Research has shown聽that聽bike commuting is better for your health than driving, but without the right gear, the trip聽can be a hassle. Fortunately for you, we've found the goods to make pedaling to work聽a breeze.
Acre Meridian Alpine jacket ($455)
This is packed with cleverly disguised performance features, like zippered pockets on the sides to keep clear of a pack and a snap-off hood that鈥檚 cut to fit over a helmet. The Polartec NeoShell fabric breathes better than a bike courier doing block sprints, and the tailoring is so good it could have been designed just for you.聽
Specialized Utility vest ($180)
Unlike the vast majority of synthetic puffers, which can cause you to sweat like you鈥檙e wearing a garbage bag when pedaling hard, 聽adapts to regulate your temperature, thanks to military-grade synthetic insulation. Even better? Reversible versatility: staid two-tone gray for the office and traffic-cone orange for low-light conditions.聽
Kitsbow Power Wool base layer ($115)
Merino on the inside of 聽bumps up the warmth on chilly days, and the fabric on the face spirits away moisture. It鈥檚 also insulating, despite the thin-as-a-T-shirt feel. The cut is a touch large, so size down if you plan on layering.聽
Cadence Collection Raw Denim jeans ($120)
Cut from the stiff stuff, these 聽have a reinforced seat and double back pockets that will hold up to several seasons. Reflective hits on the back patch are great for after-hours riding, and the fabric breaks in after a few weeks in the saddle.聽
Mission Workshop Sanction backpack ($195)
This holds everything you need for a day at the office (and a stop at the gym on the way home), while the soft waterproof interior and waxed-canvas shell protect a laptop from nasty weather.聽
Giro Republic LX shoes ($200)
Though it looks as classy as an Italian loafer, this 聽is an SPD-compatible cycling shoe, with a stiff shank for efficient pedaling, a recessed cleat, and sticky pads on the outsole to keep you from clambering like a crab once the bike is parked.聽
Fairwear Spruceton shirt ($90)
The airiness of this 聽comes from the fabric: a bamboo-polyester blend that feels great while riding. More important, the material doesn鈥檛 wrinkle or accumulate moisture, so you鈥檒l roll into work looking pressed and crisp.聽
Trek Lync 5 ($1,340)
The aluminum comes with everything you need鈥攑edals, fenders, lights, and a rack鈥攖o hit the road right out of the box. Because the headlight and rear taillights are built into the frame and run off a down-tube-mounted, USB-rechargeable lithium-ion battery, you鈥檒l never have to worry about getting caught after dark without them. And while the bells and whistles are great, Trek didn鈥檛 overlook the basics, including a triple crankset for a huge gear range, reliable Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and Bontrager tires that proved sticky as Velcro even in the rain. The only thing missing? A kickstand. 30.2 lbs.