Loeka Clothing Check
Loeka Goes Green
For seven years, Loeka has been designing women-specific mountain biking apparel that offers a purposeful fit, function, and design, with a mission of encouraging more women to try mountain biking. Now that Loeka has evolved from a small start‐up into a brand worn by Canadian national riders and sold internationally, the company has added sustainability to its list of business objectives and continues to expand its product line to include lifestyle apparel. This summer, Loeka announced that their garments are now 100% recyclable. Customers can return their used Loeka gear to a participating dealer (or direct to Loeka), where the material is deconstructed and used in new products. Customers who participate in the recycling program not only help the environment, they also receive a 10% discount on new purchases.
![Loeka clothing]()
Cascade Freeride short
But what about the gear? Since I’ve been mostly riding cross-country this summer to allow a few injuries to heal, Chelsey Henry, a DH rider from Spokane, Washington, offered to share her thoughts on Loeka’s Cascade short. After reviewing the Cascade last year, I was keen to hear if Loeka had addressed the production error with the leg vents, and if the material was a little lighter for summer riding. Here is what Chelsey had to say: “The biggest change for 2012 is the thickness and stiffness of the fabric. There has been a noticeable improvement in the breathability of the material, with a lighter shell and lining. The actual weight of the short is noticeably different compared to last year, but this doesn’t appear to have affected the durability of the material.”
2013 Cascade Freeride short updates
• Contrasting zippers
• Leg openings made smaller for more streamlined shorts, still accommodate knee pads
• Fit remains the same
• Colours: Black or Blueblird
• -$90.00 USD/CDN
Ozust short and Kasista jersey
This summer I’ve been wearing Loeka’s all-mountain kit: the Ozust short and the 3/4 sleeve Kasista jersey. As with the Cascade short, the Ozusts are much lighter this year. Riding on hot days is significantly more comfortable now (with Vancouver’s heat wave being a great testing environment). The fit remains flattering and functional, and all of the pockets and vents - which are the same as the Cascade shorts - are very practical. I’m still not a big fan of vents on my hips (I’m hippy enough), and I would prefer an alternative to the single fastening button that I found a tad uncomfortable when climbing. However, the short still gets two thumbs up from me.
![Loeka clothing]()
This year the Kasista jersey has a wider scoop neck that’s feminine and flattering. Even though the neck seam rests under the straps on my hydration pack, I haven’t experienced any irritation on long rides. Loeka continues to use the same breathable, wicking lightweight fabric that I love, and again has incorporated the hidden “stuff” pocket that I’ve used for everything from my phone and sunglasses, to car key and energy bar. The colours are a bit more muted compared to last year, but they still pop especially when paired with Loeka’s shorts. After this hot summer, I’m hoping Loeka considers adding a tank top to their product line for those blistering hot rides.
![Loeka clothing]()
2013 Ozust short updates
• Contrasting zippers
• Leg openings made smaller for more streamlined shorts, still accommodate knee pads
• Fit remains the same
• Colours: Black or Amazon Green
• -$80.00 USD/CDN
Loeka Lifestyle
New in 2012 is Loeka’s 'Lifestyle' line of casual clothing. Chelsey has been wearing the Loeka Dress, zip‐up Loeka Hoodie, and Loeka Vest, with the dress being her favorite. “It’s casual, comfortable, and sexy all at the same time.” The fit in the shoulders of the Lifestyle pieces tends to be a bit wider than the riding gear (with overall sizing a bit smaller than Loeka’s mountain biking gear), but the material is super soft and comfortable, and the colors are simple but fun.
![Loeka clothing]()
• Cascade Shorts are $90.00 CDN (available in black and tango red)
• Ozust Shorts are $80.00 CDN (available in black and Italian purple)
• Kasista Jersey is $60.00 CDN (available in green blue slate; v‐neck available in tango red)
• Loeka Dress is $60.00 CDN (available in black and green)
• Loeka Hoodie is $80.00 CDN (available in black and blue)
• Loeka Vest is $75.00 CDN (available in black and blue)
www.loeka.com
For seven years, Loeka has been designing women-specific mountain biking apparel that offers a purposeful fit, function, and design, with a mission of encouraging more women to try mountain biking. Now that Loeka has evolved from a small start‐up into a brand worn by Canadian national riders and sold internationally, the company has added sustainability to its list of business objectives and continues to expand its product line to include lifestyle apparel. This summer, Loeka announced that their garments are now 100% recyclable. Customers can return their used Loeka gear to a participating dealer (or direct to Loeka), where the material is deconstructed and used in new products. Customers who participate in the recycling program not only help the environment, they also receive a 10% discount on new purchases.
