Q36.5 - Cycling Apparel Done Right

For the record, this is not a paid promotion and I am not sponsored by Q36.5. I am, however a fan of their products in general. That said if there is something they produce that I don't like - I will tell you.

So, why am I talking about this brand? Because it is rare that products in the cycling industry are as groundbreaking or as they claim to be. So, it occurred to me that a brand that is all about making the best quality product possible, in a time when all others are seemingly about volume and marketing, deserves a mention.

Q Who?

If you've never heard of Q36.5 before, I wouldn't be surprised. Whilst the household names in the cycling clothing market are out there chasing influencers and getting their names up and onto the backs of teams in the World Tour, the Bolzano-based brand is instead focussing all of its’ efforts first and foremost on R&D and the quality of their manufacturing.

This focus is something you'd come to understand when you learn that the Italian brand was established by Luigi Bergamo - the very man to whom ASSOS attribute a lot of their success following his 20 years as the their head of Research & Design.

Their research-first approach leads Q36.5 on an experimental quest to create cycling apparel that is functional and that simply performs brilliantly. Much like his previous employer's reputation, if there was a single word I would use to describe Q36.5, it would have to be 'Quality', but if I had three words, the other two would be ‘performance’ and ‘considered’.

Based in Bolzano, just 60Km away from the infamous Dolomites, Bergamo's Q36.5 are a surprise package. In a time when it seems a new clothing brand takes to the cycling industry each season, backed by some huge marketing campaign or a World Tour Sponsorship deal and a bucketload of hyperbole, Q36.5 continue to go about their business in a steadfast fashion. That being that rather than seeking to be the world's largest cycling clothing brand and shouting about watts saved, or seeking to partner with the biggest Influencers on Instagram, their uncompromising approach to quality and innovation remains top of their agenda and they instead choose to continue to produce outstanding clothing that will not only last longer than anything else out there but has some pragmatic, legitimate performance and comfort benefits.

Now, just because you may not have heard of them, don't go thinking that Q36.5 are some small mama's and papa's company. Oh no! Sure, they’re perhaps not one of the most well-known brands out there, but this gives Q36.5 license to do things that other brands simply are not. In many of their products, you'll find fabrics you won't find anywhere else. But not just as some marketing gimmick - it's all in the pursuit of producing the best product possible.

Love at First Ride

I was first introduced to Q36.5 by my local bike shop, 7Hundred in Windsor. Owner, Dave Butcher was always encouraging me to try a pair of the Q36.5 Saloppette Dottore Bibs and their Pinstripe Jerseys, but for a while I resisted.

Not because I didn't know the brand or trust Dave's opinion, but because of the price. With my first pair of Q36.5 bibs coming in at £250, I was concerned as to whether or not I was taking a risk. After all, there was ASSOS: a known quantity with similarly priced bibs, often recognised by everyone in-the-know to be about the best bibs you can buy. So why then, would I spend a similar amount on this little (at the time) unknown companies bibs?

In the end, I conceded. As someone that takes buying advice from those they trust, it made sense. After a couple of saddle sores and finding myself always having issues with the placement of stitching or bib straps that rolled up or even sometimes just stitching fraying and items not surviving a wash...it was time to see what all the fuss was about and to see if the products lived up to their price. So in summer of 2017 I invested in a pair, hoping they'd make some noticeable difference to my cycling comfort.

Why all the fuss?

Before I even put the bibs on, the first thing I noticed was how light they were. I'm no weight weeny (I've got another 10Kg to lose before I can be concerned about 50grams here and there), but my goodness they felt almost like air! Pulling the bibs on it was immediately obvious they were tight. Not in a way that suggested they were too small, but rather, there was a compression quality about them, yet there weren't any compressed spots or choke points on the quads or waist. It was evident the design was well thought out and the quality of the assembly of these bibs was next level.

I've been riding regularly in those same bibs since 2017. They're my choice of bibs for turbo training too. The chamois is slim and lightweight, yet still, somehow, manages to offer more comfort and relief than any bib from any other brand I've tried since.

Those same bibs are as good today as the day I bought them, even after likely a near 1,000 washes (in a quality wash bag, of course) and many thousands of Kilometers in all sorts of conditions...and even a crash where they came away without a scuff on them!

What about other Q36.5 products?

Since that eye-opening experience with the Saloppette Dottore Bibs, I've gone on to invest in 2 vests (Gilet's), 3 more sets of bibs (summer and winter), multiple jersey's, all their varieties of base layers, leg warmers, arm warmers, caps, socks and gloves and even their Neck Buff (The 'Scaldacollo Neck Warmer'). There are a few constant themes with everything they make: Q36.5 have looked at a traditional item of cycling apparel, identified all of the things that make them great and all of the things that make them not so great and then set about improving them further.

