Hincapie Fall Riding gear review

As I packed up the car and filled my Camelbak, my wife looks at me and says "You're wearing just THAT to go riding?!". The mercury read 37F as I loaded up, so I figured if this Hincapie gear could keep me somewhat warm on a cold day like this, it would perform amazing on a crisp fall day!


Hincapie has a strong reputation in the road cycling & triathlon industry for manufacturing high end bibs, tights, jerseys, etc. and their XC gear isn't any different. At first glance all the gear looked solid and well made, but we all know the real test happens on the trails. For me, the true sign of great cold weather gear is that you stay warm without effecting performance and mobility.

Powercore Merino LS Baselayer - MSRP $80

Features:
- Super-fine ADV™ Merino Wool is itch free and naturally antimicrobial.
- Every fiber contains thousands of tiny little pockets that trap air to insulate against the elements.
- Naturally porous Merino wool fibers give off a small amount of heat as they absorb and transport moisture away from the skin, preventing chill.
- Wool and polypropylene fiber blend increases dry time to improve comfort, recovery, strength, and durability.
- Fiber’s unique chemistry and bacteria resistance naturally suppresses odors caused by human sweat.
- Ergonomically fitted body and gusseted side panels provide a contoured, conforming fit.
- Elongated body, comfort fit cuffs and smooth flat-lock seaming ideal for layering.


The Good: It's obvious that the Powercore Baselayer is made for cycling, cut to fit perfectly and never felt like I was stretching it out when reaching for the bars. With the extended back seam, I could keep it tucked in without it riding up on me keeping out those pesky unwanted drafts. And as with most Merino baselayers, it's super soft, wicks away moisture and isn't one bit bulky.

The Bad: As will all high end Merino wool products, you'll pay top dollar. But in my opinion, they are worth their weight in gold!

Arenberg Zero Jacket - MRSP $200
Features:
- Textured, 4-way stretch MTX Wind Repel™ fabric provides a conforming fit and insulation from cold temperatures
- HyperOptic Roubaix™ reflective treatment for superior visibility
- Super Roubaix™ back panel for added warmth and breathability
- Weather protective center front 2-way zipper with internal storm placket
- Enhanced ergonomic design improves riding comfort and element protection
- Three generous back pockets
- Weather protective hem, cuffs & collar seal out the elements


The Good: Just like the baselayer, having gear with the the body's riding position in mind helps with fit and comfort. I never felt like I was stretching out the arms to reach the bars and the material had some stretch to it...which helps when you're a husky Medium like me!! As far as warmth, with the combined baselayer I was surprisingly VERY toasty on our snow ride, even during short stops to take pictures. The zippered cuffs were also key for tucking the gloves into the sleeves for a nice tight seal on warmth.

The Bad: For someone that always rides with a hydration pack, I typically have no use for rear pockets unless I wore it out on a road ride. I'm all about hitting up the pub after a ride, so I would have also liked to see small zipper pockets on the front to stash keys and a phone.

Black Ice Glove - MSRP $70
Features
- Insulated, windproof/water-resistant laminate blocks out the elements
- Special Dry Hand lining helps move internal moisture away from skin
- Chamude palm with silicone logo gripper provide excellent feel and a more secure grip on the bars
- Silicone gripper wraps around side panel for no slip shifting and braking
- Reflective piping across glove top for improved low light visibility
- Anti-pill fleece nose wipe area on thumb
- Glove clip helps keep gloves together for easy storage


The Good: The Black Ice gloves gave the warmth of a winter glove without feeling like I was wearing hockey gloves. The perfect amount of insulation kept my hands SUPER warm throughout the ride and I never had any issues shifting or braking. The silicone on the palms and fingers kept me connected and always in control. The fleece thumb nose wipe is a nice touch, and I def put it to use on our chilly ride.

The Bad: The Medium gloves were a tad bit roomy for me so it might be helpful to try them on before purchasing. For fall riding you could probably go with the Power Winter glove model from Hincapie as I think these would be TOO warm for fall riding.

Tour LTX Pant - MSRP $110
Features:
- 4-way stretch Adavanced LTX Wind Repel™ fabric moves with the body while providing unparalleled wind protection
- RegulatorTek™ with Thermocool™ optimizes body temperature regardless of activity level
- Ergonomic articulated knees for a tailored fit and freedom of movement
- Auto-locking, zippered leg openings facilitate easy layering over shoes
- Seamless gusset eliminates short seam overlap
- Elastic draw cord adjustable waist
- Reflective treatments for high visibility


The Good: As you can see from my epic Van Halen inspired split kick, the pants were anything but restricting. As far as warmth goes, the wind proof material helped keep my chicken legs toasty warm from start to finish.

The Bad: I'm undecided if this is a bad thing, but the pants are unpadded so you'll have to wear your favorite chamois of choice to keep your bits protected. I'd also like to see maybe one or two small zipper pockets for chapstick or a phone for those that can't help but Instagram their ride of the day.

OVERALL VERDICT:
I was honestly VERY surprised how warm I stayed throughout the ride, with my feet being the only body part that could have used another layer. (if only I had the Hincapie Arenberg Zero Shoe Covers). I would go as far as saying that on a reg fall day, if you layered the Merino baselayer with the Arenberg Jacket you'd probably be TOO warm. But with some proper gear like the Hincapie lineup, many of us in the Northeast could extend our riding season at least another month!