Chelsey Henry sporting the Cascade Freeride short
Cascade Freeride short
But what about the gear? Since I’ve been mostly riding cross-country this summer to allow a few injuries to heal, Chelsey Henry, a DH rider from Spokane, Washington, offered to share her thoughts on Loeka’s Cascade short. After reviewing the Cascade last year, I was keen to hear if Loeka had addressed the production error with the leg vents, and if the material was a little lighter for summer riding. Here is what Chelsey had to say: “The biggest change for 2012 is the thickness and stiffness of the fabric. There has been a noticeable improvement in the breathability of the material, with a lighter shell and lining. The actual weight of the short is noticeably different compared to last year, but this doesn’t appear to have affected the durability of the material.”
“The fit of the 2012 Cascade short has remained the same – they are short in the crotch and long in the leg so that I get full coverage to my knee. I have a smaller build with cyclist quads so I need something that will fit my waist while remaining loose over my legs. I wear a size small, and while the waist is a bit loose on me, they comfortably accommodate a belt.”
“The location of the vents and pockets is the same as last year. The hip vents scoop air while I’m riding providing some much needed cooling on those super hot days. I haven’t used the vents on the inner leg often, but I when I do I really appreciate the added airflow. The short comes with front pockets, zippered back pockets, and a lower leg pocket which is perfect for my phone.”
“In addition to the feel of the fabric, the colors have also expanded to include an awesome 'tango red', in addition to the purple and classic black offered last year. The graphic details on the shorts really pop and make the short stand out. Coupled with a Loeka jersey, you can really have fun with your bike kit. If you’re a girl who likes those little details, the lining of the shorts also complements the shell in contrasting colours.”
Chelsey is one of Loeka’s Grassroots team riders, and although she is a ambassador for the brand, she pays for her gear which means fit, function, and design are important to her.
“The location of the vents and pockets is the same as last year. The hip vents scoop air while I’m riding providing some much needed cooling on those super hot days. I haven’t used the vents on the inner leg often, but I when I do I really appreciate the added airflow. The short comes with front pockets, zippered back pockets, and a lower leg pocket which is perfect for my phone.”
“In addition to the feel of the fabric, the colors have also expanded to include an awesome 'tango red', in addition to the purple and classic black offered last year. The graphic details on the shorts really pop and make the short stand out. Coupled with a Loeka jersey, you can really have fun with your bike kit. If you’re a girl who likes those little details, the lining of the shorts also complements the shell in contrasting colours.”
Chelsey is one of Loeka’s Grassroots team riders, and although she is a ambassador for the brand, she pays for her gear which means fit, function, and design are important to her.
2013 Cascade Freeride short updates
• Contrasting zippers
• Leg openings made smaller for more streamlined shorts, still accommodate knee pads
• Fit remains the same
• Colours: Black or Blueblird
• -$90.00 USD/CDN
Ozust short and Kasista jersey
This summer I’ve been wearing Loeka’s all-mountain kit: the Ozust short and the 3/4 sleeve Kasista jersey. As with the Cascade short, the Ozusts are much lighter this year. Riding on hot days is significantly more comfortable now (with Vancouver’s heat wave being a great testing environment). The fit remains flattering and functional, and all of the pockets and vents - which are the same as the Cascade shorts - are very practical. I’m still not a big fan of vents on my hips (I’m hippy enough), and I would prefer an alternative to the single fastening button that I found a tad uncomfortable when climbing. However, the short still gets two thumbs up from me.
The Ozust short went on a diet, a change that makes them much more comfortable on warm days.
This year the Kasista jersey has a wider scoop neck that’s feminine and flattering. Even though the neck seam rests under the straps on my hydration pack, I haven’t experienced any irritation on long rides. Loeka continues to use the same breathable, wicking lightweight fabric that I love, and again has incorporated the hidden “stuff” pocket that I’ve used for everything from my phone and sunglasses, to car key and energy bar. The colours are a bit more muted compared to last year, but they still pop especially when paired with Loeka’s shorts. After this hot summer, I’m hoping Loeka considers adding a tank top to their product line for those blistering hot rides.