The most prime example I can find of this unwavering approach to considered and quality design is in the Q36.5 TERMICA X Thermal Jacket.

I would argue that most half-decent brands can do a good job of summer jerseys and shorts (probably because you'll find most brands use OEM pieces with their logo on them), but where I think a company claiming to produce high performance, quality apparel should be judged, is on their winter kit.

Any fool can throw on a number of layers and get themselves warm. But the result of that is bulk, excessive sweat and then the eventual shivers as your wet body gets cold. Ultimately, performance suffers. I can attest to this having ridden in a fully sponsored team kit for a year and even had that sponsor come to a team camp to explain how best to layer up for certain conditions. I won’t mention the brand, but in short: The approach for winter was to use certain base layer (for wicking sweat) combined with a specific long-sleeved jersey (for the warmth) and a gilet over that (for wind protection). At first, it makes perfect sense. However, the three items of clothing actually don't work in harmony with one another. The sweat is wicked from the base and passed to the jersey, the jersey gathers the sweat, yet it can't get dry because the gilet is blocking it from the wind...

Surely that’s how all layering strategies work, right?

Q36.5 look at things differently. Rather than just creating a piece that uses a single material all over, they’ve taken a more scientific and intelligent approach. The TERMICA X, for example, is designed to work with your own body temperature and to control the heat loss in all the right places. There are different fabrics on the front and back. There are lighter, more breathable fabrics in the areas where you generate more heat or sweat more. The TERMICA X successfully keeps you warm, whilst at the same time stop you from overheating and then sweating...which in turn leads to getting cold. Oh…and there is no bulk! It weighs just 400g. Compared to other jackets that are slated to work in temperatures of 0-degree celcius with only a base layer underneath - that’s pretty special! (The Castelli ROS is 525grams).

But more than just using different materials to keep to let the heat out, there are some beautiful ergogenic features too. The TERMICA X has a 4-layer collar that doesn’t restrict neck movement or make you feel like you’re being choked - arguably quite important when doing an aerobic exercise. The 4-layer design stops cold air from sneaking in through the neck and ruining the wonderful warm air pocket you’ve built up.

Q36.5 have considered that the part of the body that is going to take the brunt of the chill when riding at speed is the front. The result being insulated chest and arm panels to protect your core, combined with a slim, breathable panel along the spine at the back to allow some heat to evaporate.

Lastly, something as simple as the cut, which is something Q36.5 consider with all of their products: It’s one thing for a garment to fit right when you’re standing straight. But when you’re on the bike, you’re not in that position. So Q36.5 tailor their pieces to fit right when you’re on the bike. This feels great, particularly with the TERMICA X, as when you’re hunched forward, down in the drops or in an aero position, there isn’t a gathering of material or excess flappy fabric up on the shoulders.

Simple things. But you won’t find these features elsewhere.

How does that work? I hear you ask:

Again, as with the Saloppette Dottore Bibs that I spoke of earlier; considering it's a deep winter jersey, it's incredibly lightweight and free from bulk. The most comparable product on the market that I'm aware of on the market (also similar in price) is the Castelli ROS Jacket, but that thing is like a knitted Christmas Jumper when put alongside the slim-cut, race-fit, snug TERMICA X.

You'll first notice that the TERMICA uses different fabrics and all over, unlike some other deep winter jackets. On the inside, the sleeves and front panels (chest) are insulated with a slightly thicker thermo shell that offers great wind resistance. After all, when you're out on the road power along, it is your arms and chest that are going to be taking the brunt of that cold wind.

Just as with bikes, in the world of cycling apparel, there really are only a handful of manufacturers out there in the world that churn out kit that is branded as this or that.
but if i had to save one of them from a burning building...it would most likely be The TERMICA X! Partly because it is the most expensive, but partly because it is the single item of cycling apparel that can get me through a damn cold winter in comfort!

A few times in this review I flip between calling this a jersey and a jacket. Honestly, it feels like and performs like a long sleeve jersey, but has all of the deep-winter prowess of far heavier, bulkier and more layered jackets...i the form of a jersey. You decide what to call it. All I know is that it is amazing!

The TERMICA X continues what has now become a tradition for me. I look at the product in the store, I compare to products I have used before and recognise, always, that there is a gulf in quality with Q36.5 being leaps and bounds better. So, how is the Termica X better? Well...

