Review
Despite gravel’s anything-goes attitude, people still seem to struggle with trying to “look the gravel part”. The truth is that gravel is a far more flexible discipline than most, and the apparel that suits it can be whatever you want it to be. If it makes you feel good and helps you ride the way you define gravel, it’s the right choice. Wear what you want. Just know that you’ll never convince me that your jean shorts are more comfortable than bibs designed by experts and tested by athletes.
Velocio is a premium cycling apparel brand known for its minimalist design, technical expertise and commitment to responsible production. The brand distinguishes itself through a strong focus on women’s-specific apparel. That quiet confidence and low-profile aesthetic align naturally with the serious – but not flashy – culture of adventure and endurance riders.
*Emma Chose Size Small for all pieces of clothing
-Emma
With my “all bikes are destined for gravel” approach this winter, I needed to find proper clothing to reduce the threshold for getting out there when the weather is at its worst. While winter mountain biking gear is perfectly adequate for a few hours of gravel riding on the North Shore, there is something about getting kitted up in tight-fitting, purpose-built gravel/road clothing. Velocio’s Luxe lineup was the perfect candidate to see if the claims were true. The biggest challenge would be deciding when to choose the baggies and when to choose the Velocio. See, I am heavily influenced by the clothes I am wearing during a ride. If the garment is too loose and floppy, I get distracted with the swooshing noises and the movement of it around me like the rings of Saturn.
Our go-to gravel loop on the North Shore is a 20 or 40km (12.5 or 25-mile) excursion into the Seymour River Valley. The valley traps the cold air sneaking in from the North and can be wetter than the foothills of the Shore Mountains that we live in. This incredible ride, this close to a metropolitan city, can feel like a backcountry epic if the weather turns on you: no cell service and literally 20km from any amenities. Search and Rescue teams pull a few people out of there every year. If a mechanical can mean a couple of hours of walking out, I want to be wearing the best clothing I possibly can in the winter. I like to over-prepare without having to carry all that gear with me in a pack.
-Deniz
The “Fly Free Design” is a feature many bibs looks past. This allows for easy bathroom access while wearing the Luxe Thermal bibs.
The back is more exposed than the Men’s version of the Luxe bib.
WOMENS LUXE THERMAL TIGHTS – Emma’s Thoughts
The first time I tried the tights on, I embarrassingly put them on backwards. I had a good laugh when I looked at myself in the mirror. The chest panel, which is the front, works as a mini baselayer to wick moisture and provide extra insulation through the torso. The bib straps cross the back and have enough elasticity in them to allow the bibs to be pulled over your bum as you squat. This is Velocio’s proprietary FlyFree design, which allows women to pee without removing their top layers. It becomes very convenient for long, wet rides when the thought of removing multiple layers in cold rain is enough to make you skip the pit stop altogether.
The FlyFree system only works if you pull the tights down at the same time as you’re squatting, in one swift motion. I was impressed by how smooth the movement felt when I first tried it. It really works well. The only downside to the system is that the bibs feel less supported on my lower back, not to mention a bit breezier back there. The design requires the fabric to be relatively loose and low profile at the lower back. The lack of support can feel like the bibs are falling down when I am walking around. I do not notice this once I am on the bike in riding position, as my back is arched. It is a small but noticeable tradeoff for convenience and something that can save minutes of garment struggles.
The straps are wide and comfortable.
The stash pockets are cavernous.
Some other great features of the Luxe Thermal Tights include the DWR treatment and rain patch fabric at the heels to repel splashes and rain. It is rainy all winter here, and the water repellent fabric helps keep my feet dry, with fenders also helping with that. The fleece lining keeps me warm, and I only started noticing them to be borderline too hot when temperatures hit around 12 degrees. The recommended temperature range for these thermal tights is 2 to 13 degrees Celsius, compared to the regular LUXE tights, rated from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius.
The cargo pockets on the thighs are amazing. They are big, low profile, easy to access, and retain their stretch. Overall, the design is excellent. They were able to design the tights so that they have the elasticity to be maneuvered over the female bum while squatting, while still maintaining their shape during riding. The compression and DWR treatment make them ideal for winter rides above zero or 32 degrees Fahrenheit, where comfort plays a role in how long you are willing to be out there.