A wider neck opening and muted colours set the Kasista jersey apart from crowd.
2013 Ozust short updates
• Contrasting zippers
• Leg openings made smaller for more streamlined shorts, still accommodate knee pads
• Fit remains the same
• Colours: Black or Amazon Green
• -$80.00 USD/CDN
Loeka Lifestyle
New in 2012 is Loeka’s 'Lifestyle' line of casual clothing. Chelsey has been wearing the Loeka Dress, zip‐up Loeka Hoodie, and Loeka Vest, with the dress being her favorite. “It’s casual, comfortable, and sexy all at the same time.” The fit in the shoulders of the Lifestyle pieces tends to be a bit wider than the riding gear (with overall sizing a bit smaller than Loeka’s mountain biking gear), but the material is super soft and comfortable, and the colors are simple but fun.
Loeka branches into casual clothing with their 'Lifestyle' lineup.
• Cascade Shorts are $90.00 CDN (available in black and tango red)
• Ozust Shorts are $80.00 CDN (available in black and Italian purple)
• Kasista Jersey is $60.00 CDN (available in green blue slate; v‐neck available in tango red)
• Loeka Dress is $60.00 CDN (available in black and green)
• Loeka Hoodie is $80.00 CDN (available in black and blue)
• Loeka Vest is $75.00 CDN (available in black and blue)
www.loeka.com
Author Info:
Member since Oct 22, 2008
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Finding women's gear is something I struggle with, especially as there isn't much around you could all end up with the same kit!
I do love what they are trying to do in this brand, but graphically (jersey especially) it's still just adding a little 'girlie' motif which as much as I love being a girl would appeal more to my mum...
Pinkie is all about understatment, I hate that color and everything about it.
I hate to hear that kind of reflexion :
"I'm a girl I can ride, but I neeeeeeeeed pinkie stuff to show that I can still please to someone else (mon, boys, and society)...."
And also I rarely buy girl outfits because they aren't partical... I mean the protections don't fit with a jersey so tight as the one above... So what's the point ? Riding without protection in order to show you're a girl ? But if don't wear protection you don't try new stuff (on a riding point of view), then you don't ride harder. So girls will still be slower, lower than boys who have real clothes.
So, I'm off to ride.
Have a nice day
I said ......the graphic on them would 'appeal to my mum' not me! As in it's not what I would want to wear... Get it?!!
Personally I wouldn't do pink, but not sure who's talking about pink on there either?!
I wear body armour over my jersey, which stops you destroying your clothes ever time you hit the deck, so the fit above would work with protection. The picture they are using is just to show off the clothes for the purpose of the article, which you couldn't see if they were covered with arm pads & neck braces etc.... And one of the shoots above does look like a XC ride anyway,which is just different riding, and protection isn't as needed.
Just remember how you like to ride isn't the only riding....DH, 4X, XC or road whatever floats your boat!! So protection isn't always needed. Who cares how you ride, nobody should...I'm in no race or competiton with any MAN or woman. I just ride because I love it...
Happy riding ;-)
Also im not calling anyone a bitch just trying to do my bit for equality. lol
Okay well thats my rant and no, im not a total tomboy kind of girl haha, but i just think most companies are going the wrong way in trying to cater to the female side of the sport. i shudder when i see those girls at whistler who wear their little tank tops and yoga-type shorts/pants...u crash and then what? there go ur boobs...and ur pants....and everything else...
Who on earth is designing this clothing? Obviously not a female that races DH or takes the chance that she may scrape her skin off on a tree. Obviously not a woman that enjoys laying onto a berm that she knows she may not make it out of. It's obviously not a girl that, despite having boobs, likes to have fun, get dirty, land on her head and jump up. Who are they sponsoring? Who are they HIRING? I'll do it for free, people -- seriously. But please stop wasting everyone else's time with your new 'ladies' line -- it's not new, it's not for women who actually ride and rarely is it attractive.
Total bullshit. Total, absolute, complete bullshit.
And Pinkbike? Shame on you for promoting that shit.
But may I suggest you Dakine ? I have some of their womens shorts, there are amazing (same materials as the men's), the design fits prefectly for women's hip. And they have pockets. TLD don't always have large pockets.