I bought by Termica X back in November 2019. I wanted a long sleeve winter jersey that would keep out the rain and remain breathable. I wanted to stave off colds and flu whilst continuing to ride and to do so I wanted to keep my core warm. Traditionally, with other products from other brands you'd have a compromise: Go for a waterproof jacket, but end up sweating inside what is effectively a non-breathable plastic bag with a zip, or, opt for something breathable that isn't waterproof in any way. Or, there's the middle ground where you keep the rain out for 10 minutes or so during a wet ride, but really, that jersey isn't good in the dry as it just makes you sweat.

The Termica X, however, is a master of all of these traits!

I expected the Termica X to be good (the price denotes it ought to be very good), but what I didn't expect was to wear only a single base layer underneath the Termica X throughout an entire Winter and Spring Season, without needing to add any additional layers for extra warmth. The range of this jacket / Jersey has blown me away!

Intelligent Design

Whereas other winter jerseys on the market can often keep you warm, it's often achieved through thicker materials, or layers of different materials that don't work well together. Just because the out material is waterproof and the inner lining is breathable does not make the garment itself breathable. I rode for a team last year that used Merino in its' winter kit. But, that's the ONLY material is used. In the cuffs. In the collar. On the front and the back and even the pockets. Sure, I was warm, for a while. Then I started to overheat and sweat! Then the Merino jersey became - If I'm honest - a bit stinky. Whatsmore it took forever to dry!

Q36.5, however, have intelligently considered the combinations and placement of the materials used. The front panels and the arms are insulated inside, keeping out the worst of the wind, helping to keep your core warm and negating the need for a gilet/vest. The back of the jersey does not have that same insulation and has an even thinner panel of fabric running up the spine allowing just the right amount of heat to escape, preventing overheating and excessive sweating. This serves to keep the jacket light and ensure that sweat leaves the garment, rather than building up (only to leave you wet and shivering at the cafe stop later!).

You would think that the thin panel on the back would just allow you to become cold, but in fact, Q36.5 has been very clever with this and considered how the garment reacts when you're getting hot. Very smart indeed! (also, given that the fabric is behind you, the wind isn't getting to it, so your back still doesn't get cold)

Clever use of materials

Another challenge that Q has given thought to overcome is the bulky aspect. Riding in the winter can be a lot less fun that a summer ride with long sleeves, neck buffs and all the paraphernalia to help keep out the cold. The neck on the Termica X is ingenious. Q36.5 have taken into account that necklines on jerseys aren't one-size-fits-all. Some find them incredibly restrictive and others will have a slimmer neck, meaning air rushes in and completely ruins the pocket of warm air you've worked to build up. Well, with the Termica X there is a 4-layer neckline to deal with this challenge without compromise. In practice, the only thing you need to know is that there is a think layer of light and stretchy fabric that comes higher up the neck, like a polo neck jumper (if you will). This contours your neck and quite neatly allows you to move, twist and rotate, all the while keeping out the cold air and helping to maintain the core temperature.

More details demonstrate the consideration of the design. The high-vis panels on the arms and lower back aid in visibility in the poor light conditions of the winter months. The pocket on the left arm; perfect for a mobile phone or gel (easier than reaching back with gloves on and trying to figure out what it is you're moving about and ultimately failing to grip!).

Lastly, it should be recognised that as a jersey that will most likely be used in the wetter months, this, like all Q36.5 products also takes drying time into account. Now, whilst that won't matter if you're getting home after your weekend club ride and it isn't going to be used again for another week; for those of us that commute or race back-to-back, a jersey that performs so well and dries so quickly (after both a rain shower and a wash) is valuable indeed! Many times I've had this hung in my office all day and enjoyed putting it on at 5 pm to feel the fabric is completely dry.

An impressive piece of kit indeed. If this jacket were twice the price, I'd still buy it! It is that good!

recent public outings

Q36.5 is gaining more traction all the time. Although they’re not on the backs of a world tour team as yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if before long, we see them on a podium-topping team. Rumour has it, INEOS are moving away from Castelli for 2022 and beyond. Could it be that this Italian brand, what with their relationship with Pinarello, could be going from ‘Who are they’ to ‘where did they come from and where have you been all my life!?’ for most people? I wonder if we’ll see Q on the backs of The Grenadiers in 2022. Watch this space ;)

Q36.5 apparel was used in the launch of Pinarello’s new ‘Dogma F’ - the bike used by Team Ineos Grenadiers

Further to their relationship with Pinarello, Q36.5 kit is available in only selected stores. You won’t find them on Wiggle and other big outlets, but rather only selected and curated places. Pinarello’s own London shop, for example: https://www.q36-5.com/pinarello-store/

Alterantively, the place I choose to buy my kit is 7Hundred in Windsor @ https://www.7hundred.co.uk/q36-5/