Buying a pair of tights like these is definitely an investment in your riding wardrobe. They are not cheap, but the quality and performance back up the price. Depending on how frequently one rides in cold temperatures, these tights should easily last through years of winter riding.
The straps are wide and comfortable for the most part.
The high compression legs are functional, and the reflective cuffs are reinforced for durability.
Luxe Thermal Bib – Deniz’s Thoughts
The Luxe thermal bibs are Velocio’s answer to eliminating excuses to avoid rides in the winter. These fleece-lined, compression bibs come in a size range of XS – XXXXL. Let that sink in a little. Compression fitting on bibs are really important for redirecting blood from your legs back up to your heart and eliminating air gaps to keep you warm in the process. I am 5’9″(174cm) and weigh 160-165 lbs. Size Small fits me well and allows for plenty of movement and flexibility on a ride and off the bike. On the legs, the reflective cuffs are made from durable material to fend off road debris and drivetrain contact. The tight mesh pockets on either side on the thighs offer phone and snack storage options. For bathroom breaks, the front of the bibs are cut low and are the stretchiest part of the garment, allowing access without having to drop the shoulder straps. The shoulder straps are wide, comfortable and unobtrusive, mostly. One ride, I opted to wear the straps against my skin and 20km in, the edges of the strap rubbed against my man nipples and caused some discomfort. This is totally an issue with my body type and where my bits fall in relation to the straps. I use a baselayer under the straps now, which also helps drop the shoulder straps if I need to, without having to take my top off. I rate the Luxe Thermal Bibs a 9/10. The chamois is comfortable and I am fond of the purple colour myself. If you don’t like that, you can get them in black or green too. Since you wear thermal bibs for shorter periods of the year, they’ll last for many seasons before they wear out.
Deep Winter Base Layer and the Luxe Thermal Long Sleeve together are a great combo.
Deep Winter Base Layer – Deniz’s Thoughts
A soft, warm yet highly breathable base layer from Velocio that I paired with the bibs on every single ride. This here is a wool blend garment that is tight-fitting and stretchy.
It is 75% Polyamide, 25% Wool. Polymide is a fancy word for nylon, but combined with some wool, it does a great job wicking away moisture while keeping you warm. It has been an essential item I bring on short or long rides. It doesn’t get stinky and feels very comfortable. Velocio recommends starting layering in this base layer below 10℃ (50°F). Thats pretty much what I did. As the spring rolls in, I will keep using this as I reduce the mid and outer layers depending on the temperatures. The arms are long enough for this rider.
The base layer is best worn under the bib’s straps. This may be common knowledge to you, but I am just learning this stuff…
The Thermal Long Sleeve in Copper Brown is very nice looking.
Zipper pulls are easy to operate with gloves and the zippers glide effortlessly.
Some motivational and admirable words are printed inside.
Luxe Thermal Long sleeve – Emma’s Thoughts
I really like this jersey for the simple reason that I am always excited to wear it. Beyond the obvious minimalist and sleek design, it is very comfortable and makes me feel cozy on cold rides. I find myself more attracted to and willing to pay for brands that are quiet in their branding. If I am going to spend money on quality products, I refuse to also be a walking billboard.
The waffled pattern of the jersey is composed of 25 percent merino wool and allows for excellent temperature regulation and circulation. The pattern is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable on the skin. I never felt wet or sticky when sweating. The jersey has three standard pockets on the back with ample space, along with one small side zipper pocket. The front zipper is extremely smooth and high quality, with black accented flaps at the ends to prevent pinching and protect from dirt getting in. The collar has the height and comfort you want in a cold weather jersey, keeping the neck well protected from the elements without irritating my skin.
It is rated for temperatures between 4 and 13 degrees Celsius, compared to the merino LUXE jersey, rated from 7 to 18 degrees. I would call that a stretch for the lower end of the temperature range, though I do tend to run cold. It is a great jersey on its own and works well for shoulder season. It can easily be combined with a vest, base layer, or winter jacket to adapt to winter riding or changing temperatures throughout a ride. I am finding it to be quite a versatile piece in my wardrobe and one of my favourites to wear. So far, the jersey has lasted through many washing cycles with no signs of stretching or deterioration.
Stretchy, warm and comfortable. Pairs well with a vest and/or a jacket
Luxe Thermal Long Sleeve is a jersey that can be a mid or outer layer depending on the temperature and precipitation.
