Earlier this winter Velocio dropped into the Lifestyle Wear side of cycling kit with several new Recon off-bike clothing items, each made from heavy weight merino wool blends. Doesn’t it feel like every cycling brand is getting into expensive, branded off-bike kit these days? Yes, this is very expensive lounge wear and casual riding gear. But at least it looks like solid performance natural and recycled synthetic fabrics, all manufactured in the EU.
So, what does Velocio actually have in mind for Recon? And is it really worth it?
Why casual lifestyle wear for cyclists?
Well, now that some Arctic air has descended over much of Europe for a bitter return of winter, I’m longing for some warm and cozy kit to lounge around in. Before mustering up the courage to head out into the snow on a fat bike ride, or to brave a frosty gravel ride, the thought of warm off-the-bike gear is appealing.
And to me, it looks like the Velocio Recon casual line-up is high on quality materials, low-key on branding, and offers a nicely wide size range. Even if the prices are pretty high, backed up by being made entirely in Europe.
It even packs in some functional details that would make for good use on bike commuters, or maybe even more chill casual riding like bikepacking.
Velocio Recon casual merino lifestyle clothes, not just for cycling
Velocio describes the lifestyle kit as “providing warmth and practical style for the winter months”. It may be casual, but it is still quite technical – composed of a mix of natural merino wool and a number of recycled synthetic fabrics.
Women & men both get 4 core pieces of clothing in the new Recon range, plus some 27€ winter wool socks to wrap it up. Plus, women’s lifestyle also gets all-synthetic Stealth Leggings and Luxe Bras beyond the new Recon family, too.
On the more active side there are Recon Stealth Pants and a Recon Hoodie. And for more lounging around, there are the Recon Merino Sweat Pants and Crew Sweatshirt.
Then, women also get the all-synthetic $111 compression Stealth Leggings and 65€ Luxe Bras in more color options, too.
Recon Sweats
For those classically styled sweats, you get Women- or Men-specific cuts of heavyweight 285gsm Merino blend, with wool outside (23%) backed by a recycled polyester fleece lining (74%), and a bit of lycra for stretch.
Both Recon sweatpants & sweatshirts come in wide 8 size range for men (XS-4XL) and women (2XS-3XL). The sweatpants get 2 open side pockets & 2 zippered back pockets. The sweatshirts are more simple, although just the men’s get reinforced elbow patches, but not the women’s.
All sell for the same 185€ a piece price, only in black.
Recon Active
The Wo/Men’s Recon Stealth Pants lean more towards active casual wear. Velocio designed the Recon Stealth pants for riding around town or just everyday wear. They certainly are not cheap at 250€, but for that you get stretch woven bio-polyamide fabric treated with a PFAS-free DWR coating to shed the occasional shower on the commuter to work, and dry quickly after a deluge. The men’s get belt loops and the women’s a wide stretch waistband. Both get 3 zip pockets, plus an open drop-in rear pocket, and subtle reflective detailing.
Women pick from navy blue or charcoal gray, while men add a 3rd coffee brown option.
Then, back to the merino, there’s the 231€ Wo/Men’s Recon Hoodie. It uses the same black-only heavy Merino blend backed with recycled fleece lining fabric. But the full-length YKK-zip hooded sweatshirt features a slim fit that will even do well on mountain bike rides. And it features two zippered side slash pockets. Plus, a third zip pocket on the lower back to carry essentials while riding.
And that’s it, with an almost even split of being made in Lithuania or Italy. Some colors and sizes are already sold out. But Velocio plan to expand the Lifestyle lineup in 2024, and will add more colors to this existing collection, too. A solid hint of those upcoming plans, Velocio’s lifestyle pages are littered with images that clearly shows a couple more colors of sweats & hoodies…
