall leader's red jersey for a day at the Vuelta that just ended. Especially on such occasions, the two will regret very much that they are only allowed to wear their own jerseys and pants when it is guaranteed that nobody is looking...