Luxe Thermal Long Sleeve – Deniz’s Thoughts
The Luxe Thermal Long sleeve is a full zipper entry, mid to outer layer piece designed to complement the Base Layer or an extra outer layer incase the temperatures demand for it. This versatile piece builds on the Deep Winter Base Layer and is similar in construction. The 75% Polymide / 25% Merino Wool construction is slightly heavier weight than the base layer and includes three stash pockets on the back, much like a jersey. Recommended to be worn in temperatures around 40ºF (4ºC) – 55ºF (13ºC). It can be a stand alone outer layer jersey or worn under a rain jacket or heavier jacket like the Alpha Zero. I reached for the thermal long sleeve often, and wore it mostly as an outer layer. On a drizzly day or two, I put a shell jacket over it. The thermal bib + base layer + thermal long sleeve is the most you’ll need to survive the PNW winter rides on your gravel, road or XC bike. I wore size Small.
Alpha Zero is a well insulated, fuzzy lined jacket for when the ground is frozen.
It fits nicely over the base layer and the long-sleeve mid-layer from Velocio.
Alpha Zero Jacket – Deniz’s Thoughts
The Alpha zero jacket is a warm and expensive piece of equipment. Much like Cooper found when he reviewed this jacket in the past, it needs to be almost freezing for me to reach for his jacket. That is rare in our neck of the woods and this winter has been particularly mild. The DWR coating is great at fighting the rain but all this warmth and water proofing makes the Alpha Zero a Zero degree (C) affair. But whenever it was the right conditions to wear the Alpha, I was glad to have it in my arsenal. It kept me warm 40kms into a frozen ride and descending at speeds of 70k/h+ I was toasty as a hot dog in a freshly toasted bun. The 53% Polyamide / 47% Polyester construction is PFAS-free. I like that you can zip up or down for ventilation thanks to the dual zipper setup. It makes cooling easier on the move. Ain’t nobody got time to take things off to pack. The Alpha Zero Jacket does not pack well unless you have a hip pack or a frame bag to throw it in. Again, if I am wearing this outfit, I am out there to exercise and not to dilly dally. It is a performance piece designed for a performance ride. I wish it was a little more packable with some straps to attach to your bars. That way you could just put it on for the descents.
The Alpha Zero has plenty of storage for goodies. Gloves, food, pump, burrito, juice box, etc.
The UltraPack Jacket is extremely lightweight. Why not just bring it?
As the name suggests, easy to pack into itself.
Goes over the helmet for those Brrrrrr moments.
Women’s UltraPack Jacket
As the name suggests, the UltraPack Jacket is a packable layer intended for multipurpose riders looking for something versatile, lightweight, and compact. Intended for bikepacking, mountain biking, camping, hiking, or general outdoor use, this is a true multipurpose piece. It has a comfortably relaxed fit, ensuring it can go over a hip pack or multiple layers if required, and features a two-way zipper that opens from the bottom for extra venting. I appreciate the low profile coverage in the back, as it covers my bum from dirt and spray while keeping it warm and dry, something I find lacking in other shell jackets. I would recommend sizing down if you prefer a tighter fit, as it is relatively loose in my regular size small and can catch the wind.
The jacket packs into the side pocket, which can be compressed further and easily stuffed into my mountain bike downtube storage or a jersey pocket when gravel riding. In terms of durability, I have noticed a small hole in the sleeve, which surprised me as the material feels quite tough for how thin and light it is. I assume this tear was the result of stuffing the jacket into my bike’s downtube storage, so I will blame myself for that one. I may open a ticket and take advantage of their repair program, which is available to customers in the US, Canada, and Europe.
The versatility of this jacket is what I like most. With its looser fit, I find myself using it for more than just riding. I hate being cold and almost always bring an extra layer just in case. This jacket ticks all the boxes for fit, comfort, and protection against chilly wind and passing weather.
There is some beauty to be found in these valleys.
Plenty of swimming holes you can access with a short gravel ride.
Velocio sits at a higher price point, yet the attention to fit, function, and women’s specific design makes that investment feel justified. As a shorter rider, the LUXE pieces fit me well and, more importantly, make me feel good. The older I get, the more I invest in clothing that is comfortable, performs well, and is not loud with logos, because that is what matters to me. Wear what you want, but there is a lot of value in investing in gear that actually works when conditions get hard, or you take a wrong turn.