Sport And Biking Talk: Kitsbow Origin Collection review

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Kitsbow Origin Collection review

The full zip design means you can open up if things start to heat up.

What is it

Kitsbow’s cross-country leaning Origin Collection consists of four well-crafted pieces that are equally at home railing on the mountain bike or gravel grinding through rural countryside. The Origin Jersey LS is a four-season long sleeve top that features three rear pockets, abrasion resistant Schoeller panels, and breathable, moisture-wicking Polartec Power Dry fabric. The Origin Jersey SS shares the same fabrics and pocket layout, but in a summertime friendly cut.

These are bar none some of the best mountain bike shorts we’ve ever tested.

The Origin Short is constructed from robust Nylon woven fabric that’s both breathable and durable. Four pockets provide ample storage, and the ladder-locking adjustable waistband helps you dial in fit. Finally, the Origin Base Short is lightweight cycling undershort made from Polartec Power Stretch fabric and has a high-quality Cytec chamois.

Pros

It’s all superbly constructed
Attractive understated look
Jerseys have great hand feel
Schoeller fabric panels on jerseys resist tearing
Both jerseys have full-length zippers zip
Reflective piping enhances safety
Shorts extremely durable
Shorts resistant to staining
Shorts will never snag on saddle
Vented mesh pockets on shorts
Easy to grab zipper tabs on shorts
Breathable waistband on shorts
Dual button on shorts for max security
Base short Cytec chamois is top of line
Undershort effectively wicks moisture
Undershort has 50 UPF sun protection so it can be worn alone

Cons

Expensive across the board
Jersey fit is on loose side
Oversized logos on jersey will be too much for some
Jerseys have very small zipper pulls
No kneepad compatibility with shorts
Shorts waist adjustment a tad finicky
No SWAT pockets on undershorts

The short sleeve Origin jersey comes in three colors, including the pictured Kitsbleu.

Mtbr’s Take

Remaining true to the Kitsbow philosophy that, “anything worth doing is worth doing with the best of what’s available,” the Origin Collection is an impressive addition to any cyclist’s wardrobe. Both the long ($ 175) and short sleeve ($ 150) jerseys breath well, effectively wick moisture, and feature strategically-placed Schoeller fabric panels that won’t tear if you snag a trailside branch or take an unscheduled tumble.

Schoeller fabric panels on the shoulder and elbow/forearm area resist tearing and provide an extra element of protection.

The three-pocket design (plus one small zipped stash spot) mesh well with the current trend of ditching the hydration pack, availing lots of storage for food, tools, a spare tube, and whatever else you need for your next adventure. My only real gripe is that the zipper pulls are kind of small and the pockets are a tad on the loose side, which can lead to a little bounce on particularly rough terrain. Both jerseys are available in six sizes and three colors. Fit compared to my normal sizing was a tad on the loose side, so make sure to try before you buy.

The shorts’ dual button offers max security. The mesh lined waistband keeps swamp ass at bay.

While I liked the jerseys, I truly loved the Origin AM shorts ($ 155). No the tapered cut doesn’t play well with kneepads, so if you’re always “enduro’ing” look elsewhere. But for cross-country rides or even dirt road adventuring on the drop bar gravel bike, these are some of the best shorts I’ve ever worn. The Nylon fabric is incredibly durable, but also has enough stretch to allow for comfortable movement on the bike. All four pockets have easy to grab zipper tabs, are mesh lined for improved cooling, and are placed in such a way as to not interfere with the pedaling motion. The cut itself is tapered, meaning they’re all but impossible to snag on your saddle.

Inseam length is 11.5 inches. Cut is tapered to all but eliminate saddle snagging.

They’ve also resisted staining, something I can’t say for many of the other light colored MTB shorts in my closet. My lone grip is that I’m not a huge fan of the waist adjust mechanism, which takes a little fiddling to loosen. These shorts are available in one color and six sizes, all with an 11.5-inch inseam. Just make sure to check the sizing chart. While size large MTB shorts are normally a tad loose around my 33-inch waist, this pair of size large shorts were perfectly tailored, if not a little snug.

The undershort’s 30% spandex construction provides a comfortable and compressive fit.

Finally, the Origin Base Short ($ 125) completes the collection with its highly comfortable Cytec chamois pad, breathable Polartec Power Stretch fabric, 30% spandex construction for compressive leg muscle support, and UPF 50 sun protection if you want to skip the overshot and run the Lycra look. They’re available in six sizes, and once again I was right on the edge, just squeezing into a medium, which fits 32-33-inch waists.

The Cytec chamois will keep you comfortable and chafe free on even the longest days in the saddle.

Bottom line, for riders who put a premium on high functioning cycling apparel, the Kitsbow Origin collection is definitely worth trying on. Yes, it’s expensive. But like so many things in life, you get what you pay for.

Origin Jersey LS Rating: 4 out of 5 4 Flamin' Chili Peppers
Origin Jersey SS Rating: 4 out of 5
Origin AM Short Rating: 4.5 out of 5 4.5 Flamin' Chili Peppers
Origin Base Short Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: Origin Jersey LS: $ 175; Origin Jersey SS: $ 150; Origin AM Short: $ 155; Origin Base Short: $ 125
More Info: www.kitsbow.com